Celebrating National 401(k) Day: Investing in Your Future

Today is National 401(k) Day, a reminder to take a closer look at your retirement savings and make sure you’re setting yourself up for long-term success. At Royal American, we’re proud to support our employees by matching dollar for dollar up to 6% of what you contribute to your 401(k). It’s one of the best benefits we offer, and one you don’t want to miss out on!

We partner with Principal Retirement to make saving and investing easier for you. Beyond managing your retirement account, Principal also offers free monthly webinars on financial topics designed to help you feel more confident about money. These sessions are open to all employees and are a great way to pick up tips you can put into action right away.

This month’s featured webinar is especially exciting. Guest speaker Jean Chatzky will be presenting “Money Rules: Smart Steps for Your Future,” where she’ll share practical advice on building financial security and planning ahead. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune your financial strategy, this is a great opportunity to learn from an expert.

Register today: Click here to sign up for the webinar

If you’re not yet enrolled in our 401(k) program, there’s no better time to start. Reach out to Kitty Rogers at kitty.rogers@royalamerican.com, and she’ll be happy to walk you through the process and answer any questions.

Your future is worth investing in, and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

/0 Comments

Your Well-Being Matters: Prioritizing Mental Health

It’s time to talk about mental health. Just as we prioritize our physical well-being, it’s crucial to give our mental health the same attention. Mental health encompasses a wide range of experiences, from managing everyday stress to navigating more significant challenges like depression, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts. We want to take a moment to remind everyone that you are not alone, and help is always available. Seeking treatment for mental health issues is a sign of strength, not weakness, and it’s no different from seeking care for a physical ailment like a broken leg or a chronic illness. Our company is committed to supporting your well-being, and we have resources in place to help.

 

If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to use our confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). This benefit provides free visits with a mental health professional and does not require a claim through your insurance. You can contact an EAP counselor 24/7 by emailing eapcounselor@uprisehealth.com or calling 1-800-386-7055. Visit www.worklife.uprisehealth.com and use access code: worklife for support and helpful resources.

 

If you observe changes in a colleague’s behavior, please reach out with empathy and be a listening ear. Sometimes, just having someone to talk to can make a world of difference. For immediate crisis support, remember the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. You can also access their online chat at https://988lifeline.org/.

 

Remember, everyone’s well-being matters and if you or someone you know is struggling, please know there is support available.

/0 Comments

Our GEM Nominees for Second Quarter 2025

 

The following employees were recognized at our Corporate quarterly meeting yesterday. They were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond and delivering exceptional service and work ethic during the 2nd Quarter of 2025. We would like to acknowledge their hard work.  Thank you for all you do!

 

  • Jihee Kim
  • Demetria Kunkel- WINNER

 

The following site staff were also nominated for the GEM Award. Thank you to these individuals for their work ethic and dedication!

  • Yoel Alvarez- Maintenance Supervisor- City Crossings/City Heights
  • Nathalie Manjarres- Area Manager- City Crossings/City Heights- WINNER
  • Carlos Diaz Cortes- Maintenance Supervisor- Park at Massalina
  • Brandon Brown- Maintenance Supervisor- Wild Pines
  • Kamecha Carter- Community Manager- Wood Springs I & II
  • Rhonda Hiser- Community Manager- Brookmeade Villas
/6 Comments

Our GEM Nominees for First Quarter 2025

 

The following employees were recognized at our Corporate quarterly meeting last Thursday. They were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond and delivering exceptional service and work ethic during the 1st Quarter of 2025. We would like to acknowledge their hard work.  Thank you for all you do!

 

  • Tammy Hill – WINNER
  • Marie Cox
  • Nikki Lumsden
  • Brenda Fuller
  • Lori Agudo
  • Lindsey Kushner
  • Ashley Willis

The following site staff were also nominated for the GEM Award. Thank you to these individuals for their work ethic and dedication!

  • Chris Stanley – WINNER
  • Sharmeka Hall
  • Mariangely Barreto
  • Kailey Defay
  • Nathalie Manjarres
  • Debra Nazario
  • Megan Moore
  • Jesenia Uglig
  • Laurie McEntyre
  • Candace Driver
  • Jerry Debose
/1 Comment

New Virtual Meeting Policy

To ensure professionalism, efficiency, and respect in our remote collaboration, Royal American Companies has implemented a new Virtual Meeting Policy.

Key Highlights:

  • Be Prepared: Test your camera and microphone, review the agenda, and familiarize yourself with the meeting platform.
  • Camera Usage: Keep your camera on when presenting or if others have theirs on. If unable, notify participants.
  • Professionalism Matters: Mute when not speaking, avoid distractions, dress appropriately, and stay engaged.
  • Stay on Track: Follow the agenda, take notes if needed, and ensure productive discussions.

Thank you for embracing these guidelines and helping us maintain excellence in all our meetings! You can see the full policy here.

/0 Comments

Leadership Education Scholarship Applications 2025 DEADLINE

 

The deadline is this Saturday!

At Royal American, we believe in the power of education and proudly support our employees’ families through the Leadership Education Scholarship program.

In 2025, we will award up to two scholarships, each valued at $2,000 per year for two years, to legal dependents of active, full-time employees. Eligible applicants must be accepted to or currently enrolled in a full time undergraduate program at an accredited community college or university.

The deadline to submit applications and essays is March 15, 2024.

For details, review the Leadership Education Scholarship policy and send applications to hrdept@royalamerican.com today!

 

Managers – Please share this opportunity with your teams and ensure employees have access to the application materials provided below.

Scholarship Flyer

Leadership-Education-Scholarship-Policy

Leadership-Education-Scholarship-Application

 

/0 Comments

Use Your VTO in 2025

 

A new year means a fresh opportunity to make a difference! If you’ve been with Royal American for over a year, don’t forget that you’re eligible for 8 hours of Volunteer Time Off (VTO) annually.  VTO can be taken in 4-hour shifts to fit your schedule, but remember, it does not roll over! Now is the perfect time to plan ahead and get your hours on the books.

Sharla Fletcher, our Talent Acquisition Coordinator, made great use of her VTO this week by supporting the Emerald Coast Business Women’s Association at their Death by Chocolate event. Through her photo booth business, she donated her time and services, operating her 360 photo booth free of charge to help raise funds for scholarships benefiting women in Bay County. Sharla was joined by her colleague, Pam Bonk, our IT Office Manager, who also used her VTO to assist with event setup. Last year, Sharla’s booth had 375 groups in just 2.5 hours, and she was excited to give back again this year!

Sharla shared, “The event I volunteered at was Death by Chocolate, hosted by The Emerald Coast Business Women’s Association. I absolutely love this nonprofit organization, as they raise money to provide college scholarships for Bay County women who are at least 23 years old. The event featured a variety of desserts from local restaurants, caterers, and culinary programs, along with a large silent auction.

We had the pleasure of helping set up before the event, and once it started, I donated my time for the second year with my 360 photo business, PhotoMotion360, giving attendees a lasting memory to take home with them. I truly had a great time using my VTO to support such a great cause, and it was amazing to have Pam join in as well.”

Thank you for sharing, Sharla!

⎯

We’d love to highlight your service on Dispatch! If you take photos while volunteering, please send them to marketingrequests@royalamerican.com.

Let’s make 2025 a year of impact… One volunteer hour at a time!

/0 Comments