Three Suncoast District teams (prior to the recent
consolidations) met the Certified Engaged Team (CET) criteria in the most
recent Postal Pulse Survey. Teams recognized eared 75 percent or higher
participation rate in the survey and a survey score ranking in the top 75th
percentile of Gallup’s database. Only 518 units in the entire Postal Service
were considered CET’s from the last Postal Pulse Survey. The Suncoast offices
included Geneva and Pierson, FL, Post Offices, and the district Business Mail
Entry Unit.
Pictured, clockwise from top left: Supervisors, Business
Mail Entry Maria Stewart (Manasota), David Golby (Tampa), Sandra Jacobson
(Mid-Florida), Shelley Sally (Orlando) and Candie Knight (St. Petersburg), and
Manager, Business Mail Entry Georg-Anne Casteel.
Suncoast District Business Mail Entry Unit
BMEU Manager Georg-Anne Casteel has served in her current
role since February 2020. She oversees five direct reports and 50+ full-time
bulk mail technicians across the district. “This is the first time the BMEU has
been a certified engaged team. While engagement is important, I see what I do
as caring. I care for each one of my supervisors and employees. My poor husband
overlooks my stamp budget as I mail cards to all my employees throughout the
year to thank or to say happy holidays. I also ask for, and listen to, advice
and feedback. I say “thank you” and “well done,” and actually mean it. We are a
team, and a wacky postal family, but we are in this together on good days and
bad. While I am the head of this family, I trust my team to let me know when we
are veering off course or if I might see all the paths to get to the goal.”
Pictured, from left: Rural Carriers Keith Kontny and Jim Snyder, and Postmaster Eddie Yick. Not pictured: Rural Carrier Patty Marshall, Retail Associate Altra Lawson, PTF Clerk Bernard Harden and RCA Chris Gallagher.
Postmaster Ed Yick, a 37-year veteran of USPS, is a newcomer
to certified engaged teams. “It flabbergasted me. I’ve never gotten one of
these as a manager. But I’m honored and appreciative of my dedicated employees.
Communications is very important to me. I listen, listen and listen and see
what their needs are and what I can do to help. Almost every day, I will
improvise to make it easy for them: Put DPS mail on the bottom of hamper to
eliminate extra trips to postal vehicle; make sure carrier have an ample supply
of Care Bags and Scan Me green stickers. I basically listen to what my
employees want, what they need and anything that makes it easier for all of us.
Everything makes a difference.”
Pictured, from left: Rural Carrier Kristine Brasher,
Postmaster Veronica Jorden, and Rural Carriers Bobbie Zuniga and Rita Reiter.
Not pictured: RCA Patricia Ward, PTF Clerks Raymond Wood and Cynthia Fry, and
PSE Clerk Stacey Freer.
Pierson, FL 32180
Postmaster Veronica Jorden has only been assigned to Pierson
Post Office since April 2020, but she came in with a desire to make a
difference. Her passion and commitment resonated with those she leads. “It
makes me feel great that my employees think highly of me. It was brought to my
attention items needed by the employees to help them succeed and be more
efficient. I listened and sprang into
action. I had several CBU’s installed
along their routes, put in work orders for parcel lockers to be repaired and
replaced, ordered specific tools and supplies to help my staff with their jobs
and created a the first-ever break room at this installation. They were very happy. When you show you care, the rewards are
great!”
