Fort Pierce SSDA Strikes Gold!

Fort Pierce Main Office Supervisor, Customer Services Mary Lou Beharry (left) presented Sales and Services/Distribution Associate Shaniece Freeman-Chavis (right) with her fourth Gold Star Award for a 100% score on a Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transaction. Photo: Jacqueline Long

WPB Passport Fair Generates $4,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Saturday, June 17, the West Palm Beach Main Office held a Passport Fair that generated $4,585 in revenue (157 passports at $3,925 and 44 photos at $660). 

 

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

Recognizing Revenue Performance

Congratulations to South Florida District employees who earned second place in the total revenue category at a recent leadership meeting in Dallas, TX. Accepting recognition on behalf of all employees were, from left, Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney, Miami Postmaster Enrique (Rick) Suarez, West Palm Beach Plant Manager Linda Gray, South Florida District Manager Jeffery Taylor, A/Sr. Plant Manager Henry Dominguez, and Miami Processing & Distribution Center Plant Manager Juan Gonzalez. Also pictured was Southern Area Vice President Shaun Mossman (far right). Photo: Rosco Timberlake

Fort Lauderdale Postmaster Delivers Street Management Training

Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney (standing, far left) conducted street management training at the District Office. Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

Recently, Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney conducted training on street management, a natural extension of office management.

Street management includes observing vehicle movement on park and loop routes, proper use of relays, following the prescribed line of travel, and protecting the mail. The manager may find routes are not in proper adjustment, and the frequent use or requests for auxiliary assistance or overtime is warranted; or a change in the line of travel could reduce travel to and from the route, deadheading on the route, or time-wasting delivery patterns.

While conducting street observation, the manager notes areas of new construction, plan for expansion, and be aware of urban renewal areas,  changing traffic patterns, the need to relocate collection boxes, customer problems of delivery, etc.

During street supervision, every opportunity is taken to emphasize safety while driving, walking on sidewalks, walking up and down steps, crossing streets, collecting mail, or delivering relays.

Royal Palm P&DC I.C.E. Team is 'Hot'

Employee Engagement is the winning recipe at the Royal Palm Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) in Opa-locka, FL. Employees on all three tours competed for a $25 gift certificate and apron in a chili cook off. First Place winners were Tour 1 Automated Flats Sorting Machine (AFSM) 100 Distribution Clerk Kirrie, Baker, Tour 2 Automated Parcel and Bundle Sorter (APBS) Distribution Clerk Debra Myers, and Tour 3 Automated Flats Sorting Machine (AFSM) 100 Distribution Clerk Carmen Torres.

 

Tour 1 Automated Flats Sorting Machine (AFSM) 100 Distribution Clerk Kirrie Baker (above) won first place for her turkey chili recipe. Photo: Bridget Taylor

Judges included Senior Manager, Distribution Operations Angelene Rainey; Managers, Distribution Operations Chris Birks, Pete Claudio and Karen Smith; Supervisors, Distribution Operations Lynn Fluellen, Regina Fenderson, Chante Horne, Via Polite, and Kevin Roberson; Manager, Maintenance Operations Jeremy Jasso;  Supervisor, Maintenance Operations Kathy Robinson; Operations Industrial Engineers Joel Bonilla and Yenan Leyva; and Administrative Assistant Sharon Bragg.

 

Automated Parcel and Bundle Sorter (APBS) Distribution Clerk Debra Myers (above) won first place in the Tour 2 chili cook off competition. Photo: Bridget Taylor

The chili cook off was one of many employee engagement activities at the Royal Palm P&DC. Employees nominate co-workers for recognition at the monthly town hall meetings where managers reward employees with a Certificate of Appreciation and a $25 gift card. A/Senior Plant Manager Henry Dominguez also supports a My Work Matters Program where employees share how their role contributes to the success of the plant, the district, and the organization. Their photo and quote are posted on the work floor. There also are birthday recognitions and celebrations, as well as designated days to wear your favorite sports team uniform. Dominguez and his management team also take full advantage of Lean Six Sigma (LSS) huddle boards in various operations where employees congregate and discuss what went well and what needs improvement on any given day.

Automated Flats Sorting Machine (AFSM) 100 Distribution Clerk Carmen Torres (above) won first place among chili cook off competitors on Tour 3. Photo: Bridget Taylor

 

Dominguez supports the I.C.E. (“Involved, Committed, Engaged”) Team, which is a key ingredient to  creating and maintaining a positive work environment. Team members include Operations Support Specialist/Lead Champion Employee Engagement/I.C.E. Team Bridget Taylor; Mail Handlers Bridget Brown, Evans Cadet, Miami Climpson, Felicia James, Jasmine James, Gwenett Jones, Brittany Hoover, Marques McDonald, Kendria Mesrisier, Shiquita Ray, Frank Ruano, Jr., Trameka Trotter, and Toccarra Williams; Clerks Debra Myers and Rashawn McDonald; Expediters Myeta Chavez and Renee Jones;  Equipment Operator Veka Davis; General Clerk Benita Edwards; Custodian Shirley Currington; Maintenance Mechanics  Laura Maggioncalda and Priscila Maldonado; and Supervisor, Maintenance Operations Kenny Franz.

New Lead Maintenance Manager Joins South Florida Postal Family

Jim Pleffner

 

A/Senior Plant Manager Henry Dominguez has announced the selection of Jim Pleffner as Lead  Maintenance Manager, South Florida District. 

Pleffner began his career as a Maintenance Mechanic MPE in 1995 at the Bulk Mail Center in Washington, DC. He has accepted several leadership roles to include, Supervisor, Maintenance Operations in Capitol Heights, MD, and Tampa, FL.  In 2007, he was promoted to Manager, Maintenance Operations in Ybor City, FL, Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC). In 2010, Pleffner was detailed to the Maintenance Manager, St. Petersburg, FL, and in 2012, was promoted to the Maintenance Manager at the Orlando, FL, P&DC.

Pleffner is preparing to take his Green Belt training certification later this year. 

“Jim has extensive knowledge of Maintenance operations and will lead the South Florida team in improvements in all service and maintenance indicators,” said Dominguez. “Please join me in welcoming him to the South Florida Postal Family.” 

West Palm Beach Focuses on Safety

Earlier this month, West Palm Beach Manager, Customer Service Operations  Gilberto Vega (far right) held a safety meeting with Safety Specialist Joe Gennaro and Safety Captains within the Manager, Post Office Operations (MPOO) Area 6. During the meeting, participants discussed deficiencies in their offices, past accidents, pending training, and hurricane preparedness.

Pictured counterclockwise:  Riviera Beach Letter Carrier Jeffrey Wagner; City Place Station Letter Carrier Kristie Edwards; Haverhill Station Lead Retail Associate Ann Milton; Palm Beach Gardens Branch Laborer Custodial Larry James, Jr.; Wellington Carrier Annex City Carrier Assistant Barry Hebda; Safety Specialist Joe Gennaro; Palm Central Station Laborer Custodial Mike Sheely; Palms West Station Letter Carrier Douglas Lambe; Riviera Beach Letter Carrier Fernando Rodriguez; and West Palm Beach Manager, Customer Service Operations Gilberto Vega.

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Curlita Rogers-Saunders

Remembering the Caped Crusader

Adam West speaks at the Phoenix Comicon event in 2014. Image: Gage Skidmore

Adam West, the “Batman” star who died this month at age 88, is being remembered by USPS and Postal Inspection Service employees who knew and worked with him.

Soon after West and his wife Marcelle settled in Ketchum, ID, in 1987, he became a regular customer at the local Post Office.

“When he wasn’t traveling, Adam came to the Post Office every day,” Ketchum Postmaster John McDonald said. “He received a lot of fan mail.”

West played a campy version of the Dark Knight in the 1960s “Batman” TV series. It aired for only three seasons, but much to West’s delight, it continued to attract fans in reruns.

“My mail really reflects the fact that people still see the show, and it’s really been evergreen. It’s been around 40-some years. I’m very lucky,” West told "Your Postal Podcast” in 2015.

West’s crime fighting wasn’t limited to TV. Last year, he helped battle foreign lottery scammers in  educational videos for the Inspection Service’s Delivering Trust site.

Paul Krenn, an Inspection Service program manager, has fond memories of working with West on the videos.

“Adam West inspired many youngsters of the time to pursue a career in fighting crime, including me. Little could I imagine I would have an opportunity later in life to work with him,” Krenn said, adding that West was “as passionate in his performance as he was in his commitment to helping the Postal Service protect consumers.”

McDonald said he’ll miss his longtime friend.

“Adam was always happy and made the people around him feel welcomed. He had a wonderful sense of humor,” he said.

Source: LINK

Meet 'Miss Doris'

Doris Jenkins stands in front of rows of roller skates at her rink, Image: Nicole Triche

For more than 50 years, Doris Jenkins has traded shifts between the Topsail Beach, NC, Post Office and the roller skating rink that she and her husband built upstairs.

Jenkins, a contract Postmaster, operates the Post Office during the day and runs the rink every night. Both have been family affairs.

“My grandmother was a postmaster during the Second World War, and I had several aunts that worked in Post Offices,” she said.

When the Topsail Beach Postmaster retired in 1962, Jenkins applied and got the contract.

She and her husband, Sonny, got into the skating business because it “was our hobby.” He designed the rink in 1964 and built it above ground to avoid hurricane damage.

Today, the rink has its original flooring, signage and disco ball. There’s no air conditioning, and music is played on vinyl 45 records.

Customers routinely comment on the beach town’s “time capsule” venue.

They also praise the beloved “Miss Doris,” who recently became the subject of a local public television report, as well as a documentary short, “All Skate, Everybody Skate,” by filmmaker Nicole Triche.

Between the Post Office and the rink, Jenkins serves more than 400 year-round residents and hundreds more visiting vacationers.

“I enjoy meeting people, getting to know them,” she said of her work with USPS. “Every year there’s new vacationing ones. It’s fun to hear their stories.”

Source: LINK

 

 

It's Back to School for Postal Trio

JC Nadal (front, center) presented a Certificate of Appreciation to his father, Marketing Manager Juan Nadal (left), his mother, Safety Manager Charisse Nadal (center), and A/Driver Safety Instructor Dorothy Uriarte (right).

South Florida District Marketing Manager Juan Nadal and District Safety Manager Charisse Nadal participated in Career Day where their son, "JC” (Juan Carlos), attends. A/Driver Safety Instructor Dorothy Uriarte also participated.

Prior to their visit, students had exchanged addresses and had written a letter to one of their classmates. During the presentation, students learned to address the letter and affix the stamp in the right location. Dorothy Uriarte collected their letters and promised to mail them. The intent was for the students to continue to write each other during summer recess.

Juan Nadal briefed the students on postal history and illustrated several stamps, Charisse Nadal spoke about safety around the postal vehicle and Dorothy Uriarte gave a tour of the Long Life Vehicle (LLV). The postal trio also distributed postal coloring books to students. 

Safety Manager Charisse Nadal (right) cautioned students not to approach or play near a postal vehicle. A/Driver Safety Instructor Dorothy Uriarte, pictured above in her Letter Carrier uniform, reiterated the importance of being safe and staying away from the truck.

Marketing Manager Juan Nadal (above) provided a postal history lesson to students, including son, JC (standing, left).  

Photos: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte 

Stamps to Feature Disney Villains

The U.S. Postal Service celebrates the rich legacy of the Walt Disney Studios Ink & Paint Department by dedicating a sheet of 20 Forever stamps featuring 10 classic Disney villains. Beginning Thursday, June 22, the stamps may be pre-ordered at usps.com/shop for delivery shortly after the July 15 issuance.

       

Each stamp showcases one of 10 classic Disney villains against a blue background. First row, from left: the Queen (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs), Honest John (Pinocchio), Lady Tremaine (Cinderella), the Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland) and Captain Hook (Peter Pan). Second row, from left: Maleficent (Sleeping Beauty), Cruella De Vil (One Hundred and One Dalmatians), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Gaston (Beauty and the Beast) and Scar (The Lion King).
 

The Art of Animation

Beginning in 1923, Disney’s Ink & Paint Department helped create classic animated films. Its artists brought life to countless memorable characters, including many iconic Disney villains.

One of the first groups of its kind, Disney’s Ink & Paint Department was yet another stop on the road to creating an animated film. After the animators’ pencil drawings were finished, they went to Ink and Paint. There, highly specialized artists meticulously recreated each pencil line in ink, capturing every nuanced movement and expression. At first, artists used black and white, and later shades of gray to “color” each celluloid or cel. In the early 1930s, the artists began using rich colors on the animation cels.

The last full-length animated Disney film to use the hand-painted cel process was The Little Mermaid (1989). Beauty and the Beast (1991) and The Lion King (1994) were hand drawn. The original pencil drawings for those films were then scanned and painted digitally. For these stamps, the characters Gaston (Beauty and the Beast) and Scar (The Lion King) have been recreated using traditional ink and paint techniques.

Art director Derry Noyes of Washington, DC, designed the issuance.

Loxahatchee Needs Ad-Hoc SCS

Are you interested in expanding your postal horizons as an Ad-Hoc Supervisor, Customer Services EAS-17? If so, Manager, Post Office Operations Denise Young wants to hear from you.

All qualified career and non-career postal employees in the South Florida District are eligible to apply. The successful applicant will report to the Loxahatchee Post Office, 14611 Southern Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470. The Ad-Hoc position is not to exceed six months.  
Non-Scheduled Days: Sunday, Tuesday; Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.    

FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE: Supervises a group of employees in the delivery, collection, and distribution of mail, and in window service activities within a Post Office, station or branch, or detached unit.

REQUIREMENTS:

KNOWLEDGE OF PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT systems and standards, and customer satisfaction indicators, as they relate to customer service operations. CHANGE MANAGEMENT: Prepares employees for change by establishing and maintaining continuous dialogue with employees; communicates change to employees and reassures them during the transition from present to future state. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Organizes and expresses thoughts and information in a clear and concise manner while tailoring the message to the audience; engages in active listening; is aware of the impact of nonverbal cues on the message being delivered; takes into account the feelings and motivation of others when delivering a message. EMPLOYEE FOCUS: Establishes a positive and safe work environment conducive to increasing productivity through treating employees with dignity and respect; defines the roles of employees and clarifies their responsibilities for the success of the organization; provides employees with the tools and support they need to accomplish their goals. FUNCTIONAL ADMINISTRATION: Completes administrative tasks; generates and analyzes    daily reports to ensure appropriate documentation of operations. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Manages the operation through the use of operational plans developed to drive work unit and organizational performance; addresses labor relations issues and applies knowledge of local and national agreements to solve workplace conflicts; analyzes data on a regular basis to determine if adjustments to current operations are necessary to achieve goals. PERSONAL ACUMEN: Adapts to changes in the business environment; demonstrates trustworthiness and initiative to accomplish work unit and organizational goals and objectives. WORK UNIT PLANNING: Determines priorities of the work unit on a daily and weekly basis; identifies resources (employees and capital) needed to accomplish goals and allocates resources as allowed to support the priorities and goals established for the work unit and organization as a whole.

HOW TO APPLY:
Employees interested must submit their eCareer profile, along with a summary of accomplishments addressing the above requirements. All applications should be sent to the below address for receipt by Close Of Business (COB) Tuesday, June 27, 2017:

Denise Young

MPOO
South Florida District Office
1900 W Oakland Park Blvd Room # 129
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310-9998

Hallandale PM Seeks Ad-Hoc SCS

Are you interested in expanding your postal horizons as an Ad-Hoc Supervisor, Customer Services EAS-17? If so, Hallandale Postmaster Bobbie Sims wants to hear from you.

All qualified career and non-career postal employees in the South Florida District are eligible to apply. The successful applicant will report to the Hallandale Post Office, 500 S Federal Highway, Hallandale, FL. The Ad-Hoc position is not to exceed 90 days.

Non-Scheduled Days: Sunday, Wednesday

Hours: 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.        

FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE: Supervises a group of employees in the delivery, collection, and distribution of mail, and in window service activities within a Post Office, station or branch, or detached unit.

REQUIREMENTS:
 

KNOWLEDGE OF PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT systems and standards, and customer satisfaction indicators, as they relate to customer service operations. CHANGE MANAGEMENT: Prepares employees for change by establishing and maintaining continuous dialogue with employees; communicates change to employees and reassures them during the transition from present to future state. COMMUNICATION SKILLS: Organizes and expresses thoughts and information in a clear and concise manner while tailoring the message to the audience; engages in active listening; is aware of the impact of nonverbal cues on the message being delivered; takes into account the feelings and motivation of others when delivering a message. EMPLOYEE FOCUS: Establishes a positive and safe work environment conducive to increasing productivity through treating employees with dignity and respect; defines the roles of employees and clarifies their responsibilities for the success of the organization; provides employees with the tools and support they need to accomplish their goals. FUNCTIONAL ADMINISTRATION: Completes administrative tasks; generates and analyzes daily reports to ensure appropriate documentation of operations. OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Manages the operation through the use of operational plans developed to drive work unit and organizational performance; addresses labor relations issues and applies knowledge of local and national agreements to solve workplace conflicts; analyzes data on a regular basis to determine if adjustments to current operations are necessary to achieve goals. PERSONAL ACUMEN: Adapts to changes in the business environment; demonstrates trustworthiness and initiative to accomplish work unit and organizational goals and objectives. WORK UNIT PLANNING: Determines priorities of the work unit on a daily and weekly basis; identifies resources (employees and capital) needed to accomplish goals and allocates resources as allowed to support the priorities and goals established for the work unit and organization as a whole.

HOW TO APPLY:

Employees interested must submit their eCareer profile, along with a summary of accomplishments addressing the above requirements. All applications should be sent to the below address for receipt by Close Of Business (COB) Tuesday, June 27, 2017:

Bobbie Sims  

Postmaster

500 S Federal Hwy

Hallandale FL 33009-9998

Total Eclipse Stamps Available Today

Tens of millions of people in the United States hope to view this once-in-a-lifetime event  — the August 21 total solar eclipse. The approximate 70-mile-wide “path of totality” of the Moon’s shadow will cross portions of 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina. This is the first total solar eclipse to cross the entire country for the first time since 1918. The last eclipse seen on the U.S. mainland was 1979.

To determine your city’s proximity to the eclipse, click this link or review the state listing of more than 1,100 towns and cities that will fall in the eclipse’s path.

To commemorate the event, the U.S. Postal Service will release the Total Eclipse of the Sun Forever stamps June 20. This first-of-its-kind stamp, for the US, transforms into an image of the Moon from the heat of a finger. Two stamp images are shown throughout this messaging for illustrative purposes only to demonstrate what will be seen when transformed. This is a single design issuance offered and sold in a pane of 16 stamps. 

 

The eclipse and Moon images were photographed by retired NASA Astrophysicist Fred Espanak, a.k.a. Mr. Eclipse, of Portal, AZ. The back of the stamp pane provides a map of the eclipse path and times it may appear in some locations.

 

Visit NASA’s website to view detailed maps of the path. The public is asked to share the news on social media using the hashtag #EclipseStamps. 

#PostalProud

Plantation is Making the Connection

Recently, South Florida District Business Development Specialist Kimberly Person spoke about the Customer Connect Program with employees at Plantation Branch.

“No opportunity is too small,” Person said. “Leads can be found on your route and in your personal life. Talk to your postal customers, as well as to your veterinarian, barber, hair stylist.”

“’Customer Connect’ is our future,” said Plantation Branch Manager, Customer Services Zandra Bland. “Invest in you!”  

 

Business Development Specialist Kimberly Person (center) was pleased with employee enthusiasm for the Customer Connect Program at the Plantation Branch. 

South Florida District Business Development Specialist Kimberly Person (left) talked about the Customer Connect Program with City Carrier Assistant Marvin Michel (right). 

Photos: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

#PostalProud

District Quartet 'Drives' Safety

South Florida District Driving Safety Instructors Curtis Young (left) and Kathy Ratliff (right) are training new City Carrier Assistants Donovan Speight (third from left) and Sherry Wedekind (far right).

 

During this two-day class, new hires will put their skills to the test and drive the ProMaster, Long Life Vehicle (LLV) and the Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV).

After successfully passing this course, Speight will be joining the Lauderridge Annex team and  CCA Wedekind will be joining the Oakland Park, FL, Branch.

"Safety first," said Ratliff. 

"Safety is no laughing matter," said Young.

 

Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Kelly Worthman

#PostalProud

 

Postal Parents are Proud of their 'Wonder Woman' Daughter

Caitlin Dechelle, daughter of two Postal Service employees, stands next to a cutout of “Wonder Woman” star Gal Gadot.

 

Eastern Area Retail Equipment Coordinator Chivon Dechelle, Chattanooga, TN, Postmaster Pete Dechelle and their daughter Caitlin. Pete and Chivon Dechelle once were managers in the South Florida District.    

Growing up in a postal family, Caitlin Dechelle always understood the importance of teamwork.

It’s a lesson she has taken to Hollywood, where she is making her mark as Gal Gadot’s stunt double in the summer blockbuster “Wonder Woman.”

Dechelle worked closely with the actress throughout the production, including helping her prepare for fight scenes and stepping into Wonder Woman’s boots for sequences that required professional stunt work.

“Sometimes it’s hard when you’re part of a huge action film and you try and teach actors these big fight scenes with weapons and wires,” Dechelle said. “It can be difficult, but [Gadot] was always very upbeat, excited and ready to learn.”

Dechelle is the daughter of Chattanooga, TN, Postmaster Pete Dechelle and his wife Chivon, a retail equipment coordinator for Eastern Area. They remember their daughter falling in love with karate when she was 6.

“She was primarily the only girl in an almost all-boys karate school so she grew up fighting, sparring and training with boys,” Pete said. “She was fearless and unstoppable.”

Dechelle, who became a martial artist with almost 90 world titles under her belt, entered showbiz after Jackie Chan discovered her during a Florida karate tournament.

She did stunt work for the 2012 film “John Carter from Mars” and soon added other titles to her list of credits, including “Furious 7,” the seventh entry in “The Fast and the Furious” franchise, and “Chinese Zodiac,” a Chan vehicle.

Dechelle also acts, including a regular role on the MTV series “Teen Wolf” and a part in “Chinese Zodiac.”

One of the perks of her career is the opportunity to share movie magic with her parents.

“When she was in China working with Jackie Chan, she handed the phone to him and said, ‘Jackie, say hi to my parents,’” Chivon recalled.

Dechelle, who hopes to transition to acting full time and maybe even land a superheroine role of her own, said she’ll always feel fortunate to be part of “Wonder Woman.”

“This is a very strong female-driven movie, which is directed by a female [Patty Jenkins] as well,” she said. “It’s going to be huge, and I think it will be an inspiration for a lot of young girls.”

Caitlin Dechelle loves the Wonder Woman stamps that USPS issued last year. “All four are signature poses for her but my favorite would have to be the Bronze Age where she’s holding her fist in the air,” she said.    

Source: LINK