Since the day he started Commodity Forwarders Inc., Alfred Kuehlewind surrounded himself with excellence. From that fateful day in 1974, he built a team of passionate, professional, and compassionate people who helped him craft a family atmosphere.
Looking back over the many employee spotlights that CFI has published , one idea takes precedence over any other; Alfred Kuehlewind cared about his people, and his people, in return, have been consistently driven to succeed based on the loyalty and kindness he embodied.
Knowing that special recognition for outstanding work inspires more than the recipient, Alfred understood that honoring his people influenced others to work with respect, kindness, and gratitude. His team wanted to do their best because they truly and deeply cared about the work happening in CFI offices.
Alfred built a team of loyal, enthusiastic professionals because he listened, empathized, and recognized that when people flourish in their personal lives, they bring that to work each day. The first annual APK award recognizes the five traits CFI’s founder, Alfred P. Kuehlewind, instilled into his people. Courage, Respect, Influence, Empathy, and Gratitude.
CFI is honored to present the first APK Award to Tan Nguyen, Regional Manager – Asia. We surprised and recognized Tan in a suite at Crypto Arena for an LA Lakers game during our managers’ meeting at the end of January. Presenting to Tan was Wes Kuehlewind, Vice President of Sales and Alfred’s son.
“Receiving this award is one of my favorite professional moments. I’m truly honored to be a recipient of the APK award, let alone being the very first recipient. I know I was not the only eligible candidate and I’m very thankful to have been selected. Working at CFI and in this industry can be challenging but so rewarding and exciting at the same time. It’s the people I have the privileged to work with that makes me as successful as I have been. Thank you Alfred, Chris, Brian West, Ryan and Wes, and Brian Terasawa for your support and guidance through the years. I am so thankful to be able to do what I love and love what I do.” – Tan Nguyen, APK Award Winner 2023.
“Tan embodies the five characteristics that Alfred instilled into every one of us. He works with courage, respect, influence, empathy, and gratitude. He has a great worth ethic with heart. I could not think of someone more deserving”.
