Beaulieu staffers Joseph Santonastaso and Matt Wells were recently recognized by the Georgia Society of Technical Training and Development (GSTTD), a group aimed at promoting excellence in training for flooring. Santonastaso, a plant safety trainer, won the Safety Trainer of the Year award. Wells, an industrial engineer, was named Classroom Trainer of the Year.

Beaulieu's Joseph Sanonastaso (center) and Matt Wells display their training awards while the company's Lynn Chambers looks on.

Lynn Chambers, director of employee development for Beaulieu, said the two men are examples of the company's philosophy of providing top-notch training. “Good training fits our corporate mission to be the supplier of choice and the employer of choice in our industry,” she said.

Santonastaso, a 24-year veteran of Beaulieu, "has a vast knowledge of OSHA and company safety policies," Beaulieu said. Wells is responsible for process improvement through classroom instruction. This includes enhancements to the company's Lean Six Sigma business management program which have already "saved Beaulieu over $50,000 annually," the company noted.

The men were honored during a recent GSTTD workshop in Dalton, Ga.