Untitled Document

The last survivors standing

The fate of two lone survivors who endured weeks of rigorous physical hardships and mental anguish to overcome their peers will be placed (partially) in the hands of innocent bystanders next week.

Audience members who assemble to watch the conclusion of ITD's “AMS Survivor” challenge will have an opportunity to help determine who wins the 12-week series.

Ken Stewart, IFMS Automated Systems Manager, adapted the popular television reality show as a stress-reliever for ITD employees involved in shaping the transition to a new financial management software package. Since the first challenge in August, Stewart has documented the weekly contests on video. He will show the final product at noon Wednesday (Nov. 10) in the Headquarters auditorium.

The world premiere is open to all ITD employees. As a reward for watching the video, audience members will be able to help determine who the final survivor will be, Stewart explains.

Sixteen members of the project's core team for the AMS Advantage installation project (the successor to the present IFMS system from Oracle) have participated the weekly challenge.

“Each week, the surviving team members compete in mental and physical challenges, and after 12 weeks we have narrowed the field down to two finalists,” Stewart says.

Sandra Healy and Mary Mangum, both of Financial Services, are the last players standing.

The initial pool of participants included: Linda Salinas, Dave Tolman, Karen Sparkman, Bryan Brown, Richard Cate, Gary Genova, Dana Bailey, Sue Simmons, Martin Chaney and Ruth Martin, along with consultants Janice Biggins, Esbjorn Larsen, Alden Jamison and Doug Bell. Cynthia LaJoy made a cameo appearance during the competition.

“There were many others who participated in filming and setup, including Michelle Maxwell, Chuck Cahoon and Neil Corman. I especially want to thank Kelley Pace of AMS for playing the host and judge for the weekly activities,” Stewart says.

He invites employees to turn out for the video screening and help pick the ultimate winner. Popcorn will be provided. The survivor conclusion will take about an hour.

For a detailed story about the survivor series, see the Transporter archives: http://www.itd.idaho.gov/transporter/ArchivIndex/091704_index.htm