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The President’s Award is given each year to honor Cane Creek employees who go above and beyond in their capacity despite challenges they may face that year. They are an employee who exemplifies the brand of Cane Creek, an employee who solves problems even when there seems to be no solution, someone who operates behind the scenes with little recognition and they are someone who is innovative and gets the job done.Â
2017 President’s Award Winner: Most Improved
“The transformation, and that’s no exaggeration, from just executing tasks to strategically managing a very important function of Cane Creek’s business has been remarkable. I have to say when I first arrived I wondered about this person – he seemed detached and the passion light looked dim. However, he took on a new role and has proceeded to manage our Asian supply chain in an increasingly professional manner. Driving our new products to production, raising the standards that we expect from our suppliers, exploring new options, diving into what things cost and should cost, are just some of the contributions he’s made. I could not be more pleased with the manner and results this person has demonstrated this year, and I would like to personally thank him for his hard work and dedication. Please give a hand to President’s award winner Eric Smith.”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2017 President’s Award Winner: Most Taken For Granted
“The best thing one can say about a bike part is that they did not think about it when riding — the part did everything expected of it without calling attention to itself. Similarly there are some people that cover their job responsibilities well and do so without drawing attention or needing to be checked on. Consequently it is easy to overlook or take for granted their contribution and value to the company. In this case, I depend on this person to get things right even when I don’t know what those things are! She is a tremendous asset to Cane Creek and someone that I am very appreciative of having on my staff. Let’s give a big round of applause to President’s award winner Courtney Smith.”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2017 President’s Award Winner: Best Ambassador
“This person must be one of those who espouses that he loves his job so much that it never feels like he’s at work. He never turns down a beyond-work-hours assignment, and when there’s not an assignment he’s seemingly always at an event spreading the gospel anyway. Because of his demeanor, honesty, and friendliness, I cannot fathom a better person to represent Cane Creek. So I am honored to name Andrew Slowey as a President’s award winner. Let’s give Andrew a big hand.”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2018 President’s Award Winner: GSD
Not a week goes by that I don’t hear something along the lines of “just get it to me and I’ll figure out how to get it done.” And that sums up how he approaches every day and every project. There are no excuses or complaints, just a matter-of-fact approach that is inspiring. Even this week when I dropped on him a last minute project – to make his own award – he just took it in stride. His competence and confidence combine with a strong work ethic to make Tim the Get-Shit-Done award winner.
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2018 President’s Award Winner: ROI
“There are those that exceed expectations from time-to-time, those that surprise with a big win, and those that are reliable producers day after day. However this award goes to the person that has found ways to deliver more than should be possible with less than is required, consistently – like all of the time. His department’s budget has shrunk significantly since before he arrived, yet the results get bigger and better. He always has one eye on how an action will promote the brand and the other on what it costs versus other opportunities. Thus, Luke is a very deserving winner of the Return on Investment award.”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2019 President’s Award Winner
“There are two President’s Award recipients this year. Both have exhibited noteworthy commitment, dedication, and loyalty. Both have faced and overcame challenges in 2019. Both are great examples of the best of Cane Creek culture. And both are tremendously respected and appreciated by everyone at Cane Creek and especially by me.”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2019 President’s Award Winner
“There are two President’s Award recipients this year. Both have exhibited noteworthy commitment, dedication, and loyalty. Both have faced and overcame challenges in 2019. Both are great examples of the best of Cane Creek culture. And both are tremendously respected and appreciated by everyone at Cane Creek and especially by me.”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2020 President’s Award Winner
“During his watch sales in his area have more than doubled. All the while he has had the most staff turnover as it has taken time to build the solid team that he has now. We joke about his positive attitude, but it’s really a tremendous asset for Cane Creek. His ability to listen and relate to any and all customers authentically are unmatched. In 2020 he took restructuring in stride and really built up our relationships with top national retailers. Because our relationship is long and predates our time at Cane Creek, he gets my unvarnished pressure and unrelenting expectations. Honestly, he’s deserved this award long before now. But as I just said, his road with me is not easy.”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
2021 President’s Award Winner:Â
“This employee has excelled in every position he has had at Cane Creek, but in his current position he can never be completely right. His mind works like a Vulcan’s which is great until you pass him walking through the factory and looks straight through you. He rarely makes a mistake. When he does, he’ll be the first to say so. His confidence in work is derived from his diligent process. But on personal topics you’d think the guy has no confidence at all due to his abundance of self-depreciating humor. HE has a tremendous commitment to doing a good job. But he’s probably disappointed to hear that he is doing a great job. It has been a great pleasure seeing his contribution to Cane Creek’s success increase every year, and he is very deserving of this recognition. So… the recipient of the 2021 President’s award is the Outlaw Josie Grimes (AKA Joseph)”
 -Brent Graves, President and CEO of Cane Creek
