10 Interesting Facts About ISO 9001:2015

1. ISO certification is not enforced; this quality management process is voluntary in nature.

2. ISO procedures are used to implement, maintain, and improve the quality management system of the company as a whole.

3. Focusing on continual improvement with emphasis placed on Customer satisfaction always leads to Company success.

4. Lone Star Communications keeps a running Customer Satisfaction Log in which every Customer compliment and complaint is registered and responded to by the QM Sub-Committee and LSC Management.

5. ISO certification is based on global standards that help gain the confidence of our customer base and opens up more avenues for business by providing proof that we can supply consistently high-quality products and services.

6. ISO standards do specify what a company should do, but do not dictate how we should do it to reach our goals.

7. Lone Star Communications developed its own goals and processes with the first iteration of our LSC Quality Manual. (The most current version is stored in Q360/File/Document Management)

8. LSC conducts regular internal audits of all departments to allow staff to understand where processes are working effectively and where change is needed.

9. Quality Management Systems help provide a workforce that is happy and productive and a product or service that is consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective. This reduces waste. Reduced waste = increased revenue (and that’s good for all of us).

10. LSC-provided training in ISO processes ensures that:

a. Everybody is on the same page.

b. Everybody knows what is expected, why the processes are in place, and what results are desired.

Small group trainings will begin in the Fall focusing on all LSAR and LSCT personnel to prepare for the ISO official audit in June 2021. A gift card awaits the 3rd person to correctly answer the following bonus questions. Answers should be emailed to Patt@lonestarcom.com .

(1) What is the definition of the 13th word in item #7? (2) Name two members of the current Quality Management (QM) Sub-Committee.

LONE STAR COMMUNICATIONS' BIGGEST LOSERS! FIND OUT HOW MUCH WEIGHT THEY'VE LOST!

Pat Harvey, Healthcare Account Manager, Grand Prairie

To kick-off this section, we are starting with Pat Harvey. His weight-loss is in the 20 lbs range. As you can see from the photos, he accomplished this amazing feet...I mean feat, by eating only salads and working out vigorously! What an inspiring story Patty. Keep up the hardwork! Let's keep reading to see who else worked hard to lose weight during and prior to COVID-19!

Lori Welcher, Account Manager, Little Rock

1.What did you do to lose the weight?

I initially gained, but have been trying hard the past month to get it off using the Weight Watchers App. I cooked a lot during the first 6 weeks (comfort desserts) as we were all home, but NO MORE.

2. What does your new healthy routine include?

I am not going to the gym. I have been walking and doing hand weights since this started. I just don’t push myself like I do at the gym.

3. What made you decide to change your diet or lifestyle?

My clothes were getting tight…lol.

4. How much weight have you lost?

About 5 lbs.

5. What is your overall weight-loss or lifestyle goal you are trying to accomplish? My body fat ratio has gone up even though my weight isn’t that bad.

6. What helps you stick to your diet?

Eating something every 2-3 hours

Lori Welcher with her husband, Mike Welcher.

Jason Palik, Account Executive, Springdale Office

1. What did you do to lose the weight?

I've lost 38 pounds and Sarah (wife) has lost 19 pounds doing weight watchers.

2. What made you decide to change your diet or lifestyle?

Inspiration is my wife and children. I want to be healthy enough to spend quality time with my family as we grow older!

3. What is your overall weight-loss or lifestyle goal you are trying to accomplish?

Overall goal is 75 lbs

4. What helps you stick to your diet?

Download the app, stick to the points. You will lose weight!

Jason Palik with wife Sarah Palik

Patt Bowles, Executive Vice President, CCEO, Corporate

1.What did you do to lose the weight?

Jenny Craig

2. What does your new healthy routine include?

Eating small portions and no deviating from the Jenny Craig supplied food… well, only small, occasional ones for a good reason like Easter, Mother’s Day, 50th wedding anniversary, and Father’s Day.

3. How much weight have you lost?

12 lbs since the day we left full time in the office.

4. What is your overall weight-loss or lifestyle goal you are trying to accomplish? Goal is staying healthy

5. What helps you stick to your diet?

Not having to shop for larger clothes

Melinda Gibbs, Office Manager, Little Rock Office

Before Corona I had just lost 15 pounds and was at my goal weight by March 1st. But then our whole world was turned upside down, and I ended up gaining 8 pounds back within a few weeks. Stress eating I’m sure. Well that wouldn’t do, especially after I heard Ron Kruse had lost 9 pounds! I was inspired. I used the extra time in the mornings to do strength training and rode my stationary bike in the evenings. I use the Weight Watchers app on my phone to track my food and exercise. It’s proven very successful for me and has great recipes to keep me on track. My go-to food when I’m dying to satisfy my sweet tooth is sugar free chocolate pudding. 😊 I’m down 6 pounds and only have 2 more pounds to go. Target date is June 30th.

Eric Gillespie, Healthcare Systems Specialist, Grand Prairie Office

1.What did you do to lose the weight?

Mainly was a change in food choice. A diet yes but really a lifestyle change.

2. What does your new healthy routine include?

I mainly stay away from sugars especially added sugars, enriched white flour, and limited carbs. I try to walk everyday with 2 miles being the goal.

3. What made you decide to change your diet or lifestyle?

I have regularly scheduled doctor appointments, but a year ago my family doctor said my liver functions continued to be elevated. This caused me to see a liver specialist.

4. How much weight have you lost?

December 2019 I was 193 and today I am 156. Total lost is 37 lbs!

5. What is your overall weight-loss or lifestyle goal you are trying to accomplish? Overall, I am trying to maintain what I have done thus far and continue to eat right, maybe a cheat or two in there as well.

6. What helps you stick to your diet?

My family first, as I have a great support group from my wife to kids and grand-kids. My other family members are also excited about the change and help out when it comes to dinner invites.

Added notes: I will never be a person to preach to anyone on how to live your life, but let me say this much. I am a 100% believer that when it comes to eating, drinking, exercise or anything that involves your health, it comes down to MODERATION. If you can get to your target weight, then it comes down to maintaining that weight. This is where moderation comes in. This has not been a diet run for me, because diets are made to come and go. This is a lifestyle change. I plan to walk my daughters down the isle someday and be the best person for my wife and family. I did this over a course of 4 months, so it does not have to happen overnight.

Before the weight loss!

After the -37 lbs weight loss! AMAZING!

Brian Banks, Internal Information Security Officer, Corporate

1.What did you do to lose the weight?

I went with a plant-based life-style and recreational style exercise (bicycling, walking, swimming, hiking, etc.)

2. What does your new healthy routine include?

Eating foods that were not made from animals along with scheduled plans of recreational style exercise.

3. What made you decide to change your diet or lifestyle?

Concerns of hereditary health hazards and bad hereditary eating habits.

4. How much weight have you lost?

I weighed in at 279 when I started, dropped to 252 and maintaining 250-260 range.

5. What is your overall weight-loss or lifestyle goal you are trying to accomplish? Overall, I am trying to maintain what I have done thus far and continue to eat right, maybe a cheat or two in there as well.

6. What helps you stick to your diet?

The fact that eating healthier and doing fun things that contribute to burning calories, allows me a greater opportunity of spending healthy and happy times with my sons, fiance, and future grandchildren.

Joe Jackson, VP of Sales & Marketing, Grand Prairie

1.What did you do to lose the weight?

Tons of research into nutrition. This was the trick for me. Staying away from the non-clinical “how I lost weight stories” and focusing on clinical based content. Keto and intermittent fasting is what is working for me. There's lots of evidence that points to the benefits of both. Intermittent fasting, in particular, has big health benefits. Read up on “Autophagy.” It’s the body’s natural trigger to repair itself, the organs and cells when the body is in a fasting state. Being in Keto (or when the body is optimized to burn fat for fuel rather than carbs) triggers this state about 12 hours after our last meal. I eat once a day maintaining a Keto-friendly balance and added many good supplements. I haven’t felt this good in years.

2. What does your new healthy routine include?

Rest is #1 and stress management is #2. If lacking both, it will cause the body to produce Cortisol, and this little hormone tells the body to store fat rather than burn it. Stress and sleep are the most important things besides diet and exercise.

3. What made you decide to change your diet or lifestyle?

When the Covid numbers started rolling in showing people in my age group with health conditions were being targeted the worst, it made me think about a healthier body which lowers the risk and strengthens immunities.

4. How much weight have you lost?

I stopped counting at 25, the scale will discourage you and reduce your conviction to stay with it (stay off of it). I use my clothing as my measure. 90 days ago I couldn’t get the clothes on the left side of the closet within 2 inches of buttoning, now they have 2 inches of slack. This has been my motivator. That and the looks from Cindi. Less repulsed than normal.

5. What is your overall weight-loss or lifestyle goal you are trying to accomplish? When I started at Lone Star 10 years ago (in July it will be 10 but Ray says it feels much, much longer) I was 225 pounds. With life and all that goes with it, I let 60 pounds find a home over the last decade, which is bad. I am going to get back to 225.

6. What helps you stick to your diet?

Its like any habit, it takes time to adjust. Don’t bail out if you don’t see results overnight. I didn’t get inflated overnight. Pick a healthy goal and do the research. Understanding the body and how all the things have to balance will help you and encourage you. I fall off the wagon every once in a while; everyone does and that is okay. When I fall off the wagon though I don’t load up on carbs, no matter what. The rebound to get back can be 1-2 weeks if you do. I can rebound in 24 hours as long as I didn’t go crazy and eat a load of carbs. Do the research, and eat fresh food – not junk. Even if it says Keto, read the ingredients. j

Dennis Bledsoe, Inspector, Little Rock Office

We will cover some more "Biggest Losers" in the next couple of issues. Stay tuned for our AUGUST ISSUE to find out how Arkansas' very own, Dennis Bledsoe, dropped a whopping 74 lbs!

What COVID-19 Has Taught Us About Cyber Security

COVID-19 is not the only risk with the ability to quickly disrupt the way we live each day. COVID-19 has forced companies and individuals to adopt and embrace new standards such as working from home along with social distancing. As we are focusing on the health and financial threats posed by this pandemic, hackers around the globe are trying to maximize on this crisis. Phishing attacks, ransomware and malware are spiking at very high levels.

At Lone Star Communications, we are learning and taking proactive steps by partnering with Defendify, an all-in-one Cyber Security platform that will assist us in advising our team and customers on methods to be more vigilant and cautious especially when opening links, emails or documents related to the subject COVID-19 and other current events. We are increasing our detection and alerting capabilities and making sure they remain functional while keeping an eye on the impact of having remote workers.

COVID-19 will change our lives forever with new work standards, new cyber security methods, cyber security policies and personal cyber hygiene. To stay protected is not just for the individual but a team effort to protect our data and our customer’s data. Each day through awareness videos, testing and discussions we are creating together a better human firewall at Lone Star Communications. THANK YOU TEAM !