January 2001
 Volume 4
 Issue 11

The Carriers of the Year Banquet: Honoring Customer Service Excellence

They came from across the region to feast at a banquet table: rookie carriers who have shown great promise; senior carriers whose high standards have built the customer service foundation of the carrier force; Carriers of the Month whose customer service efforts over the past 12 months made them finalists for Carrier of the Year; Above & Beyond award winners whose extra effort deserved special recognition; and the Carriers of the Year, the best of the best in 2000. They shared a meal. They shared their laughter and their applause. And, they joined Southern staff in honoring the outstanding accomplishments of their fellow carriers.

The year 2000 brought significant changes and challenges to the paper: a new publisher arrived; a Production Manager of long-standing retired; new printing and packaging machinery was installed; new routes and delivery systems were developed; and the paper was redesigned. Throughout this year of growth, and some growing pains, the carrier force remained focused and steady. Many, in fact, achieved levels of job performance and customer service that were truly excellent. This issue of Routes is dedicated to those outstanding carriers.

John Watson, District 1 Carrier of the Year
John and Debbie Watson are a husband and wife team with exacting Customer Service standards. They are careful, particular and more than willing to do the little things that make all the difference to customers. When customers have special needs or concerns, John and Debbie address them quickly and expeditiously. Their District Manager says, "They're just great carriers."

Jerry Lewis, District 2 Carrier of the Year
Jerry Lewis enjoys his work. He likes seeing the stars shine and the sun rise. He finds peace in early morning car rides across the southern Illinois countryside. And, he takes pleasure and pride in providing excellent service to his customers. Whether he's tracking a new start or placing a paper where an elderly or handicapped customer can reach it, he's giving it his all. These are the qualities that made him a Carrier of the Year.

Courtney Reeder, District 3 Carrier of the Year
She delivers her route flawlessly. Her subs and support are first rate. She manages such an exceptional level of job performance while playing varsity sports, earning honor roll grades, and participating in support programs for troubled youth: She's Courtney Reeder, District 3 Carrier of the Year.

Janet Sims, District 4 Carrier of the Year
Named a Carrier of the Month early in 2000, Janet Sims provided great service to her customers throughout the year. Her District Manager says she managed a huge route out in the countryside between Pinkneyville and DuQuoin and did so with charm and grace.

Robin Lenard, District 5 Carrier of the Year
"Robin Lenard is just the best," says District Manager Shiela Withrow. "She helps me with open routes and new carrier training. She's an extremely honest person. She knows her stuff and she knows her customers personally. When I talk to them they refer to her as 'Robin,' not as 'my carrier.' They just love her."

Carriers of the Year received engraved wooden plaques and $50 gift certificates to the Illinois Center or University malls for their efforts in 2000. Door prizes and drawings at the banquet included Southern shirts and tote bags, copies of That Magic Mile, Top 20 dining cards and a $100 gift certificate from Walmart.

The Driver of the Year

Ewing Johnson drives B Truck, racking and delivering single copy bundles throughout Marion. He's efficient and self-sufficient, organized and dependable, and he always has the Southern in mind. For instance, if his Bellatrix wand fails to open a rack, he'll use his own pocket change to open and fill that rack, ensuring that Southern readers in Marion always have a chance to purchase the paper. For his efforts Ewing received an engraved plaque and a $50 gift certificate to the Illinois Center mall.

The Salesperson of the Year

Bundle Hauler Beverly Reeves is not your usual Southern salesperson. In 2000 she's been an incredibly successful one, however. The "new starts" she secured numbered in the thousands. This past year she helped to sell local businesses across Jackson, Williamson and Franklin counties on the idea of making floor space available for 1 new and 1 improved Southern product. The 11,000 Flipsides she now racks each week and 8,000 Welcome Home's she racks each month have made the launch of these products a success. For these accomplishments, Beverly received an engraved plaque and a $50 gift certificate to the Illinois Center mall.