Celebrating a 50-Year Milestone

 

 

Story by Michelle Bullard

 

South Florida Data Collection Technician Fred Berrian (above), who is domiciled in Fort Lauderdale, has been maintaining excellence since joining the Postal Service in 1972. Today we celebrate Berrian for 50 years of combined military and postal service.

Prior to joining the U.S. Postal Service in 1972, Berrian served as an airman in the U.S. Air Force from 1966 to 1970. 

“I would say that I was fortunate, because at the time, the U.S. Postal Service was only testing veterans.  When I got my test results, I was very surprised and happy,” says Berrian.

Berrian started at a pay rate of just $3.77 an hour.  Back then, the price of a stamp was 6 cents and a Ford Pinto would cost about $2,000. He was offered both a clerk and carrier position,  and he chose the clerk position because he wanted to work indoors “where the air was always cool.”

 
He started as a Data Collection Technician in Fort Lauderdale on December 20, 1986. 

“For the time I have been over this department, Fred has been a dedicated and excellent employee” says Manager Michelle Bullard.   

Berrian continues to push forward and work for this organization every day knowing he could have retired back in 2000.  Very few employees toil long enough to reach the 50-year mark. 

His motto is “I would do what I was asked to do, so I would have this career for a long time.”

Berrian’s achievements and successes are testament to the Postal Service’s reputation which is built upon dedicated employees like him.