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Members of the local and national media began storming America II to discover details on the President’s visit, including why America II was honored to receive him. Local CBS affiliate WTSP 10 interviewed America II CEO and Founder Mike Galinksi and Vice President of Sales Chuck Magee Thursday afternoon.
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Thirty of America II’s most senior employees (each with eight or more years of service) were chosen to fill the platform behind President Bush as he addressed their fellow employees and Americans. During a dress rehearsal one day prior to the President’s address, America II CEO and Founder Mike Galinski rallies the “platform party.”
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Assisted by the White House, America II CEO and Founder Mike Galinski gathered those employees selected to participate in the roundtable discussion one day early to prepare for their involvement Friday.
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America II Warehouse Manager Bob Pierce learned of the President’s visit, and the physical preparations that would have to be made to the facility he oversees, on Tuesday. Within one shift, the America II Operations Team relocated the distributor’s entire cross-docking operations to an alternate warehousing area onsite – avoiding disruptions in shipping to customers and making room for the President’s stage.
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From hanging banners to clearing space, the America II Operations Team worked closely with the White House Staff to prepare the America II facility for Friday’s events. “There was a lot of work to do, but everybody just dove in and did it,” explained America II Warehouse Manager Bob Pierce.
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Stage lighting goes up in America II’s main warehousing and logistics facility.
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Nine America II employees, including America II CEO and Founder Mike Galinski,
participated in a roundtable discussion with President Bush and Governor Bush. When President
Bush asked America II Accounts Payable Supervisor and Army Reservist Al Letellier (far left)
why he was in uniform, Letellier offered “America II supports me 110% in my involvement with
the Reserves.” Letellier is currently preparing for a 2-week humanitarian mission in El Salvador
where he will support an engineering unit.
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During the roundtable discussion, President Bush asked questions of each
participating employee to learn his or her name, role and tenure with the company, and views on
America II’s initiatives illustrating corporate responsibility. Addressing America II
Administrative Quality Supervisor Margie Kreisle (second from right), the President
recognized America II’s quality certification before asking Kreisle what the company has
done to recognize her efforts in this area. “The company has always shown total support
when I recommend a direction on a quality measure we should take, enabling me to move it
forward and get it online,” Kreisle responded.
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America II CEO and Founder Mike Galinski opened Friday’s address with optimism for the semiconductor industry and a welcome to St. Petersburg, Florida Mayor Rick Baker, Governor Jeb Bush, and President Bush.
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Florida Governor Jeb Bush spoke to Friday’s audience on Florida’s economic conditions before introducing his brother.
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Local and national honorees, politicians, and press joined 500 America II employees for the President’s visit.
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America II, Governor Bush, and distinguished guests welcomed President Bush with applause.
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President Bush shaking hands with America II CEO and Founder Mike Galinski
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Bush taking his place at the podium
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The President’s speech elicited a strong response as he covered everything from corporate responsibility and volunteerism to the war on terrorism, recognizing the families of two soldiers killed in combat, Specialist IV Marc Anderson and Sgt. Bradley Crose.
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Following his address, President Bush exited the America II facility, shaking hands along the way.
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