September 1, 2021 | News & Press Releases
Steve Flagg (center) with Lincoln Center Hy-Vee District Store Director JJ Hesnard (left) and Hy-Vee District Vice President, Ames District, John Griesenbrock (right).
AMES, Iowa (Sept. 1, 2021) — For the last 90 years, Hy-Vee has been known for providing “a helpful smile in every aisle” – and no one lives that out more than Steve Flagg, the Aisles Online assistant manager at the Lincoln Center Hy-Vee in Ames.
Customers ask his colleagues, “Is he always smiling?” and “Where does he get all that energy?” That’s how much Steve’s leadership and enthusiasm for serving his customers affects everything he does at his store. He makes sure his department is always providing above and beyond service, and that he’s encouraging younger employees to live up to that standard. That’s why fellow employees, family members, customers and Hy-Vee executives gathered at the Lincoln Center Hy-Vee yesterday to surprise Steve with the Legendary Customer Service Award. The award recognizes exemplary achievement in providing service that exceeds customers’ expectations. Only 11 winners were selected from among more than 86,000 Hy-Vee employees across eight states.
“Steve represents Hy-Vee in a phenomenal way,” wrote John Griesenbrock, Hy-Vee’s district vice president for the Ames District. “He spends his Wednesdays taking store calls from the elderly customers who do not use technology for their Aisles Online orders. There was an elderly woman who was housebound during the pandemic due to a number of health concerns and the store hadn’t heard from her, so the team reached out to make sure everything was okay. Steve then worked with this customer to make sure all her health concerns and dietary restrictions were addressed in her order. This customer expressed to management how much her chats with Steve meant to her, especially for someone who is homebound. There have been multiple letters written from customers to the store expressing their appreciation for Steve’s help. This far-reaching effect that Steve has in the store and community is unmatched.”
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.
Hy-Vee’s Chairman, CEO and President Randy Edeker said Steve demonstrates exactly the type of caring commitment to others that Hy-Vee leaders had in mind when the Legendary Customer Service Awards were established in 2006.
“Steve represents the dedication and service that Hy-Vee stands for in everything he does, providing a helpful smile and incredible customer service every day. His nominators gave example after example of the ways Steve serves his customers and leads those who work alongside him to do the same,” Edeker said. “This award honors the best of the best in our Hy-Vee family, and Steve is certainly deserving of this award.”
Steve and the other 2021 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. Recipients will also receive a crystal trophy and a free trip of their choice.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 280 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $11 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 86,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.