2023

YEAR IN

Review

Happy New Year SoBran Team!

We hope 2024 finds you in great spirits and fired up to engage in what the year will bring. As we prepare to embark on this new year, we would like to reflect on 2023 and convey our gratitude for your amazing contributions and professionalism.

2023 proved to be a year in which we strengthened our position within our areas of service by enhancing our recruiting efforts with a new, more experienced recruiter focused on identifying and hiring the best candidates, on time and within budgetary constraints. Furthermore, we introduced critical initiatives focused on ensuring SoBran’s success not just this year but in years to come.

One of these initiatives is our new relationship with the Lindsey Business Group (LBG) as our Human Resources provider. Although, as with most transitions, we experienced some hiccups along the way, overall LBG has proven to be a valuable acquisition. The wealth of knowledge and technical expertise that LBG possesses has provided much needed support operationally and administratively such as during our transition from John Hancock to TransAmerica as our 401K provider. TransAmerica/TAG will offer our employees a 401K plan with better services and lower fees.

As a team, we made great progress in solidifying our relationships with our existing customers. Through continuous communications and creative approaches in our supportive roles, we identified areas that can be enhanced, as well as areas that offer new opportunities for SoBran. This will prove to be extremely important as we navigate successfully through several recompetes near the end of the year.

Although we continued to experience challenges from the pandemic in our work and home lives, we were so proud to see the perseverance displayed by our team members in every aspect of our commitment to our clients. For example, our radon mitigation team traveled extensively domestically and abroad to support our clients during this period. SoBran’s Logistics, SafeMail and BioScience teams were subject to COVID cases during the year, yet client support never wavered.

Over the past year, you have clearly shown that if we work together and share our diverse knowledge base throughout SoBran, we can find a solution to any problem and address any threat. Our employees are amongst the most talented in our service arenas and possess the determination to achieve any goal.

The work we do makes a difference. The clients we serve depend on SoBran to stay abreast of the latest standards and innovations. In 2024, as with years prior, we will!

We want to thank you for your continued commitment and effort. Every one of us has a vital role to play in the work ahead and we are confident that together, we will achieve remarkable things.

We wish you and your loved ones, a happy and successful 2024!

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Amos-Leon' Otis, MBA, MMAS

Founder, President and Chairman of the Board
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Will Hobbs

Chief Executive Officer

From the Desk of

Adam Oliver, Director of Operations

It is undeniable that our SoBran employees are the very foundation of our success. Without your dedication and hard work, we simply would not be able to deliver the wide array of services that our diverse range of customers rely on. Reflecting on the early weeks of 2023, I encouraged both managers and employees alike to approach the year with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas. I am happy to report that you embraced the challenge and committed yourself to strengthening our operations.

Throughout the past year, we have experienced growth across all areas of our operations, securing new contracts in bioscience, mail security, engineering, and logistics. However, amidst celebrating these achievements, it is crucial to recognize the often-overlooked significance of our past performance submissions in securing new opportunities. These submissions serve as a testament to our capabilities, serving as references similar to professional endorsements on a resume. It is through these references that proposal evaluators gauge our proficiency in fulfilling contractual obligations. Your unwavering commitment to excellence has ensured that our past performance remains exceptional, serving as a testament to our capabilities as a team.

Recognizing the importance of employee input, we have taken significant steps to enhance our efforts in soliciting continuous improvement opportunities. The establishment of the Employee Representative Board has provided a platform for peer-selected employees to voice their insights and suggestions related to our processes and policies, what is working well within the organization, and what steps SoBran can take to ensure continued success for years to come. This board has provided fresh insight into our daily operations and opened an avenue for praise or concern to be brought directly to executive management. Those contributions have been invaluable in shaping our operations and I look forward to hearing what is next in 2024. Your dedication to driving positive change guarantees our continued success.

In 2023, we embarked on one of our largest transitions yet - a change in Human Resource providers. While there were some initial challenges, especially after 30 years with one system, your resilience and adaptability has been truly appreciated. Since the transition, we have witnessed numerous benefits, including increased recruiting efforts and a more streamlined hiring process. Having a dedicated recruiter has been instrumental in reducing staff shortages, filling vacancies, and ensuring quality candidates are placed in front of hiring managers. These changes have been crucial to continued operational success.

As we venture into 2024, I urge each of you to maintain the momentum we have built over the past year. Let us continue to explore new and innovative ways to operate and enhance the customer’s experience. With your assistance and input, I am confident that we can offer our clients new services and further solidify our position in the various markets we serve. Remember, the choice to utilize our services lies with our clients, and it is your dedication and commitment that makes us the provider they choose. Thank you for your hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Here’s to another year of success and growth!

Adam Oliver
Director of Operations

SoBran Service Award Presentations


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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis stand with Alphonso Evans, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Animal Caretaker II after the presentation of his 20 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs presenting Bruce Bishop, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Project Manager with his 20 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis, stand with Marcia Caputo, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Facility Manager after the presentation of her 20 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis, stand with Melvin Jackson, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Animal Caretaker II after the presentation of his 20 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis stand with Sonia Love, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Project Administrator after the presentation of her 20 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis, stand with Woude Gyesus, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Animal Caretaker I after the presentation of her 20 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs with Michelle Pinero, BioScience Norfolk, VA. Administrative Specialist at the presentation of her 15 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs with Josiah Hamilton, BioScience Norfolk, VA. Veterinary Technician/ Enrichment Specialist at the presentation of his 15 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis, stand with Cherise Smith, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Vet Tech II after the presentation of her 10 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis, stand with Cheryl Amobi, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Animal Caretaker I after the presentation of her 5 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs, Bruce Bishop and Founder & President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis stand with Rudolph Clyne, BioScience Silver Springs, MD. Animal Caretaker I after the presentation of his 5 year Certificate of Appreciation.

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Above: CEO Will Hobbs with Chris Wright, BioScience Norfolk, VA. Research Technician at the presentation of his 5 year Certificate of Appreciation.

2023 Employee of the year award

Tracy Taylor

The time has come to announce the recipient of the 2023 Cindy Carmichael Employee of the Year Award. After careful consideration, we are pleased to announce that the winner is Tracy Taylor!

As you know, Tracy was considered for this award along with our other 2023 Employees of the Quarter. Although they all have represented SoBran in an outstanding manner, Tracy has gone beyond the call of duty regularly, and her hard work has been instrumental in helping our company achieve its goals. She is truly deserving of this prestigious honor.

Please join us in congratulating Tracy on her well-deserved recognition! For her efforts, she will receive $1000.00, a day off on SoBran, and a plaque recognizing her selection. May Tracy’s award serve as an inspiration to us all as SoBran continues to grow towards achieving immense success.

David Do

Employee of the Quarter Award
(October - December 2023)

David works in the IT Department at SoBran’s federal government property reutilization and disposal site. Described by his coworkers and client as a dependable, customer-focused professional with a consistent desire to improve upon his skills, as well as share his knowledge with his coworkers and others, David is well respected by his peers and client staff.

Congratulations to David!

Mehran Esteghamat-Rad

Employee of the Quarter Award
(July - September 2023)

Mehran works in SoBran’s BioScience Division. Mehran’s coworkers and client staff raved about his positive attitude and desire to assist during staffing shortages or whenever a teammate needed assistance. He is respected for his commitment to providing the best care for the animals we are entrusted with managing.

Congratulations to Mehran!

Tim Daughtery

Employee of the Quarter Award
(April - June 2023)

Tim works as a Research Technician in SoBran’s BioScience Division at one of our Norfolk, Virginia animal research facilities. Tim’s coworkers consider him “the eyes and ears” of their facility and respect his “knowledge and professionalism.” Our clients value his opinion related to everything from breeding to behavioral concerns.

Congratulations to Tim!

Tracy Taylor

Employee of the Quarter Award
(January - March 2023)

Tracy works in Inventory Management at SoBran’s federal government property reutilization and disposal site. Tracy’s friendly, professional demeanor was highlighted by several nominators as appealing to coworkers and clients as well. Due to her consistent desire to improve, as well as willingness to share her knowledge with others, Tracy is highly respected by her peers and client staff.

Congratulations to Tracy!

Employee Highlight

Melvin Jackson

Melvin Jackson has worked at our BioScience Silver Springs, MD location for over 23 years as well as another full-time job (39 years) and has maintained a superior attendance record. Melvin works as a large animal caretaker caring for NHPs, pigs, and ferrets. He notices the slightest changes in behavior in the animals under his care.

Melvin performs the most thorough health observations and his impeccable attention to detail has helped the animals to receive the necessary medical treatment early. One winter when the buses weren’t running because of the weather, Melvin walked a couple of miles in the snow to ensure the animals were taken care of even after being told not to come in. Melvin’s love of the animals and work ethic make him an extremely valuable employee and member of the large animal team!

New Hires at SoBran, Inc.

Anita Keitt
Anthony D Fouch
Anthony T Lewis
Anthony Whitney
Ashley Montalvan
Benjamin Spikes
Brittney L Schofill
Catrina Coppett
Charles Hamlin
Chester McKenzie
David Chapell
Destiny Crump
Emily Bolser
Enork E Charleus
Ernest Frimpong
Fatmata L Jalloh
Fred Fortson

Hanna Garcia
Haywood Cofield
Ibrahim Turay
Jaden D Franks
Jonathan Melgar
Karra Johnson
Kevin Dailey
Kindelyn Headings
Kwaneka Pannell
Lauren Passaro
Madison S Campbell
Maria Arrington
Maria C Harris
Marqueill Taylor
Megan L Borgelt
Michael Hair
Mir Pattman

Nadin Salama
Nicolas A Paul-Chan
Nicole S Scott
Richard Osvaldo
Rico McMullen
Shaun Yount
Shawn White
Shelby Ridout
Shyann Buie
Standish Wheeler
Stanun Rudley
Tara Reilly
Tikina O Smith-Haddad
Tre’nae Emerson
Tyla Handon
Victor D Livengood
Vivian Martin

Conferences

Tara Reilly, RaShae Cook and Bruce Bishop attended the National AALAS Conference.

Tara Reilly attended the Association of Primate Veterinarians Conference

The Radon Team

SoBran’s radon team has been in operation for more than 20 years. They operate around the world performing radon testing, diagnostics, and mitigation for government installations. In 2023, the team travelled to numerous locations such as Guam, Japan, Spain, South Carolina, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Connecticut to name a few. Based in Oak Ridge, TN, the radon services group is one of our oldest business lines, and continues to thrive. Here is a look at the crew in action during their trip to Japan.

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Mike Davis after digging a 3’ x 3’ hole in a house

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Darrin Wyatt doing an internal wall core

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Dale Ballinger reviewing the database to ensure all data is being captured in real time

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Darrin Wyatt and David Hunt taking exterior cores

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Mike Davis vacuums off David Wilson while Darrin Wyatt watches in the background
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David Wilson creating reports post-site work

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Charels LaMaster checking inventory list before shipping materials to the team

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Dan Snyder installing FPI and AEC electricians working on a multi-system job

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David Hunt and Dan Snyder installing pipe on a 3 story BEQ with high lift

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Mike Hunt installing a Fan Performance Indicator (FPI) just over his head in the box

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Bill Brodhead taking core samples

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Darrin Wyatt taking an external core

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Tim Musser finishes install on a mitigation system

Guatanomo Bay

After more than 10 years, SoBran bid farewell to its automotive repair operations in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Several of the employees on the contract had been with us from beginning in 2012, and we wish them success in whatever they do next.

The Navy Exchange is working to refurbish the repair facility so that it can begin offering automotive repair services to base residents again in the near future.

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From left to right: Michael Sermonia, Gregorio Antonio, Darwin Maranan, Joseph Gully, Reynaldo Guerzon, Robel Borres

Out and About

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Front: Will Hobbs, Ghia Ridley Hobbs Left to right: Seth Martin, Ashley Montalvan and  Shaun Joyner, Soma’, Mariah and Sydney Martin, Anthony Lewis and Annie Ordono, Kris, Adam and Sophia Oliver, Johnny Doan, Bill Palermo, Standish Wheeler, Franklin Vargas, Bob Chumpitaz, Yannick Bakiele, David Steffan, Dawin, Ines Figueroa and Merliah Rodriguez, Bruce and Tamika Bishop, Connie Broadie, Lorie Lewis Sullivan, Tony Martin. SoBran Falls Church, VA Holiday Celebration, 2023

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Left to right: Founder and President, Mr. Amos-Leon’ Otis, Adam Oliver, Director of Operations, Cindy Carmichael, SMSO and CEO Will Hobbs at the Federal Mail Screening site to recognize Cindy Carmichael on her retirement after 19 years with SoBran (2004 - 2023)

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Clockwise: Marsha Loll - BioScience Associate Director, and BioScience Silver Springs, MD. staff: Marcia Caputo, Sonia Love, Theron Jenifer, Dr. Teresa Sylvina, Nina Callaham, Cherise Smith, Bruce Bishop

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Left to right: BioScience Beltsville, MD. staff: Yannick Bakiele, Standish Wheeler, Jessica Karunaratne, and Marsha Loll - BioScience Associate Director

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Left to right: BioScience Beltsville, MD. staff - Tech week lunch outing: Yannick Bakiele, Ashley Montalvan, Jessica Karunaratne and Standish Wheeler (back)

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Left to right: SafeMail DC: Yerli Martinez, Operations Support Specialist, Won Shin, Operations Support Specialist, and Bob Chumpitaz, CBRNE Project Manager

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Left to right: SafeMail DC: Bob Chumpitaz, CBRNE Project Manager, Russell Shavatt, Operations Support Specialist, and Johnathon Melgar, Operations Support Specialist

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Left to right: SafeMail DC: Bob Chumpitaz, CBRNE Project Manager, William Hernandez, Operations Support Specialist

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Left to right: Bioscience Dallas, TX. staff Mario Selman, Courtney Yates, Facility Manager, and Hanna Garcia with CEO Will Hobbs

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Left to right: CEO Will Hobbs with BioScience Beltsville, MD. staff, Mehran Esteghamat-Rad, Jessica Karunaratne, BioScience Trainer, Standish Wheeler, and Yannick Bakiele, Facility Specialist

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Above: BioScience Atlanta, GA. Cagewash Technician, Anita Keitt

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Left to right: BioScience Atlanta, GA. Care staff: Emily Bolser, Kindelyn Headings, Destiny Crump, Briana Grier, and Issac Brown