Each year, Midrex presents the Iditarod Award in honor of Dan Sanford, former Midrex executive, recognizing a team member who reflects the character, leadership, and perseverance that defined his career.
The award celebrates someone who embodies the qualities that move Midrex forward: integrity, dependability, initiative, accountability, respect, teamwork, organization, and decisiveness.
This year, that person is Carly Russ, Junior Buyer and Expeditor.
Selected from eight nominations, Carly stood out not only for the scope of her work, but for the way she approaches it with steady focus, quiet confidence, and a genuine commitment to the people around her.
The Steady Force Behind the Scenes
If you ask her colleagues to describe Carly, one phrase comes up again and again: the backbone of Procurement.
In a role that requires constant coordination, detailed tracking, and proactive communication, Carly manages an extraordinary workload with remarkable consistency. She keeps documentation moving, follows up with suppliers, anticipates potential delays, and ensures project teams have accurate information when they need it.
Her organization is second to none. Her follow-through is trusted. As one teammate put it, her word is gold.
For Midrex clients and partners, this kind of reliability matters. It is the difference between reacting to problems and preventing them, between uncertainty and confidence.
A True Team Player
What makes Carly’s impact even more meaningful is how she shows up for others.
She is the first to step in when someone needs support. She shares information freely. She communicates directly and respectfully, whether working with suppliers, project managers, or teammates across departments.
While her contributions are significant, she never seeks the spotlight.
One colleague shared that Carly is not interested in recognition. She is interested in making sure the job gets done and the team succeeds. That humility, paired with technical excellence, is what truly sets her apart.
Recognizing Outstanding Finalists
This year’s field of nominees was exceptionally strong, with two impressive runners-up.
Will Riney, Manager – Project Procurement and Vendor Control, was recognized for his steadiness and dependability during a year of change. Teammates described him as the calm center of the team, someone who provides stability and keeps work moving forward no matter the circumstances.
Supratim Bhattacharya, Civil and Structural Engineering Group Leader, earned praise for his commitment to thoughtful, high-quality engineering solutions. His integrity, accountability, and collaborative approach have strengthened both project outcomes and team dynamics.
Each finalist represents the Iditarod spirit in action.
A Culture That Drives Excellence
The Midrex Iditarod Award is more than an internal recognition. It reflects who we are as an organization.
Our success is built on people who take ownership, support one another, communicate openly, and hold themselves to high standards. That culture of excellence is what our clients experience every day in the reliability of our delivery, the strength of our partnerships, and the integrity behind every decision.
Through her professionalism, dedication, and unwavering support of her teammates, Carly Russ exemplifies that culture.
Congratulations, Carly, on being named the 2026 Midrex Iditarod Award recipient. And thank you to all our nominees and team members who continue to carry the Iditarod spirit forward.