Barrett Teakell, a Dallas-based Project Engineer with Haskell’s Packaging Group, has learned a lot from his first vehicle, a 1965 Ford F100 pickup. The lessons have included collaboration (to find rides when it was broken down) and determination (to get it running again).

“It was less than reliable. I had to bum more rides than the times I drove it at first,” Teakell said. “A year or so ago, I decided to restore it so I could drive it daily. The engine is about ready to go in. The engine will run, but I don’t know if the truck will move. We’ll see what happens, hopefully by the end of the year.

“This truck and this type of project are a great lesson for a young person. Your car or truck might let you down – I know I had a lot of friends give me rides or summon a tow truck – but it also builds a sense of sticking to a goal and making it happen.”

Collaborative and determined are among the traits Teakell has exhibited during his first four years with Haskell, and they’re among the characteristics his colleagues mentioned when they nominated him for the company’s Living the Values Award, which goes quarterly to team members who personify the core values of Team, Excellence, Service and Trust.

In his role, he guides clients such as Ghirardelli Chocolate, Tropicana, Frito-Lay and Starbucks in developing packaging lines from concept through commissioning.

“Barrett’s commitment to excellence shines in his dedication to personal development, consistently striving for high standards,” Senior Integrator Jeremiah Jacobson wrote in his nomination. “He serves others selflessly, offering his time and skills to various causes, while building trust through reliability and integrity in all his interactions. Barrett’s contributions positively impact his community, reflecting Haskell’s core values beyond the workplace.”

After considering careers in medicine and real estate, Teakell found his way to the University of North Texas, where he earned his engineering degree. He said his career path and choice of Haskell as a workplace couldn’t have turned out better.

“Winning this award really makes me feel seen,” he said. “But at a certain point, it’s just me being me. I was never shooting for something like this; I was just trying to be true to myself. I feel amazing appreciation for what I’m doing. It fortifies my desire to keep going and that my values align with the company’s values.

“Everybody at Haskell is striving toward the same goal. It’s all about teamwork. As long as everybody remembers that, it’s so much easier to reach that goal. That’s a fantastic trait to have.”

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