A message from the District Manager...

A message from the District Manager... 

 Unless you never read a newspaper or newsfeed on your phone, watch the morning or evening newscasts or are a nonuser of social media, you heard about the incident with a recent flight that was overbooked and their customer that was removed from the plane.  I think if the airline flight crew, the airport security staff and maybe even the customer, had it to do over again, they all might have done something differently.

 

We all make mistakes, some are big, some are small, and some are caught on video.  And as we all know, cameras are prolific in this day and age.  The video footage of the incident on the overbooked flight is what turned a bad situation into a nightmare.  A nightmare, which has the ability to have a long-lasting effect on the airline. 

 

This week, we sent out a stand-up talk entitled, “Don’t take the bait.”  I’m also including it in this edition of Dallas Proud.  It provides information about what to do when a customer wants to video an interaction with you.

Of course, many times, we receive video that is taken by surveillance cameras, where the employee is unaware that they are being filmed.

The bottom line is, we all make up the Postal Service and we all are a part of the U. S. P. S. brand.  Every transaction at the retail window and every mail delivery have the possibility of being filmed.  So we all have to ask ourselves, am I performing my job in a way that would represent me, the Postal Service and our brand in a positive light? 

The people affected by the story regarding the airline, don’t have the chance to do something differently.  But we can use the experience as a lesson and perform our jobs daily as if we’re being filmed for the nightly news.  I think the result would be Dallas District employees demonstrating to our customers that we’re Dallas Proud. 

 

 

 

 

North Texas Processing and Distribution Center (from left to right) Supervisor, Distribution Operations Dee Amos, Mail Handler Darrel Birding, Automated Flat Sorter Machine 100 Clerk Lawrence W. Alexander, Mail Handler Rafael Rosales, Automated Flat Sorter Machine 100 Clerk Albert Hill and Electronic Technician Don Howard are part of a volunteer On the Job Instructor training team that is working with Operations and Maintenance to train employees to process mail more effectively and efficiently.

Ben Wheeler, TX, Distribution Clerk Sir Donny Allen (right) received his 30-year Service Award from Postmaster Ronnie Lang (left).

Dallas, TX, Lakewood Station Letter Carrier Donald Williamson (right) was filmed by the Channel 11 news team as USPS unveiled Informed Delivery.  Informed Delivery is a new feature from the Postal Service that provides residential consumers with digital previews of their incoming mail.  The Postal Service is encouraging consumers and employees to sign up for this new service.

Multicultural Museum at the Dallas NDC

Anna, TX, Retail Associate Cynthia Burns (left) and Rural Carrier John Triplett (right) received a customer compliment from a grateful customer who had left her stamps and receipt behind after visiting the Anna Post Office.  Burns remembered the customer’s address and gave the items to John Triplett who delivered them to Ms. Sharp while carrying his normal route.  Both employees commented that this kind of thing happens often and that they were just doing their job.  Burns remarked, “I’m grateful to work with an excellent group of co-workers. We make a great team. Everyone strives to provide a high level of service that keeps our customers coming back.”

 Letter to the editor: The full article can be found in the Melissa Tribune posted on April 11, 2017.

 Recently I was transacting business at the Anna United States Post Office and mislaid one of my items.  A Post Office employee went above and beyond the call of duty to sure I got it back.  My experiences with the Anna U.S. Post Office, as with Melissa and Van Alstyne U.S. Post Office employees, have been ones of professionalism and courtesy.  This is true also of my rural route delivery people.  They do their jobs, provide invaluable services, are part of our local economy, vital to those who have small businesses, and are most likely to spend their salaries here, adding to the local economy.

Sincerely,

Betty

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associates were busing helping customers who waited until the last day to file their income taxes on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. The Post Office stayed open until midnight to accommodate the large demand of people filing their returns.

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office Lead Retail Associate Rhonda Jackson (left) assisted a customer (right) with the mailing of her income tax returns on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

 

Multicultural Day

Dallas, TX, Computerized Forwarding System Supervisor, Computerized Mail Forwarding Operations Deborah Robinson (second left), Markup Clerks Iluminada Norman (far left), Cassandra Smith (second right) and Carolyn Marshall (far right) dressed up to celebrate Multicultural Day.

The Dallas District Marketing department celebrated diversity with a lunch spread featuring food from everybody’s heritage.

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office Data Collection Technicians (DCT) Marcela Rojas (right) and Kathy Williams (right) discuss their heritages.  They used pins to mark the map to indicate where their families came from.

Dallas, TX, Main Post Office Data Collection Technicians Marcela Rojas (left) and Margaret Anderson (right) brought hot dogs, apple pie and Mexican sweet breads to celebrate American heritage on Multicultural Awareness Day.

 

 

Lindale, TX, Retail Associates Heather Carter (left) and Lynn Burris (right) received Gold Star Awards for perfect transactions on Retail Customer Experiences.  Burris has 19 years of postal experience and multiple Gold Star Awards.  Carter has been with the Postal Service for 12 years and also has multiple Gold Star Awards.  Postmaster Kathy Downing commented, “I’m very proud of the work that my Clerks do.  They all strive to make each customer’s business transaction a pleasant and positive experience.”

Lindale, TX, Lead Retail Associate Cathy Gilland (left) and Distribution Clerk Wayne Johnson (right) received Gold Star Awards for perfect transactions on Retail Customer Experiences. Gilland has 28 years of experience with the Postal Service.  Johnson has 32 years of experience with the Postal Service and has received the last three Gold Star Awards in Lindale. 

 

Passport Fairs

The Mckinney Post Office held a very successful Passport Fair in which 53 passport applications were processed generating $1730 in total revenue.  Pictured above (from left to right) are: Retail Associate Edith Ulloa, Supervisor, Customer Services Gerald Hamilton; Retail Associate Kuljeet Mand and Postmaster Clarence Henderson in the back.

 The Hutchins Post Office held a Passport Fair in which they processed 79 passport applications and 10 renewals.  Popcorn was given to the children and applicants.  Hutchins, TX, Retail Associate Carla Simon (sitting behind the table) assisted customers processing their passport applications.

Hutchins, TX, Retail Associate Kasha Champion (right) assisted customers with their passport applications.

Hutchins, TX, Retail Associate Kasha Champion (right) passed out free popcorn to the children of passport applicants.

 

 

 

 

 

Desoto, TX, Letter Carrier Victoria B. Catuncan (left) received a customer compliment.  She is pictured with Supervisor, Customer Services Jamal Russell (right).  Russell remarked, “Catuncan is a real professional who exemplifies the positive attributes of a Letter Carrier.  She really deserves this recognition.”

 

Dear Mr. Costello,

 

We are writing this letter in order to compliment Victoria B. Catuncan who is one of your postal employees, for an exemplary job well done.

 

Ms. Catuncan has been delivering mail to our home for a number of years and has consistently exhibited great work ethic.  She takes pride in her job and has, numerous times, brought mail to our door even if there was snow and ice on the ground, or pouring rain and always with a big smile.

 

When Ms. Catuncan started delivering our mail, we noticed tremendous differences from previous mail deliveries.  She is more consistent in her delivery times than what we experienced before.  This helps greatly when we are expecting packages, especially when we have other commitments and need to be elsewhere.  It appears to us that unlike the other Letter Carriers, Ms. Catuncan does not look for reasons to not deliver the mail.  Instead, she looks for reasons as to how she can complete her job.

 

Ms. Catuncan is an excellent representative of the United States Postal Service, and an asset as well.  She has a pleasant personality and goes above and beyond to make sure her job is completed, both efficiently and correctly.  She also has a lot of patience and is very kind. 

 

In conclusion, Ms. Catuncan deserves a continual, successful career with the United Stated Postal Service, as well as recognition for outstanding performance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Jim and Sharon 

Clarence Henderson has been named Postmaster of Mckinney, TX, for the Dallas District.

Dallas, TX, University Station Letter Carrier Ron Demus received a customer compliment.

 

Good afternoon,

 

This past week I had a package that was scheduled to be delivered at my work place.  The package contained something very important to me that I needed for the upcoming Saturday.  On that day the package was not delivered and the tracking number was not updated.  I made several phone calls to USPS customer service and my package was nowhere to be found and no information could be given.  Finally, I asked our Letter Carrier Ron Demus that normally deliverers at my workplace in Dallas, TX, 75206, what I should do to find my package.  He immediately asked for more details and assured me not to worry and took ownership of the issue.  Demus showed up the very next morning with my package in hand.  I have worked at this location for eight years and he has always gone above and beyond.  He is always smiling and makes an effort to get to know us.  I am very grateful that USPS has people like Demus working for the company.  Thank you Ron Demus in Dallas, TX, for everything you do for your clients.

 

Thank you,

Laura M.

 

North Texas, P&DC (left to right) Operations Industrial Engineer (OIE) DeVardis Parker, Operations Support Specialist Marie Rogers, OIE Neyscha Mercado, Data Collection Technician Delinda Venable, Lead OIE Ann Dao, Data Collection Technician Maritza Borges, Operations Support Specialist Derek Truman, Manager, Finance Simi George and District Manager Tim Costello all celebrated Multicultural Awareness Day. 

Ferris, TX, held a diversity brunch on Multicultural Awareness Day. Pictured from left to right are: Rural Carrier Curtis Fowler; Rural Carrier Assistant Sara Martin; Postmaster Wanda S. Curry; City Carrier Assistant Gary Janeway; City Carrier Tiffaney Jackson and Rural Carrier John Moore.

North Texas, Processing & Distribution Center (P&DC) Lead Operations Industrial Engineers Ann Dao explained the history of her Vietnamese clothing and what each piece was typically worn at.  The Vietnamese clothing “Ao Dai” and “Non La” (palm-leaf conical hat) have become the symbol of Vietnamese feminine beauty and the pride of the Vietnamese people.

 

 

Dallas, TX, Pleasant Grove Station Retail Associate Rosie Daniels (right) received a Gold Star Award from A/Supervisor Customer Services Shirlonda Gillespie (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.

Lewisville, TX, Flower Mound Station held a retirement celebration for Letter Carrier James Hymes (left) after 29 years of loyal service.  He was congratulated by Postmaster Thomas Alonzo (right) on his last day of work.

Letter Carrier James Hymes (left) is congratulated by A/ Manager, Customer Services Paula Jordan (right) on his retirement.

Letter Carrier James Hymes (left) was congratulated by National Association of Letter Carriers Executive Vice President Sid Simmons (right).

 

Red Oak, TX, Retail Associate Cynthia Brewer (right) received her fourth Gold Star Award from A/Supervisor, Customer Services Karie Bevill (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  Brewer has worked for the Postal Service for 19 years and is a U.S. Army veteran.  She likes her customers and being able to sell products and services that fit their needs.  Brewer commented, “I love my co-workers.  We have a fun atmosphere here while we take care of our customers.”

Princeton, TX, (left to right) Postmaster and veteran Jimmy Pigue, Rural Carriers Kris Peterson, Bruce Boys, Sharonda Baugus, Kim McFerrin, Ophelia West, Deanna Nutt, Kevin Longley, Lesli Dyer, Darin Brazil and Retail Associate Ronnye Johnson wear red every Friday for R.E.D. Friday (Remember Everyone Deployed).

Frisco, TX, Teel Finance Unit Lead Retail Associate Hyung Kim (left) received a Gold Star Award from Postmaster Darwin Adams (right) for a perfect score on a Retail Customer Experience.  Kim is a U.S. Nave veteran who loves his job and helping people.

Frisco, TX, Teel Finance Unit Lead Retail Associate Hyung Kim (left) received his 35-year Service Award from Postmaster Darwin Adams (right).

 

Carrollton, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associate Minh Tcheng (left) received her second Gold Star Award from Postmaster John Lindsey (right) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She has been with the postal service for 16 years.  Tcheng likes the good benefits of her job and the positive work environment.  She commented, “I’m proud to serve the people of Carrollton and to help them get their mail.”

Carrollton, TX, Rosemeade Station Letter Carrier Andy Alvarado (right) received his 35-year Service Award from Postmaster John Lindsey (left).

Carrollton, TX, Rosemeade Station Letter Carrier Donald G. Sill (right) received his 40-year Service Award from Postmaster John Lindsey (left).

Carrollton, TX, Rosemeade Station Letter Carrier Roy Rhoten (right) received his 40-year Service Award from Postmaster John Lindsey (left).

 

Richardson, TX, Huffhines Station Retail Associate Leslie Thompson (right) received a Gold Star Award from Manager, Customer Services Stan Adams (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She enjoys being able to help her customers.  Thompson commented, “It helps to have a good Manager, like Mr. Adams to back you up and support you when you need help.  I have been here for a long time and he has been one of the best managers I’ve had.”

Longview Passport Fair

Longview, TX, Main Post Office held a Passport Fair and processed 72 passports and sold 49 photos which generated $2724 in total revenue.  Pictured above is Retail Associate Debra Brantley (right) assisting customers with their passport applications.

Longview, TX, Main Post Office Rural Carrier Patricia Adams (right) assisted a customer with their passport paperwork.

Longview, TX, Main Post Office Retail Associate Gerald Hawkins (right) assisted two customers with their passport paperwork.

Longview, TX, Main Post Office Lead Retail Associate Lisa Brown (sitting behind desk) assisted a family with their passport paperwork.

 

Canton Passport Fair

Canton, TX, Retail Associates Amanda Boyd (left) and Chad Hutchins (right) assisted customers with obtaining their passports.  They processed 33 new passports and assisted with six renewals for total revenue of $1350.

Addison Passport Fair

Addison, TX, held a Passport Fair and processed 27 passports which generated $900 in total revenue.  The fair was so successful that they are planning another one at the end of July or early August.  Pictured above Retail Associate Rita Kuruvilla (sitting behind the table) assisted customers with their passports.

Addison, TX, Lead Retail Associate Denise Davis (sitting behind the table) assisted customers with their passport paperwork.

 

Grand Prairie Passport Fair

Grand Prairie, TX, Retail Associate Sylvia Rodriguez (sitting behind the table) assisted a passport applicant with her paperwork.  Grand Prairie processed 153 passport applications and at least 20 renewals for the Passport Fair which generated $5535 in total revenue. 

Grand Prairie, TX, Retail Associate Lisa Brice (right) assisted customers with their passport paperwork during the weekend fair.  Retail Associate Mary Black took the pictures and Ann Reber, Nikitha Gray, Gilbert Lopez, Bentia Tunra and Rashonda Lloyd who are not pictured assisted with the fair.

Desoto, TX, Retail Associate Lashonda Carrington (center) received her second Gold Star Award from A/Manager Post Office Operations Anthony Young (right) and Postmaster Linda Norwood (left) for a perfect transaction on a Retail Customer Experience.  She enjoys meeting new people and interacting with customers.  Postmaster Linda Norwood remarked, “Ms. Carrington has exemplified excellence in providing efficient and quality customer service while representing the U.S. Postal Service within the community of the city of Desoto.”

Terrell, TX, Retail Associates Mouna Lahjouji (left) and Lisa Monaco (right) received Gold Star Awards from Postmaster Chad Smith (center) for perfect scores on Retail Customer Experiences.  This was the fourth Gold Star Award for Lahjouji.  She enjoys interacting with her customers and loves everything about the Post Office.  Monaco has worked for the Post Office for over 30 years.  She likes meeting new people and the flexibility that comes with working for the Post Office.  Monaco commented, “I love my job.  You can go anywhere you want to working for the Post Office.  I came here from New York as a Letter Carrier which is where I met my husband when I was delivering mail at the mall in 1989.  I have a daughter who is in college and I’m grateful to the Post Office for the ability to go to her school functions.”