LITTLE ROCK INDUSTRIAL STATION CARRIER HELPS A CHILD IN NEED

Little Rock, AR Industrial City Carrier Freddy Dunaway was approached by the Wakefield Elementary Principal about the possibility of adopting a needy child that would not receive any presents for Christmas. Freddy was thrilled about the opportunity to help a child in need as was his wife, Wendy.  The fun part was being able to have lunch with the child and give him a brand new bike for Christmas.  

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM - NEW EAP CONSULTANT

Dr. Karen Mathis has joined the USPS EAP team on September 29, 2014. Karen graduated from Walden University in Minneapolis, MN with her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology and holds a Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tennessee and Bachelor’s of Psychology from the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff.  She was the Clinical Director for an agency in North Little Rock, Arkansas and continues to have a thriving private practice. Karen is excited to be with the USPS EAP and will be making several facility visits throughout the Arkansas District introducing herself and sharing the scope of EAP services available to all employees. 

   Dr. Karen Mathis and the EAP are here for you.

EAP Counseling offers support and guidance for you and your family as you deal with difficult situations. Confidential counseling are offered face-to-face, telephonically, or a combination of both.

EAP Consultations are a way for you to talk with a professional about a specific topic to get advice, information, or just have someone listen to your concerns.

EAP Coaching is designed to focus on your strengths and help you reach your personal and professional goals. Coaching sessions are not a counseling service and are offered face-to-face, telephonically, or a combination of both.

As always, all EAP services are free and confidential.

The EAP also offers a wealth of information, self-help tools, and calculators that you can access 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Visit www.EAP4YOU.com now to learn more about the EAP and find helpful information, trainings, and articles.   

WEST MEMPHIS CITY CARRIER TO THE RESCUE

West Memphis City Carrier Steve Fraley received a letter from a very appreciative customer.

Attention Postmaster:

I want to express my gratitude to Steve Fraley for helping me in a difficult situation.  I fell in my back yard and could not get up.  My faithful postman came up my driveway and answered my call for help.  He called 911 and waited until the EMT’s came to my aid.

Steve is a very dedicated postman and really serves his customers in a very professional manner.

Thanks for having a great employee that goes above and beyond the call of duty.

Sincerely,

D. Tucker

ARKANSAS DISTRICT EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS

Arkansas District Manager David Camp(r) presented Arkansas District Complaints and Inquires Investigator Kathy Gratzon (l) with her 40 year service award.

Arkansas District Manager David Camp(r) presented Arkansas District Manager Address Management Systems (l) with her 30 year service award.

NORTH LITTLE ROCK SWEARING IN CEREMONY FOR NEW POSTMASTER

Newly appointed North Little Rock Postmaster Anita Strickland is sworn in by Arkansas District Manager David Camp.

Congratulations to newly appointed North Little Rock, AR Postmaster Anita Strickland. Ms. Strickland has a postal career spanning over 27 years. She began her career as a part city carrier in Norfolk, VA. She was promoted to Supervisor, Station/Branches in 1992. She transferred back to her home state of Arkansas in 1994 as a Delivery Supervisor at Little Rock Main Office.  Since then she has held numerous operational assignments of increasing responsibility including Manager of Customer Service at different Little Rock Stations, Acting Area Manager/CSOM at Little Rock, Acting Manager Post Office Operations over regions of AR.

Her Postmaster career began in 2003, as Officer-In-Charge in Benton, AR.  In October 2004, she was promoted and served as Postmaster of Benton, AR for 10 years.

Anita is the 13th Postmaster for the City of North Little Rock, AR.  Anita is a native Arkansan; she and her husband Tom are avid Razorback fans.  They are proud parents of two daughters, Madeline and Cassy, a son, David, and his wife, Jalen, have blessed them with their first grandchild, Aubree, and another grandchild due in April.  

CAMDEN POST OFFICE IS THE BIG WINNER

Fiscal Year 2014 Recognition for Gold Star Mystery Shops; New WTIL Traveling Trophy Introduced

Camden, AR Main Post Office Retail Associate Shannon Vaughn was awarded a framed stamped art piece (pictured) along with a Razorback coin for her eight Gold Star shops in FY 2014. 

 Arkansas District Manager David Camp (r) presents Camden Postmaster Devin Keith (l) with the Arkansas District WTIL Traveling Trophy.

The final Arkansas District Gold Star Mystery Shop numbers are totaled for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014. Mystery Shops are a part of the Retail Customer Experience (RCE) Program, of which the district has 76 participating offices. Mystery shoppers record the length of their wait in line, make note of the products offered, the appearance of the retail unit, the courtesy of the retail associates and their general overall experience.

For offices, the Camden Main Post Office (MPO) had the highest total of Gold Star shops with ten. For individuals, Shannon Vaughan, Camden MPO, had the highest total of Gold Star shops with eight.

“There was some great competition by the offices this year,” said Arkansas District Manager David Camp. “The district had nine offices with six or more Gold Stars. Camden definitely promotes the key points of the Retail Customer Experience.”

Mr. Camp recognized the achievements of both the Camden MPO and Shannon. For the office achievement, Mr. Camp presented Devin Keith, Camden Postmaster, with the Arkansas District WTIL Traveling Trophy.

Beginning in FY15, the trophy will be presented bi-annually for display at the office achieving the highest number of Gold Star shops after the first six months of the FY and at the end of the FY. Besides Camden’s recent achievement, the previous RCE achievements of the Heber Springs Post Office and Clarksville Post Office are also recorded on the trophy. Heber Springs had the highest number of Gold Star shops in FY12 and Clarksville had the highest number in FY13.

To commemorate the trophy being incorporated into the Arkansas District’s RCE recognition, a Naming Contest will take place in FY15. The office with the most Gold Star shops in FY15 will have the trophy named after it.

Mr. Camp presented Shannon with a framed stamp art piece recognizing her number of Gold Star shops.

“I applaud Shannon’s consistency in servicing the Camden customers,” Camp said. “She makes not only Camden shine, but the Arkansas District as well.”

As a district, Arkansas had 201 Gold Star Mystery Shops in FY 2014. MPOO Area III had the most Gold Star Shops with 66. MPOO Area II was second with 44. MPOO Areas 5 and 6 tied for third with 27. MPOO Area IV had 26. MPOO Area I had 11.

ALMA RETAIL ASSOCIATES CELEBRATE GOLD STARS

L-R Manager Post Office Operations (A) Charles Redburn, Alma Retail Associate Tammy Carr, Alma Retail Associate Joan McCollum, Alma Officer In Charge Vickie Ramsey.

Alma, AR Post Office Retail Associate Joan McCollum recently earned her fourth  Gold Star Award for having a perfect Retail Customer Experience score, overall customer experience comments: “This Post Office had efficient service and ample mailing supplies.  I would definitely return to this location for future mailing needs.”