“Your introduction and first-ever post shows once again that the EO Open Fourm is widely read. To satisfy my curiosity, may readers have your name, bio and links to the organizations you mentioned? More info about the turtle transport from one who is actually doing it would be of interest too.”
Phil-interesting, your choice of the Trebuchet typeface. The trebuchet, as you are aware, was a medieval catapult. I’ve read your blogs since joining FedEx CC some years ago and they have catapulted me to interesting reading, often inspiring.
I had the pleasure of meeting you and Diane on my first day with CC, when we attended a WG class at HQ in early 2008. You, both, were most gracious to me with advice and offers of assistance as a “newbie”.
Anyway, as a direct respond to your message:
My name is Bob Reddick, I currently drive a BR unit (BR1017) as part of the ExpediteItRight team. I’ve spent most of my professional life in executive positions in publishing & IT focused in the government contracting market spaces—not sure how to position a bio on this forum, yet.
Organization links:
The Growing Connection
Under Construction
Hunger Statistics
Stop the Hunger - world hunger statistics updated in real time
Personal Business website
Misty River Optimal Organizations > Home: Experiential Training, Unique Teams, Optimal Performance
Regarding the Turtle Rescue Mission, I am one of two units currently supporting this project. The other unit is an ‘E’ unit which aggregates sea turtle extraction containers from several locations on the Gulf Coast. They are maintained in a temperature controlled environment, secure on especially designed pallets to hold them in place, away from each other with extra air bags, on each skid, to reduce vibrations during transit. The E unit’s primary focus is the transport of turtle eggs. They are taken to a dedicated incubator building an the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, FL. Great contrast here—an egg about the size of two quarters (side-by-side) housed near Shuttle hangers and Atlas rockets.
My role focuses on moving the hatchlings from similar locations to release sites near Jacksonville, Fl. I use the same skid type and maintain similar environmental controls—the difference being my cargo is moving and requires greater concentration relative to cargo shift, as they are moving around…just kidding…they are about the size of a business card. They are hilarious when released, often defying the axiom “slow as a turtle”.
I also serve as a feeder unit to the E unit, moving eggs from beach locations to the E staging lot, on the Florida State ‘B’ Preserve in Port St. Joe, FL. When on this type of assignment I get an opportunity to work with the hundreds of volunteers who locate, protect and excavate the turtle nests. They work around the clock, often individually staying with “their” nest for 30-40 hours before relief. Also, naturalists like Animal Planet’s Jeff Corwin are engaged. Mr. Corwin, by the way, is a most gracious person,-not at all what I have experienced from celebrity in the past. We are on call, 24 hours/day and move at the discretion of the turtles. The E unit is operated by a team and generally has daily runs. I am not bound by logs, but of course, need to maintain safe operating standards. I can move one turtle or hundreds, whatever is needed. The rest of the time it’s supporting Panera Bread, Borders Books or a local library.
I’ve just gotten into blogs, writing that is, and read yours with great interest. I especially like the “what I learned approach”. I may be contacting you for some advice.
Apologies for the response length…hope it sheds some light and am open to any questions.
Thank you,
Bob
[email protected]