Atlanta District Business Development Specialist Sonia Holley
“Regardless of the position we hold, we all come across potential customers for the Postal Service.” […]
Read More… from Atlanta District Business Development Specialist Sonia Holley
Mike Milligan
Posts by Mike Milligan
Steve Lopez, Holladay, UT
Holladay, UT, Letter Carrier Steve Lopez was delivering mail recently when he saw tenants being evacuated from a smoke-filled apartment building. First responders at the scene indicated everyone was accounted for, but Lopez noticed a tenant wasn’t among the evacuees. After determining it was safe to do so, he ran into the building, found her […]
Teresa Barwick, Center Hill, FL
I’m so proud USPS is helping its employees in West Virginia recover from the recent floods. I work for a great organization. […]
Canada Post update
The Postal Service continues to monitor a possible work disruption affecting Canada Post. Canada Post has announced negotiations are continuing with the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW). Last week, Canada Post issued a 72-hour lockout notice, but the agency withdrew the notice July 10. If a full strike or work stoppage occurs, the Postal Service […]
Training reminder
Reminder: The Postal Service requires employees who handle payment card information to complete a combination of courses depending on their role and system access. These courses meet the payment card industry data security standards, a set of industry requirements to help organizations protect customer data when conducting credit card transactions. Four courses must completed by […]
Executive appointments
Two Postal Service executives received new appointments last week. Gregory Crabb was named acting chief information security officer and Digital Solutions vice president. He leads the Postal Service’s efforts to strengthen the integrity of the organization’s information systems, while accelerating its digital product development. Crabb’s previous assignments include serving as the Postal Inspection Service’s inspector […]
Growing the business
Districts across the nation are competing in a challenge to educate customers and employees about USPS international products and services. Postmasters, business development specialists and district international coordinators are collaborating to show retail associates how to submit sales leads and sell more international products to maximize revenue. “[These districts] are thinking out of the box,” said […]
Ready to ship
The Postal Service’s ability to deliver for businesses is the focus of a new TV commercial narrated by PMG Megan J. Brennan. The 30-second spot highlights the shipping cycle from the time customers order merchandise until the moment USPS delivers their packages. “Americans are buying more and more of everything online — and so many […]
John Scive, Buffalo, NY
Letter carriers know the neighborhoods they serve, says Buffalo, NY, carrier John Scive. “You get to know … when something looks out of place,” he says. That instinct led Scive to act decisively when he recently saw a woman slumped over in her running car. He asked a customer to approach the car with him, […]
Handling damaged article claims
Employees must complete and submit PS Form 2856, Damage Report of Insured Parcel and Contents, for any damaged article claim. If an employee fails to properly complete and submit this form, the customer’s claim will be denied. The Accounting site’s Handling a Damaged Article at the Local Post Office section has more information. […]
Bob Morris, Orange Park, FL
“Bigger and better” was a great story. […]
Wheaton, MD, Letter Carrier Robert Lewis
“This award is a great accomplishment. I credit the defensive driving training I’ve received for my accident-free career.” […]
Postal Bulletin
Just in time for the summer vacation season, the Postal Bulletin’s latest issue features a primer on passports and tips for traveling overseas. The cover story includes an explanation of the differences between passport books and cards. The article also advises customers to apply for the documents as early as possible at Post Offices. Additionally, […]
Hit parade
Growing up in Philadelphia, Denny Palandro was fascinated by the city’s Mummers Parade, an annual festival in which musicians and other performers don bright costumes and march along Broad Street. Palandro — a Philadelphia District field account representative — is now a regular participant in the parade as captain of the South Philly String Band. […]
On the waterfront
Mark Lipscomb has one of the Postal Service’s most unusual routes: He delivers mail to 180 homes along a 31-mile stretch — by boat. Magnolia Springs, AL — where Lipscomb is a highway contract route carrier — is one of the few towns with year-round boat delivery. Residents have mailboxes at the end of their piers […]
VIP visit
Three Postal Service employees recently helped President Obama commemorate the National Park Service’s 100th anniversary. The president visited Yosemite National Park in California, where the audience included Yosemite Postmaster John Reynolds, Hilmar Postmaster Donna Geary and Sacramento Customer Relations Coordinator Candi Cheathon. All three employees work in the Golden State. “Shaking hands with President Obama […]
Carol Banker, Brownville Junction, ME
Brownville Junction, ME, Retail Associate Carol Banker sensed something was wrong recently as she observed a customer pack a Priority Mail Express envelope with a large amount of cash. After talking to her, Banker suspected the woman was being scammed. Banker contacted postal inspectors, who intervened and returned cash totaling around $4,000 to the woman’s […]
Locking computer screens
Before you step away from your workstation, lock your computer screen by pressing the “L” and Windows logo keys simultaneously. You can unlock the computer by pressing “Ctrl,” “Alt” and “Delete” simultaneously. The CyberSafe at USPS site has more information. […]
Bobbie Bertholf, Bakersfield, CA
“Lifesaver” was a wonderful story about a human caring about another human being. If we could all show such empathy, the planet would be a much better place to live. Kudos to you. […]
Great Lakes Area VP Jacqueline Krage Strako
“We anticipate that Post Offices across Indiana will greet many customers who are thrilled at the opportunity to affix a piece of their state’s history to the upper right corner of every piece of their mail.” […]
Take note
Many professionals rely on networking to advance their careers, but networking doesn’t always happen face-to-face. You can also build successful business relationships through the mail. Max Leibman, an imaging supervisor in the Midwest, tries to write 5-6 thank-you notes per week. The practice started as a way to express gratitude, but it has turned into […]
Bigger and better
Customers can now purchase bigger mailboxes that accommodate larger packages delivered by USPS. The curbside boxes are available from online retailers. The usps.com mailbox page has ordering information. The bigger boxes are part of the Postal Service’s efforts to grow its package delivery business amid changes to the mail mix. USPS also wants to reduce […]
Mail drop
Early airmail pilots faced treacherous and deadly conditions to deliver the mail, the Atlas Obscura news site noted last week. When the first airmail pilots took to the skies in 1918, they became pioneers of today’s aviation industry. Storms, fog and snow threatened airmail pilots who flew planes from open cockpits without lighting to guide […]
Contingency plans
The Postal Service is monitoring a possible strike or work stoppage affecting Canada Post. Canada Post performs delivery in Canada of U.S. shipments of First-Class Mail International service, First-Class Package International Service, International Priority Airmail service, International Surface Air Lift service, Priority Mail International service, and Priority Mail Express International service. If a full strike […]
John Loch, Wilkes-Barre, PA
“Mailbox champ” was a great story. It showed the true compassion of Muhammad Ali. […]
Dennis Poer, Corpus Christi, TX
A stolen package was recovered recently and the suspects were apprehended, thanks to sharp-eyed Corpus Christi, TX, Letter Carrier Dennis Poer. Poer contacted police after he noticed someone walking through a neighborhood carrying a large parcel that he had left on a customer’s porch earlier in the day. After closely observing the suspect and an […]
Chesapeake, VA, Postmaster Richard Green
“I am not the most important person in the Chesapeake Post Office — that would be the employees. We’re committed to providing quality service and delivering safely each and every day.” […]
Telephone courtesy
Answer the phone within three rings, offer a friendly greeting, provide assistance and always end calls by thanking customers for using the Postal Service. Remember to keep necessary reference material close to the phone to better serve customers. […]
Fast money
The Postal Service is processing customers’ bill payments faster than it did a year ago, new research shows. Employees have reduced the amount of time it takes to process this type of mail — also known as “remittance mail” — by approximately 2.6 hours. Remittance mail is the largest segment of First-Class Mail and also […]
Coming up aces
Tony Strangeland took a risk a few years ago when he gave up a career as a blackjack dealer to join the Postal Service. The gamble paid off. “I love it. It’s fun for me,” Stangeland, a retail associate in Albert Lea, MN, told the Tribune newspaper this week. As a blackjack dealer and casino […]