KicKee Family Gift Guide

It’s a busy time of year and we are here to help! We’ve asked members of our KICKEE FAMILY to see what KicKee items are on their wish list this season. Whether it’s something they have been eyeing for themselves, or a gift for someone else... we have some great gift ideas for you!

01. Woven Sheet Set in White // 02. Quilted Stocking in Crimson // 03. Solid Men’s Boxer Brief in Meadow // 04. Solid Woven Duvet Cover in Suede Blue // 05. Printed Pet Bandana in Santa Sharks // 06. Women’s Fleece Jogger in Blue Moon // 07. Quilted Stocking in Crimson Plaid // 08. Men’s Fleece Jogger in Midnight // 09. Women’s Solid Robe in Pewter // 10. Men’s Solid Crew Neck Tee in Midnight // 11. Circle Scarf in Pewter Pinecones // 12. Men’s Woven Button Down in Midnight // 13. Men’s Printed Boxer Brief in Santa Sharks

A DIY KICKEE HALLOWEEN

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Are you planning to use KicKee in your Halloween Costumes this year?! Tag us! #KicKeeCostume!

KicKee's Everyday Heroes, Part 3

Oz Imaghodor, Engineer

What is your job title and primary responsibilities?
I’m responsible for providing technical support and leadership in defense acquisition of weapon systems to support the military. I work specifically on the missile side for the Department of Defense. My day to day includes protecting confidential information and critical assets against terrorist threats and activities.

What does a typical day at work look like for you?  
A typical day depends on where you are in the project. Many days are full of documentation, keeping track of project status and plans, doing risk analyses, complying with design control policies, etc. Many other days are spent in CAD, designing weapons and instruments, creating technical drawings, collaborating with other engineers, designers and manufacturing experts or modifying, improving, and collecting data for our design. The days I personally enjoy are spent developing test protocols and performing testing.  This is when all the hard work pays off and you see your design make it to its final stages. Being in the defense industry, I get the opportunity to be at the forefront of innovation and implement a highly complex, sustainable weapon system to protect soldiers around the world.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of throughout your career?
Army Emergency Relief (AER) is a private, nonprofit organization that was created to help Soldiers and their family members who experience financial emergencies. I served as the AER Campaign Coordinator for my organization, and assisted with the facilitation of the annual campaign kickoff and closing ceremony. I exceeded last year’s goal by collecting over $4000 dollars in contributions to help offer undergraduate scholarships to spouses and children of both active and retired Soldiers.

What inspired me to work in this field? What continues to inspire you throughout your career?
I have always loved math and science, engineering has allowed a way for me to use those subjects in a fun and practical way. I am inspired to keep innovating in hopes of being a real and effective part of society to inspire my son, Xander, to do the same.

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Meagan Williams, Secondary Math and Science Instructional Coach

What is your job title and primary responsibilities?
Secondary Math and Science Instructional Coach:
I primarily work with teachers to implement and strengthen learning strategies for students within the content through in-class support and professional development geared towards secondary classrooms. We dive into curriculum needs, data evaluation, classroom management, assessments, and many different ways to reach all of our diverse learners throughout the district. 

What is the most important thing you have learned throughout your career? Who did you learn it from?
The most important thing I have learned as an educator is that your ripple extends much further in the water than you may ever have the opportunity to witness. ALL kids matter and giving EACH kid a new opportunity EVERY day allows for relationships and trust to build so that true learning can occur in any and all subjects. (Many teachers taught me this through their actions: Maria Low, Diane Shofner, Rashael Shofner, Sarah Anderson, Robby Dickenson, Kim Giles, Shirley Matteson, Bobby Fisher, Sarah Johnson, Robin Cottrell, and Judy Gulick to name a few!)

What inspired you to be a ? What continues to inspire you throughout your career?
To be honest, my mom’s love for teaching radiated in all that she did as a mother and educator. Even though she tried to convince me not to, she inspired me to be a teacher. Then there were the three standouts: Rashael, Sarah, and Diane that really solidified for me that a passionate human being is what it takes to love kids that aren’t your own enough to want the best for them. When I was in the classroom and coaching, it was the successes my kids had. From solving a system of equations to coming back from a deficit “one bite at a time” to win a double header and advance in playoffs, literally the joy was contagious. Seeing and supporting during the struggles but being there to witness and celebrate the triumphs…it’s literally my heart. Each day I get to work next to teachers who encourage growth and joy in their students, stand bold in the face of adversity and overcome with the newest, most engaging ideas, and the passion they share with kids and colleagues… it gets me up every morning and keeps me going back each and every day! I am truly living the dream and am so lucky to be a part of education!

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Kassie Murray, RN, pre-op, post-op, and patient care

Was there a major turning point in your career that led you to where you are today? 
When I graduated I started out working in the ICU.  I enjoyed my time there and learned a lot! Then I decided I wanted to try something completely different…which led me to surgical orthopedics.

Did you always dream you’d work in the medical field when you grew up? 
I never wanted to be a nurse growing up or thought I would end up in the medical field.  I always thought I would end up being a veterinarian or work with dolphins as a marine biologist.  But, growing up my dad was always in and out of the hospital.  During his last hospital stay he had the most amazing nurse that was so kind to him and so kind to my family- she took so much stress off of my mom during the whole process and really made us feel comfortable- even though we had just lost my dad.  I knew I could never repay her for what she had done for us, but I knew that I wanted to be a part of helping other families through tough times just like this nurse had done for us. I was in my second year of college and had finally decided that I wanted to become a nurse!

Others know the work you do is meaningful. We want to know why it’s meaningful to YOU!
I love being a nurse because I love being a caretaker for others.  People are usually at their most vulnerable when they are in the hospital.  I’m the one they and their families trust to take care of them during tough and vulnerable times, and that means SO much to me!

KicKee's Everyday Heroes, Part 2

Scott Ellis, Retired Chief PettyOfficer (CPO), Navy

What is your job title and what does a typical day at work look like for you?
Ret. CPO - Currently Shipbuilding Specialist: I develop repair specifications and government estimates in support of various shipbuilding contracts. I review and evaluate contractor proposals for the purpose of providing input or negotiating labor and material costs. I plan the repairs, do research and procure materials, estimate man-hours and material requirements, and negotiate final tasking in order to accomplish the completion of repairs in a timely manner. I monitor the contractor's cost control systems during contract performance and recommend cost approval or disapproval. I review contract specifications, drawings, technical manuals, and design test requirements to determine and evaluate contractor compliance, progress, and work quality.

Tell us a little bit about your most memorable day at work and why it stood out to you.
My most memorable day at work was the day that I completed my last enlistment on-board the USS Midway by Chief Petty Officer Stuart Hedly with my family. It stands out as it commemorates the last leg of my career shared with a beloved Pearl Harbor survivor and my loved ones.

What do you feel is the most rewarding part of your career?
The most rewarding part of my career has been when I would teach something to another Sailor, either junior or senior to myself, and the genuine appreciation, and enjoyment the experienced in their accomplishment.

Was there a major turning point in your career that led you to where you are today?
The turning point in my career was actually when I experienced the complete sadness of our toddler when I had to go back into work for a few hours to complete evening colors (lowering the Flag). That moment is what decided the fact that I was not going to continue any follow on enlistments. At that moment, a little two years prior to my retirement is when I started the roadmap and planning to be hired into government service in my current position. 

My military service, as well as, the follow on civil service career that I began, is meaningful to me because it ensures and protects the safety and prosperity of not just my family and friends, but contributes to the common good of the United States democratic population as a whole. I absolutely feel and believe the saying by Mother Teresa in "The greatest good is the good that we do for one another." is an absolute fact. Contributing to the good of others does nothing but improve the world as a whole.

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Toby Wallis, Veterinarian, general practice

What is your job title and primary responsibilities?
Veterinarian, general practice. I help to maintain the health and wellbeing of furry family members,  I also diagnose and treat patients, when they are not feeling well,  through either medicine, surgery or a combination of both. 

Tell us a little bit about your most memorable day at work and why it stood out to you.
The first time I performed surgery on a tiger,  I will always remember that day because, well it was a 400lb tiger, haha. I always enjoy expanding my knowledge,  a stretching myself so that I can continue to grow every day.

What inspired you to be a Vet? What continues to inspire you throughout your career?I have always wanted to be a veterinarian to help animals,  but not until I helped our family veterinarian suture up one of our horses did I realize and understand that it was my passion. Our furry loved ones give us the best of themselves each and every day,  yet don't have a "voice" in the classical sense of the word,  so if I can be their voice and advocate for them I consider it an honor. As far as continued inspiration,  it is the bonds we form with both the patient and their families. Our pets have become family members and they represent something different for each individual family,  for some they represent the child they couldn't have, others it represents a lost loved one,  for another it's a turning point or milestone in their lives,  but all of them are companions. If I can help give the pet a long healthy life then hopefully I have a positive effect on that person/ family.

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Joel Celis, Business Owner, TC Roofing and Construction

What is your job title and what does a typical day at work look like for you?
I am the co-owner of TC roofing and construction along with my amazing wife Tabby. I handle the day to day and she insures we are financially sound. For our industry there isn’t really a typical day. Each house brings its own challenges you don’t know what your getting into until you open it up. I start my mornings usually around 6:30am and I am always the last to leave typically getting home around 9:00pm My job is to oversee production from start to finish of our roofing or construction projects. My day is usually 15+ hour days, 5-6 days a week.

What inspired you to do the work that you do? What continues to inspire you throughout your career?The yearning to help others and the thought of being my own boss. Wanting to be the best, I want to be the one people recommend and trust to take care of their home like my own. 

What do you feel is the most rewarding part of your career? When I go to a project and their home is in shambles, I get to go in and beautify it. The home owners seeing the end results and seeing their smiles makes the long hours worth it. 

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of throughout your career? When I started in this industry I was the lowest on the totem pole. Working in a warehouse loading shingles on roofs and 10 years later I own my own business.  Remember life is a marathon it takes time to build an empire 

Others know the work you do is meaningful. We want to know why it’s meaningful to YOU! People trust me with their biggest investment. They trust that I will do a good job, go above and beyond their expectations and deliver everything I set out to do.