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Celebrating Our 2025 Whatever It Takes Award Winners

Written by Contec, Inc. | 10/31/2025
 
At Contec, we’ve always believed our greatest strength lies in our people—the ones who roll up their sleeves, support one another, and do whatever it takes to uphold our promise of excellence in contamination control. From our headquarters in Spartanburg to our teams around the world, it’s our associates who bring our mission and values to life every day.

 
The “Whatever It Takes” (WIT) Awards are one of our most meaningful traditions because they honor exactly that spirit. These awards recognize individuals and teams who consistently go above and beyond—not for recognition, but because it’s simply who they are. And what makes them especially powerful is that they are peer-nominated—selected by colleagues who witness and feel their impact firsthand.
 

This moment of recognition goes beyond individual achievement—it speaks to who we are as a company. Each of this year’s winners shows us what it truly means to lead with purpose, to act with integrity, and to support one another in the work that matters most.
 

This year’s honorees represent the very best of Contec: associates whose integrity, dedication, and collaboration set a powerful example for us all. We are proud to celebrate these associates, their contributions, their leadership, and we are honored to have them as part of the Contec story. These awards reflect the culture we've built together, and the values we strive to live by every day.
 

The Meaning Behind "Whatever It Takes"

 
Our core value, “Whatever It Takes”, is more than a phrase—it’s a mindset that defines how we show up for our customers, each other, and our communities. It speaks to a spirit of ownership, resilience, and care. It’s about doing the right thing—even when it’s hard, even when no one is watching—because the work we do matters.
 

This mindset fuels innovation, strengthens relationships, and drives a level of excellence our customers can count on. It’s found in the extra steps taken to solve a problem, the willingness to support a teammate, and the drive to improve a process not just for today, but for the long-term.
 

The WIT Awards are a reflection of that mindset in action. They celebrate the individuals and teams who embody these values through their everyday work—who lead with integrity, collaborate with purpose, and never hesitate to go the extra mile.

 
By recognizing those who live out “Whatever It Takes,” we reaffirm the culture we’re proud of—and the shared commitment that sets Contec apart.
 

Our 2025 WIT Award Winners

 

Pictured left to right: Carmen Mercado, Mai Blackwell, David Gavel, Shelby Kerns, Zac Cassidy, Amia Wallace, Heather Benshoof, Lawrence Anderson, Sherri Garvin, Lauren Swindler, Casey Boyea, and Emily Phalen | Not Pictured: Steve Pittman, Bryan Esposito, Ali Evazynajad, and Neil Simpson

Left: Lisa Ma (WIT Winner - Peer Ally) | Center: Engineering Team: Front Row: Yeng Yang, Hannah Lesley (WIT Winner - Internal Customer Support & Success), and Jeremy Phalen | Back Row: Mike Arena, Andrew Hargett, Aaron Best, and Cory Jenkins | Right: Asia-Pacific Customer Service Team: Amanda Gao and Carla Gu (WIT Winners - Commitment to Excellence)

 

 
  • Customer Support & Success – Internal
    Hannah Lesley, Continuous Improvement Specialist
    Recognized for her commitment to inclusion and advocacy for second and third-shift associates. Hannah took proactive steps to ensure all associates feel included, seen, valued, and engaged—truly living out the “Whatever It Takes” mindset.
  • Customer Support & Success – External
    The GS1 / Bill 96 Team: Bryan Esposito, Senior Programmer Analyst; Shelby Kerns, Research and Development Specialist; Zac Cassidy, Senior Research and Development Specialist
    Honored for their exceptional response to new Canadian regulatory and customer-driven labeling changes. Through long hours and seamless collaboration across departments and countries, this team delivered compliant, high-quality solutions that strengthened customer trust and proved that when a customer calls, Contec answers.
  • Community Partner
    Emily Phalen, Senior Regulatory Affairs Specialist
    Celebrated for over a decade of leading Contec’s community outreach efforts, Emily has consistently turned compassion into action. From organizing United Way campaigns to hands-on volunteer work, her commitment to service has inspired company-wide involvement and deepened Contec’s connection to the communities we call home.
  • Health & Safety Advocate
    Steve Pittman, Swab Technician
    Recognized for his calm, confident leadership in safety. As a member of multiple safety committees, including the First Responders Committee, Steve has provided reassurance and immediate aid in critical moments—making Contec a safer and more caring workplace.
  • Innovation Champion
    David Gavel, Chemical Blender
    Commended for advancing Contec's sustainable manufacturing practices, David’s creative solutions—like smart recycling systems and innovative material blending—have saved resources, reduced waste, and modeled a forward-thinking approach to environmental responsibility.
  • Peer Ally 
    Neil Simpson, Technical and R&D Manager, Contec UK
    A cornerstone of global collaboration, Neil is known for his technical expertise, mentorship, and reliability. Whether traveling across continents to support colleagues or resolving complex customer challenges, he consistently exemplifies Contec’s collaborative and supportive side-by-side spirit.

    Lisa Ma, Product & Development Manager, Contec Asia
    Celebrated for her collaborative energy and technical insight. Lisa bridges teams, languages, and regions with positivity and determination—helping colleagues succeed across projects and time zones.
  • Sustainability Champion
    Ali Evazynajad, Senior Process Development Engineer
    Recognized for pioneering biodegradable textile development. Ali’s innovative work aligns sustainability with performance, demonstrating Contec’s commitment to designing smarter, more responsible solutions for the future.
  • Leadership Excellence 
    Carmen Mercado, Saturation Lead
    Valued for her steady, compassionate leadership and dependability. Carmen is known as the “go-to” person across shifts—leading with calm confidence, problem-solving under pressure, and setting a consistent example of integrity and teamwork.

    Mai Blackwell, Global Product Manager, Cleanroom
    Celebrated for her ability to connect, motivate, and inspire across teams and continents. From product launches to regulatory milestones, Mai leads through collaboration and empathy—showing that leadership is about influence, not title.
  • Commitment to Excellence
    Contec’s Global Customer Service Teams – United States, France, and China
    Representing Contec’s voice to our customers worldwide, these teams exemplify professionalism, empathy, and precision. Their outstanding collaboration led to industry-leading Net Promoter Scores—proof that our customers don’t just value our products, they trust our people.

 


A Heartfelt Thank You

 
To everyone who submitted nominations—thank you. Your words of appreciation reflect the strength of our culture and the respect we have for one another. And to every Contec associate: your hard work, commitment, and compassion define who we are. You make a difference every day, and we are proud to have you as part of the Contec story.
 

Congratulations once again to our 2025 Whatever It Takes Award winners—and thank you for showing us all what it truly means to do Whatever It Takes!

 
 
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