Ali Al Salem Associate Takes Home Two Prizes in LP’s Annual Safety Motto Contest

Since joining the Exchange almost three years ago, Ali Al Salem Exchange shift manager Ashly Gutierrez has competed in Loss Prevention’s annual health and safety motto contest. In 2022, she was named the third-place runner up, but this year, she was named both the winner and second runner-up.

Gutierrez’s winning motto, “Accident prevention starts with paying attention,” was selected from more than 800 entries.

“I was stoked,” Gutierrez said. “I was thrilled to have not only won, but also to have been named a runner-up. It made my day.”

Gutierrez said she wanted to contribute to creating a safe work environment.

“I figured if we keep repeating something catchy, it’ll eventually become a habit, and we’ll all start practicing safety naturally,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez said she believes fostering a culture of safety brings people together.

“We all have one goal and that is to go home the same way we came, if not better, at the end of the day,” Gutierrez said. “After all, we are family serving family.”

Gutierrez will receive a $100 Exchange gift card, a VP/LP challenge coin and a special certificate of appreciation from the Health and Safety Office from headquarters.

Loss Prevention Vice President Tommie Caudle said the team was challenged to pick a winner.

“It’s exciting to see so many associates throughout the Exchange submitting their ideas and helping spread the importance of safety,” Caudle said.

The four runners-up, including Gutierrez, will receive a $50 Exchange gift card, challenge coin and certificate.

First runner-up: Elizabeth Haefner, Fort Drum Exchange office technician, “Don’t be careless, use safety awareness!”

Second runner-up: Gutierrez, “Don’t bee accident prone, stay in the safety zone!”

Third runner-up: Dana Whitaker, Store Operations workforce business analyst I, “Safety is the way, use it every day!”

Fourth runner-up: Christopher Zewatski, Andersen Air Force Base Exchange store manager, “The Exchange: Where safety is always in stock”

Safety Motto Contest winner Ashly Gutierrez has competed in the contest every year since she joined the Exchange. She was third runner-up in 2022.