Hillman Leadership Recognizes Life-Saving Efforts of Bakersfield Employees Following Emergency Incident
Members of Hillman’s leadership team formally honored the life-saving actions of several employees during a recognition ceremony held Nov. 19 at Hillman’s distribution center at the Wonderful Logistics Center (WLC) in Shafter, California.
The ceremony recognized the heroic response of team members who saved a colleague's life during a medical emergency on Sept. 22. When an employee collapsed and showed no signs of breathing, trained coworkers immediately sprang into action, calling 911, using an AED to deliver a shock to the employee’s heart, and continuing with CPR until paramedics arrived. Their quick and courageous efforts saved the employee’s life, who has since recovered and returned to work.
Hillman leaders in attendance included Bob Davis – EVP, Global Supply Chain, Frank Stevens – VP, Central Operations, Rodrigo Lopez – VP, Global Logistics, and Ben Wilcox – Sr. Dir. Distribution. Davis opened the ceremony with remarks and later presented plaques and medals to each employee involved.
The following team members were recognized:
- Jose Plascencia Diaz – First to respond, supported the employee’s heal
- Carlos Reyes – Ran to get additional help
- Samantha Files – Called 911 and coordinated actions via the operator
- Alberto Guzman – Administered AED shock and began CP
- Noelle Lozoya – Continued CPR compressions until paramedics arrived
"First aid training is a requirement for a designated number of employees at each of Hillman’s distribution centers, but we always hope that training is never needed. Thanks to the courage and quick thinking of our team, a life was saved,” said Bob Davis, Executive Vice President of Hillman’s Global Supply Chain. “We are incredibly proud of these employees. This incident is a powerful reminder that emergencies can happen anywhere and preparedness saves lives."
The employees’ first aid and CPR training was provided by The Wonderful Career Center (WCC), located across the street from Hillman’s facility. Hillman began partnering with The Wonderful Career Center for first aid training opportunities in 2025. Representatives from the WCC also attended the ceremony to honor the employees and celebrate the positive impact of this partnership.
“The CPR/AED training is one of many high-quality and hands-on training available through the Wonderful Career Center to strengthen and upskill our local workforce,” said Cindy Palacios, Director of Technical Training at the WCC. “Seeing Hillman’s team use that training to save a colleague’s life is deeply meaningful to us, and we’re proud to partner with an employer that prioritizes safety, preparedness, and the wellbeing of its workforce.”
The WCC offers free, cutting-edge training and professional development opportunities for Kern County residents driving economic mobility in the region. The WCC is centrally located within the Wonderful Logistics Center, a state-of-the-art industrial complex serving multiple Fortune 100 tenants, including The Hillman Group. The WLC connects the entire Western U.S., by operating with a cleaner, more sustainable, community-first approach than virtually any other logistics hub in the nation.
About Hillman
Hillman Solutions Corp. (“Hillman”) is a leading provider of hardware-related products and solutions to home improvement, hardware, and farm and fleet retailers across North America. Renowned for its commitment to customer service, Hillman has differentiated itself with its competitive moat built on direct-to-store shipping, a dedicated in-store sales and service team of over 1,200 professionals, and over 60 years of product and industry experience. Hillman’s extensive portfolio includes hardware solutions (fasteners, screws, nuts and bolts), protective solutions (work gloves, jobsite storage and protective gear), and robotic and digital solutions (key duplication and tag engraving). Leveraging its world-class distribution network, Hillman regularly earns vendor of the year recognition from top customers. For more information on Hillman, visit www.hillman.com.
About The Wonderful Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility
The Wonderful Company and its co-owners, Lynda and Stewart Resnick, have a long-standing commitment to investing in the communities where their employees live and work, especially in California’s Central Valley, home to 3,000 employees. The Resnicks, along with their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have invested more than $2.5 billion in education, health and wellness, community development, and sustainability initiatives across the Central Valley, Fiji, and the world. To learn more about The Wonderful Company, and its core values, visit csr.wonderful.com.
