CXtec and TERACAI will be competing in its 19th J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge on Wednesday, June 6 at Onondaga Lake Park. They’ll have even more reason to celebrate this year, as CXtec marks its 40th anniversary.
When the sun is setting at 4 p.m. during the winter months in this Central New York city, the bright promise of spring permeates the workplace halls of CXtec and TERACAI.
The outside temperatures are still in the single digits when digital signage on company TV’s promote the next J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge at Onondaga Lake Park. Emails are sent regularly to all employees. The company’s on-site gym picks up in visitors to get employees in Corporate Challenge shape.
“We like to challenge one another to be the best, not only individually but as part of a team,” said Peter Belyea, President and CEO of CXtec and TERACAI. “The Corporate Challenge echoes our work hard, play hard and have fun company atmosphere.”
CXtec and TERACAI will be out in force when the 36th J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge is held on Wednesday, June 6, in the Village of Liverpool. It will be the 19th time that the company has chosen to participate in this celebration of workplace fitness and camaraderie.
And this year will take on extra special meaning for North America’s largest secondary market hardware provider, as CXtec marks its 40th Anniversary. The company’s mission statement almost mirrors that of the Corporate Challenge, which is celebrating its 42nd year of continuous operation, now with events in 13 cities on five continents. The race celebrates teamwork, camaraderie and community, providing an opportunity to connect with clients and corporate neighbors.
“We all believe in the importance of honesty and integrity, in the benefits of teamwork, entrepreneurial spirit, investing in our future, and the importance of being committed to the community,” Belyea said. “It’s these virtues, along with the ability to adapt to the technology achievements within the industry, that have guided the company through four decades of growth.”
The Corporate Challenge has successfully brought together all industry groups in Central New York since the first starting horn was sounded on Onondaga Lake Parkway in 1982. CXtec and TERACAI were joined at the 2017 starting line by companies such as grocery chain Wegmans, health care providers Crouse Health and Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists, utility provider National Grid, retailer Raymour & Flanigan, and educators ranging from Syracuse University to the West Genesee School District. In total, there were 8,244 entrants from 307 companies at Onondaga Lake Park last June, the second-largest crowd in Syracuse Corporate Challenge history.
And the all-inclusive nature of the Corporate Challenge spreads within the participating companies, as all skill levels of employees from all departments participate.
“We have a wide range of age groups that hold various roles throughout the sales, operations and production departments of the company who enjoy participating in the race,” Belyea said. “We strongly encourage our newest employees, many fresh out of college, to take part in the Corporate Challenge. We see this as another way for them to interact with many of our veteran employees and senior leadership outside of the office. The bragging rights for coming in first within the organization doesn’t hurt either.”
“Even those of us who aren’t runners,” Belyea continued, “enjoy participating in the Corporate Challenge. Walking the race is a great way for our employees to stay involved and a great form of exercise. It’s a win-win!”
This year’s J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge, benefitting On Point For College, remains open for registration through Wednesday, May 16. Companies can also turn their run/walk into a unique company outing by taking advantage of the various options for post-race hospitality.
The donation that J.P. Morgan will make to On Point for College is another trigger behind CXtec and TERACAI’s participation.
“We are always proud to be involved in any community function,” Belyea said. “One of our core values is a commitment to the community and we even have an Employee Volunteer Program that encourages our involvement in community events like the Corporate Challenge and the non-profits it supports.”
And now with race night approaching, CXtec and TERACAI’s entered employees are finding their way to the in-house gym with even more frequency.
“We have a strong focus on employee fitness,” Belyea proudly said. “We offer our employees on-site workout classes that include Hit Fit training and Yoga, as well as access to a massage therapist - which has proven to be quite helpful during the Corporate Challenge training process! We have an on-site gym facility available for our employees to use before or after work, or on their lunch breaks.”
As Belyea said, participating in the Corporate Challenge is a win-win!
