Skip to Content

Grady-White Boats & Vidant Health Join Forces for On-site Vaccine Clinic

Since the start of the pandemic, the NC Chamber has had the privilege of sharing our members’ stories reflecting their commitment to keeping employees and the public safe and healthy. As soon as North Carolina received its first shipments of COVID-19 vaccines, our job creators took action and immediately began planning for workplace vaccination distribution when needed. On March 12, 2021, NC Chamber members Grady-White Boats and Vidant Health joined forces to host a vaccine clinic at Grady-White Boats where more than 290 shots of the single dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine were administered to Grady-White employees.

Grady-White recognized early that establishing a solid foundation of communication about the virus and vaccine was vital in preparing for the on-site vaccination day. Their leadership team made certain that trusted and transparent conversations flowed between them and their employees. Throughout the pandemic, Grady-White provided daily statistics and breaking news on COVID-19 and the vaccines to all staff because open communication is a hallmark of the organization. Ensuring that everyone had the same information was key. Grady-White developed and dispensed educational texts, emails, posters, table toppers, and videos using materials from the CDC, NCDHHS, and other expert sources.

One of the pivotal parts of Grady-White’s campaign in preparing their staff for the vaccine clinic was the leadership team’s small group meetings with each department. These opportunities presented the chance for employees to ask questions and express any concerns about the vaccine and/or the on-site clinic. In addition, members of the leadership team, including the owner and the president, were vaccinated as soon as they were eligible. They shared their own experiences with staff members to instill confidence in the vaccine and dispel misinformation. As the date for the clinic approached, Grady-White’s leadership team met individually with employees who were still feeling uncertain to answer questions and offer resources.

On the logistics side, Grady-White made sign-up sheets for their staff then assigned a time slot for each employee who wanted to participate in the on-site vaccine clinic. The company’s outstanding HR team coordinated with the superb Vidant Health providers to transfer participants’ names and appointment times into Vidant Health’s system before March 12 so that the vaccination day stayed on schedule.

On March 11, the efficient and energetic Vidant Health team arrived at Grady-White to set up the vaccine stations for the participants. The next day, the friendly Vidant Health crew arrived early and started vaccinations right on time; the entire event flowed seamlessly. Employees enjoyed snacks during their 15-minute post-vaccination observation wait time (Chick-fil-A biscuits!).

Since the successful on-site clinic in March, Grady-White continues to engage with those employees who were not vaccinated on March 12 to encourage vaccination; currently, 73 percent of their employees are vaccinated. The company schedules appointments for staff who decide to get the vaccine and provides a cash incentive (as they did for participants at the on-site clinic) to motivate team members. Grady-White created buttons for employees with the message, “To Keep Our Team Safe, I Got Vaccinated,” to further convey the company’s celebrated values of caring for one another and staying united as a team.

If you would like more details about the Grady-White Boats on-site vaccination clinic and campaign, please contact Vice President of Marketing Shelley Tubaugh: stubaugh@gradywhite.com.

Founded in 1959, Grady-White Boats builds 26 models from 18 to 45 feet at its 500,000 sq. ft. facility in Greenville, NC. Grady-White has been awarded every third-party customer satisfaction award ever presented in the marine industry, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association Customer Satisfaction Index award for all 19 years the recognition has been granted. The company was awarded the Highest Ranked Customer Satisfaction in the Coastal Fishing Boats segment by J.D. Power Associates for all eight years that studies were conducted in the marine industry. The company has been under continuous private ownership since 1968 by Eddie Smith, NMMA Hall of Fame member. Led since 1993 by President Kris Carroll, also an NMMA Hall of Fame member and 45-year company veteran, Grady-White Boats invites you to learn more about their award-winning factory; their passionate, dedicated craftspeople; and the meticulous process they use to create their ultimate offshore sportfishing and family-friendly boats. 

Behind each business in North Carolina are the ideas, partnerships, and people that fuel our state’s success. Behind each business is a story and a vision for the future. As the voice for business, the NC Chamber is committed to telling these stories and highlighting the organizations that keep our state moving forward. Behind the Business is a series of profiles featuring NC Chamber Cornerstone members doing great work in North Carolina. Interested in being featured? Contact communications@ncchamber.com.