'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

Black Heritage Series Adds Gwen Ifill

Gwen Ifill, one of the nation’s most esteemed journalists, will be featured on the 43^rd stamp in the Black Heritage Series.

Deputy Postmaster General Ron Stroman will be the dedicating official at the First-Day-Of-Issue (FDOI) ceremony at the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington DC on January 30.

Gwen Ifill was among the first African Americans to hold prominent positions in both broadcast and print journalism.

After graduating from college in 1977, Ifill worked at The Boston Herald American, The Baltimore Evening Sun, The Washington Post and The New York Times. In 1994, she took a broadcast job at NBC, where she covered politics in the DC bureau. Five years later, she joined PBS; she became the senior political correspondent for “The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer” and moderator and managing editor of “Washington Week” — the first woman and first African American to moderate a major television news-analysis show.

In 2013, she became co-anchor of the “PBS NewsHour,” part of the first all-female team to anchor a national nightly news program. Ifill died in 2016. 

Among Ifill’s honors were the Radio Television Digital News Foundation’s Leonard Zeidenberg First Amendment Award (2006), Harvard’s Joan Shorenstein Center’s Goldsmith Career Award for Excellence in Journalism (2009) and induction into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame (2012). In 2015, she was awarded the Fourth Estate Award by the National Press Club. She received numerous honorary degrees and served on the boards of the News Literacy Project and the Committee to Protect Journalists, which renamed its Press Freedom Award in her honor.

The 2016 John Chancellor Award was posthumously awarded to Ifill by the Columbia Journalism School. In 2017, the Washington Press Club Foundation and the “PBS NewsHour” created a journalism fellowship named for Ifill. Her alma mater, Simmons University, opened the Gwen Ifill College of Media, Arts, and Humanities in 2018.

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

Recognizing 100 Years of Service

From left, Riviera Beach Branch Letter Carriers Lashon Thompkins, Glen Taylor, Charles Phipps, and Roderick McDaniels were recognized for reaching a career milestone. Manager, Customer Services Lori Giordano (not pictured) presented each employee with a 25-year Service Award and pin. She also thanked the carriers for their years of hard work and encouraged then to continue to provide outstanding service to their customers.

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Gayle Jones

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

Happy Kwanzaa

Merry Christmas

 

 

Santa's Helpers

South Florida District’s very own Santa Helpers (pictured from left) Miami Postmaster Steve Kirkland; Miami Manager, Customer Service Operations Darrin Johnson and South Florida Acting District Manager Sal Vacca spent time answering letters from children and adults.

Timothy’s letter seemed to cause some laughter in the room as he wrote:

 “Dear Santa, I was real good this year…. well kind of good…. OK you probably know that I was not good at all so just leave me whatever you want.'

“It’s a great time of the year, and responding to the children’s letters brings so much joy” said Miami Customer Relations Coordinator, Mirtha Uriarte a.k.a. Santa’s Helper Elf.

 

Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte     

Showing Appreciation

Riviera Beach Post Office Manager, Customer Services Lori Giordano (not pictured) treated her team to morning snacks. Giordano thanked employees for all their hard work during the year, but especially during peak season.

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Gayle Jones

 

 

Holiday Greetings

Consumer and Industry Contact Clerk Charnissa "Niecey" Deantignac took a moment from her busy schedule to pose for this holiday photo.  

Clerks Marvin Hurd (center) and Tirso Alvarez (right) were happy to see that Santa was in town. Employees appreciated the candy treats from Santa, who was making his list and checking it twice at the Miami P&DC. Photo: Cheryl White

Employee Howard Ulloa (right) heard the clatter of reindeer hooves on the Miami P&DC rooftop and rushed to the platform to see what was the matter. Santa was checking his good list, and yes, Ulloa was productive all year so Santa offered him some candy as a small token of his appreciation. Photo: Cheryl White


Postal Support Employee (PSE) Nikkia Riley (right) also heard the clatter and went to the Miami P&DC platform to investigate the matter. Photo: Cheryl White

Postal Support Employee (PSE) Carlos Garcia (right) thanked Santa for the candy and wished him well on his Christmas Eve trip around the world. Photo: Cheryl White

Holidays Greetings

Senior Plant Manager Juan Gonzalez (left) posed with Santa Claus (Don Shandor, is that you?)

Toys for Tots

 

Miami Processing and Distribution Center (P&DC) Mail Processing Clerk Keisha Stephens strikes a pose next to hampers of items collected for the annual U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Toys Campaign.

 

 

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Happy Hanukkah

OPS Retires After 40-Plus Years

Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney (left) and Manager, Operations Programs Support Alex Alejandro (right) presented Operations Programs Specialist Patricia Nolan (center) with her Retirement Certificate. Guiney and Alejandro thanked Nolan for more than 40 years of dedicated service and wished her well in her retirement.

 

Photo: Fort Lauderdale Customer Relations Coordinator Edwin Vivas

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

A/District Manager Holiday Message

Acting District Manager Sal Vacca
 

The holiday season is the time of year that best showcases postal teamwork. From the retail associates who sell the postage and accept the letters, cards, and packages, to the mail processing employees who sort and distribute them, to the delivery team that gets them to the front door --- and to every mail handler, maintenance employee, transportation team member, postmaster, manager, supervisor, and EAS and craft employee in between — it’s the greatest team effort in the world. 

This past year, our postal family adapted to operational changes, accepted challenges, and embraced opportunities that cut operating costs and increased revenue. Through it all, our South Florida team ensured that our customers received the outstanding service that they have come to expect and deserve from the Postal Service. 

In my few short weeks as Acting District Manager, I have visited many operations and have observed your dedication and commitment to the Postal Service. It quickly became evident that South Florida employees have a passion for our organization to succeed. Please know that I greatly appreciate all that you do for our customers and for each other, especially during this busy holiday season. Our customers are counting on us, and to your credit, we are delivering our value and promoting the postal brand.

The New Year will bring more changes, challenges, and opportunities. To your credit, we already have demonstrated that teamwork is the key to our success … and 2020 will be no different.

From my family to yours, have a wonderful holiday season and a happy, healthy New Year. 

Holiday Greetings

Palm Beach Gardens Letter Carrier Herman Shipp (left) and Lead Sales and Services  Associate Brandon Black (right) display some holiday cheer for their customers! Photo: Ernie Onody

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Happy Holidays

APWU Local 172 President Wanda Harris is processing holiday cards and letters in the automation operation at the Miami P&DC. Photo: Valerie Alston

Human Resources Engagement

 

Acting District Manager Sal Vacca (far left) posed for this photo opportunity with the Human Resources Team, which included Manager Tammy Deutsch, third from right.

 

Human Resources team members enjoyed a holiday luncheon.

 

Acting District Manager Sal Vacca (left) and Manager, Human Resources Tammy Deutsch (right) presented Miami Learning Development and Diversity Specialist Coleen Lovin (center) with a Service Award. Lovin, who has retirement plans the end of this year, has remained accident-free throughout her 34-year career.

 

Photos: Myriam Irizarry

Holiday Greetings

Santa Claus made an early visit to the Consumer and Industry Contact Office to thank employees for a smooth transition into the Customer360 program, which has improved the overall customer experience.

When a customer contacts the Postal Service, his or her customer profile and history of service requests, including open service requests, automatically are loaded into the C360 console. Having a customer’s history available at their fingertips reduces the need for customers to repeat details previously communicated and enables employees to diagnose issues faster and more accurately, resulting in an accelerated quality resolution.

Santa is thinking about implementing such a program at the North Pole, and is in town to consult with the experts in the above photo.

"Believe it or not, some children do complain about the quality of toys distributed through my workshop," said Santa. "I can't afford a tarnished image and need to do all that I can to protect my brand!"

Santa Letters at the 'South' Pole

Executives and managers took time from their busy schedules to lend assistance to the Santa Letter operation in the Miami Postmaster’s Conference Room. Pictured at table, from left, Miami Postmaster Steve Kirkland; Acting South Florida District Manager Sal Vacca; Manager, Processing and Distribution Operations Gun Udomsawat; and Master Black Belt Phillip Murphy. Standing, from left, Miami Flagler Station Manager, Customer Services Darrin Johnson; and Miami Manager, Customer Service Operations Orlando de la Osa.

Photo: Debra Fetterly

 

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Santa Sightings

 

Santa offered some candy to Clerk Anthony Young who was hard at work on the Miami P&DC platform. Photo: Cheryl White

Miami-Dade County PCC Celebration

Miami-Dade County Postal Customer Council (PCC) 2019 Holiday Celebration: Pictured kneeling, PCC Member Ivan Rodriguez. First row, Manager, Marketing Juan Nadal; Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte; PCC Member Gia Rodriguez; and PCC Industry Co-Chair Susan Reed. Back row, from left, Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney; PCC Member Juan Hidalgo; PCC Industry Vice Co-Chair Audie Thompson; and Miami Postmaster Steve Kirkland. 

 

Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney (left) and Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte (right) displayed holiday toy drive items. Miami-Dade County PCC received a plaque for the PCC’s continued support of their foundation’s toy drive.

Recognizing a Career Milestone

Boca Raton Postmaster Brian Coulton (right) presented Boca Rio Branch Letter Carrier Richard Herrera (left) with his 25-year Service Award and pin. Photo: Lori Cangemi 

'What Safety Means to Me!'

Postal Inspector Delivers Six Ways to Protect Mail and Packages to Media

Postal Inspector Bryan Masmela (right) offered six ways to protect mail and packages during interviews with AmericaTeve 41, Telemundo 51, and Univision 23 in the Miami General Mail Facility (GMF) Postal Store.

1. Don't leave delivered mail and packages unattended.

2. Take advantage of the "Hold Mail" service at usps.com.

3. Select "Hold for Pickup" or redirect packages with "USPS Package Intercept" at usps.com.

4. Customize the delivery. Visit usps.com, enter the tracking number and select "Delivery Instructions."

5. Secure the shipment using USPS Special Services, including Signature Confirmation.

6. Monitor your front door with a home security camera system.

WPLG Interviews Ft Laud Postmaster on Holiday Tips on 'Live' Broadcast

 

 

WPLG Channel 10 anchors Kristi Krueger and Louis Aguirre interviewed Fort Lauderdale Postmaster David Guiney on a live broadcast from their studio.

 

Guiney praised employees for bringing home the holidays to customers and promoted various products and services. He also shared tips to avoid a shipping glitch:

 

¯  Select a durable box to protect the contents. Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express boxes are free at local Post Offices.

¯  Do NOT reuse boxes — they weaken in the shipping process.

¯  Properly address packages. Include both “to” and “from” information and only on one side.

¯  Print addresses clearly and include all address elements, such as apartment numbers and directional information.

¯  Never guess a ZIP Code. Look up a ZIP Code at usps.com under Quick Tools. NO ZIP is better than a WRONG ZIP

¯  Place a card inside the package with delivery and return addresses. This helps postal employees deliver the item should the mailing label become damaged or fall off  the package.

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

Showing Appreciation at WPB P&DC

Acting Plant Manager, West Palm Beach Processing and Distribution Center C J Tabbot (left) took time from her busy schedule to greet each Tour 3 employee as they headed to their work unit during "Employee Appreciation Week."  Tabbot also provided snacks and asked employees to sign the "We Are #PostalProud Peak 2020" board.
 
Distribution Clerk Saji Johnson (right) joined the U.S. Postal Service eight years ago.

"The acting plant manager did an excellent job in appreciating the employees,” he said. "Her action shows that together, we are a strong team."

Photo: West Palm Beach Customer Relations Coordinator Gayle Jones

Pembroke Pines Branch is # 1

Chapel Lakes Branch Manager, Customer Services Tiffany Davis (left) presented the “Best Overall Office” trophy to Pembroke Pines Branch Acting Manager, Customer Services Jim Walker (right).

 

Offices are ranked based on performance in scanning, efficiency, budget, attendance, safety, Retail Customer Experience (RCE), and Last Mile.

Chapel Lakes Branch had been awarded the traveling trophy for its October performance.  However, the Pembroke Pines Branch achieved slightly better performance during November. 

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

More Boca Veterans Recognition

Boca Raton Postmaster Brian Coulton (second from right) recognized veterans at the West Boca Carrier Annex and thanked them for their service. From left, Supervisor, Customer Services Peter Rapone; Letter Carriers Ramon Perez, Jr. and Kirk Johnson; and Sales and Services Distribution Associate Julio Rodriguez.

'I Was Caught Working Safely ...'

Veteran Recognition

Boca Raton Postmaster Brian Coulton (above) is a veteran.

'What Safety Means to Me!'