November 2025 Edition Read about the Hoovers' vision in TCI Magazine, Joey Bidwell's retirement, and more! TCI Magazine Leadership Shoutout Every company has a story, and ours started with two brothers who believed the utility services industry needed improvement. Today, XKIG is driven by a people-first culture and top-tier execution. This month, that story received national recognition as CEO Randolph Hoover and President Benjamin Hoover were featured in Tree Care Industry Magazine’s “Faces of the Industry,” showcasing leaders shaping the future of vegetation management and infrastructure services. Read more here . Celebrating 27 incredible years of service From his first day on the crew to his role as Regional Manager, Joey Bidwell has embodied hard work, steady leadership, and an unwavering commitment to his team. His career has shaped Kendall’s culture through laughter, loyalty, and dedication. Wishing him the happiest and most well-deserved retirement yet. Click here to learn more about Joey’s career. October GF School is Complete! I just wanted to extend a thank you for the GF school I attended last week. I’ll be honest, I really wasn't wanting to come. After I got there and classes started, I was glued. I enjoyed every min. It lit a fire in me. I was getting numb, I guess you could say, to my role and job. Now, after attending, I am looking at Power BI scores closely. Looking at ways to improve. I know to reach out to different departments for help. I hope this class just gets better for future students. Thank you all so much. I know I didn't include everyone, please let all involved know I truly appreciate their time and knowledge. Thank you again so much. I see a bigger picture of the company. - Richard Brooks , General Foreperson We wrapped another great GF School session with the following 10 attendees: Ashton Garza, Eric Niles, Jesus Montenegro Franco, Jimmy Fine, Joshua Owens, Justin Wilson, Ricky Anderson, Roberto Irizarry, Ross Clagg, and Scott Addington . Happy Thanksgiving! Wishing you and your family a joyful, restful, and safe holiday weekend. Thank you for all you do. Whether you're traveling, cooking, or celebrating close to home, please take good care and enjoy the time with loved ones. Check out what Supervisor Mark Pitt and his GF's Scott Addington and Brett Baldridge in Fort Wayne, IN, did to celebrate the holiday and 96 days incident free. They also wanted to remind their crews of the importance of staying focused on safety throughout the holidays since this is typically the time when accidents tend to rise. Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the employees who participated in our most recent training class in Johnson City, TN. The following team members obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class B: Dustin Ridner, Naelvis Velasquez, Brandon Fillers, Felix Martinez We applaud these four employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! Please note: We are postponing classes until the first of the year. All of our crews are working hard to finish their contracts by year's end, and we will focus on completing everyone’s skills evaluations and helping them obtain their CDL licenses. Compliments for the Crew A resident in Raymond, MS, called in to tell us what a wonderful employee Fabian Donato is. She stated that he is great at what he does, has a great attitude and is an absolute sweetheart. - Jeri-Lynn A. We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net Wellness Wednesdays For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@wakendall.com Cold Weather Safety Reminder️ As temperatures drop, take extra precautions to stay safe both on and off the job. Dress in layers, protect exposed skin, and wear proper footwear to prevent slips on icy surfaces. Stay alert for changing weather conditions, take warm-up breaks when necessary, and watch for signs of cold stress such as numbness, shivering, or fatigue. Looking out for yourself and your teammates helps ensure everyone gets home safely, in any season. Healthy Resolutions That Stick Healthy resolutions don’t have to be big or complicated to make a difference. Small, realistic changes like taking a short walk each day, drinking more water, getting a little extra sleep, or packing a healthier lunch can add up over time. Focus on progress, not perfection, and choose habits that fit your routine and support your well-being. Simple, steady steps are often the ones that last the longest. Resolution #1: Skip the ER (Unless It’s Serious!) The ER should be your go‑to only for true emergencies — think life‑ or limb‑threatening situations. For everything else, start with your primary care provider. If it’s after hours, head to urgent care instead. You’ll save time, money, and get the right care faster. Here's a handy chart for finding the right care at the right place. By downloading the Anthem’s Sydney app , you’re one step closer to achieving healthy resolutions. Click on the video below to learn how the Sydney app can help you. Holiday Stress and the Blues The holidays often seem to be a time for family and cheer. However, that's not always true. Some people experience stress, depression, and even social isolation during this season. Here are 9 quick tips to help you this holiday season: Plan ahead Learn how to say “no” Stick to a shopping budget Create relaxing surroundings Maintain healthy habits Share your feelings with a trusted friend Respect differences in others Set realistic holiday expectations Take a break when you need one Remember, our two EAP options are available 24/7 and can help you manage your stress levels around the holidays – and beyond. See below. Lincoln Financial EmployeeConnect EAP : Check out the flyer here . Spanish version here . Anthem EAP : When you call, please state that you work for XKIG. More information can be found here . Spanish version here . Cards Corner!! Anthem members, look out for your new Anthem card for 2026! They should arrive in the mail over the next few weeks. Anthem members with the 6500 HSA plan, please make sure you are watching your mail for anything from Chard Synder! Each year some are flagged and need to provide additional information to open your account or to make sure your account remains open. Also, please note that you can NOT have a PO Box listed in UKG with an HSA. We sent an email to all who this applied to. If you have a PO Box listed and have our HSA plan, you need to update to a street address asap. Boosting Your Benefits Health is Wealth Walking Challenge Winners! Thank you to everyone who participated in our second walking challenge! This challenge encourages staying healthy throughout the holiday season. We had a lot of great competition among the participants. The first, second, and third-place winners are as follows: 1st Place: Each participant earned a $100 gift card! Lightning Ashley Powell, Kameraan Johnson, Victoria Phelps, and Tanish Everson 2nd Place: Each participant earned a $75 gift card! No New Team Casey Langston 3rd Place: Each participant earned a $50 gift card! Holy Walkamolies Nick Oney, Cameron Thompson, DiJonai Johnson, and Erin Pape Congrats to all participants for making strides each day to move your body during this busy time of year! For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@wakendall.com Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site at xkig.hrbenefits.net We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

August 2025 Edition Check out our new XKIG website, our latest Kendall blog, along with who received a compliment and obtained their CDL! Learn More About the XKIG Rollout Our new XKIG site is officially live! Here are some highlights: About Us includes information and website links for Kendall, River City, and Xylem, as well as our shared mission, vision, and values. Latest News aggregates the most recent news and blogs from our companies. Careers is a comprehensive site for all XKIG opportunities, offering over 600 current openings! Have you followed XKIG on social media yet? Our XKIG LinkedIn account is now active. If you have an account, please follow the corporate profile and share/repost/comment on our posts. Our XKIG Facebook and XKIG Instagram accounts are also active—please visit us and follow our profiles. We are always looking for more good news to share on social media. Please email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com with ideas! Blogs: “The Calm in the Storm: Inside Kendall’s Emergency Response” Check out our latest blog about how we respond to emergencies. Click here . August GF School is Complete! We wrapped up another great GF School session with the following 10 attendees: Shannon Lipham, Michael Blevins, Roger Tolson, Devin Ott, Phillip Markland, Gabriel Rayo, Rogelio Perea, Wayne Metroz, Brayan Napoles Sanchez, and David Galdamez. Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the employees who participated in our most recent training class in Aurora, MO, and to the following five team members who obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A Pintle Hook Restriction: Gary Burfield, Stephen Hoeksema Class B: William Buntin, Andres Arreola, and Landon Cain We applaud these five employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! Our upcoming training session in Hamlet, NC, is on August 29. For more information about the CDL program, contact Tim Haynes at thaynes@xylemtree.com . Compliments for the Crew “Thank you for your crew's (Rinson Pena, Juan Suarez, Marco Celedon, Eliezer Florres, and Diego Camacho ) professionalism and taking care of my property today! This crew was great!” - Daniel G., Plainfield, IN Compliments for the Crew A resident from St. Grenada, MS, called to let us know what a great job our crew (Derald Hankins, Roberto Curet, and Marcos Adrian ) did: “The crew went above and beyond and took extra care with her magnolia tree. The crew had to move her dog houses but made sure they moved everything back exactly the way it was. I hope to get the same crew again in the future.” - Barbara R. Compliments for the Crew A resident from Kendall Region 10 called with plenty of good things to say about Elizabeth Nash and her crew. Along with how lovely the view in the neighborhood is now. She said, “Elizabeth and her crew were extremely courteous and responsive to everyone’s needs and was impressed with the safety measures taken. They went above and beyond with making sure that there was no damage to some bushes and flowers in my yard by making sure no branches fell on them. I wanted to make sure that we knew how much she appreciated the crew’s efforts.” - Betsy W. We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at feedback@wakendall.com !

September 2025 Edition Learn more about our new XKIG website, Saluting Branches volunteer day, Trees & Utilities recap, and more! Have you checked out our new XKIG site? Here are some noteworthy sections: The XKIG Difference: Learn how XKIG keeps America’s critical infrastructure running—from coast to coast. This section showcases our commitment to safe, reliable, and resilient systems across the power and gas utility sectors. Disaster Restoration: See how our teams respond rapidly to storms and emergencies, helping communities recover by restoring power lines and clearing hazards with precision and care. Contact Us: Need to reach out? The Contact Us section makes it easy to connect with the right team across our companies. Follow Us on Social Media We’re building a vibrant online community—come join us! XKIG LinkedIn account: Stay informed on company news, industry insights, and career opportunities. Help us amplify our reach by liking, commenting, sharing, and reposting our updates—your engagement makes a difference! XKIG Facebook: Join the conversation, where we highlight community involvement, employee stories, and real-time updates from the field. It’s a great place to connect with our broader network and celebrate the impact of our work. XKIG Instagram: This is a behind-the-scenes look at our culture, teams, and milestones. From field photos to team celebrations, this is where we showcase the heart of XKIG. Got Something to Share? We’re always looking for great stories, photos, and wins to feature. Email your ideas to marketinghelp@xkig.com —we’d love to hear from you! Saluting Branches Volunteer Day On September 17, our rescom arm was proud to once again participate in Saluting Branches, with our teams volunteering in Suffolk, VA, and Charlotte, NC. Saluting Branches is a non-profit that honors American service men and women by organizing volunteer tree and landscape care for the property dedicated to our veterans. Each year, this event unites tree care professionals across the country to honor our veterans by caring for and beautifying their resting places. We’re grateful to be part of this effort year after year, giving back to the communities we serve and paying tribute to those who served us. Pictured: Wayne Phillips, William Tomlinson, and Jamie Johnson Trees & Utilities Conference 2025 The Trees & Utilities Conference in Knoxville is in the books, and it was a great week for the Xylem crew! We had the chance to swap ideas, strengthen connections with clients, and meet some of the top folks in the industry. A big thank you to everyone who came and worked the booths. It was great to see so much interest in what we’re doing. We’re bringing home lots of energy and fresh ideas, and we can’t wait to keep building on that momentum. Between the Branches Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congrats to our Newly Licensed Commercial Drivers! Congratulations to the following two team members who obtained their Commercial Driver’s License last month: Class A: Carlin Gamble Class B: Rolando Mendoza We applaud these two employees for successfully completing the classroom session, field training course, and skills test to achieve these qualifications! Our next training sessions will be held in Lexington, NC, on October 3-4, South Bend, IN, on October 17-18, Johnson City, TN, on October 31-November 1. For more information about the CDL program, contact Tim Haynes at thaynes@xylemtree.com . Compliments for the Crew "I want to thank Steve Hosaflook and his team for doing such good work at our home. I particularly appreciated that he took the time to come the day before and let me know what he would be doing and to find out from me where your team would need to be careful of the trees that we have planted. This kind of communication makes such a difference." - Brenda B. We Want to Hear from You! Do you have suggested article ideas or pictures to share? Email us at marketinghelp@xkig.com !

Wellness Wednesdays For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xylemtree.com May is Mental Health Awareness Month! May is Mental Health Awareness Month, an annual observance established by Mental Health America to highlight the importance of mental wellbeing—and it's just as relevant today as ever. In our line of work, we know how physically demanding and mentally challenging each day can be. That’s why you should remember that mental health is just as important as physical health. Whether it’s job stress, personal struggles, or just the weight of life piling up, we all need support now and then. Here are a few eye-opening stats: 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience a mental illness each year 1 in 6 kids and teens live with a mental health condition Less than half of kids and adults get the treatment they need This month, we encourage you to check in—with yourself, your coworkers, and your loved ones. Small actions like taking breaks, setting boundaries, or talking to someone you trust can make a big difference. Let’s keep safety at the top of our priorities—not just for our bodies, but for our minds too. If you're looking for support or resources, we’ve got some helpful tools to get started below! Take care of yourself. You matter. This May, and throughout the year, prioritize yourself and explore the resources that can help you build resilience, manage challenges, and thrive, like these: FREE EAP Resources for You and Your Family FREE Anthem Employee Assistance Program (English and Spanish ) FREE Lincoln Financial Employee Assistance Program (English and Spanish ) Remember, you and your household members can get counseling and crisis support through the EAP. These programs can also help with addiction, work/life balance, stress, and other issues. Anthem Members – Get Virtual Mental Health Support Having a tough time? Anthem members can chat with a board-certified therapist, psychologist, or psychiatrist through a virtual video visit. Read More. Anthem members can also access the Headway Program, which helps you find the right therapist to provide the support you need. Read More. Benefits 101 Struggling to stretch your healthcare dollars with rising costs? Here are eight budgeting tips that can help you get the most out of your money. Spanish version HSA Promotion – Reminder for HSA participants! Anthem HSA members, reminder to complete your annual physical with your Primary Care Provider (PCP) and submit your proof of annual physical form to Wellworks by JUNE 1, 2025. If you complete your physical and submit your form by June 1, you will earn up to an additional $500 per year/$125 per quarter in your HSA account. You can find your annual physical form in your wellness portal and mobile app within the Wellness Locker. Your Wellness Program Guide can be found here . It provides more details on how to submit your form. The annual physical form can be found on page four. If you have any questions, please reach out to Benefits @ 1-877-949-1113. Benefits of an Eye Exam Having your eyes checked annually can help identify early signs of certain chronic health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and high cholesterol. Both of our vision plans through EyeMed and our medical plans through Anthem offer annual eye exams to enrolled members for a copayment of $10-15. One vision exam per year is covered under the Anthem medical plans for children at $0 copayment! Your eyes play a bigger role in your health and learning than you might think—here’s why everyone needs to get their eyes checked – no matter how old you are. Babies and toddlers: Should have their first eye exam between 6 and 12 months. School-age children: 1 in 4 may have vision problems that affect learning. Adults: Over 200 million in the U.S. alone need vision correction. Seniors: The most common sufferers of glaucoma, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Moms-to-be: Pregnancy can cause vision changes, so it is important that you have your eyes checked throughout. This way your doctor can assess any changes. To learn more about why eye exams matter, click on the flyer (Spanish ). Step Into Adventure: the National Parks Challenge is Coming Soon! Ready to move more, connect with your coworkers, and win cash prizes? We’ve got the perfect excuse to dust off your sneakers and dive into an epic, step-filled journey. Join the Tour of the National Parks Challenge — a six-week virtual adventure that will take your team across some of the most stunning landscapes in the country! The Challenge starts May 5. You received an email from Wellworks earlier this week regarding the challenge. If you didn’t, check your spam folder! Here are the details: What’s the Challenge? For six weeks, you and your team will “hike” your way through breathtaking national parks, logging your daily steps as you go. To complete the challenge, participants need to average at least 6,000 steps per day. Whether you’re a casual stroller or a hardcore stepper, this is your chance to get moving and stay motivated — all while soaking in some virtual nature vibes. Why Join? Cash, connection, and cardio — that’s why! First Place Team: $50 per person Second Place Team: $40 per person Third Place Team: $30 per person That’s money in your pocket just for walking and having fun while you’re at it! How to Get Started Form a team of up to five coworkers. Choose your team name and elect a captain. Your captain will sign up and activate your team on the Wellness Portal: www.wellworksforyoulogin.com . Don’t have a team? Don’t let that stop you! You can still join as a team of 1. Scores will be based on the overall average steps of team members, so individuals or teams of 2 will have just as much of a chance to win as a team of 5. Please Note: Your National Challenge sign-on is different from your Wellworks HSA login. Hit the Virtual Trail You won’t be hiking the entire 2,650 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail… but you’ll still cover serious virtual ground — with plenty of fun, friendly competition, and healthy habits along the way. So grab your team, name your squad, and let’s hit the (virtual) trail! You’ll receive additional emails about the National Parks Challenge in the coming weeks. In the meantime, see the flyer for full details — and get ready to walk your way to wellness (and some sweet prizes)! Celebrating Earth Day! Yesterday was the 55th anniversary of Earth Day! This year’s theme according to earthday.org is “Our Power, Our Planet.” For 55 years, Earth Day has led the world in awareness and taking action on critically important issues. Here are ten simple choices you can make for a healthier planet: Bike More – Drive Less. Educate – When you further your own education, you can help others understand the importance and value of our natural resources. Volunteer! - Volunteer for cleanups in your community. You can get involved in protecting your watershed too! Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Cut down on what you throw away. Follow the three “R’s” to conserve natural resources and landfill space. Choose Sustainable Seafood – Learn how to make smart seafood choices at www.FishWatch.gov . Plant a Tree – Trees provide food and oxygen. They help save energy, clean the air and help combat climate change. Conserve Water – The less water you use, the less runoff and wastewater that eventually end up in the ocean. Shop Wisely – Buy less plastic and bring a reusable shopping bag. Don’t send chemicals into our waterways. Choose nontoxic chemicals in the home and office. Long-lasting light bulbs are a bright idea. Energy efficient light bulbs reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Also flip the light switch off when you leave the room! Since we’re out in mother nature every day, by taking part in one of these choices, you can help make the earth just a little bit healthier. Boosting Your Benefits For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xylemtree.com

Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site for more information about all things benefits related! xkig.hrbenefits.net Wellness Wednesdays For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xylemtree.com Open enrollment is coming October 20-31! Any changes you make will start January 1. This is your chance to add, drop, or update coverage without needing a qualifying life event. If you don’t make changes, your current benefits will automatically carry over into 2026. Important: If you’re on the Anthem 6500 plan with an HSA, you’ll need to choose a new HSA contribution amount for 2026 to keep contributing. You will start receiving text messages and emails with more details in the near future. Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Did you know that 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer? Early detection saves lives. Here are some tips: Get the prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood test starting at age 40. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and family history. If you’re a survivor, share your story to inspire others. Here is more information on prostate cancer screening: Screening for Prostate Cancer | Prostate Cancer | CDC . CDC - PHQ Depression Questionnaire This October 9 is Depression Screening Awareness Day. Having depression is more than a bad day or the blues. It can interfere with your daily life. Find symptoms and treatment here. Also, here is a depression screening tool . The good news is that depression is very common and can be managed. Our two EAP options are available 24/7 and can help you with depression, anxiety, or whatever else life throws your way. Lincoln Financial EmployeeConnect EAP: Check out the flyer here . Spanish version here . Anthem EAP: When you call, say you work for XKIG . More information can be found here . Telemedicine for Flu Season We like using software programs to track our fleets and assets. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) uses FluView Interactive , a surveillance system to see where flu can be found this season. This is also a good time of year to remember your telemedicine benefit. Whether you have a cold, you’re feeling anxious, or need help managing your medication, you can have face-to-face visits with a board-certified doctor, psychiatrist, or licensed therapist from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Go to livehealthonline.com or download the free mobile app from the App Store® or Google Play™. Boosting Your Benefits Get Ready for a New Team Walking Challenge! Our next team walking challenge is called Health is Wealth. It will begin November 8 and last for six weeks. Start with 5,000 steps per day and finish strong with 6,000 steps per day. As we gear up for the holidays and a busy time of year, consistency is the best investment! For questions about your benefits, please email: benefits@xylemtree.com Are you a new hire? Remember, you have 30 days to sign up for benefits. Visit our Benefits site for more information about all things benefits related! xkig.hrbenefits.net