Hy-Vee's Chariton Distribution Center Employee Earns Company's Highest Honor
August 27, 2018 | News & Press Releases
CHARITON, Iowa (Aug. 27, 2018) — There’s been a quiet hero working for more than 40 years inside the Print Shop at Hy-Vee’s Chariton Distribution Center. Mary Jackson has logged nearly a million print orders, called thousands of employees at Hy-Vee stores, and told hundreds of coworkers to “have a super, sparkly day!” Because of her dedication to serving her customers – the Hy-Vee stores – and her willingness to handle any needs that come to the Print Shop, Jackson has been named a “hero” of customer service at Hy-Vee.
Today, fellow employees, family members and Hy-Vee executives gathered at the Hy-Vee Distribution Center in Chariton to surprise Jackson with the company’s Legendary Customer Service Award. The award recognizes exemplary achievement in providing service that exceeds expectations. Only nine winners are selected each year from among more than 80,000 Hy-Vee employees across eight states.
Candidates are nominated for the Legendary Customer Service Award by their co-workers, and winners are selected by a panel of Hy-Vee’s top officers. Nominations are evaluated on the employee’s overall contributions to the company in nine areas: passion for customer service, attitude, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving skills, dedication to Hy-Vee fundamentals, communication skills, professional image and self-confidence.
Jackson’s colleagues cited again and again the ways she goes above and beyond to serve her customers at the Hy-Vee stores.
“Over and over again I have spoken to store directors and department heads who say things like, ‘I want to meet Mary Jackson!’”, Andy Kane, Hy-Vee’s director of graphic production, said. “Store employees tell me that she always calls to verify that their orders have arrived and that they’ve gotten what they need. People notice that she takes the time to do that, and they truly appreciate it.”
“No request is too large or too small for Mary to handle,” her print shop colleague Angi Garton said. “She handles all the emails and phone calls for the shop, and she can tell you the form number of nearly anything in the shop. She does all that from memory. She will search for whatever printed materials that stores request and make sure they get what they need to be successful.”
Hy-Vee’s Chairman, CEO and President Randy Edeker said Jackson demonstrates exactly the type of commitment to customers that Hy-Vee leaders had in mind when the Legendary Customer Service Award was established in 2006.
“Mary lives out the things Hy-Vee stands for in everything she does — helpful, honest and respectful service to our customers. Over and over, nominators called out her dedication to the community and the people who live in it and how it shows in her hard work,” Edeker said. “This award honors the best of the best from among our Hy-Vee family, and Mary is most deserving of this recognition.”
Jackson and the other 2018 recipients of the Legendary Customer Service Award will be inducted into Hy-Vee’s Customer Service Hall of Fame and receive a coveted Legendary Customer Service name badge and a custom-designed ring to commemorate the honor. They will be guests of honor at the Hy-Vee service award dinner in October, which honors employees for longevity of service. They will also be recognized at Hy-Vee’s annual stockholders’ meeting in December. And finally, their photos will be prominently featured on the side of Hy-Vee trucks, showcasing their helpful smiles to millions of travelers across the Midwest.
Attached is a photo of recipient Mary Jackson (center) with from left to right: Matt Beenblossom, vice president of distribution at Chariton; Mary’s husband Roger Jackson; Andy Kane, director of graphic production; and Matt Nannen, senior vice president of digital development/brand and image marketing.
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About Hy-Vee, Inc.
Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 245 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.