The Ravizza Award
It’s been one year since we announced our first recipients of CEI's annual Ravizza Award from both office and field roles who put people first and make a positive impact in the community. This year, we're happy to announce Cupertino Electric's four 2022 Ravizza Award recipients: Shawn Clayton, Joe Fagan, Rebeca Holguin and Luis Uranga.
Selection of Winners
The Ravizza Award celebrates the legacy of CEI’s late Founder Gene Ravizza, who was known for his genuine kindness toward CEI employees, customers and the community. Sixty-eight years later, these traits are the bedrock of CEI’s values and are celebrated by the annual award that bears his name.
Each year, employees nominate co-workers in production and office roles who embody CEI’s values. Next, a panel of judges from across the company review nominations and select finalists to advance on to the executive leadership team (ELT) for review. The ELT determines the employee finalists, who each receive a physical award, a $5,000 check and an additional $5,000 to donate to a charitable organization of their choice.
CEI employees nominated 43 co-workers in 2022 for the Ravizza Award. We are pleased to announce the winners and tell you their stories:
Shawn Clayton (Office)
Senior Purchasing Agent Shawn Clayton began his CEI career as a Support Center materials handler in October 2013. His reputation for reliability and working efficiently helped him pivot to a role on the Purchasing Team in 2014. Now a senior purchasing agent, Shawn supports the Distributed Generation (DG) Team. In this role, Shawn is known for his service-focused approach and delivering the right materials and equipment on time to DG jobsites.
Project Manager Ryan Heinz said, “I've worked with Shawn since he was a material handler in the field. His knowledge of materials and great attitude of wanting to help has led to [him being] the best purchasing agent I've ever worked with.” He is not only known for his accuracy and quality—he’s extraordinarily service-minded.
From the nominations received, Shawn was recognized for his dedication to delivering great service to colleagues. Director of Substations Scott Seaberg said, “Shawn's Work Ethic and dedication to the success of CEI is something that we should all strive to have. […] Shawn does not just buy materials when asked but reaches out in a proactive manner when he sees a material lead time or price fluctuation happening to ensure projects are getting the best pricing.” Project Support Manager Heather Anderson said, “Shawn is dependable, organized and has top-notch communication. Shawn puts the people at CEI first and creates an atmosphere that promotes positivity for the people that get to interact with him.”
Receiving the Ravizza Award was not anything that Shawn expected. In fact, he was stunned to receive it. When asked about it, he said, “I would have never fathomed that I’d be in the spotlight for an award like this. I am just so grateful for the company that I work for. Because of the people and the culture, it’s never been a chore to come to work.”
And what’s Shawn doing with the $5,000 philanthropy funds? Shawn loves both Autism Speaks and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for the impact both have had on his family and his friend’s family. He is splitting his donation between the two organizations.
Joe Fagan (Production)
General Foreman Joe Fagan started as an electrician in south Mississippi and has built his career working at numerous projects throughout the U.S. He eventually settled in Indiana where his wife lives and calls that state home. When he took a call with CEI, he didn’t expect he would put down roots with the company.
“At the time, I thought it was just another call,’” Joe said. Today, he travels four hours each way between home and his CEI jobsite, but it’s worth it. “I feel like my [data center] team at NAO is a second family to me. We have a great dynamic here at NAO that I love. It’s an amazing environment that I want to stick around and be a part of.” Since starting at CEI in October 2018, he has built trusting relationships with his co-workers that contribute to a strong jobsite culture.
Joe is service-driven and intent on uplifting his co-workers and delivering quality work. One electrician wrote, “In my short few months of working with him he has demonstrated that he genuinely cares about those around him. He has bought lunch for the crew on several occasions even on days he doesn’t eat lunch.” Further, this same employee said, “I was going through an extremely difficult time shortly after starting with CEI and he made it known if I ever needed anything to let him know. He is one of the best men I feel I have ever had the pleasure of both working with and meeting in my life thus far.” Foreman Warren Patten agrees. He said, “He the best in the field I have seen. He is very smart when it comes to people, well-spoken can [make] a bad problem come out smelling like roses! Joe is perfect with the crew when giving out our tasks for the day! He the best of the best.”
When Joe’s son was in the hospital, an organization called Child’s Play provided video games to take his mind off the discomfort of being in the hospital. Child’s Play provides this service to hospitals and domestic violence shelters across the U.S. and is where Joe is directing his $5,000 charitable donation.
Rebeca Holguin (Office)
Regional Safety Manager Rebeca “Beca” Holguin is known for her infectious kindness and undivided interest in her co-workers' well-being. Beca’s career at CEI started in April 2017 when she was hired as a safety coordinator at a Los Lunas, New Mexico, data center. Since then, she has worked her way up through numerous roles and was recently promoted to regional safety manager. Her approach to coaching and caring has made her a champion of jobsite safety that has gained the trust of hundreds of colleagues.
“Beca is a tireless champion of safety,” said Safety Coordinator John Scearcy. “She goes above and beyond, always striving for excellence and encouraging/challenging, those around her to do the same.”
Beca’s responsibilities span projects in multiple states, including Arizona and Indiana. Her expanded role as a regional safety manager gives her additional opportunities to uphold CEI’s values among field employees at remote jobsites. Solar Tech Edwin Collazo said, “Rebecca Holguin has an amazing attitude. Her work ethic and behavioral skills have set an example with the majority of the working staff here at Central Line.”
She builds trust among her teams by always being available to talk. Project Safety Manager Tommy Oaks said, “Beca […] is always willing to help people in need, whether it be job-related or personal. She always makes time.” And Journeyman Cindy Gamez said, “I particularly enjoy her open-door policy to bring up any issues or answer any of our questions, which in turn makes for a clear and honest relationship amongst ourselves. That coupled with the energy and enthusiasm she brings to the office everyday makes me look forward to coming in every day.”
Beca believes a major part of success comes from being genuine, sympathetic and compassionate. She loves that her job gives opportunities to genuinely impact people one-on-one. Still, Beca was surprised when she received the award. “This is the most successful I’ve felt personally and professionally. When you hit a milestone in your career that you aren’t really aiming for, it’s special. I didn’t aim for this and am totally touched by it.”
Beca is directing her $5,000 for charity toward El Ranchito de los Niños, a children’s home that’s focused on keeping sibling groups together who would otherwise be separated in foster care.
Luis Uranga (Production)
General Foreman Luis Uranga has been with Cupertino Electric since April 2010 and is currently working at a confidential data center project in Hayward, California. Luis is known by his crews in the Data Center Division for his ability to mentor and bring up the next generation of electricians and leaders. He teaches in the IBEW apprenticeship program and has also volunteered numerous times to teach Bluebeam classes for CEI employees.
Luis’s passion for engaging crew members helps them get up to speed quickly, especially at challenging data center construction sites. One hallmark of his leadership is that Luis will not ask his crew members to do something he wouldn’t be willing to do himself. Superintendent Kyle Hirayama said, “Luis leads from the front. He encourages feedback from all members of his crews. He has a passion for teaching others and sharing his knowledge. […] He is a great mentor!”
Luis also carries himself with the highest level of professionalism. This trait has caught the attention of his peers, as well. General Foreman Tom DiGiallonardo said, “This is the first time I have worked with Luis, and for the past four months I have never seen him lose his cool. He always has a great attitude, even with tremendous pressure to perform.” Director of Field Operations Jeremy Flanders agrees, saying, “Luis leads his teams with the utmost professionalism and respect. He is always calm and respectful when dealing with his peers or the customer.”
Luis was shocked to be given the Ravizza award. When asked about the honor, he said, “Everything I know here at CEI has come from the mentoring of the leaders who I’ve worked with. They’ve laid out a great foundation of CEI's procedures and standards. They’ve always treated me with respect and support, and it’s helped lay a good foundation for my own leadership skills. I am extremely grateful.”
Where is Luis going to direct the $5,000 in philanthropy money? He’s not entirely sure yet, but he’s considering a smaller charity that’s making a difference in his community.
