Chinese Visit
In April 2004, a group from the Chinese agricultural community spent the day
touring Mission Controls and learning about what we do. Through our association
with the California Dairy Industries Association and the China Chamber of International
Commerce, the visit was arranged to allow the visitors to observe latest technology in
milk processing and machinery.
Mission Controls Moves
The original office, shop and training facility in Irvine, California expanded from one
suite, to two, then to three suites, and then it was time to move. The move was accomplished
during the summer of 2003. Mission Controls new facility, located in Costa Mesa, California,
about a mile from the old office, includes an immense open-space office facility (we don’t
believe in the cubical lifestyle) and shop facility.
Maybe It’s the Water…
Lifestyle choices often are indicative of the situation at work, and the work situation at
Mission Controls is very good. In reflection, Mission Controls is a good place to work:
- Six of our employees have gotten married (not to each other, though that would be fine…) since joining the company
- Nine babies have been born
- More than a dozen employees have purchased new cars
- Eight employees have purchased new homes
- Several employees have beaten cancer
- The total number of vacation miles traveled to fun times is beyond calculation
Christmas Parties
Each year the employees of Mission Controls celebrate the success of the company and the
joyous Christmas season with a grand company-sponsored Christmas Party. Held in first-class
venues, the company-sponsored events include tray after tray of delicious appetizers, an open bar,
world-class cuisine, the usual round of short, appropriate speeches, and the opportunity to reflect
on another successful year.
Summer Picnics
Summertime in California is best spent on the beach, and that’s where our annual Summer Picnics
are generally held. The picnics are bright and sunny, sandy, indulgent and fun, with lots of children
of all ages running around. Some carry squirt guns. Some volley the ball, others swim or lie in the
sun working on tans. The Mission Controls Summer Picnics are another opportunity for the company to
say, "Well done, and Thanks," and for the employees to get together and talk about everything
but work.
The Steadfast Award
Each year Mission Controls recognizes one of its employees with the Annual Steadfast Award.
Presented at the Christmas Party, the Steadfast Award is more than recognition for a job well
done during the preceding year. If that were the sole criterion, no selection would be possible.
Rather, the award is given to an employee who has steadfastly overcome a difficulty or daunting
situation, while maintaining his or her job performance and good nature. The Steadfast Award has
been presented to:
- 2000 – Rob Chance
- 2001 – Brent Boisen
- 2002 – Kevin Murphy
- 2003 – Jerry Muscolo
- 2004 – Paul Katchka
- 2005 – Brian Nemanic
- 2006 – Jeff Dalton
- 2007 – Ryan Quigley
Public Recognitions
Mission Controls has been recognized numerous times in the forum of public opinion.
In 2002 and 2003, Mission Controls was presented by Deloitte and Touch with the Fast
50 Award, and in 2003 with the Fast 500 Award, in recognition of the company’s high
ranking and fast growth among technology companies. In 2002 also, Mission Controls
won the 248th place on Inc. Magazine’s Fast 500 list, and the magazine included a
nice article about Mission Controls. In 2003, National Public Radio aired an interview
with Craig Nelson, our President, concerning the company’s no-layoff philosophy.
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