September 13, 2021 | News & Press Releases
Caption: Ben Huff (center) with Ginny Ward, Hy-Vee district vice president, and Dan Fuller, Papillion store director.
PAPILLION, Neb. (Sept. 13, 2021) — Customers at the Shadow Lake Hy-Vee in Papillion know just who to turn to when they need help. They’ll find the helpful smile and exemplary customer service Hy-Vee is known for in Ben Huff.
Ben, the charcuterie manager, is always working to be a helpful smile and provide great service to his customers. He always goes above and beyond when making charcuterie trays or helping customers pick out the right products. That’s why fellow employees, family members, customers and Hy-Vee executives gathered at the Shadow Lake Hy-Vee yesterday to surprise Ben 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.
“Ben is an expert in his department, making him an integral employee in the store when it comes to customer events,” wrote Ginny Ward, district vice president. “He loves to teach others about charcuterie and taking their events to the next level with our products. He also ensures his team is up to date on current trends and information and takes part in training all new hires. Employees have applied to work in the Deli department entirely because of the care and fun Ben cultivates in his department.”
Ben has a sense of pride and passion for his work and he loves sharing that with other employees in his department and customers. Ben often helps create items for special events, and his skill and knowledge can help make customer events even better. When he’s not busy in his own department, Ben can also be found helping on the front end to ensure customers have a great experience in every part of the store.
“Ben knows many customers by name and asks them about something from a previous conversation to make sure they know they weren’t forgotten,” wrote Kerry Deters, customer experience director. “A few customers come in and swap recipes with Ben. Some even have special requests of items for a new recipe and he always makes sure to get the product in, whether it is in his department or not.”
“Ben really leads by example not only in his department but in the whole store. Ben makes sure to talk to everyone no matter how busy he is,” wrote Amanda Walker, human resources manager, “This has really motivated some of his shyer teammates to come out of their shell and follow suit. Ben remembers customers and treats them like family and involves the rest of the deli so they do the same and that the service is just as good when he has a day off.”
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 Ben 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.
“Ben is an outstanding example of the Hy-Vee fundamentals and truly going above and beyond for a customer,” Edeker said. “This award was created to honor the best of the best in our Hy-Vee family and Ben is certainly deserving of this award.”
Ben 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.
###
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.