Update on United Radio taking part in Viewpoint program (photos)
Here’s an update on the Viewpoint program that will feature United Radio. The segment is scheduled to air in the May/June time period according to the show’s producer. In the meantime, here are some photos from back in December when the video crew was on locations at our Syracuse campus. You can read more about United Radio’s participation on the Viewpoint program on this company news page.
United Radio employees surpass LDP Sock Drive goal (video)
United Radio employees nearly doubled their goal of 3,000 pairs of new socks in their sock drive, organized by the Leadership Development Program Cohort 2 group. Congratulations to Alison Mapes, Brenna Cawley, Derek Bowers, Joe Ucher, Kim Lane, Lakeitha Williams, Mohit Gupta, Rory Musselman and Tara Thornton for organizing this event and to all the United Radio employee who participated. This is another example of our United Radio core value: “We have a responsibility to each other to create a better community.” You can view all six core values here. Here is a video thank you from the group!
LDP Sock Drive Partner Spotlight and sock drive update: The Road Home
Our United Radio Cohort #2 of the Leadership Development Program decided that the best way we could make a positive impact on our community would be to help those struggling with housing and financial insecurity. The group embarked on a company-wide sock drive. Here is an article on our Salt Lake City partner: The Road Home. Our company exceeded our goal of 3,000 pairs of new socks with one week left to donate!
LDP Sock Drive Partner Spotlight and sock drive update
Our United Radio Cohort #2 of the Leadership Development Program decided that the best way we could make a positive impact on our community would be to help those struggling with housing and financial insecurity. The group embarked on a company-wide sock drive. Here is an article on our Peachtree City partner The Real Life Center. The company is also closing in our goal of 3,000 pairs of new socks!
Logistics, weather, charity and legacy: Meet the new leader of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade
Editor’s note: The follow story is from syracuse.com. By Don Cazentre | dcazentre@nyup.com Vince Christian remembers going to the downtown Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade as a spectator when he was growing up. In recent years, he became involved with the committee that organizes the annual event, including heading up its charitable arm, the St. Patrick Hunger Project, which raises money for the Food Bank of Central New York. This year, he’ll oversee the parade for the first time as president of the Syracuse St. Patrick’s Parade Committee. He replaced longtime president Janet Higgins, who retired last May. “It’s going to be a great day,” Christian said of the 2024 edition which steps off at noon Saturday. “The weather is looking beautiful. I hope we get a big crowd. The more the merrier.” This is the 42nd year the parade will travel down South Salina Street from Clinton Square to West Onondaga Street near the Marriott Syracuse Downtown hotel. (The parade was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 by the Covid pandemic). It typically attracts one of the largest crowds for any event downtown each year, unites all kinds of people under various shades of green, and helps kick off spring (even if it sometimes snows on parade day). That’s a legacy Christian said he’s proud and happy to take on. Here are his thoughts on running the parade this year: The logistics You might think organizing nearly 100 floats, bands, police and fire agencies, civic groups and other marchers through the city streets would be daunting task. Christian admits it’s a big job, but one that he’s prepared for. That’s partly because Christian, 51, is the director of logistics in the automotive division at United Radio, the East Syracuse-based electronics company. He’s also been working with the parade for many years. He’ll start by following the motto often repeated by Higgins: “As long as everyone is marching in the same direction, I’m happy.” “We’ll go with that because it works,” Christian said. “At least nobody’s been run over yet.” This year, the number of marching units in the parade is slightly more than last year while still a bit less than before Covid. That’s something he’s planning to work on for next year. “We are coming up with some new initiatives for next year’s parade,” he said. “The goal is to increase the number of floats and participation in the parade itself.” The team In the meantime, this year’s parade is running as usual, in part because the organizing team has a lot of experience. “There’s a lot of people in the same jobs,” Christian said. That includes longtime volunteer “Miss Judy,” who, equipped with her whistle, helps make sure the parade keeps moving. “We’d be lost without Miss Judy,” he said. ”We do have a great team.” The weather For Christian, the perfect weather for the parade would be “50 degrees and sunny with no wind.” After all, many people use the parade as an excuse to break out their Aran wool sweaters and tweed jackets. “A few years ago, when it was 70, I may have been the only one who thought it was too warm,” he said. So far, the forecast for Saturday seems to be close to Christian’s ideal: A high of 50, with overcast skies but no rain or snow. As much as he like to, he recognizes the parade president has no real control over the weather. But he’s not taking chances. He plans to attend the parade day Mass and say a few prayers. There’s also a bit of a family tradition. “My grandmother used to set her rosary outside to help ensure good weather,” he said. “She always said ‘God won’t rain on my rosary.’ So I’ll probably ask my mother to set grandma’s rosary outside on Saturday.” The Hunger Project While serving as parade committee vice president in recent years, Christian also chaired the Hunger Project, which collects non-perishable food and raises thousands of dollars in cash each February and March for local food banks (It also calls attention to the great famine in Ireland of the 1840s, called in Irish An Gorta Mor). Donations are taken online and at various collection points around Central New York. This year, Christian said, there are a record number of volunteers helping out on parade day collecting cash (they also take Venmo). “It’s a really important, very special part of what the parade is about,” he said. The legacy Syracuse’s St. Patrick’s Parade was founded in the 1980s by a group led by former WSYR-TV (Channel 9) reporter Nancy Duffy. It has grown over the years to become one of the biggest events of the Syracuse annual calendar. “I think the parade does unite our city, our community, north and south and everywhere,” Christian said. “It’s not just for the Irish. It’s for people of all nationalities and all cultures. The parade is the uniting event for us all. As they say, everybody is Irish for a day.”
LDP Cohort #2 sponsors company-wide sock drive
What do you do when you need more socks? Why am I even asking, and why do I keep talking about socks? I promise there’s a point. Hold your answer to that first question, while I try to explain myself. One of our core values at United Radio states that: “We have a responsibility to each other to create a better community.” When you learn about this core value during your LDP journey, your cohort will have the opportunity to embark on a campaign to help improve your community. In Cohort #2 of the Leadership Development Program, we decided that the best way we could make a positive impact on our community would be to help those struggling with housing and financial insecurity. A recent survey* tells us that 65% of Americans report that they are living paycheck-to-paycheck. When living paycheck-to-paycheck, a single unpredicted life event can, potentially, upend your life completely. Unpredictability is, ironically, one of the only things in our lives that is entirely predictable. The number of people experiencing homeless in the United States (653,104) is the highest it has been since reporting began in 2007.** 6 out of every 10 of the individuals in this number are staying in sheltered locations, while 40% (roughly 261,242 individuals!) are completely unsheltered. According to the local Syracuse news source cnycentral.com, about 1400 children were considered homeless for the start of the 2023-24 school year. In Utah, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, homelessness has been increasing year-over-year since COVID, and the same goes for the state of Georgia. As it turns out, socks are the least donated item to most homeless shelters, and, consequently, the most highly requested by charitable organizations that center onhousing insecurity. Imagine how quickly your socks would wear out if you only had one or two pairs—if that—to work with and didn’t have the means to acquire more. This can cause enough problems when you spend most of your days walking—it’s even worse during cold winters. And that’s how our sock drive was born! We would like to ask for your help in providing socks to the members of our communities who need them most. In Peachtree City, our partner will be the Real Life Center, an organization sponsored by the Dogwood Church, who uses a four-point strategy to accomplish their mission of assisting people in need (Focus, Address, Develop, and Achieve). Last year, they distributed 695,225 pounds of food to families in need. (Wild!!) For our Peachtree folks, come to Lunch & Learn on Wednesday March 6, 2024, to learn more about this organization and the sock drive. In Salt Lake, we are partnering with The Road Home, a wonderful organization with over one hundred years of experience helping the homeless! Last year, they assisted 3,491 people with employment and housing services. Rory Musselman will be speaking about this in his Lunch & Learn presentation about the state of SLC. In Syracuse, we are partnering with an organization called We Rise Above The Streets, headed by Al-Amin Muhammad, an upstanding man who survived a period of homelessness himself. Al-Amin will be speaking at the following Lunch & Learn events in Syracuse to tell his story, raise awareness for his organization and give more information on our sock drive: Check Jake’s Place for more information about our partner organizations in the coming days! Our sock drive will be held during the month of March 2024 from 3/1-3/31. Bins will be placed in all UR buildings where you can bring any socks you would like to donate. NOTE: Used socks will NOT be accepted as donations. Please donate only new and unworn socks. In addition to direct donations of socks, we will be doing raffles. Everyone’s favorite, and for good reason! Prizes will vary by location, but may include high end headphones, gift cards, as well as handmade wooden flags by our very own talented woodworker, Joe Ucher! Prices for raffle tickets will be: Any employee who donates pairs of socks will have the opportunity to get bonus tickets in the fundraising raffles! If you have any questions about how the sock drive or raffles will work, there are contacts in each building you can reach out to your division building representative. Alternatively, if you’d like to donate money directly to our partner organizations, scan the QR codes below to send to their PayPal accounts, or see their Venmo accounts. If you do, please add “LDP” in the notes section. We appreciate any amount you can give to help us make our community a warmer and safer place! And the most vulnerable members of the communities around our various UR locations will surely be even more grateful. Pick up a few socks and experience the dopamine rush of helping someone in need! (Seriously…it’s a really good feeling – science says so.) The artice was written by United Radio employee Derek Bowers
United Radio recognizes National Leadership day
Editor’s note: The following is from the National Day Calendar: “National Leadership Day is set aside to acknowledge the power of leadership. Every year, on February 20th, we recognize the impact that leaders make in people’s lives as they seek to develop themselves and others. When you think about it, in every relationship, one person influences another, whether a parent or child, spouse or friend, student or teacher, employer or employee. In our everyday interactions with one another, someone is leading or influencing the other to do something or become something. This means that anyone can be a leader, whether you have a title or not. When we talk about leadership, we know that leadership is about growth – for yourself, your relationships, your productivity, and your people. To lead well, you must embrace your need for continual improvement so that you can be the best leader you can be. The observance aims to empower people to help others and be change agents and difference makers in someone’s life. This is the opportunity we have on National Leadership Day: To show people what it means to be a good leader and inspire them to be a positive force of change in another person’s life.” What does leadership look like at United Radio? How can you grow your leadership skills? Anyone can take steps to grow as a leader. An important part of leadership is recognizing that everyone is on a different part of their leadership journey. We can honor this by supporting each other and helping others grow!
Audio Pro starts collaboration with United Radio
The Swedish speaker manufacturer Audio Pro has assigned United Radio to take care of their distribution of products as well as repair and service in the US, Canada, and Latin America The Swedish speaker manufacturer Audio Pro has recently started a collaboration in the United States with the long-established United Radio. United Radio, which is the market leader in the repair and recycling of products for the electronics industry globally, will assist Audio Pro with warehousing, distribution, and repairs of its products. Via third-party logistics, United Radio will manage North, South and Central America. The collaboration will entail service to online as well as offline stores, meaning United Radio will also manage Audio Pro’s website and Amazon. United Radio, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023, has solid knowledge in consumer electronics and has established itself as a world leader in creating innovative solutions for the ever-increasing technological needs of their customers. Along with constantly improving the way of how to repair electronics; they also make sure to minimize waste, use recycled materials and pioneer sustainable solutions. Jens Henriksen, CCO at Audio Pro, says that the new collaboration has been long-awaited: “We needed an experienced partner who can meet our logistical needs. And after a couple of months with them as a partner in the US market, we can already see that it has made our work significantly easier. They have extensive experience in managing logistics, and even though we are probably one of the smallest among their customers in terms of volume, we still receive five-star service from them. Now we can feel reassured that our American customers are well taken care of by our partner.” Using state-of-the-art logistics, United Radio distributes electronic products faster and more reliably than ever before. They are constantly working to grow and develop towards a more sustainable future. Headquartered in Syracuse, New York and with repair and distribution centers in Peachtree City, Georgia and Salt Lake City, Utah, United Radio works with some of America’s largest companies as well as smaller service offices throughout New York state. As for Audio Pro, United Radio is their distribution and support partner based in Salt Lake City.
Viewpoint Partners with United Radio Inc. to Spotlight Environmental Impact and Economic Opportunities in Electronics Repair and Remanufacturing
Viewpoint Partners with United Radio Inc. to Spotlight Environmental Impact and Economic Opportunities in Electronics Repair and Remanufacturing Miami, FL, January 18, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Viewpoint, the distinguished educational program hosted by actor Dennis Quaid, has joined forces with United Radio Inc. on an enlightening new project that explores the impact of electronic waste and the positive environmental and economic effects of repair and remanufacturing. Filmed in December, the segment features key members of the United Radio team, highlighting their expertise and leadership in fostering environmental sustainability and workforce development. The growing issue of electronic waste has become a global concern, and the collaboration between Viewpoint and United Radio Inc. seeks to address the environmental impact while showcasing the economic opportunities in repair and remanufacturing. The upcoming segment aims to educate viewers on the value of these services and their role in creating sustainable solutions. United Radio Inc., recognized for its state-of-the-art logistics, expertise in electronics repair and remanufacturing, will feature prominently in the episode. Viewers will gain insights from key members of the United Radio team, delving into the processes involved in reducing electronic waste and the economic opportunities created by their commitment to sustainability. “At United Radio we utilize a combination of expert repair services, in-depth failure analysis, and innovative logistics solutions that help to extend the lifespan of electronic products, and reduce their environmental impact.” said Phil Rubenstein, United Radio President. Filmed in December, the episode will explore various aspects of electronics waste, the environmental implications, and the solutions provided by United Radio Inc. to address these challenges. Additionally, it will showcase how their commitment to sustainability extends to fostering the professional growth and development of their workforce. “We are very committed to training our employees, as one of our six core values states”, said Mara Charlamb, Partner/Vice President, and Director of Human Resources. “We recently developed a two-year Leadership Development Program for our employees, and we based our program on our core values, which are a living, breathing part of our organization. This is what sets our leadership program apart from other programs. It is not just about leadership; it is about leadership at United Radio.” For more information visit unitedradio.com. About Viewpoint Viewpoint is an educational program hosted by Dennis Quaid that explores innovative ideas, advancements, and trends across various industries. The program is dedicated to providing viewers with valuable insights and knowledge on a wide range of topics. About United Radio Inc. United Radio is a leading provider of repair and remanufacturing solutions to electronics manufacturers worldwide, with a commitment to environmental sustainability and workforce development. Focusing on automotive and consumer electronics, communications products and advanced research and development, the company has established itself as a world leader in creating innovative solutions to the emerging technological needs of our customers specializing in extending the lifespan of electronic devices, contributing to a reduction in electronic waste and creating economic opportunities.
Cohort 1 – Leadership Development Program Completion (video)
The members of our United Radio Cohort 1 group have officially completed the Leadership Development Program (LDP)! Please warmly congratulate Adam Jewell, Cheryl Hughes, Denise Nettnin, Ernie Pichette, Kevin Liang, Margaret Kelly, Mel DePan, Missy Hubbard, Philip Moore, and Ryan Osborn on their incredible achievement. As a cohort, they have shared a wonderful journey. Throughout the two years of LDP, the group has built relationships, their confidence, mentoring skills, an understanding of what leadership looks like at United Radio, and much more. Each of their commitments to learning and growing does not go unnoticed and it’s apparent with their evolution throughout the program. To celebrate this achievement, Cohort 1 and the LDP Advisory Committee were joined by guests of the cohort and our Senior Management Team. This group spent time offsite to celebrate the cohort’s achievement!
