Communication Ambassador Program is a big hit with 298, 308, and 309 zones

Front L-R:  Augusta A/Mgr C/S Mary Lowery, P&DC Clerk Wilson Irizarry, Evans GA RCA Bryan Collins, P&DC Clerk Elaine Hobbs, North Augusta SC City Carrier Patti Norris, Waynesboro GA CCA Juan Martinez, Hephzibah GA RCA Bobbi Littles, Augusta Postmaster Paul Steele.
Back L-R:  Martinez GA Letter Carrier Ron Wilburn, P&DC Custodian Willie Givens, Peach Orchard Station City Carrier Barbara Bonner, Supervisor C/S Tumarsha Riley, Ft. Gordon GA  SSDA Charley Davis, Augusta City Carrier Timothy Gunnells.

When the call echoed throughout the Augusta GA area for new Communication Ambassador trainees, the response was awesome.  Eleven engaging, inquisitive, and vibrant employees attended the Ambassador training.  The session was well received and supported in this area.  Accolades not only to the new Ambassadors but also to the management team who remained throughout the all day session which included Augusta Martinez A/Manager C/S Mary Lowery, Forest Hills Branch Supervisor C/S Tumarsha Riley, and Augusta Postmaster Paul Steele.  Augusta P&DF Plant Manager Kevin Hairston and Supervisor C/S Christine Brown who were superb in their supporting roles in this event.

Saint George recognizes carriers for outstanding performance

L-R:  Rural carriers Melvin Williams, Irene Williams, Postmaster Relief Maria Brown

Saint George Ga Post Office Postmaster Relief Maria Brown recently recognized rural letter carriers Melvin Williams and Irene Williams for their outstanding performance and dedication to the postal service. Both carriers were presented with an appreciation award for their commitment to their customers and their jobs. Customers Pat and Russell Sessions stated  "It's nice to have carriers who do not focus on how short they could make their day. Instead their primary focus is providing quality customer service".   Melvin began his career with the postal service in 1993.  Irene began her career in 1986.  “It is indeed a privilege to supervise such great employees,” stated Brown.

Jacksonville P&DC MDO Larry Austin Retires

L-R:  Senior Plant Manager Stephen Hardin, MDO Larry Austin, Lead MDO Craig Cannon

Congratulations to Larry Austin, Manager Distribution Operations (MDO) Tour 1.  He is retiring after over 37 years of dedicated service.  Enjoy your retirement, Larry!

Congratulations to Caylor Yates for earning her Lean Six Sigma Executive Green Belt

L-R:  Sr. Plant Manager Steve Hardin, Operations Industrial Engineer Caylor Yates, 
Manager, In-Plant Support Janet Mills

As an Operations Industrial Engineer, Caylor organized and managed the Lean Mail Processing process for the Jacksonville P&DC.  She was instrumental in adhering to timelines and process completion over a series of six projects.  These projects were put in place to improve the organization of the workroom floor and to reduce non-value added tasks.  Thank you, Caylor, for a job well done; one major floor layout change earned Jacksonville national recognition.

Jacksonville Vehicle Maintenance Team effort saves big bucks

With vehicle maintenance facilities throughout the district including Georgia cities - Albany, Augusta, Columbus, Macon, Waycross, and Savannah; and Florida cities – Gainesville, Jacksonville, Panama City, Pensacola, and Tallahassee; Vehicle Maintenance is the heartbeat of the district covering over 70,000 square miles. 

Jacksonville VMF, suffering a severe shortage of auto technicians prior to 2014, had to utilize a vendor towing service.  District Vehicle Maintenance Manager Margaret Simon-Anderson conducted a financial analysis and determined the usage of the vendor service costs the postal service $12,000 - $14,000 per month for Jacksonville and the surrounding zone 320 area.  Anderson jumpstarted her action plan which was to hire additional auto technicians and ensure all auto technicians is trained to tow vehicles.  In addition, the lead auto technicians volunteered to serve as mentors to ensure the entire team was thoroughly capable and effective to handle normal and unexpected problems.  “I am so proud of my entire team throughout the district but specifically the Jacksonville team.  Due to Team Jax mentoring and training, we no longer utilize a vendor service for towing.  We handle all towing ourselves which is a savings of $11,000 - $12,000 monthly,” stated Anderson.  “It now only costs between $1,000 - $2,000 monthly.

Lead Auto Tech Rufus Johnson finalizing a pick list for a PMI on an LLV with Manager Margaret Simon-Anderson reviewing the process.

Auto Techs Phil Spoeholf (left) and Willie Smith removing/replacing a transmission on an LLV

Lead Auto Tech (heavy equipment) Felix Gorman repairing a yard spotter

Lead Auto Tech Christopher DeGidio prints a completed PMI work order.

Auto Tech Samuel Maldonado-Rios works safely on an LLV that he’s servicing.

Auto Tech Danilo Camacho just finished towing a postal vehicle.

Ocala FL Maricamp Branch Manager retires

The longtime Manager Customer Services, Douglas Clark,  at the Ocala Maricamp Branch Post Office retired August 29, 2014. Clark had 35 years with the Postal Service, starting his career in Chicago, Illinois after an 8 year stint in the US Air Force and serving with the Park Forest, IL police department for 5 years.  Doug started his Postal Career in the Chicago Heights Post Office as a clerk then after moving to Ocala Florida in 1986 was promoted to supervisor and in 1997 to manager.  When the Maricamp Branch opened in 2000, Doug was appointed to be its first manager and remained in that position until his retirement.   Doug and his wife of 41 years, Lana, have a son and daughter who they raised in Ocala, both graduating from Forest High School.  They will remain in Ocala but plan to travel often to the northern states to visit their son, daughter-in-law and their two grandchildren in Chicago.  Cristin, their daughter still lives in Ocala Florida.  When asked how he felt about retirement after so many years in the Post Office Doug said, “Retirement is great!” We wish him many happy and healthy years in retirement filled with blessings from up above! God Bless you Doug, You will be missed.

L-R:  Sr. MPOO Ron Farnsworth, Douglas Clark, Ocala Postmaster Alan Krysiak

L-R:  Clark’s daughter Cristin, Doug Clark, wife Lana

Jacksonville Bulk Mail Entry Unit has two new Communication Ambassadors

Communication Ambassador Program Manager Dee Carter recently welcomed two new Communication Ambassadors to Jacksonville (BMEU) Bulk Mail Entry Unit. Bulk Mail Clerks Annette Towns and Mia Quaintance successfully completed the required training to join the Communication Ambassador Program team and were officially introduced to their co-workers as ambassadors on Fun Football Friday.  Fun Football Friday was implemented by District Bulk Mail Manager Robin Lang as an opportunity to celebrate and forge a stronger bond as a team on a professional level to support strengthening efforts to provide better service to our customers.  Each employee was encouraged to wear their favorite football team’s colors. Of course, the Jacksonville Jaguars were the predominant favorite.  “The camaraderie that a sports team develops and maintains in order to become a winning team is the same philosophy the bulk mail team is embracing.  It’s a win-win for all; a win for our organization and for our customers.  Our two new ambassadors are essential to our communication channel and a vital asset to moral and team development,” stated Lang.

L-R:  Bulk Mail Clerk Mia Quaintance, BMEU Manager Robin Lang,
Bulk Mail Clerk Annette Towns

L-R:  CAP Ambassadors Towns and Quaintance cupped their ears in attempt to
listen to their co-workers and managerial staff all communicating at the same time.

Ocala Maricamp’s Ambassador warns employees to BEE safe

While delivering mail on his route at Ocala FL Maricamp Branch, letter carrier, Kenneth Branch, noticed an active bees nest in a (CBU) Cluster Box Unit.  Branch, who is severely allergic to bees, shared this information with Maricamp’s Communication Ambassador, Kimberly Sheffield, to bring awareness to all letter carriers utilizing the Communication Ambassador Program.  Sheffield immediately took action notifying the employees during an ambassador stand up talk, in addition to informing them that she had prepared an awareness sheet for the employees to document the location of any bee nests on their route.  “Safety requires maintenance personnel to handle issues like this because bee killer spray has hazardous materials in the ingredients and employees must have Hazmat/OSHA training to handle hazardous materials on the job,” said Sheffield.  Kimberly notified maintenance of the hazard and the problem was rectified.  Awesome teamwork!  Special thanks to Ambassador Kimberly Sheffield for outstanding action and performance.

Bee hives and bees inside mail box

L-R: CAP Ambassador Kimberly Sheffield observes as letter carrier
Yaimel Maynard documents the location of a bee nest on his route

Juanita Jones retires after 41 years and 12 District Managers

Executive Assistant, Juanita Jones receives certificate of appreciation
from (A) District Manager, Susan Aronson.    

 

 It was hard to let go of something that has been a part of your life for nearly a half century but Juanita Jones, executive assistant to the District Manager, did just that on August 22nd.  Before family, friends and fellow co-workers, Ms. Jones said farewell.  Many tributes and accolades were presented during this retirement celebration.  Tributes from Gulf Atlantic A/District Manager Susan Aronson, Dallas A/District Manager Charley Miller, Gary Jones (her husband and retired Hilliard FL postmaster), and retired Human Resources Manager Mel Trescot were included with the many attendees who shared stories about Juanita. 

Gulf Atlantic held its Quarterly Leadership Symposium

The Gulf Atlantic District recently held its Leadership Symposium at The University Club of Jacksonville.

With over fifty EAS Leadership Development Program candidates from throughout the district joined by executive postal leadership team, over 100 were in attendace for this rewarding and informative event.

Southern Area Vice President Jo Ann Feindt as keynote speaker delivered a powerful and motivating speech which provided guidance and critical thinking point for the participants.  The symposium, coordinated by Human Resources Manager Sylvia Morris, included remarks and acknowledgements from District Manager (A) Susan Aronson, Senior Plant Manager Stephen Hardin, Plant Manager (A) Jax NDC Terry Mayers, Jacksonville Postmaster Debbie Gornik, Marketing Manager Lucious Sumlar, Finance Manager Jim Dale, Manager Operations Programs Support Frank Stephens, and Managers, Post Office Operations Ronald Farnsworth (1), Ronald Jarrell (2), Kenneth Brantley (3), Paul Birge (A/4), Keith Pierle (5), and Todd Smith (6).  The candidates were enthused and eager to begin their journey to their Pathway to Success.

Attendees at Leadership Symposium

L-R:  Southern Area Vice President Jo Ann Feindt giving assignment lesson to Manager Transportation/Networks (Macon GA) Terry Watson.  Background (L):  Human Resources Manager Sylvia Morris.

L-R: District Manager (A) Sue Aronson, Human Resources Manager (A) Sylvia Morris

Madison Postmaster hosts Customer Appreciation/Grow Your Business Day

“This is so awesome.  We’ve never had anything like this before,” stated Tennie Cave of Madison Historical Association upon entering the lobby of Madison FL Post Office.  Little did Madison Postmaster Erica Carmichael know how eagerly the Madison citizens were looking forward to its first Customer Appreciation Day.  The community support and attendance were phenomenal.  With the assistance of Business Development Specialist Linda Pierle, who continuously engaged the customers in conversations about USPS products and services, and Customer Relations Coordinator Dee Carter greeting and welcoming customers to hot coffee, pastries, and fruit while encouraging them to sign-up for the many giveaways; Carmichael shook hands and introduced herself and Manager Post Office Operations-5 Keith Pierle to the community.  Customers were especially drawn to the poster-size replicas of the Farmers Market and Vintage Circus Forever Stamps displayed in the lobby.  Carmichael prepared two beautiful baskets, whose contents emulated the featured stamps, as the grand prize-giveaways. A steady flow of customers, including Cindy Dees, former Chamber of Commerce Executive Director and Jessie Box, reporter for Green Publishing Co., visited the post office throughout the 4-hour event.  Some were drawn in from the USPS balloons displayed at the outside entrance door.  Over 30 business customers signed up for additional info on products and services.  “Customers were still coming in the next day talking about how great the event was,” said Carmichael.

L-R:  Business Development Specialist Linda Pierle, customers Drs. Bob and GiGi Alston

L-R:  Madison Postmaster Erica Carmichael, Manager Post Office Operations-5 Keith Pierle

Jacksonville Postmaster participates in Purple Heart Day Recognition Ceremony

Jacksonville Postmaster Debbie Gornik attended the 8th Annual Purple Heart Day Ceremony hosted by the City of Jacksonville and the Chapter 524 - Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH).  Held on August 7th at the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Wall, this event recognizes and honors local Purple Heart Award recipients.  Gov. Rick Scott designated August 7, 2014 as Florida Purple Heart Day with a proclamation. Also present along with an estimated 160 attendees was Customer Relations Coordinator Dee Carter.  The Veterans Memorial Wall, dedicated in 1995, displays the names of deceased Purple Heart recipients by the war served (from World War I to the Global War on Terrorism) then by the local high school attended.  Postmaster Gornik presented a poster-size framed Forever Purple Heart Stamp artwork for display beside a purple floral wreath in front of the Wall.  One of the highlights of this heartfelt ceremony was the honorable recognition by retired postal employee Sylvester Bolden (also a Purple Heart recipient) of retired postal employee and the oldest local Purple Heart recipient Samuel Muldrew who is 91 years young and received his Purple Heart Award in 1943; having served in World War II.  It was stated that Jacksonville has the second largest Veterans Memorial Wall in the nation, outside of Washington, DC.

L-R:  Jacksonville Postmaster Debbie Gornik expresses her appreciation and thanks to William Smith, Adjutant, Chapter 524 MOPH; also, a program participant, for his military service and accomplishments.  Mr. Smith is a former postal employee.