The Legacy of Founder Gene Ravizza
CEI’s late Founder Gene Ravizza was known for using time, generosity and kindness to create an environment where employees showed up to do their best work. Today, that legacy is being celebrated with the first annual Ravizza Award, given to select employees who embody CEI’s values and honor Gene’s philosophy.
Project Coordinator Virginia Punzalan once said, “Gene will always remind me that we [at CEI] are in ‘the people business.’” Senior Vice President of Operations Adam Spillane said, "Regardless of position, Gene had an amazing ability to see and listen to everyone in the room. He valued each person as a whole person and treated them with amazing respect."
Those honoring Gene’s legacy as Ravizza Award recipients each receive a glass award, a $5,000 check and an additional $5,000 to donate to a charitable organization.
The Selection Process
Thirty-nine CEI employees in both production and office roles were nominated by their co-workers for the inaugural Ravizza Award. Nominations were then carefully reviewed by judges from across the company who recommended finalists to the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). After thoughtful consideration, the ELT ultimately chose the award recipients—and doubled the number of winners from two to four in the process.
And the winners are…
Kevin Macierz (Office)
Kevin Macierz started working at CEI in February 1985. While at CEI, he has worked in the Support Center, as a mechanic, in Safety and now in Facilities. His current title is generic by design: “Runner.” It defines a CEI employee in San Jose who serves in a versatile support role too broad to define. Anything more specific would be inaccurate in describing the man who’s made it his mission to serve CEI and its employees for decades. If you started work in the San Jose office before the pandemic, Kevin was likely one person you met on your first day—and he probably remembered your name every day after.
Production Administration Coordinator Carly Yoshioka said in her nomination, “Kevin goes above and beyond his daily tasks for everyone. If someone is in need of assistance, he is consistently there for them. Doesn't matter how big or small the project is, if you've been with the company for years or just started, he is someone who others can depend on every day.” Weekday or weekend, day or night, rain or shine, Kevin is a utility player who helps co-workers and ensures things run smoothly. Late in his life, Gene Ravizza came to rely on Kevin, too, for rides to company barbecues.
When asked how he might direct the $5,000 charitable donation in his name, Kevin mentioned an organization that’s been important to him for a long time: Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. When asked how it feels to be recognized by his co-workers for the inaugural Ravizza Award, Kevin said, “It feels great! It’s an honor. I love CEI, and it’s made the last 36 years fly by!”
Sharneet Saini (Production)
General Foreman Sharneet Saini has been with CEI since September 2011. He currently works at a very large commercial project in Mountain View, California. During his decade-long tenure, Sharneet has developed a solid reputation for bringing up the next generation of electricians and supporting their advancement so that they deliver great work.
His glowing nominations from crew members show that Sharneet is people-focused. Foreman Joaquin Correa-Mickel said, “What sets Sharneet apart is the willingness that he has to share his knowledge; not just to provide support for this individual project, but to help set me, and others, up for success in our own personal skill-sets. Over the last six months, I feel I have become much more capable and confident.” Even those in leadership roles have recognized that Sharneet embodies Gene Ravizza’s “People” value. General Superintendent and Ravizza Award panelist judge Mark Lopez said, “He’s the first person who came to mind if I were submitting someone…He has a really great personality and he treats people with respect. He has fortitude with the customer and has the best interests of the company in mind. He’s definitely someone who is in the ‘people business.’”
Sharneet’s philosophy with charitable giving—both time or money—is to treat others how you would want to be treated in a time of need. Most recently, his philanthropic interests have been focused on COVID in India, where many of his family members live. India lacks enough medical supplies, food and water to properly serve those who are suffering from sickness or poverty. But Sharneet believes there is hope. “Some of the hardest working people I know are from India and I know they are going to fight through this.”
Sharneet also spoke about what an honor it is to receive an inaugural Ravizza Award: “Mr. Ravizza created a work environment where the company is filled with great people and I am just doing my small part to help our team succeed. Having met Mr. Ravizza a few times, and knowing the foundational values CEI’s was built upon, is something that has always hit home for me. My parents raised me on the same core values that this inaugural Ravizza award represents: hard work, helping others and supporting the community.”
Kim Hix (Office)
When Procurement Logistics Manager Kim Hix started at CEI in May 2015, she had no idea that six years later she would fully embrace CEI’s “People” value in a way that would earn her accolades. The nominations she received this year glow with appreciation for her kindness and ability to manage her team to achieve top-level performance. Her reputation is built on her ability to pitch in and support those who need it, when they need it. Often, this involves doing work that isn’t classified as “manager work” but is focused on helping the team meet its goals.
Accounts Payable Specialist and award submitter Alicia Costa said, “As a manager she's not above helping with vendor calls, processing invoices, or even reconciling statements to help her team. She demonstrates a kindness and humor that allows her team and all others to approach her with any issue they may have. She's there for you for work issues or if you need someone to talk to.”
Since nominations were submitted, Kim relocated from San Jose to Washington state and transferred to a new role in the Purchasing Department. Prior to her move, Kim’s philanthropic efforts were focused on animal welfare organizations like the 13th Street Cat Rescue and Sweet Farm in Pescadero, California. Three of her recent charities of interest are the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the Coalition for Rainforest Nations and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
Kim is filled with gratitude for receiving an inaugural Ravizza Award: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I am amazed and inspired by so many at CEI, and I’m unconditionally proud to work at this organization. I have tried my best to grasp the opportunities presented to me and to support those around me, but I have never been without someone on my team, someone in management, or someone in a completely different department who wasn’t just as committed. There are so many people deserving of this award—I know because I work with many of them regularly. I am humbled, and ecstatic, and truly can’t put into words how much this means to me.”
Ramon Kamber (Production)
General Foreman Ramon Kamber started at CEI as a journeyman wireman in August 2000. For the last 17 years he has worked on the Prefabrication team in San Jose, where he and his crew are focused on efficiency and service. Their goals are centered on unburdening the field and helping project teams save time on schedules.
Ramon is known as a selfless and supportive leader among his crew and his peers. His can-do attitude closely aligns with CEI’s people-focused and results-oriented culture. These traits give his co-workers confidence that they can rely on him and his team to see tasks through to completion. Superintendent Tom Stone said in his nomination, “Ramon goes above and beyond his normal role duties to help anyone who asks him. He is dedicated, knowledgeable and effective.” Panelist judge and General Superintendent Mark Lopez said, “He never makes the field feel like their ask is too tall. He assures them [the field] that he’ll get the product to them and he does.”
Ramon also serves in the community, working with young people and families. In 2019, he started coaching football at Gavilan College and previously coached at the youth and high school level for 14 years. He decided to direct portions of his $5,000 charitable donation to CEI’s India COVID relief fund and Casitas de Esperanza (part of Amigos de Guadalupe). Amigos de Guadalupe is important to Ramon because it helps families and children who are struggling in San Jose. It provides housing, education, immigration, food and other necessities.
When he learned he was an inaugural Ravizza Award winner, Ramon was touched and surprised. “This award represents Mr. Ravizza’s approach to business and life. For my name to be on this award with his name is an amazing honor,” he said. But he returns the spotlight to his team and what they’ve accomplished together: “It feels great to know the relationships and the trust we’ve built with the field and the office is appreciated.”
Congratulations to the first group of CEI Ravizza Award winners!
