$150,000 Distributed in Annual Jackpot Drawings
AlaTrade prides itself on giving back to the people who make the company great. CEO John Pittard explains, “we want to be the best company to work for on Sand Mountain,” and AlaTrade’s efforts well and truly exemplify that mission. Along with the ESOP program, scholarship opportunities, and day-to-day perks, each year, AlaTrade rewards employees with a sum of $150,000 through annual Jackpot drawings for each shift at all three plants.
The $150,000 of Jackpot money is divided evenly between each plant, and then divided again to give half to each shift, for a fair distribution of this award. Essentially, each shift at AlaTrade had a pool of $25,000 to win from. Per shift, the Boaz and Albertville plants awarded three $5,000 cash prizes and one $10,000 cash prize. The Phenix City plant awarded two $5,000 cash prizes and one $15,000 cash prize per shift. This year’s North Alabama Jackpot festivities were on July 10th. For each drawing, any employee-owner who had been with the company by December 31, 2023, and exhibited excellent attendance had a chance to win a cash prize.
Beginning on July 10th during shift break, the day shift and night shift teams at the AlaTrade Albertville, AL, and Boaz, AL, plants began taking turns gathering in their respective break rooms for the AlaTrade Jackpot drawings.
The Albertville 1st shift winners included Dayana Silva ($5,000), Ana Ramirez Altamirano ($5,000), Carlos Juan ($5,000), and Criselda Vela ($10,000). Each of these four winners expressed their gratitude to the company, and we were lucky to hear a little bit about how each employee-owner plans to use their money. Carlos Juan, with the company for 13 years, says that he loves being able to work with the people he hangs out with, and AlaTrade “feels like a family” to him. Juan plans to help build churches with this money and buy school clothes for his 4 children.
Albertville’s 2nd shift winners were Victor Santana Jr. ($5,000), Monique Serna ($5,000), Alejandrina Cepeda ($5,000), and Felix Fontanez-Torres ($10,000). Victor Santana Jr. has been with AlaTrade for 11 years and confided that he is really thankful for the relationships he’s developed through his time at the company. Santana says that he’s gained a lot of real friendships over the course of his 11 years with the company.
The Boaz 1st shift winners were Juan Flores ($5,000), Jennifer Montano ($5,000), Ivan Lopez ($5,000), and Guilda Gonzalez ($10,000). Jennifer Montano shared with us that AlaTrade is like her second home. A common theme among winners at each plant is their desire to use their winnings to help their family. Montano wants to invest her winnings into her daughter’s future, as she works toward becoming a doctor. Ivan Lopez intends to use the extra money as an opportunity to help some family members in Guatemala.
The 2nd shift winners at Boaz included Charles Chappel ($5,000), Martin Hernandez-Pacheco ($5,000), Liza Badillo Mendez ($5,000), and Ricardo Valle III ($10,000). Charles Chappel remarked, “AlaTrade is like a big ol’ family. I’ve encouraged 3 or 4 to come work here, and I’m trying to get my brother here now.” One of the most impassioned winners for the Jackpot season was Ricardo – he had a difficult time accepting this remarkable reward, in total shock, but he expressed his wishes for God to bless the company. He later told us that he and his wife couldn’t sleep after the drawings, so ecstatic and giddy.
Concluding the North Alabama drawings, the AlaTrade management team traveled to Phenix City, AL, and beginning on the evening of July 11th, they drew for 2nd Shift winners, following up the morning of July 12th for Phenix City 1st Shift employee-owners. The 1st shift winners were Ronda Davis Thompson ($5,000), Karina Cabrera Meija ($5,000), and Dominique Rose ($15,000). Dominique Rose, with the company for 6 years, was overwhelmed with joy, saying, “I plan to use the money to get my kids ready for the new school year and pay some bills.” Additionally, Rose proclaimed her plans to stay with AlaTrade for years to come. Another winner, Ronda, who has also been with AlaTrade for 6 years, explained that she cared deeply for AlaTrade, and described it as a place where “people get a second chance.”
In Phenix City, the 2nd shift winners were Corey Jones ($5,000), Daniela Maldanado Rivera ($5,000), and Terrence Carter ($15,000). Big winner, Terrence Carter has a kid going off to college, and proudly said “Now dad can help.” Similarly, Corey Jones wants to use his winnings toward upcoming school needs for his children, and extra cash to help stay caught up with bills.
The AlaTrade Jackpot is more than just a chance to win money; it’s a celebration of our employee-owners and their contributions. Since transitioning to an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) in 2020, AlaTrade has emphasized its commitment to putting people first. This program allows employees to effectively own the company, sharing in its growth and success. John Pittard explained to the employees at the Jackpot drawings, “We want to treat you like family… As we work together and do well as a company, we share it back with you, our employee-owners.” The foundation of the AlaTrade company culture is one of putting its people and its customers as the primary focus. Because of the implementation of the ESOP program, the employees of AlaTrade now effectively own the company where they work, and everyone who is committed to growing with AlaTrade is rewarded for his or her hard work.
Not only did dedicated employees have the chance to win big in the AlaTrade Jackpot this July, but they continue to win every day as employee-owners! Come work with the best and be eligible for next year’s Jackpot drawings. To join this winning team, visit https://www.alatrade.com/opportunities/
