Happy 50th Birthday, Mr. ZIP!

Happy Birthday, Mr. ZIP! You’re half a century old this month!

The Postal Service adopted the popular cartoon figure as the trademark for the Zoning Improvement Plan or ZIP Code, which began on July 1, 1963. Immediately following the implementation of the ZIP Code system, Mr. ZIP began appearing in various forms around big cities and small towns. His likeness soon was displayed everywhere, from local Post Offices to the sides of mail delivery vehicles. It was these images of Mr. ZIP that first made him into a household name and called early attention to the ZIP Code system.

Mr. ZIP was not always postal.

Harold Wilcox, son of a letter carrier and a member of the Cunningham and Walsh advertising agency, created Mr. ZIP for use in a bank-by-mail campaign by Chase Manhattan Bank. Wilcox's design was a childlike sketch of a postman delivering a letter. The figure was used only a few times, then filed away.

The American Telephone and Telegraph Company acquired the design from the Cunningham and Walsh agency and made it available to the Post Office Department without cost. Post Office Department artists retained the face but sharpened the limbs and torso and added a mail bag.

In October 1962, the new Mr. ZIP was unveiled by the Post Office Department at a convention of Postmasters. Mr. ZIP, who has no first name, appeared in many public service announcements and advertisements urging postal customers to use the five-digit ZIP Code.

With the introduction of the nine-digit ZIP Code, or ZIP+4, in 1983, Mr. ZIP went into partial retirement. Today Mr. ZIP still is used occasionally by the Postal Service.
If you like nostalgia, learn more about the exciting life of Mr. ZIP at the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum at http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/zipcodecampaign/p4.html.

Melrose Vista Reunion Honors Manager for Saving Carrier's Life

(L to R) Fort Lauderdale Postmaster Scott R. Bower, Manager, Customer Service Virginia Rhodes, retired Letter Carrier Joseph “Zeke” Ondrizer, Letter Carrier Gregg Camacho, and Letter Carrier David Randy Dixon.  Photo:  Ray Chang

Manager Jeffery A. Taylor and Fort Lauderdale Postmaster Scott R. Bower presented Melrose Vista Manager, Customer Service Virginia Rhodes with a Service Award for her life-saving efforts.

Rhodes is credited with recognizing the early warning signs of a stroke and reacting quickly to save the life of Letter Carrier Joseph Ondrizek. He said that he felt fine, but the determined Rhodes called 911 anyway. Paramedics arrived, conducted an examination, and then transported Ondrizek to the hospital. While walking to the nurses’ station, “the floor was moving under my feet, I lost my balance, and fell backwards to the floor,” recalls Ondrizek. He suffered paralysis on his left side, spent five days in the hospital and two weeks in an inpatient rehabilitation center. He now receives therapy as an outpatient.

A retired Ondrizek returned to Melrose Vista Station to be reunited with his manager and co-workers for the presentation. The District Manager emphasized the importance of “people first” vs. “ink and paper.” The Postmaster read excerpts of Ondrizek’s letter of appreciation praising his manager to the District Manager. The letter noted how much Ondrizek enjoyed being a letter carrier and the camaraderie with co-workers.

“I will be forever grateful for Virginia’s actions, and appreciate a manager of her caliber and character overseeing postal operations,” said Ondrizek.

It's 'Miller' Time at FEOY Luncheon!

Recently, the South Florida Federal Executive Board sponsored its annual “Federal Employee of the Year” luncheon/awards program.  
Jann M. Miller, Manager, Human Resources, was named a finalist in the Management category. She was described as “an invaluable and exceptional contributor on the South Florida District Leadership Team” and was recognized for “inspiring teamwork among her staff and district personnel to accomplish very challenging goals in Fiscal Year 2012.” In addition to outstanding on-the-job performance, Miller was cited for her contributions to the community --- including her role in many church functions --- and for her devotion to her family.
Safety Specialist John L. Zeigler was nominated for his service to the community. Zeigler organized several fundraising events that benefited underprivileged and/or disabled children, as well as college-bound children. He also established a network of adults who volunteered and supported various charitable organizations in South Florida.

South Florida Employees Welcome Jeffery A. Taylor as District Manager

Jeffery A. Taylor has been named District Manager, South Florida District. He had been detailed to this position since January 2013.

“I’d like to thank all of the employees who have extended a warm welcome to my family and me,” said Taylor. “I’m very happy to be part of the South Florida Postal Family.”

Prior to being detailed as Acting District Manager, South Florida District, Taylor was District Manager, Rio Grande District. During his career, he also was District Manager, Arkansas and Louisiana Districts and was detailed as Acting District Manager, Dallas and Houston, TX.

Taylor began his career as a city letter carrier in Bessemer, AL and has been promoted to positions of increasing responsibility in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington DC during his career. He served as a Delivery/Retail Analyst in Birmingham and for the Alabama District and was an Operations Program Analyst for the Southwest Area and Manager, Operations Programs Support in Oklahoma and Lancaster, PA. He also was Officer-in-Charge for Knoxville, TN and Little Rock, AR.

Taylor earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama and graduated from the U.S. Postal Service's Advanced Leadership Program and Plant Manager Development Program.

“Since coming to South Florida earlier this year, I have observed that our employees are committed to providing outstanding service to our customers each and every day,” said Taylor. “Working together as a team, we will continue to provide great service, ensuring that our customers consider the Postal Service as their first choice to meet their mailing and shipping needs.”

Coral Springs Letter Carriers are 'Making a Difference' in Community

On June 14, Coral Springs Police Officer Jeff Heinrich visited with Coral Springs letter carriers and introduced a new joint effort --- "Making a Difference" --- between the Postal Service and the Police Department. Since letter carriers are the eyes and ears of the community, they were asked to join in this new initiative.

"Carriers know their customers --- and some carriers have been on the same route providing outstanding service to their customers for years, said Rose Mesenger-Mannisto, Acting Manager, Customer Service, Coral Springs Branch.

At the presentation, the carriers were given keychains with a direct phone line to the Coral Springs Police Department. Officer Heinrich stressed that carriers were not to get involved in any activity, but to be aware and make a call, if they see suspicious individuals in the neighborhood. He added that crime has been on the rise lately, and that the Police Department has been doing everything it can to keep the community safe and secure.

NALC Branch 1071 President Mike Gill and Pompano Beach Postmaster Ed Coppola gave their 100% support to "making a difference" at the presentation. Mesenger-Mannisto says that every carrier welcomed the idea and pledged to cooperate to "making a difference" in the community.