Jacksonville, FL Post Offices and stations recognized with Gold Star Awards

The following Jacksonville, FL post offices and stations were recognized with Gold Star Awards for earning perfect scores on Retail Customer Experience transactions:

Atlantic Beach 32233
Green Cove Springs 32043
Middleburg 32068
Monument 32225
Ponte Vedra 32082
South Jax 32207
Southpoint 32255

Northeast Florida Postal Customer Council celebrates Member Appreciation Day

The Northeast Florida Postal Customer Council hosted a Member Appreciation Day for its members, family members, and friends at the Jacksonville Suns vs Birmingham Barons baseball game held at Jacksonville’s Bragan Field Stadium.  Over 100 attendees enjoyed the comfort and privacy of the Sky Deck pavilion with unlimited food, beverages, networking, and fun!  This first time event was so well received, there’s a buzz to make it an annual event.

PCC members and family enjoying baseball game.

Edwin Lang installed as Fernandina Beach Post Office’s 30th Postmaster

Before family, friends, postal executives and co-workers, Edwin P, Lang took the Oath of Office as the 30th postmaster of Fernandina Beach, Florida.  A 20-year postal veteran, Ed began his career as a letter sorting machine operator in Jacksonville, Florida.  Since then, he has served in numerous detail assignments and managerial teams with success.  Prior to his selection as postmaster, Ed was Manager, Customer Services, Jax Beach Station.  Currently, he is serving a detail assignment as Manager, Customer Service Operations, Jacksonville, Florida.  Congratulations and continued success, Ed.

L-R: Manager (A) Post Office Operations-4 Paul Birge, Ed’s wife Tasha Lang, Postmaster
Ed Lang, Jacksonville Postmaster Debbie Gornik, Senior Plant Manager Steve Hardin

Second Harvest honors Savannah Post Offices

America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia honored Savannah Post Offices with a Certificate of Appreciation for the employees’ outstanding performance and volunteer efforts during the 2014 Letter Carriers’ Food Drive.  Savannah letter carriers collected more than 94,300 pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank.  Food bank officials said this was Savannah’s largest and most successful food drive, which collected more than 20,000 more pounds than last year’s drive.  Accolades to Postmaster Denise Holguin and the employees at Savannah Post Office, stations, and branches.
 

Showing much love, employees unload food from vehicle.

Brenda Johstono selected as District Retail Manager

Marketing Manager Lucious Sumlar proudly announced the selection of Brenda Johstono as the District Retail Manager.  Brenda began her career as a Distribution/Window Clerk in 1986.  Prior to this promotion, she was Postmaster Crawfordville FL.

Perry Postmaster in the news

The Perry News-Herald (FL) newspaper recognized the recent appointment of Perry Postmaster Sylvia Cunningham in the following article.

Sylvia Cunningham (left) was sworn in as Perry’s 13th official postmaster during a ceremony held Thursday, July 17. Before a crowd of postal employees and local dignitaries, Cunningham was sworn in by United States Postal Service (USPS) Gulf Atlantic District Manager of Post Office Operations Keith Pierle (right) while her mother, Derby Rollins, held the Bible. Cunningham previously worked in Tallahassee for the USPS.

Jacksonville Mandarin hosts a successful passport fair day

Mandarin Station processed a total of 57 passport application including 9 expedited applications for a one day total of $1965; $1425 from applications and $540 from expedited fees.  Way to go Mandarin!

Jacksonville stations score Gold Star with Retail Customer Experience

Congratulations to the following Jacksonville stations for recently achieving a perfect 100% Gold Star performance for Retail Customer Experience:

Jacksonville GMF Postal Store
South Jax
Atlantic Beach

Douglas GA Post Office hosts Grow Your Business Day

A Grow Your Business Day event was held in Douglas, GA recently to encourage and assist local customers with growing their business.  Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) flyers were sent to the Douglas community to invite participants to the event  In attendance were representatives from church organizations, insurance agencies and touchdown clubs to a local printing business.  Business Development Specialist Linda Pierle along with Lakeland Postmaster/Revenue Driver Sonya Miley, Postmaster presented the group with an Every Door Direct Mail presentation and printed materials to assist with reaching out to new customers.    Douglas Postmaster Damita Gaskins was also in attendance to welcome each participant and offer her assistance as well as that of her staff.  “This is a wonderful event that has helped bring the community and the Post Office together,” stated Gaskins. The presentation was well received and the participants left with valuable knowledge to help their business grow.

As an added bonus, a local law firm that was unable to attend the event contacted Sonya Miley for assistance with an EDDM mailing.  Sonya met with company officials and provided information to get them started.  This company will be mailing all over South Georgia with an estimated revenue of $5,000 per year

L-R:  Douglas Postmaster Damita Gaskins, Revenue Driver Sonya Miley, West Ward St. Church of God’s Scott Bryant, McElroy Printing’s Jake Anderson, Earl Mayo of Earl Mayo Insurance company and The Trojan Touchdown Club.

Sheriff Deputy discusses safety with Martinez Post Office employees

Manager (A) Customer Services Mary Lowery invited Columbia County Sheriff Deputy Graham,  to speak to carriers regarding backing, defensive driving techniques, driving around construction sites, etc.  Deputy Graham expressed the need to always be aware of your surroundings and always use defensive driving skills.   Columbia County is one of the fastest growing communities in Georgia.

L to R: Letter Carrier Ron Wilburn, Manager Customer Services (A) Mary Lowery,
Deputy Graham; Supervisor Customer Services Keysha Johnson.

Ocala hosts wellness seminar for employees

Ocala Post Office recently hosted a Safety and Health Seminar for the employees at the Main Post Office, Paddock and Maricamp Branches.  The guest physician, Dr. Nate Cox, D.C., from Back to Your Health Chiropractic, distributed healthy well-being pamphlets and discussed the importance of maintaining good healthy bodies and minds.  “It was a pleasure for Dr. Cox share with us valuable information about the preventative measures available to help us stay fit and avoid injuries,” stated Communications Ambassador Kimberly Sheffield.  The seminar was a success and motivated the employees to become more conscious and proactive in taking care of their health.

L-R: Carrier Therese Luman, Dr. Nate Cox

Green Cove Springs Post Office employee comes to aid of helpless customer

Brenda Gilmore

When Green Cove Springs's Highway Contract Route Substitute Driver Brenda Gilmore drove up to a residence, she noticed the garage door which is always closed was open.  She then saw an elderly lady sitting on the floor yelling at her for help.  Gilmore immediately went to the aid of the customer.  The customer began to cry and said she was waiting on the letter carrier to come and help her due to the home being on a corner lot and the customer would’ve gone unnoticed if not for Gilmore. Brenda stated the customer appeared disoriented, confused, and scared and had some scrapes from her fall.  She assisted the customer in standing, helped her into the house, and assisted in locating the customer’s cell phone.  Gilmore then went back outside to retrieve the customer’s shoes.  She waited until the customer was able to connect with a relative on the phone.  The customer did not want medical attention.

“Thank God the Postal Service still makes “house calls”, said Green Cove Springs Supervisor Rocky Bolin.  “This lady was sitting there depending on the carrier to come and help her up after she had fallen, and was dependent upon the carrier to follow thru until she could get help.  Great job Brenda.”

The couple taking care of their mother-in-law stopped the regular carrier the next day and couldn’t say enough on how grateful they were that Brenda had helped their mother and then stayed with her until they were contacted and assured she was ok. They wanted Brenda to know that if she had not heard her mother’s cry for help she would have been on the garage floor all day since the husband was playing golf all day and she had plans to be gone all day.

Live Oak Post Office employee goes above and beyond to aid accident victims

Live Oak Post Office Newly hired Rural Carrier Associate Michelle Jones was on her way to her third day of Orientation for New Employees training when she came upon a car that had just rolled over in the ditch at the exit. No one was assisting. She stopped and rushed to the overturned car that had two elderly occupants trapped inside. She crawled thru mud to get under the trunk deck and assisted the passenger out thru the shattered back windshield, and stayed with the trapped driver holding her hand to reassure her until EMS arrived. In doing this she sustained cuts from the broken glass and was covered in mud. The paramedics treated her cuts and she continued on to report to training. When asked about it, she stated “I just did what I would expect every ordinary person would do.”

Ocala- Maricamp Branch recognize employees

Million Mile Safe Driver and 25-year service awards were presented to Rural Carrier Ron Martin.  Sales, Service Associate Joe Young received his 25-year service award.

L-R:  Rural Carrier Ron Martin, Manager Customer Services Doug Clark, Postmaster Al Krysiak, Manager Post
Office Operations (1) Ron Farnsworth, Sales and Service Distribution Associate Joe Young.

25 year service award presented to Ocala Maricamp Branch’s Data Technician Steve Montgomery, Data Technician.

L-R:  Manager Post Office Operations (1) Ron Farnsworth, Maricamp Manager Customer Services
Doug Clark, Data Technician Steve Montgomery, Postmaster Al Krysiak.

25 year award presented to Ed Gordon, Rural Carrier at the Ocala Maricamp Branch

L-R:  Postmaster Al Krysiak, Rural Carrier Ed Gordon, Manager
Post Office Operations (1) Ron Farnsworth.

Ocala Main Post Office recognizes employees

Ocala Letter Carrier Eddie Lopez was presented the Million Mile Safe Driver Award and 30-year service award.

L-R:  Ocala Postmaster Al Krysiak, Supervisor Customer Services Bob McEvoy, Letter Carrier Eddie Lopez, Manager Post Office Operations (1) Ron Farnsworth

Retirement award presented to Ocala Main Post Office Letter Carrier Lee Wetzelt after 20 years with the Postal Service

L-R:  Postmaster Al Krysiak, Letter Carrier Lee Wetzel

30 year award presented to Ocala Main Post Office Letter Carrier Jeff Caswell

L-R:  Postmaster Al Krysiak, Letter Carrier Jeff Caswell

Jackson promoted to Postmaster, Dawson GA Post Office

L-R (front row): Rev. Ezekiel Holley, Linda Jackson, Roberta Jackson (mother), Colonel Jennie Williamson (sister), Albany Supervisor B.J. Florida, Dawson Mayor Christopher Wright, Manager Post Office Operations Keith Pierle.  Rear: Tasha Burns (daughter) and Shaun Jackson (son)

Linda Jackson began her postal career in 1999 as a Mail Processing Clerk.  As the years progressed, so did her career.  She has served in several detail assignments including Manager Customer Services, Manager Distribution Operations in Atlanta, Albany, and Columbus GA; also, Tallahassee FL.  In 2013, Jackson became Supervisor Customer Services at Tifton GA Post Office, thereafter, serving as Officer-in-charge at Sumner GA Post Office.  As Dawson Postmaster, Linda Jackson becomes the 27th Postmaster and 5th woman to hold this office. She has accountability of 960 post office boxes and 7000 possible deliveries.

Cunningham promoted to Postmaster, Perry FL Post Office

Sylvia Cunningham started her postal career in 1985 as a Letter Sorting Machine operator at Tallahassee P&DC.  Sylvia has had numerous positions and detail assignments during her career including Supervisor Customer Services, Officer-in-Charge, Manager Customer Services (A).  “I am proud to be Postmaster of Perry Post Office under the great leadership of Manager Post Office Operations Keith Pierle,” said Cunningham.

Alert Rural Carrier foils burglar’s plans

While delivering his route Orange Park-Ridgewood, Rural Carrier Jeff Baer noticed a suspicious man with a ski mask on and carrying a backpack standing next to a customer’s fence. Jeff, instantly concerned, watched the guy in his rear view mirror. The man suddenly started to shake the fence and unlock it. Jeff instantly went to a neighbor’s house and asked if the owner was home. The neighbor said that he was at work and that his house has been broken into 2 other times recently. Jeff then asked the neighbor to call 911 and gave a description and a statement to the police when they arrived. After a brief chase, the police apprehended the thief and the stolen items were returned. The owner of the house later stated how grateful he was for Jeff going above and beyond the call of duty on this day.

District Manager Aronson recognizes Carolyn Ballou’s marketing accomplishments

District Manager (A) Sue Aronson initiated a challenge to her leadership team to not only become thoroughly knowledgeable of the Self-Service Kiosk (SSK) but to think-outside-the-box to assist in educating customers on the benefits of utilizing the SSK.  The target goal set is a 35% Customer Adoption Rate. 

Health and Resources Management Manager Carolyn Ballou immediately went into action at Jax-Monument Station with encouragement to all customers.  “The most remarkable customer was an 80 years young woman who was afraid of computers, but after spending a little time with me, she was overjoyed with what she had achieved.  I told her she can tell her grandkids how hip she is now,” stated Ms. Ballou. 

Carolyn’s combination of marketing techniques and customer-focused attentiveness paid off.  She surpassed the target goal with a score of 53.71%.  District Manager (A) Aronson presented Ballou with a Certificate of Achievement and a customized framed Spiderman stamp artwork in the presence of the entire Human Resources staff.  Congratulations Ms. Ballou.

L-R:  Human Resources Manager Sylvia Morris, Health and Resources Manager Carolyn Ballou,
District Manager (A) Sue Aronson, Marketing Manager Lucious Sumlar, Retail Manager (A) Brenda Johstono.

Fernandina Beach Postmaster opens his heart to a military soldier in Afghanistan

Customer John Stevenson visited Fernandina Beach Post Office to log a complaint about a set of golf clubs he had mailed to his son who was on active duty in Afghanistan.  Stevenson explained to Postmaster Ed Lang that he mailed the golf clubs nearly one year ago and the clubs never reached his son.  Stevenson shared all applicable paperwork (receipt, customs form) pertaining to the shipment with Lang.  Lang reviewed the paperwork and realized since the items were shipped internationally one year ago and were not insured there wasn’t anything he could do but apologize on behalf of the Postal Service.  Customer Stevenson expressed his appreciation to Lang for his concern and honesty stating Lang was the first postal employee who actually listened and apologized.  However, in the midst of Stevenson’s discussing his appreciation, Lang had an immediate thought and stopped Stevenson in mid-sentence.

Lang recalled that he was in the process of receiving a set of golf clubs he had just ordered which would leave him with two spare sets.  Lang asked the customer his thoughts on Lang donating one of his set of golf clubs so Mr. Stevenson could send them to his son in Afghanistan.  Initially, Mr. Stevenson was speechless but he regained his composure and wholeheartedly accepted the offer.  They agreed on a meeting time and Lang presented Mr. Stevenson with the clubs. “It made me feel food to do something for someone else; most importantly, to resolve a customer issue that appeared to be Mission Impossible.  I was on Cloud Nine for the next week,” said Lang.

L-R: Customer John Stevenson, Fernandina Beach Postmaster Ed Lang

45 Year Service Award Recognition

Marketing Manager Lucious Sumlar recently presented a 45 Year Service Pin and Award to Elliott "Butch" Yancey, Bulk Mailing Requirements Clerk.  Butch was surrounded by his coworkers when commended for his dedication and performance at the United States Postal Service.  He is also a military veteran and Purple Heart recipient.  Congratulations Butch.

L-R:  Bulk Mail Manager Robin Lang, Marketing Manager Lucious Sumlar, Butch Yancey,
Mailing Requirements Specialist Amy Hicks, Bulk Mail Supervisor Lacy Simmons