Axis, Genetec employees reach new heights to support Mission 500

CHELMSFORD, Mass., and MONTREAL—Employees from Axis Communications and Genetec literally scaled new heights on Aug. 23 as they reached the summit of Mount Whitney in California to raise funds for the nonprofit organization Mission 500.

Karl Radke, Midwest business area director at Axis, and Jason Johnston, OKR (objectives and key results) practice lead at Genetec, successfully braved the challenging 14,505-foot climb up Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the 48 contiguous United States, by reaching the peak at approximately 3:30 p.m. local time.

The 21-mile roundtrip climb was made even more difficult due to the fact that the snowfall on Mount Whitney is currently 300 percent higher than normal – turning the intended “hike” into proper “mountaineering,” according to Axis.

In support of the climb, Axis and Genetec will each donate $2,500 to Mission 500, a nonprofit organization that works closely with the security industry to serve the needs of children and communities in crisis in the United States.

“I’m truly pleased to let you know that our quest to summit Mount Whitney was a success,” Radke said following the climb. “Jason Johnston from Genetec and I summited at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 23. Although we faced numerous challenges during the trek, as a team we were able to overcome those challenges and accomplish our goal! Working together played a key role in our success.
 
“I want to thank everyone for your support along the way. It was amazing to see the positive response from our industry as we raised funds for Mission 500 and the Lydia Home in Chicago. A big thank you goes out to Axis Communications and Genetec for their support of our goal to raise funds for Mission 500. We can do amazing things by working together!”

Radke’s colleague, Fredrik Nilsson, vice president of the Americas at Axis, praised the two climbers following their successful trek.

“Such an incredible accomplishment this week from my colleague Karl Radke and Jason Johnston from Genetec as they completed a joint hike up Mount Whitney! I’m inspired by their determination to complete this 21-mile roundtrip climb, and that in doing so, they raised donations from both Axis Communications and Genetec for Mission 500. As many of you know, fostering strong partner relationships is central to our values at Axis, and it’s great to see our partnership with Genetec at work in such a unique way. Truly incredible – congratulations, Karl and Jason!

Both companies also congratulated the climbers following their fundraising adventure.

“Congratulations to Karl Radke and Jason Johnston for summiting Mount Whitney, the tallest peak in the contiguous United States,” Axis Communications said in a statement. “The pair climbed over 6,000 feet in 15 hours to the peak of Mount Whitney in support of Mission 500.”

Genetec added in a statement, “Congratulations to Jason Johnston, outcome practice lead at Genetec, and Karl Radke, director of Midwest business area at Axis, for hiking Mount Whitney - the highest mountain in the contiguous United States! The pair climbed over 6,000 feet in 15 hours to the 14,400-foot peak in support of Mission 500. Great job, Jason and Karl!”

More information on Mission 500 can be found at www.mission500.org.