Loek Koene Recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for Excellence in Project Management
Mr. Koene saved a company that was slated for closure, preserving the jobs of hundreds of disabled workers

BELLEVILLE, IL, February 3, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Loek Koene, General Manager of, N G Heimos Greenhouses Inc., has been recognized by Cambridge Who's Who for showing dedication, leadership and excellence in project management.

Throughout the course of his career, Mr. Koene has worked for several different companies and has held responsibility for budgets ranging from several millions of dollars to more than $100 million. Between 1999 and 2004, he worked for a few companies and institutions on an interim basis. He spent two years working for the City of The Hague, and had the difficult but rewarding experience of revitalizing a company that was going to be closed because it was losing money and was located in an area slated for reconstruction. The company's goal was to train and guide people with disabilities to a job in a regular workplace whenever possible, and if their disabilities were too severe, to provide them with a lasting workplace. The employees were upset about the imminent closure, as many had been with the company for a number of years, and their work was their refuge during the day. With the help of management and the motivation of the employees, Mr. Koene was able to change the company's production methods, cut costs, and attract new customers. He accomplished these changes by dissecting complicated products into simple manufacturing and assembly steps that could be accomplished by people with disabilities. At times he brought in so much work that overtime was required. Although treatment specialists advised against disrupting the workers' routine, Mr. Koene found that when he treated workers with respect and as equals they were willing to do whatever it took to get the job done. The company was able to relocate, and is still in business today. Whenever Mr. Koene travels to the Netherlands for business or to visit family, he also visits the company. Most of the people working there remember him, and some have asked when he is going to come back and work with them again. He says of the experience, "It isn't my biggest achievement, but for sure [it is] the most rewarding."

Mr. Koene attributes his success to his determination and his ability to communicate with people at all levels. He earned a degree in horticulture from MTuS in De Lier (now called INHOLLAND in Delft, the Netherlands) and a bachelor's degree in economics, and the equivalent of a Master's degree in Communication with a minor in Economics from The Hague University in 1998.

Visit http://www.ngheimosgreenhouses.com for more information about N G Heimos Greenhouses Inc.

Press Release Contact Information:

Ellen Campbell
Cambridge Who's Who
Public Relations
498 RXR Plaza, West Tower
Uniondale, NY
USA 11556
Voice: 516-535-1515 x4266
Website: Visit Our Website