February Newsletter
This Month in Review:
Boy, did February fly by fast! We hope everyone had a sweet and safe Valentine’s Day. This month was filled with exciting company updates, new initiatives, employee features, and more!
Below are February’s highlights and announcements.
Announcements:
American Digital Security
ADS Founder & Vice President, Buddy Mason, appeared on Channel 41 Action News on February 5th as he made his way to Tampa for the big game. We want to thank the Chiefs organization for the continued business.
Check out the article and video here!
Kincaid Coach Lines
–Meet Starla Fleming–
Starla has been in the motorcoach industry for over 20 years serving in
a variety of roles. Her talent and hard work led Kincaid Coach Lines to select her as General Manager of the Oklahoma operations, where her performance has been superb. Lance Moore, Director of Operations at Kincaid Coach Lines, was proud to hear that Starla would be featured in Women in Buses. “We are honored to see Starla recognized among the women that help make this industry,” said Moore.
Starla was also honored to hear she was being featured. “When I think of all the great women leaders I have met throughout my career in this industry,
I feel very humbled and honored to be selected for this opportunity,” said Fleming.
Moving forward, Starla is excited to see what the future holds for Kincaid Coach Lines. “I am excited to see how the prevalence of women in leadership roles has grown during my time in the industry and can’t wait to see these roles expand to all aspects of our business,” Fleming said when asked about her outlook on the future.
We will share the link to the article once it has been posted next month.
State Line Nissan
Coming soon…All-new 2022 Nissan Pathfinder re-invented
A rugged yet modern design rebirth – The 2022 Pathfinder is all-new from the ground-up. Every inch of the vehicle was carefully designed to convey a sense of strength and capability with a strong front face, wide stance, blister fenders and a shorter front overhang, compared to the previous design.
Details:
  • All-new 9-speed transmission for smooth, direct response.
  • All-new Intelligent 4WD with 7-position Drive and Terrain Mode Selector.
  • Best-in-class available 6,000-pound maximum towing capacity allows drivers to confidently haul boats, ATVs and trailers.
  • Seating for up to eight, new captain’s chairs options.
Reminders:
DS Bus Lines
Know someone who has a passion for school buses or has ever wanted to become a school bus driver? Now is their opportunity. DS Bus Lines is still hiring for open bus monitor and bus driver positions in their Olathe and Shawnee Mission (Merriam) location.
  • High starting wages
  • Paid training (DS Bus will train you from start to finish!)
  • Weekly pay with paid holidays and guaranteed 20 hours work per week
  • No CDL required (Anyone with little to no experience bus driving can apply.)
Applicants can apply under the “Careers” tab on the company’s website or call either the Olathe or Shawnee Mission location.
It doesn’t stop there…Any employee that refers a new hire has the opportunity to earn some extra money. To be eligible for the referral bonus, all you have to do is send someone to DS Bus that you feel would be a good fit to join the company. The new hire must be employed with DS Bus for 90 days to be qualified.
Conditions and terms apply. Please contact your Olathe or Shawnee Mission contract manager for details! What are you waiting for? Get referring today!
Always Learning:
This section will be used to relay tips related to technology, organization, efficiency, and more. If you or your team has a tip that you think would benefit other employees, please submit it to our Marketing Team at marketing@thekincaidgroup.com.
For this first month, we have information from NPR Health on how to upgrade your face mask as the pandemic continues.
Face Mask Protection | It’s Time To Up Your Game
With extra-contagious strains of COVID-19 coming online, and vaccine rollout slower than anyone likes, it’s time for face masks that offer better protection. Wondering how you can improve the masks you routinely wear?
One strategy is to double up, experts say. Start with a surgical mask made of nonwoven material called polypropylene, then place a tighter-fitting cloth mask over the top to decrease the amount of virus that can get through.
Read on for more tips —Learn why wearing two masks is better than one and why coffee filters won’t help, but tying knots in the ear loops might!
Employee Spotlights:
The Kincaid Group
Caroline Taylor – Marketing Specialist
Q: How long have you worked for The Kincaid Group?
A: Since August 2020.
Q: What is your favorite memory since working for The Kincaid Group?
A: Meeting baby Josiah and his family at TKG and seeing his family receive the adaptive van to help transport him to his doctor’s appointments easier. It was a beautiful experience to document and I got to be on TV, which was pretty cool!
Q: What is your favorite part of working for The Kincaid Group?
A: Being able to do what I am passionate about every day, taking photos, editing videos, and being a social media guru. Also, my coworkers are always supportive and fun to work with daily.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
A: I love photography, making videos, going hiking/running, playing with my mini golden doodle, traveling, and exploring new places.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
A: My favorite TV shows are How I Met Your Mother, The Good Place, and New Girl.
Q: What is your favorite meal or restaurant?
A: My favorite meal is eggplant parmesan. My favorite restaurant is any Italian place or sushi from Blue Saki.
Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
A: Kansas City Chiefs or KU basketball.
Q: Share something interesting about yourself that will help your co-workers get to know you better:
A: I grew up in the suburbs, 40 minutes North of NYC and have lived there all my life. I came to Kansas to go to KU as a third generation legacy on my dad’s side and my parents went there.
Midwest Bus Sales
Christopher Storck – Parts Manager – Bonner Springs, KS
Q: How long have you worked for Midwest Bus Sales?
A: Coming up on 4 1/2 years.
Q: What is your favorite memory since working for Midwest Bus Sales?
A: The employee lunch-ins and holiday parties.
Q: What is your favorite part of working for Midwest Bus Sales?
A: The atmosphere and employees I work with. The enjoy the camaraderie with everybody.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
A: Watching anything Marvel and Star Wars or playing with my 3 daughters.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
A: TV Show: The Mandalorian; Movie: Any of the Marvel movies, Doctor Strange.
Q: What is your favorite meal or restaurant?
A: Anything barbeque.
Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
A: KU Jayhawks.
Q: Share something interesting about yourself that will help your co-workers get to know you better:
A: I used to collect hot wheels and have thousands of hot wheels still in their packages.
DS Bus Lines
Everett Bechtel- Part-Time School Bus Driver – Belton, MO
Q: How long have you worked for DS Bus Lines?
A: I’ve been driving for 27 years. I worked for Crabtree-Harmon Corporation before they changed the name and have been with DS Bus for 4 years.
Q: What is your favorite memory since working for DS Bus Lines?
A: He is glad to be in good enough health to come to DS Bus Lines every day!
Q: What is your favorite part of working for DS Bus Lines?
A: It seems to be a good fit. I like my boss and never had problems coming to work. That would be the best part of it. I don’t want to work full-time so this works just fine for me.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
A: Riding a motorcycle.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
A: I like the farm channel and mid-western shows such as Gunsmoke and The Andy Griffith Show.
Q: What is your favorite meal or restaurant?
A: I like steak and potatoes. I found a restaurant in Missouri called Fugly’s that I really like.
Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
A: I’m not much for sports, but if I had to pick, it would be the Chiefs.
Q: Share something interesting about yourself that will help your co-workers get to know you better:
A: I try to be friends with everybody and speak with them.
Kincaid Coach Lines
Steve Thomson – Part-Time Driver –
Tulsa, OK
Q: How long have you worked for Kincaid Coach Lines?
A: I started working for Red Carpet Charters in April 2000. In 2018, they merged with KCL, so I came on board with them then. Between the two companies, slightly over 20 years.
Q: What is your favorite memory since working for Kincaid Coach Lines?
A: Being part-time, I do a lot of day trips and not so many cross-country, week-long adventures. I have many favorite memories, but if I had to choose one it would be traveling to Washington, DC. I had not been there before, so it was an adventure I enjoyed.
Q: What is your favorite part of working for Kincaid Coach Lines?
A: I enjoy the job in general because it is different every time. I go places and see some interesting things that I wouldn’t normally get to see otherwise. I also met a lot of nice people in the company including drivers that I consider friends now and others in the company. I almost consider driving as much a hobby as I do a job.
Q: What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
A: I’m a musician. I’m a music director at a church in Muskogee, OK. I’ve participated in music in my community church, I’m in two acapella groups, I participate in community theatre, and the yearly Messiah production. I also do some bicycling on the side.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
A: I recently started watching Netflix and have a few favorites including Stranger Things and Designated Survivor. Most of my favorite movies are from the 80’s and 90’s including ET.
Q: What is your favorite meal or restaurant?
A: I love food. It is a toss up between Mexican and Italian. There is a local place I go to weekly called Senior Lopez.
Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
A: I’m not real big on pro sports. I follow the Oklahoma Sooner’s college football very closely. I like Oklahoma State sports just as much also.
Q: Share something interesting about yourself that will help your co-workers get to know you better:
A: Family is very important in my life. I have about nine grandchildren and two sons here in town, which I see practically every day. My wife takes care of some of them.
American Digital Security
Jen Smead – Senior Sales Executive
Q: How long have you worked for American Digital Security?
A: Eight years.
Q: What is your favorite memory since working for American Digital Security?
A: Oh boy, where do I start….maybe the time Buddy wrestled a refrigerator by trying to jump on it to get to our equipment. Or any of the evenings spent on the back patio.
Q: What is your favorite part of working for American Digital Security?
A: I enjoy the people I work with all day. Some days with coworkers, other days with customers, but either way, the people are the best!
Q: What are your favorite hobbies outside of work?
A: Hanging out on the boat with friends and family. Last summer we started bringing the dogs – now we can’t get out the door without them if they see us packing the cooler.
Q: What is your favorite TV show and/or movie?
A: Tommy Boy!
Q: What is your favorite meal or restaurant?
A: PF Chang’s – it’s actually where I met my husband – he was my waiter.
Q: Who is your favorite sports team?
A: Chiefs!
Q: Share something interesting about yourself that will help your co-workers get to know you better:
A: I’ve been married to my husband Chris for 16 years. We have a 16-year-old daughter, Kylee and a 13-year-old son, Justin.
The Kincaid Group | New Company Overview Video
In case you missed it, over the past few months, our Marketing Specialist, Caroline Taylor, worked to create an overview video that captures The Kincaid Group, our divisions, and who we are as a company. Watch the full video here or on The Kincaid Group YouTube page.
Social Media Reminder
Below are links to various social media pages of our divisions. Please feel free to like/follow as many as you would like to stay updated frequently on company news, highlights, and tips.
Additionally, the Marketing and Communications team is always looking for ideas on social media posts. If you ever have a work-related story, picture, video, etc. that may be worth sharing, please send it to marketing@thekincaidgroup.com or to caroline.taylor@thekincaidgroup.com.
Social media is free publicity and a great way for the community to stay up-to-date with the work and accomplishments of our outstanding employees.
The Kincaid Group
American Digital Security
DS Bus Lines
Kincaid Coach Lines
Kincaid Information Technology
Midwest Bus Sales
State Line Nissan
Birthdays and Work Anniversaries
Lastly, click here to view the February birthdays, and click here to view the February work anniversaries. We hope that everyone on these lists had a great birthday or anniversary and we are thankful to have you on our team!
Thank you for your continued support of The Kincaid Group! To submit a story or point of interest for future newsletters, please contact Marketing Specialist, Caroline Taylor, caroline.taylor@thekincaidgroup.com.