Raymond reaffirmed its commitment to diversity this last April, when Travis Winsor joined nearly 2,000 other CEOs to sign the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion. This is a pledge to continue cultivating a workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are welcomed and respected and where employees feel encouraged to discuss diversity and inclusion.
Diversity has been and remains a pillar of Raymond’s culture, and in 2018, we refocused our efforts on diversity by introducing “Challenge Coins” to all Raymond employees, challenging everyone to fully embrace respect and tolerance for people of diverse races, genders, cultures, and ways of thought on our jobsites, in our offices, and with our vendors and customers.
This July, Raymond CEO Travis Winsor completed Transpac — one of the world’s oldest and longest classic ocean races. The course is 2,225 miles from Los Angeles to Honolulu. This year there were 41 entries placed in 8 different divisions based on each boat’s handicap rating. Division start times were staggered with Travis’s division starting on Saturday, July 17th at 1PM.
Travis sailed on Compadres (an Andrews 77 built in 2003) with a crew of thirteen others. The Compadres team had previously participated in the Cabo Race, Santa Barbara to San Diego Race, Islands Race, 14 Mile Bank Race, Hot Rum Series, Around Catalina Race, Sunkist Series, and Ensenada Race.
Compadres finished the Transpac race, arriving in Hawaii at 9:22AM on July 25th! Their total time was 7 days, 23 hours, and 22 minutes, and they finished with just their jib and emergency storm sail!
A message from the Compadres Team:
When you realize at 1,100 miles offshore, you are closer to the International Space Station than you are to land, at that moment, your small boat, its provisions, and your teammates are the most important things in your life.
Our agreed upon mission was to sail fast, be safe and have fun. In the first half of the Transpac race we covered 1,112.5 miles in three days, all of which were nearly flawless. We were succeeding in our mission. Our strategy, which we had trained for months, was to travel fast to Catalina and then as far to the north as we could before we would tack to reach the Rhumb line. We noted the true wind and apparent wind angles and knew we should be fast. Winds were strong with top speeds of 29 knots, swells were averaging four to six feet, and the team was in high spirits.
On the fourth night around 9:00PM, things changed. Our boom vang mounting literally exploded due to the extended period of high pressure. This is a critical part as it both holds up the boom and provides main sail trim. Shortly after, a small rip appeared on the main sail. As a team, we discussed every situation. Everyone wanted to achieve our mission – finish the race safely sailing across the finish line off Diamond Head. We recognized that without the vang only the weakened sail would hold up the boom. If the sail were to fail again, the boom would fall and could destroy the helm or seriously injure crew members. So, we decided to sail conservatively and safely. Our team spent hours making repairs. We improvised and made changes to the sails, our sailing tactics, and strategy. We raced flying the spinnaker during the day and the storm sail at night in order to finish the race. When flying the spinnaker we were still going fast, about 15-18 knots but at night and without the spinnaker we slowed.
Despite these setbacks, our team came together. Many competitors would have motored to Honolulu, but our team was dedicated to our mission – finish the race safely and sailing! Helmsmen, trimmers, bowmen and the entire crew leaned on their multiple talents and cross-training. When you have limited tools and spare parts in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, and nowhere to turn, you turn inward. You look around and take stock of what you have, not only in terms of tools and spare parts, but also in your teammates. You align your strategy with each individual’s competitive advantage.
On Sunday morning at 9:00AM, Team Compadres owners all put their hand on the wheel and crossed the finish line together as one. Ultimately, the lessons learned are that you must have a quality team, each team member must know their role, and there will never be enough training. Mental attitude, focus, and commitment are essential components to success. You can be talented, but if you don’t have the willingness and ability to persevere and lead in difficult times, talent alone will not win the race.
Kim Lorch retired this year after 28 years with Raymond. Over the last 10 years as Vice President & Area Manager of the Las Vegas region, Kim steered the operations through challenging business conditions, nurtured and developed our growing and industry-leading prefabrication initiative, and increased sales and operating profits. Kim’s leadership and innovation will be missed, but we wish him and his wife, Diana, a happy and blessed retirement.
Alex Movel has succeeded Kim in running the Las Vegas operations. Alex came up through the trades, joining Raymond in April of 2005 as a project manager. Since then, he has held a variety of management positions, most recently acting as Project Director of Resorts World Las Vegas. The overall project, which includes the build-out of two hotel towers and a theater, is the largest single project in Raymond’s history. Congratulations, Alex!
Congratulations to Arturo Sanchez and his wife Emily on their new baby girl! Lyla Sage Sanchez entered this world May 23, 2021 weighing 7lbs, 13.2oz, and 20.5” long.
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