The Hammer Award originated in 1994 by Global CI for stalwart performance that completes a project with significant challenges and roadblocks. It is given out from time to time and often includes a bonus. There is a physical hammer that the recipient holds and displays until the next time the award is made.
Q4 2020 Recipients
This fall, Kimberly Mullins and Juanita Thomas have earned the hammer award for their leadership in the Human Resources Department. This fall amidst a global pandemic, they have onboarded employees from the acquisition of MMY Consulting, researched and migrated to a new payroll system, and and navigated vendor ownership changes. During all of this, they have both exhibited grace and dedication to their work, which has a resounding impact on the culture and well-being of the company as a whole. Global CI wants to recognize and honor their hard work this fall, and will be awarding them both a (pandemic-compliant) certificate of Hammer Award Achievement.
Juanita Thomas
Joined Global CI in 2013, Previously HR Administrator for a Bank & Mortgage company with 13 years of Human Resources experience, HR Certificate from George Mason University and Member of SHRM. | ![]() |
Kimberly Mullins
Joined Global CI in 2017, previously an administrator for Pro-Tech collision center. Graduated from University of Phoenix with a Bachelor of Technology in Computer Science. | ![]() |
The History of the Hammer Award
The hammer award originates with Mike Ziman, founder and CEO, and his personal experience watching stone masons at work. In the spring of 1989, Mike’s morning commute offered him front row seats to the work of stone masons building a wall. Having applied once to be a stone mason’s apprentice, he was very interested in the craft. On the weekends and days they worked late, Mike brought them pitchers of ice water and stated stayed to watch them lay their stones. The foreman of the group explained to Mike the importance of the stone mason’s hammer, used to tap stones into exacting place. The craftsman said his hammer was decades old and served him well; hard when necessary, gentle as needed. Although the grueling, long work requiring dedication and an eye for detail, the statesman artisan said stone masonry proved fulfilling work: there was a certain satisfaction in knowing a wall his team builds would ​will last over 100 years and serve many generations. As Mike listened, he thought about how these virtues are consistent across many occupations fields . He felt the same dedication, commitment, gratitude, and satisfaction with his own work. The day came for the stone masons to move on; their work was complete. However Mike noticed the foreman had left behind his hammer behind; a gift from the stone masons and an embodiment of the values he taught along the way. A few years later, Mike would remember this momento and use it to recognize work of the same caliber and values at his company.