Category Archives: Uncategorized

Ross Drivers Accrue Millions of Safe Driving Miles

 

(Left: Ron Berkel. Right: Duane Asmus.)

Truck drivers, Duane Asmus and Ron Berkel of Ross Transportation Services (RTS), recently reached 1 million and 2 million Consecutive Safe Driving Miles, respectively. These incredible achievements mean that Asmus and Berkel accumulated those millions without a single traffic incident.

“Our drivers’ commitment to safety is unparalleled,” said Chris Fada, General Manager of RTS. “Ron and Duane choose to make safety their highest priority every day. Those choices have led to these amazing milestones, and I’m proud I get to work with these amazing drivers every day.”

Asmus started driving for RTS in September of 2013 and Berkel in May of 2001.

With consistently changing routes, weather conditions, heavy traffic and construction areas, the RTS drivers must constantly adapt to new scenarios while hauling vessels loaded with hazardous materials.

It took Asmus 10 years to hit his first million and Berkel 9 years to add on his second million.

Asmus is the seventeenth driver for RTS to earn 1 million safe driving miles. Berkel is the third driver in RTS history to be in the 2-million-mile category for safe driving.

“To drive that many miles is one thing, but to also consistently exceed safety standards while doing it is beyond impressive,” said William Cromling III, President of RTS and Owner.  “I’m so thankful to have these guys in our Ross family. They really are a level above.”

 

Ross Collects More than 2,000 Gallons of Waste from Residents at Annual ‘Dumpster Days’ Event

When Eaton Township officials hosted its annual “Dumpster Days” event earlier this month, it marked the 34th time that the Ross Group of companies (Ross Environmental Services, Inc., Ross Incineration Services, Inc., Ross Transportation Services, Inc.) teamed with the township to collect household hazardous waste from residents.

Once again, community members  freely discarded trash, debris and unwanted furniture. Ross associates on site carefully accepted environmentally harmful substances like paint, pool chemicals, motor oil and pesticides.

Materials were immediately slated for treatment at the Ross plant on Giles Road, roughly a half-mile from the drop-off point.

Ross personnel collected more than 2,500 gallons of household hazardous waste in 2023, proving that the need was greater than ever. Since 1993, Ross  has collected more than 142,810 gallons of household hazardous waste from “Dumpster Days” drives.

Pat Lawson, Vice President of Corporate Compliance and Risk Management at Ross Environmental Services, said the event gives our community a better understanding of the types of materials that are managed by Ross.

“A lot of the materials Ross receives from industries are similar, or the same, as the materials used every day in our homes,” Lawson added. “Our collection drive at Dumpster Days provides a necessary environmental service to local residents.”

Ross associates accepted waste from around 80 households this year.

 

Ross Companies Name Phillip T. Schaefer Vision Award Winner

Nick Pakosz, a 40-year employee of Ross Incineration Services, Inc. (RIS), has been named the recipient of the Philip T. Schaefer Vision Award by the Ross Group of companies. The Ross Group includes Ross Environmental Services, Inc., Ross Incineration Services, Inc. and Ross Transportation Services, Inc.

Pakosz accepted the award at the Ross companies’ Annual Service Awards banquet held earlier in the year. He began working for RIS in September 1982 as an Incineration Operator. Over the years, he’s contributed to departments that include Operation Support and Receiving. Since 2022, he’s served in a leadership role as a Project Safety Management Coordinator on the Environmental, Health and Safety team.

“Nick’s loyalty is humbling,” said Bill Cromling III, president of Ross Transportation Services and one of the owners of the Ross Group of companies. “We’re thrilled that he’s chosen to be a member of the Ross family for four decades, and his commitment to safe work practices is equally special. He personifies our commitment to safety.”

The Vision Award is presented annually to an associate of the Ross companies who exemplifies a commitment to the companies, the community and the environment.

In addition to his 40-year commitment to the companies, Pakosz is known for a leadership style that has molded countless associates over the years. He embodies the Ross Group values through activism with organizations like the Lorain County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Lorain County and charity events that benefit cancer research. He volunteers with his church and assists his daughter who trains seeing-eye dogs for the blind.

The Vision Award was created by the Ross companies to honor the memory of Philip T. Schaefer, who was the Vice President of Operations for Ross Incineration Services, Inc.

Phil was active in several community organizations and was a true ambassador of the Ross companies’ values. Phil was a tireless volunteer, athlete, environmentalist and sportsman. He demonstrated a daily commitment to his coworkers, health and wellness, the community and the environment. Phil passed away in 2011 after a fearless battle with a rare form of cancer.

Nick Pakosz accepts the Phillip T. Schaefer Vision Award from owners Bill Cromling III and Jon Cromling

Left to right: Scott Wesp, Darrell Zielinski, Neil Gorman, Pat Lawson, Nick Pakosz, Steve Goldman, Bob Ward, James Kovelan and Jim Larson.

Fox 8 Covers ‘Stop the Bleed’ Initiative

Ross Environmental Services recently spoke to Fox 8 about the important “Stop the Bleed” campaign that put first aid kits in every classroom districtwide at Midview Local Schools.

RES donated about $18,000 to the Eaton Township Fire Department, which purchased the kits and buckets to store them in. Fire officials trained teachers and district staff members on how to properly use the materials should the unthinkable happen.

Watch the full piece to hear from district officials, firefighters and Ross personnel. 

GALLERY: Planting Trees for Arbor Day

Associates at the Ross Group of companies rolled up their sleeves and planted more than a dozen evergreen trees for Arbor Day.

Many associates chose to dedicate trees in memory of loved ones. Thirteen memorial trees in total were planted. Seven additional evergreen saplings will grow roughly 40 feet high. Associates arranged the trees in rows and planted them in space west of the main associate lot at RIS in Grafton, OH.

Trees were ordered through the Arbor Day Foundation, which has a goal of planting 500 million trees by 2027. Research shows that trees slow climate change and support biodiversity.

The Arbor Day Foundation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022.

GALLERY: Boardwalk Dedicated at Oberlin Preserve

This week the Western Reserve Land Conservancy dedicated the first installment of a new boardwalk at the Oberlin Preserve.

The Ross Foundation awarded a grant for completion of the project. A bench overlooking a pond is in memory of late owner Maureen Cromling.

Work will continue at the Oberlin Preserve. In 2015, the Western Reserve Land Conservancy acquired 63 acres of land on the southern edge of the Oberlin in Lorain County. The site, located at 425 W. Hamilton Street in Oberlin, is considered part of the Oberlin Great South Woods.

Click here for more information on the Oberlin Preserve.

    

Ross Foundation Donates $4 Million to Lorain County Fair Board for the Construction of 55,000-Square-Foot Expo Center and Covered Horse Arena

 

The Ross Foundation, Inc. presents the first installment of a $4 million grant to the Lorain County Fair Board.

 

ELYRIA, Ohio – The Ross Foundation, Inc. announced today the approval of a $4 million grant to the Lorain County Fair for the construction and naming rights to a new exposition center and covered horse arena.

The expo center, to be named for the Ross Group of Companies, will be a climate-controlled facility with restrooms, office and shower space. The covered horse arena, measuring approximately 32,500 square feet, will be located at the site of the current horse arena on the west corner of the fairgrounds.

Bill Cromling III, co-chair of the Ross Foundation, said the foundation’s pledge will secure naming rights for years to come.

“We’re fortunate to be in a position to help usher in a new era for the Lorain County fair,” Cromling said. “This has always been a special place for our family and will continue to be for many years to come.”

Construction will begin this year. Both facilities are expected to be completed in time for the 2024 Lorain County Fair. The $4 million grant will be paid in installments over the next several years as part of an overall project valued at approximately $12 million.

“This transformational project will bring the fairgrounds into a year-round resource for agricultural, sport and trade show venues,” said Rick Ternes, President of the Lorain County Senior Fair Board. “Having the ability to host large equine events, tournaments and trade shows will increase the viability of Wellington and Lorain County as a whole with an influx of tourism revenue.”

Ternes said the fair board has already been in touch with numerous civic and community organizations to utilize the new facilities most weekends throughout the year.

The project also includes the construction of a new 16,200-square-foot Junior Fair Cattle Barn.

 

About the Lorain County Fair

The Lorain County Fair is the largest tourist attraction in Lorain County and the second-largest fair in the state of Ohio. It is typically attended by more than 120,000 people every year. It is celebrating 176 years of annual fairs. After briefly pausing for the COVID-19 pandemic, it reopened in 2021.

About the Ross Foundation, Inc.

Ross Foundation, Inc. is the philanthropic arm of the Ross Group of Companies (Ross Environmental Services, Inc., Ross Incineration Services, Inc., Ross Transportation Services, Inc.). Ross Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life in our communities and addressing community needs by supporting programs that benefit education, health & wellness and economic development. The Foundation operates on the belief that business, as a corporate citizen, has a responsibility to play a meaningful role in the communities where it operates and draws its associates.

GALLERY: Ross Companies Host Holiday Open House

Associates mingled with community members at the Ross companies’ Holiday Open House in early December. Kids of all ages snacked on cookies, sipped drinks at the cocoa bar and wrote letters to Santa. Mr. and Mrs. Claus even attended the party, so children could personally deliver their letters to them.

Add in a balloon artist, face painting and magicians … and it was a special evening.

Can’t wait until next year!

Ross Incineration Services is SHARP recertified

Ross Incineration Services is thrilled to announce its SHARP recertification.

SHARP, an acronym for “Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program”, is a voluntary safety program between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and companies across the U.S. to ensure proper safety systems and programs are in place. OSHA inspectors were invited onto the Ross Incineration premises to freely walk the grounds with associates. Inspectors look things over, offer suggestions and perform audits with the company’s commitment to correct any findings.

RIS received its last SHARP renewal in 2019, which was valid for three years. Renewing certification meant embarking on several separate audits over the course of many months. It was a company-wide effort. All shifts and departments were involved. Hourly associates spoke with inspectors in the field and department managers met with them in private meetings.

Inspectors were complimentary.

“Your efforts in providing a safe and healthful workplace for you and your employees are appreciated. We wish you continued success in all your endeavors as a continuing member of the Region V SHARP family,” OSHA said in a letter to Ross Incineration Services.

RIS will be up for recertification again in 2025.