June 2024

DIVINA/PHOENIX EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Third-Generation Haase Employees

Brothers and co-owners of Phoenix/Divina, John and Larry Haase, are actively mentoring and training the next generation of the Haase family. They are ensuring that every Haase employee learns every facet of each position at the company to ensure that the future of the company will continue to grow and expand.

Four of the seven third-generation Haase family members are working their way from the ground up through positions within the company. Each of the Haase employees has been eager to learn what it takes to lead a company of this size. This empowers the Haase family of successors to shape their future roles in the busi-ness for each of their personal and professional success. There are no plans of transitioning to the younger generation any time soon. Plus, there are still three others that are too young to be a part of the action. John and Larry still have a lot of life in them and several company goals to accomplish first.

William “Bill” Haase Production Manager, Container Drive Facility

William “Bill” Haase

Production Manager, Container Drive Facility

Position: Bill’s role as Container Production Manager, is to provide a production plan, coordinate with purchasing on needed components, structure batch-making and bottle decoration, organize the warehouse as needed, and ensure all areas of the warehouse are supplied with required materials to meet the production plan for Divina and all other areas of the Container Drive facility.

Background: Bill’s prior experience before Phoenix was mainly in the automotive field, which he uses to this day, as well as around the Divina/ Phoenix warehouse. Before that, he worked as a shipping, receiving, inventory, production aid, batch-making, and all-around stand-in where needed at the Napco Drive facility for Phoenix. At the same time, Bill was attending night school for the Automotive Technology Program at Porter & Chester Institute, CT, as a skilled technician in today’s vehicle service industry…and doing so all during COVID-19! He recently returned to Phoenix to assist with the summer season. Bill says,“I am looking forward to making it a great one!”

Years With Divina/Phoenix: Two years from 2019-21 during COVID and started again 1/29/24.

Unique Fun Facts: Bill has worked every warehouse position at Phoenix and says, “I have finally moved up to the office!” Bill makes his own limoncello. Every year, he starts and tends a small home garden.

Personal Life: In his spare time, Bill is a mechanic working to become an ASE-Certified Automotive Technician, adding to his skills and expertise. He has even successfully built his own personal vehicle and continues to do all maintenance work on it!

Personal Message: Bill says, “To all our customers, new and old, we aim to maintain the care and attention that we, as a family at Phoenix, strive to give you daily. From residential and commercial water care solutions to beauty, pool, spa products, or anything in between, we are dedicated to meeting your needs! We want you to know your business truly matters, and we will always push tirelessly to ensure the highest quality product and service. Thank you all for your loyalty and support. We look forward to having a busy and beautiful season with you!”

Anthony Haase, Order Picker/Forklift Operator

Anthony is detail-oriented, possessing exceptional organizational, time management, and prioritization skills. His ability to work well under pressure enables him to fulfill these roles:

Positions: As an Order Picker, Anthony gathers orders to fulfill deliveries, picking out ordered items from inventory storage using product item numbers, product names, etc. He updates inventory, and manages stock replenishment and storage. He also consolidates pallets and undertakes general warehouse tasks as needed.

As a Forklift Operator, Anthony is OSHA compliant, certified, and operating handling equipment following safety regulations. His responsibilities include maximizing the factory or warehouse workflow efficiency, loading and unloading delivery vehicles and Divina/Phoenix trucks.

Background: Anthony graduated from Pomperaug High School in Southbury, CT. Following graduation, he started his career at Phoenix/Divina. After two years, he took on more responsibilities and achieved indepned-ence by moving into his own apartment.

Years With Divina/Phoenix: 5 Years this month. Anniversary date: June 14, 2019.

Unique Fun Facts: In his leisure time, he enjoys online gaming and connecting with friends from Estonia, Hong Kong, Canada, Russia, Mexico, and the Netherlands.

Personal Life: Anthony’s unique skill lies in his passion for rebuilding computers. He takes in older computers and laptops, updating them at minimal cost or even for free. This is his way of helping friends who may not have the means to buy a new one.

Personal Message: Anthony expresses his gratitude, says, “I want to thank you for your orders. When I receive an order from the computer, I pick the order from inventory as accurately and quickly as possible, preparing the order for shipping, ensuring your satisfaction with our service! I look forward to serving you again.”

Shaughnessy “Shaun” Haase Shipping and Receiving Assistant

Position: As a Shipping and Receiving Assistant, Shaun is responsible for maintaining the warehouse’s organization and efficiency of incoming and outbound products. He picks the orders and timely stages them for our drivers, custom carriers, and UPS. He is also responsible for properly receiving incoming inventory, such as tanker trucks or custom carriers delivering to Divina/Phoenix. Shaun is a certified Forklift Operator and adheres to safety procedures.

Additionally, Shaun has taken on the role of Sales Assistant, attending Phoenix’s national trade shows for the last two years, engaging with customers and show attendees in person. The shows provide the opportunity to establish personal connections, understand their current and future needs, and identify how Phoenix can meet them.

Background: Shaun officially started in 2020 in the Decorating Department with product container labeling. About half a year later, he was promoted to a new production line. The Napco Drive facility houses approximately 15 unique production lines. The batch-maker, machine operator, production packer, and decoration stations are among these lines. Shaun says, “I’ve worked every production line, involved with every product that goes out to customers!”

Years With Divina/Phoenix: 4 Years. The anniversary year is 2020.

Unique Fun Facts: Out of all of the third-generation Haases, Shaun has worked the most time in production. He has been involved in all aspects of the company, such as production, labeling/decorating, and shipping/ receiving. However, he has yet to work and experience Customer Service!

Personal Life: Shaun is interested in a sales and marketing career, and is now taking classes. His hands-on experience at Divina/Phoenix involves him with real-world manufacturing business situations, and it has already shown him that he really enjoys working with customers and finding solutions to their needs! This career path is one that is always evolving and offers opportunities for innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.

Personal Message: Shaun says, “I have a lot of passion for the Divina/Phoenix business. In my eyes, it’s more than just a chemical warehouse, it’s a way to connect ourselves with other companies and families. Delivering great products and amazing results, no matter the name on the bottle. I have been going to school for sales and marketing and hope to soon spread the message myself.”

Emily Haase, Chemistry Lab Technician

Position: Emily’s role as Chemistry Lab Technician is to assist our lead chemist with formulating and making lab batches, overseeing adjustments on batches, and quality control testing. She works to ensure that batches are consistent and within quality specifications, using her academic background and precision in experiments and determinations to assist in solving problems as they arise in the batch-making process.

Background: Emily says, “It’s hard to say when exactly I started working at Phoenix. I remember learning to spell and discovering a labeling machine while I was at work with my dad. I worked tirelessly to ensure that every object in the entire office was properly labeled! As a teenager, my brother and I would be recruited to help make kits in the warehouse. I worked part-time at Phoenix through high school and while at college as a waitress. I was a student at NYU pursuing neurochemistry prior to COVID-19. When the college shifted to online classes, it led me to take a leave of absence and begin working as a Customer Care Specialist for Phoenix. After a year and a half, I transitioned to work in the lab under our previous chemist, Karl Klouda, from whom I learned a great deal!”

Years With Divina/Phoenix: 3 Years. The anniversary date is 5/3/21.

Unique Fun Facts: Emily loves art and drawing, especially realism and portraits!

Personal Life: Emily is extremely passionate about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu martial arts! She has been training for just over three years. She competes at international competitions, including the 2024 World IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Championship in Long Beach, California, where she ranked in the top 10 of the world for her division! She trains out of a Brewster, NY, gym called Jiu Jitsu Haus. Funnily enough, one of her long-term training partners happens to be a member of a family-owned company we do business with! Emily says, “Jiu Jitsu has taught me so much about perseverance in the face of adversity, discipline, and dedication. These skills help me in every aspect of life and have taught me how to remain calm and effective in the face of difficult situations.”

Personal Message: Emily says, “I take pride in meticulously testing our products to ensure you receive a perfect product! If any issues are reported with products, my goal is to determine the cause, find a solution as quickly as possible, and implement preventative measures. My work in the lab is to guarantee quality and consistency for our customers!”