Marsha Shoemaker, Tampa, FL
The Johnny Cash song featured in the Postal Service’s latest TV campaign, “We Go Everywhere,” is catchy. […]
Katie Howard
Posts by Katie Howard
Feeling overwhelmed?
Sometimes the news can be saddening, maddening or overwhelming. Stories about war, the continued threat of COVID-19 and other negative events may wear down the spirit. The Postal Service wants to remind all employees, especially those who have been affected directly or indirectly by recent events, that the Employee Assistance Program is there to help […]
Climbing the ranks
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the Postal Service leadership ranks: • Krista L. Becker was named mailing services director. She previously served as new solutions manager. • Thomas O. Billington III was named Texas 3 District manager. He previously served as Florida 1 District manager. • Michael Di Pippa was named the […]
Clearing hurdles
Title IX, a set of four stamps celebrating the 50th anniversary of the civil rights law prohibiting sex discrimination in educational entities receiving federal funds, was dedicated March 3 in Washington, DC. Amber McReynolds, a member of the Postal Service Board of Governors, spoke at the event, which was held at the U.S. Department of […]
A ladder matter
Letter Carrier Rebecca Granberg was recently delivering mail in a Darlington, WI, neighborhood when she heard a customer screaming for help. Granberg rushed to aid the woman, who had fallen off a ladder in her home and injured herself. The Postal Service employee immediately called 911 and comforted the customer until emergency responders arrived. The […]
Martha Carson, Guysville, OH
The “Heroes’ Corner” column about Rural Carrier Kaci Hough — who rescued an elderly Raleigh, MS, customer from a swarm of hornets — was amazing. It certainly shows Postal Service employees can meet many challenges. […]
Nothing personal
The Postal Service is reminding employees that transparency and sharing information with the public is not only a hallmark of good government, it’s often required by law. If you are working on a response to a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or other request for information, keep in mind: • Individuals often have a right, […]
Retail players
The Postal Service is spotlighting the efforts of retail associates during Clerks Care Week, which is March 5-11. The Clerks Care program allows retail associates, call center agents, and machine and distribution clerks to pass on sales tips. Clerks Care has brought in more than $1.4 billion since it began in 2013. It was the […]
Con jobs
In observance of National Consumer Protection Week (March 6-12), the Postal Inspection Service is focusing on an age-old scam with a pandemic-era twist: the work-at-home scheme. Many reputable companies allow employees to work from home, of course, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. But the adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it usually […]
An unexpected journey
A Saturday afternoon bicycle ride recently took a dangerous turn for an older customer in Ballwin, MO: The man suffered a heart attack and called 911 before collapsing alongside a road. Fortunately, Letter Carrier Eric Myers was driving home from work at the time and spotted him. Myers, a military veteran with lifesaving training, immediately […]
Colorectal cancer
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time to learn about a disease that affects the colon or rectum. Nearly all colorectal cancers begin as precancerous polyps — abnormal growths — in the colon or rectum. Polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. According to the Centers for Disease Control and […]
High achievers
Here’s a look at Postal Service employees who received appointments or recognition recently: • Angela L. Bye was named Sacramento, CA, postmaster. She previously served as Colorado-Wyoming District’s operations integration manager. • Stan M. Franke was named Central Area’s customer relations director. He previously served as Wisconsin District’s customer relations manager. • Jewel Morrow, the […]
Bonnett’s on it
Rural Carrier Yolanda Bonnett was delivering mail on a summer day in a Martinez, CA, neighborhood when she noticed suspicious activity. Bonnett alerted a resident, who called 911. Responding officers found an incoherent man behind the resident’s home and took him into custody to receive a medical evaluation. “The neighbors around this area are very […]
Right number
A lead from a secretary in the California 3 District office in Santa Clarita has resulted in a deal worth $69,000 for the Postal Service. Thi Han doesn’t have daily interactions with customers, but when a caller with questions about advertising with USPS rang her extension by mistake, she didn’t let the opportunity to help […]
A sustainable future
The Postal Service has released a statement underscoring its commitment to environmental responsibility and stewardship. The Commitment to Environmental Excellence, signed by Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, provides a framework for understanding the organization’s sustainability goals. The document states that the Postal Service is committed to making sustainability a priority at all levels of decision-making and […]
Leading by example
Regina Bugbee and Thomas Hutchinson took top honors in the National Engagement Leader of the Year Awards. Bugbee is Maine-New Hampshire-Vermont District manager. Hutchinson is a business intelligence manager for the chief customer and marketing officer at USPS headquarters in Washington, DC. “Regina and Thomas truly lead by example,” said Jeryl Wilson, diversity, equity and […]
Stacey’s grace
Rural Carrier Stacey Dolan was delivering mail on an icy day last year in Litchfield, CT, when she came upon two customers in a moment of crisis outside their home. One had slipped and fallen and couldn’t get up, and the other was unable to assist. Dolan rushed to their aid and safely helped the […]
Martha Carson, Guysville, OH
“Beloved botanical” — the article about why people mail love letters to the Bridegroom’s Oak tree in Germany — was marvelous. I especially enjoyed learning that a letter carrier found his true love because of the tree. […]
USPS Connect
The Postal Service has launched USPS Connect, a set of four delivery solutions that leverages ongoing network improvements, new equipment, new pricing and enhanced operational precision to meet evolving business needs. “USPS Connect provides businesses of all sizes what they have been asking for — an affordable way to meet consumer demand for fast delivery,” […]
Election Mail support
The Postal Service recently updated usps.com’s Election Mail section to ensure that voters and election officials have the information needed to successfully use the U.S. Mail to participate in the electoral process. The section, located at usps.com/votinginfo, now includes links to Kit 600, 2022 Official Election Mail Kit, as well as new versions of Publication […]
Rising to the top
Here’s a look at Postal Service employees who received appointments or recognition recently: • Elke Reuning-Elliott, Product Management mailing services director, retired Jan. 31 after 22 years with USPS. • Daniel M. Reyes III was named Oklahoma City postmaster. He previously served as El Paso, TX, postmaster. • Corey D. Richards was named South Carolina […]
Jessika Payton, Lexington, KY
“Delivering a dream” — the story about how young cancer survivor Jacob Hayward became an honorary letter carrier — hit close to home for me. In 1998, at the age of 4, I was diagnosed with Wilms tumor. I’ve been in remission for 23 years, and I’ve been a USPS employee for almost two. I’m […]
Green giants
The Postal Service is seeking nominations for its annual USPS Sustainability Excellence Awards, which recognize functions, areas, districts, facilities and teams that contribute to a sustainable workplace. Reducing greenhouse gases, conserving energy and other sustainability initiatives are important parts of Delivering for America, the organization’s 10-year plan to achieve financial sustainability. “The Postal Service delivers to every […]
Need help?
The Postal Service is making it easier to get help from the USPS Purchasing Shared Services Center (PSSC). The USPS Purchasing Shared Services Center Support Blue page has a live chat option that connects users directly with PSSC support specialists who can answer purchasing-related questions. The site — which features a self-service knowledge base with […]
Customer savings
A Texas letter carrier’s sales lead has resulted in a shipping deal worth more than $75,000 for the Postal Service. Kijuaun Weatherspoon, who works at the Plano Main Post Office, talked with a business customer who was interested in a cost-saving way to ship their products. She submitted a lead through Customer Connect, a joint […]
Defending communities
The Postal Inspection Service is playing a crucial role in the fight against the flow of illegal drugs during the opioid epidemic. The crisis started with prescription painkillers but is increasingly driven by illicitly trafficked synthetic opioids, like fentanyl, that are sold through online marketplaces and shipped through the mail and express consignment carriers. During […]
Robert Cohen, Jamaica, NY
Thanks for the uplifting story about young Jacob Hayward surviving cancer. God bless Van Singletary and the crew at Laguna Niguel, CA, Post Office for helping Jacob realize his dream of touring a postal facility. I will share this article with postal pride. […]
A losing proposition
Retail Associate Stacy Jorgensen was recently on duty in Spencerville, OH, when she grew concerned about an older customer who purchased a $600 money order and mailed it via Priority Mail Express. Having been alerted to a similar transaction by the same man earlier in the week, Jorgensen intercepted the envelope and called the Inspection […]
Going nationwide
The Postal Service is helping employees get ready for the nationwide launch of USPS Connect, beginning Feb. 22. USPS Connect, the organization’s new approach to commercial package delivery, features a wider range of offerings, new pricing and a reconfigured network designed to increase the number of next-day deliveries for business customers. The USPS Connect offerings […]
New gigs
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the Postal Service leadership ranks: • Bonifer R. Bartolome, the Santa Clarita, CA, Processing and Distribution Center’s distribution operations manager, was named the San Bernardino, CA, Processing and Distribution Center’s acting plant manager. • Las Vegas Postmaster John P. McLucas was named acting Retail and Delivery Operations […]