Friday, August 22, 2014

Congratulations to Our Graduates

South Florida District Manager Jeffery A. Taylor is pleased to present  the first graduating class of the New Supervisor Program:  Wendy Carlisle, Key West Post Office; Sandra Fiedler, Georgia Parsons, Fort Pierce Post Office; David Samarel, Boca Main Office; and Dianne Scott, Port St. Lucie Main Office.  

These dedicated employees completed 52 weeks of training --- in addition to maintaining a daily work routine.  At their graduation ceremony, Taylor praised their commitment to the Postal Service and its future. 

“Your graduation from this program is the biggest step that starts everything in your career,” said Taylor. “The Postal Service gave you the opportunity, but you’re the one who did it.  Be proud of yourself.”

Special thanks to Manager, Learning Development and Diversity Damaris Agrait and Human Resources Specialist Edith Naar who tracked each student’s progress in completing 139 online courses totaling 225 training hours (including hands-on experience in the workplace).  Graduates also would like to thank their mentors: Port St. Lucie Supervisor, Customer Services Angie Alvarez (Scott); Manager, Post Office Operations Joseph Croce (Carlisle); Boca Raton Supervisor, Customer Services Brian Cronin (Samarel); Stuart Postmaster Joel Ouellette (Parsons); and Clewiston Postmaster Ruth Nall (Fielder).

The second class in the New Supervisor Program is in its fourth month and is scheduled to graduate in March 2015.  Students include Tina Blount, Palms Central Annex; Carlisa Branon, Margate Branch; Victor Collado, Flagler Station; Deborah Dhue, Inverrary Branch, Pedro Gonzalez, Deerfield Beach Annex; Steve Maiorino, Haverhill Branch; Esteban Martinez,  Tamarac Branch; Elizabeth Muniz, Coral Springs Branch; John Neal, Flamingo Station; Neil Ricketts, Coconut Creek Postal Store; and Elouise Robinson-Holiday, Opa-Locka Main Office.

West Palm Beach Plant Employees Celebrate Career Milestones

45 Years
Earl Rolle

40 Years
Larry Martin

35 Years
Thomas Quince
Nenita Villa-Sanchez

30 Years
Renee Brown
Kim Cavanaugh
Shirley Delyons
Mark Hersh
Michael Macy
Susan Morris
Samuel Powers
Anthony Santarsiero
Michel Senart

25 Years
George Andrews
Jeffrey Bach
Douglas Cambria
Lisa Candido
Richard Cecere
Cynthia Clements
Thomas Costello
Calvin Falana
Sabina Gibson
Robert Graf
Brian Hanley
Johnnie Hannah
Judy Hope
Maria Kenan
Frances Lovett
Dean Luizza
Kenneth Maglocco
Lynnona Moore
Jesus Pompa
Keiran Rayman
Douglas Roberts
Juanita Rodriguez
Cynthia Rogers
Rhoda Rolle-Saunders
Donald Routier
David Salinas
Michael Sutton
Thomas Szatkowski
Carmen Thames
Jacob Thomas
Viju Thomas
Abraham Vadakara



New Faces, New Places

There’s a new face at the South Florida Logistics and Distribution Center in Opa-Locka, FL.  Linda Gray has been appointed Plant Manager.  In her new position, Gray is responsible for overseeing operations where 793 employees process over 402 million pieces of mail annually. 

Gray began her career as a Multi-Position Letter Sorting Machine (MPLSM) Operator in Tampa, FL, in 1985.  She then was promoted to Supervisor of Mails; Manager, Distribution Operations; and Manager, Processing and Distribution Facility.  In 2006, Gray served as Manager, Airport Mail Center, Atlanta, GA.  She also was Postmaster, Stockbridge, GA, and Manager, Customer Services, Bradenton, FL.  In 2012, she was named Manager, Marketing, Houston, TX, District.

Gray earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management at Florida State University and a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management from Troy State University.  She is a graduate of the Postal Service’s Advanced Leadership Program (ALP) and is a certified Lean Six Sigma (LSS) green belt.

Additional executive and managerial changes to the South Florida leadership are as follows:

Senior Plant Manager Susan Aronson is detailed as District Manager, Gulf Atlantic District.  Rufus Graham, Plant Manager, West Palm Beach Plant, has assumed the role of Senior Plant Manager.

Fort Lauderdale, FL, Postmaster Scott Bower is Acting Plant Manager, West Palm Beach Plant. Baton Rouge, LA, Postmaster Sarah Augustine is Officer In Charge, Fort Lauderdale.

Joseph Croce, Manager, Post Office Operations, is Acting Manager, Operations Programs Support while Janice Atherly is on extended leave.  Delray Beach, FL, Postmaster Phyllis Reed is detailed to Manager, Post Office Operations.

Southern Area Labor Relations Specialist Beverly Demery joined the South Florida District until Manager, Human Resources Jann Miller returned from an extended absence.

Tavernier Passport Fairs a Success

The South Florida District is scheduling several Passport Fairs on Saturdays --- without requiring an appointment--for the convenience of its customers. The Tavernier Post Office hosted two fairs--the first one with 95 applications and the second with 82 applications--totaling $12,000 in revenue.

“As always, Retail Associates Joel Alles, Rollo Casiple and Beth Fanelli provided outstanding service to their customers,” said Tavernier Postmaster Eduardo Suarez. “The Passport Fairs were awesome!” Customers were so grateful to have an opportunity to apply for a passport on Saturday.”

Oakland Park Kudos

Oakland Park, FL, Branch Manager, Customer Services Joe Marrone recognized several employees with Special Achievement Awards:
Alfonso Bernard
Timothy Cain
Daniel Demonica
Sophia Ellison
Annette Gibbs
Adolf Letterboom
Robert Palka
Jeremiah Ritchie
Tivisay Rivero
Adrian Suarez
Glenda Thompson
Lawrence Tucci
Lynn Virga

Carolyn Wilson

Hats Off to Gold Star Recipients

Manager, Post Office Operations (334/349) Robert Weiser congratulations the following employees who achieved a 100% score on the Retail Customer Experience (RCE):

BELLE GLADE
Belle Glade PO
Fabiola Beniot

BOCA RATON
Boca West Postal Store
Luis Andrade

Downtown Station
Tommy Jackson
Sarah Matchet

Palmetto Park Store
Grace Vazquez

Rio Postal Store
Marilyn Kerswill
Joyce Sarkisian

Woodlands Station
Kimberly Pishko

BOYNTON BEACH
Downtown Station
Linnie O’Brien

Jog Road Branch
Horst Ter

CLEWISTON
Clewiston PO
Donna Sapp

DELRAY BEACH
Delray West Postal Store
Georges Beausejour
George Grosheim

Main Office
Jason Goodman
Luis Hernandez

FORT PIERCE
Main Office
Lloyd Anthony
Shannan Minnis

Orange Ave Station
Crystal Garrett
Janet Newkirk 

HOBE SOUND
Hobe Sound PO
Rick Shaw
Christine Storey
Joan Yoson – Weber

JUPITER
Tequesta Branch 
Delores Morton

OKEECHOBEE
Okeechobee PO
Denise Vickers

PALM BEACH  
Worth Ave PO
Joni Sapp

PORT SALERNO
Port Salerno PO
Mellisa Potawsky

STUART  
Main Office
Benjamin Otero
Rita Vandenboom

The following West Palm Beach Retail Associates who received Gold Star Awards
for 100% scores on Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transactions:

Downtown Station
Marian Milton

Haverhill Branch
Mary Alice Pinner

Lake Park Station
Velitra Murray

Main Office
Christine Glover

North Palm Beach Station
Cathy Mitchell

Riviera Beach Branch
Bernice Branch

Royal Palm Beach Station
Raven Guest

Wellington Station
Cathy Barulic

Recently, these Fort Lauderdale Retail Associates earned 100% scores on Retail Customer Experience (RCE) transactions:

Alridge Station
Pamela Jenkins 

Causeway Postal Store
Francisco De Ona

Inverrary Branch
Noel Perez

Sawgrass Postal Store
Bridget Weiner

Southside Station
Linda Prince

Sunrise Branch
Michael Brand

Weston Branch
Vernadette Humphery

Westside Branch
Safina Ramjit

Monday, August 18, 2014













Pompano Salutes Million Milers

L to R:  Atlantic Branch Manager Customer Services Andrew Perlmutter, Letter Carriers Curtis Glassman, Margrate Vriesenga, and Michael Caparco, and Pompano Beach Postmaster Ed Coppola
                                                                                       
Manager, Customer Services Andrew Perlmutter and Pompano Beach Postmaster Ed Coppola recognized Atlantic Branch Letter Carriers Michael Caparco, Curtis Glassman, Margrate Vriesenga and Richard Presser (not pictured) with National Safety Council Million Mile Safe Driving Awards for driving more than one million miles without any preventable accidents.  They also thanked employees for their hard work and commitment to safety. “I want all my employees to make it home to their families at the end of each day,” said Coppola.


L to R:  Pompano Beach Postmaster Ed Coppola, Tropical Reef Station Letter Carriers Thomas Bronico, Horace Smith, Joseph Nall Jr, and Manager, Customer Services Frank Mariano.

Manager, Customer Services Frank Mariano recognized Tropical Reef Station Letter Carriers Thomas Bronico, Katherine Cooper (not pictured), Joseph Nall, Jr. and Horace Smith with National Safety Council Million Mile Safe Driving Awards for driving more than one million miles without any preventable accidents.  Pompano Beach Postmaster Ed Coppola also presented and said, “Driving in South Florida is a great challenge, and I am very happy to be able to present these awards today.” 

Drew Barrymore Loves 'Heart' Mail

Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore’s Instagram post, which shows her placing letters into a collection box.
Actress Drew Barrymore recently took to Instagram to express her love for mail.
Barrymore posted a picture of herself placing letters into a USPS blue collection box, captioning it, “#iheartmail I love stamps! I love writing to someone! I love receiving a letter! I love the old fashioned world of ink! Snail mail never go away!”
The post has received more than 63,000 “likes,” along with almost 1,400 comments from other Instagram users.
One wrote, “I love getting letters and notes and cards in the mail too; nothing like getting a card of letter from someone. Really brightens my day.” Another wrote, “Couldn’t agree with you more Drew. Nothing takes the place of a handwritten letter!”

(Thanks to Miami ISC Schemes and Schedule Clerk Lucille Roberson for sharing above info.)

Opa-Locka Postmaster Seeks Applicants for Carol City Detail

Are you looking to broaden your horizons in the Customer Services functional area? If so, consider a detail (not to exceed two years) as Manager, Customer Services, EAS-21, at the Carol City Branch located at 18690 NW 37 Avenue in Miami Gardens, FL. Work hours will  be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with Saturday and Sunday as non-scheduled days. All qualified EAS career employees within the district area will be considered. 
The successful candidate will manage the activities of a large detached mails unit operation, on three tours, in the receipt and distribution of mails normally in an area broader than that associated with a station or branch; provides window services and/or mail delivery and collection. Requirements include:

1.   Knowledge of postal operations related to delivery and collection; caller service; and mail processing, including distribution, dispatch, and transportation.
2.   Knowledge of the national agreements with clerks, carriers, and mail handlers, including provisions related to overtime, corrective action, and grievance resolution.
3.   Knowledge of policies and procedures related to the investigation and handling of vehicle and industrial accidents.
4.   Knowledge of route inspections, route adjustments, and the Delivery Service Information System (DSIS).
5.   Knowledge of service standards and service objectives.
6.   Ability to prepare and manage a budget, including controlling costs within budget allocations.
7.   Ability to manage the work of people, including planning, scheduling, coordinating, and monitoring, to meet organizational goals.
8.   Ability to communicate orally and in writing in order to train and give guidance to employees, resolve grievances, investigate customer complaints, and give information and technical guidance to major mailers.
9.   Ability to forecast mail volume and work force and equipment needs.
10.  Ability to analyze data in order to evaluate performance and identify deficiencies.

Employees interested must submit their eCareer profile, along with a summary of accomplishments addressing the requirements stated on this posting.  All applications must be sent via the mail to Postmaster, Opa-Locka, 550 Fisherman ST, Opa-Locka, FL 33054-9998Applications must be received by COB, Friday, August 22.

Recognizing Korean War Medal of Honor Recipients

The U.S. Postal Service has dedicated the Korean War Medal of Honor Forever stamps — paying tribute to 145 American veterans who received the nation’s highest military honor for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty during the Korean War.
The dedication took place at the Arlington National Cemetery’s Amphitheater where one of the living Korean War recipients, Thomas Jerome Hudner Jr. of Concord, MA, and family members of other recipients depicted on the stamp sheet participated in the ceremony.
“Today we are here, in this peaceful setting, to remember a war and those who fought it so valiantly,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe in dedicating the stamps. “It’s very fitting that we are gathered at the place where 25 Korean War Medal of Honor recipients are laid to rest. With these stamps we salute them and all Medal of Honor recipients, who so bravely fought for our nation.
“As a participant in the Korean War, I’m pleased with the Postal Service’s recognition of the sacrifices made in a vicious war fought under brutal conditions,” said Hudner. “By defeating the North Korean and Chinese forces, our veterans of that war ensured that South Korea would remain free and served as a warning to other nations that we will not stand idly by while a friendly nation is being attacked.”

Also joining Donahoe in the dedication were the President of the Korean War Veterans Association Larry Kinard; Republic of Korea Vice Minister for the Ministry of Patriot and Veterans Affairs, Choi Wan Keun; and Representative of National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jung Hoon.

Celebrating Farmers Markets

The U.S. Postal Service has issued four colorful stamps saluting America’s farmers markets during a First-Day-Of-Issue ceremony held at the FRESHFARM Market by the White House.
“For years the Postal Service has celebrated — through the power of stamps — America’s agricultural abundance,” said Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe. “Postage stamps have depicted fruit, flowers, corn and a bread wagon. Today, we’re celebrating farmers markets, which are a popular and communal pastime for many Americans, with the issuance of these four beautiful stamps.”
The new limited-edition Farmers Markets Forever stamps depict a table laden with products found at a typical farmers market. The stamp on the far left shows various baked goods, artisan cheeses and eggs. The produce on the second stamp includes vegetables and fruits. Cut flowers adorn the third stamp. The stamp on the far right features live plants. Most items bear handwritten labels that identify the product and its price. Art director Greg Breeding of Charlottesville, VA, designed the stamps, which were illustrated by Robin Moline of Lakeland, MN.

Taking a Little Piece of Our Heart

The U.S. Postal Service has added legendary singer Janis Joplin to its Music Icons Forever Stamp series during a First-Day-Of-Issue ceremony at the Outside Lands Music Festival at Golden Gate Park.
The Janis Joplin Forever Stamp is the fifth in the Postal Service’s Music Icons series. Through the power of stamps, Joplin joins a list of celebrated artists so honored: Lydia Mendoza, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Jimi Hendrix.
The original black and white photograph is rendered in shades of blue, with Joplin’s trademark round sunglasses tinted a dark shade of pink. The words “Janis Joplin,” along with the “Forever” denomination and “USA” appear in psychedelic-style script reminiscent of the 1960s, in shades of gold, orange, and pink. Small blue stars pop out from the stamp’s dark blue background.
The stamp pane evokes the appearance of a vintage 45 rpm record sleeve. One side of the pane includes the stamps and the image of a sliver of a record visible at the top. A photograph taken by noted photographer, creative director and designer Bruce Steinberg of Queens, NY, in May 1968 at the First International San Jose Pop Festival, and the logo for the Music Icons series appear on the reverse side, along with the words “Janis Joplin Blues, Rock, Country, Soul, Folk.”