Reflections ... APM Pillar Showcase – Collaborating to Deliver Training Excellence

We are sharing a spooky good story today! Many of you attended the SQCT events this past summer. I trust you found the training valuable and the experience worthwhile … no tricks, just teamwork! It takes a lot of people working in front and behind the scenes to make these events successful. Without effective planning, communication, and flexibility, it might have been a scary scene. To provide deeper insight, I asked a few of our team members to share their perspectives on how the SQCT events exemplify the real magic … collaboration!

At APM, Collaboration isn’t just a value … it’s how we work! This year’s Safety & Quality Culture Training (SQCT) at the Leadership & Development Center in Pasadena, TX, brought that concept to life, uniting hundreds of employees around our shared commitment to safety, quality, and culture.

Across two August sessions, nearly 300 team members came together from across the company to learn, share, and strengthen their skills. Behind the scenes, a cross-functional team of planners, trainers, and facilitators worked tirelessly to ensure that every detail reflected our collaborative spirit.

Building Success Through Teamwork

According to Gail Melancon, Training Event Specialist, the foundation of every successful event is genuine teamwork.
“Collaboration is essential to collective success,” Gail explained. “Having facilitators who encourage participation creates meaningful collaboration where everyone learns from one another.”

From the earliest planning sessions to the final lessons-learned meetings, teams across APM worked together to create an environment where open dialogue and shared learning thrived. Allowing time for networking during evening activities strengthened relationships and gave participants opportunities to discuss new insights gained from the sessions.

Cross-Functional Coordination at Every Step

Jared Jordan, Communications Specialist, described the coordination behind the scenes as “proof in the planning.” Weekly brainstorming meetings began months before the event, ensuring all stakeholders, from Finance and Operations to EHS, IT, and Communications, were aligned on goals and logistics.

“The Training, Communications, and IT Teams served on the frontlines each day to ensure an excellent experience,” Jared shared. “But truly, it was an all-hands effort that showcased what it means to be One APM.”

That spirit of alignment and accountability echoed through the words of Tom Hermanns, Training & Leadership Development Manager: “Without leveraging a cross-functional team of employees to plan and execute, we would have fallen short of our expectation to deliver training excellence.”

Learning, Adapting, and Celebrating Wins

While planning such a large-scale event presented challenges, the team’s open communication and shared problem-solving mindset made the difference. “We supported one another through every challenge,” Gail said. “By seeking input and sharing ideas, we always found solutions together.”

Recognition also played a key role. From tailgate parties and team dinners to employee awards and lessons-learned sessions, each milestone became an opportunity to celebrate collaboration in motion.

Adam Frank, Business Intelligence Director, emphasized how these experiences drive growth: “Continuous improvement requires reflection and acceptance that everything can be improved upon, and we do that best as a team.”

Leading with Passion and Purpose

For many, the event was not just about logistics but about leading through learning. Nate Christensen, Superintendent and Trainer, described collaboration as “crucial for growth.”
”To grow, we must come together, charge challenges head-on, and find solutions as a team,” Nate said. “Discomfort makes us grow … and when we have a team to help, it’s even better.”

That mindset was evident in the gratitude shared across teams, from the planning committee to the facilitators and support staff … Names like Gail Melancon, Tom Hermanns, Stephen Alcala, Erica Lee, Timothy Hoch, John Baierlein, Kevin McKee, Martin Laverdiere, Chris Handley, Teri Carlson, Jared Kennard, Ed Deitman, Demarcus Jefferson, Nate Christensen, Isaac Smith, Mike Bush, Jason Bowen, Tommy Tucker, Matt Kunzelman, Danielle Carilli, Leslie Jeanes, Amanda Szwender, Sarah Smith, Collin Warren, Kerrey Young, Carisma Spears, Jared Jordan, and Katie Maldonado stood out for their leadership and commitment to delivering an excellent event. Stephen Wall and his team at the LDC also supported the logistics of this event every step of the way. Wow! What an incredible effort by so many people working collectively to deliver something truly special. The collaboration effort was as impressive as the event itself!

A Shared Commitment to Excellence

In her closing reflection, Julie Doyle, Chief Service Officer, captured what this event represented for APM:
The hard work, dedication, and team effort it takes to plan and execute these events is incredible. Regardless of the obstacles, the team shined. Our field partners left with more knowledge and inspiration to lead when they walked out the doors.”

The 2025 SQCT once again proved that Collaboration is more than a company pillar … it’s the power that moves APM forward. Together, we continue to grow stronger and safer through remaining connected.

-Jake