from the area vice president the right shipper...

NEW YEAR BRINGS NEW OPPORTUNITIESFROM THE AREA VICE PRESIDENT

The right shipper

Western Area Vice President Drew Aliperto

Winter 2015

It takes a great deal of commitment and planning to run a small business. Owners

scrutinize every detail of their operation from the cost of raw materials and processing to distribution and marketing channels. Surviving in the long run as a small business isn’t easy. Every penny counts when it comes to making it in a highly competitive economy.

The Postal Service can help provide the efficiency businesses need with a cost/benefit ratio that’s superior to the industry standard. Our flat rate shipping options and detailed package tracking provides both cost effective and transparent shipping solutions that customers need. When every penny counts, choosing the right shipping provider can have a substantial impact on a business’s bottom line.

That’s why it’s important for all of us to be the best at what we do in our organization. Everyone has an important role in making sure small businesses are successful. Whether you work directly with customers or behind the scenes, your efforts help our customers grow their businesses and ensure that demand for our services continues to grow as well.

When we come together as a team and work hard to ensure the needs of our customers are met in an efficient, courteous way, we help ensure a thriving future not only for our organization, but the for rest of America’s economy as well.

Small businesses represent a significant part of the U.S. economy and are a major

contributor to Postal Service revenue.Defined by the Small Business

Administration as having fewer than 500 employees, these entities represent 54 percent of all sales and 55 percent of all jobs in the United States. Their impact on the economy continues to grow. The number of small businesses in America increased 49 percent since 1982.

The Postal Service is in a unique position to provide the efficient mailing

Their success depends on youservices small businesses need at a price they can afford. These nimble businesses adapt to ever-increasing consumer demand for the convenience of Internet shopping and home delivery. The need for fast, efficient shipping will likely continue to grow at double digits for the foreseeable future.

Now more than ever, small businesses count on the benefits of shipping with USPS to help them be successful. Your efforts and dedication in this process make a substantial difference to those who depend on our services.

Doon, IA, Postmaster Leah De Jong with one of more than 200 Priority Mail packages destined for the troops overseas. (Read full story on page 6)

2 WESTERN AREA UPDATE � WINTER 2015 WESTERN AREA UPDATE � WINTER 2015 3

Small businesses gain big benefitThe Postal Service relies on a

steady stream of new business to improve its financial position.

While the digital shift toward electronic correspondence has reduced America’s dependency on First-Class Mail, it has also helped fuel growth of package delivery.

Small businesses have reaped substantial rewards from the growing popularity of Internet shopping. In times past, large businesses had a distinct advantage over smaller operations. A significant distribution network, numerous retail outlets and a large advertising budget gave large businesses access to a diverse geographic consumer base. The Internet, however, has given small businesses access to consumers

GENERAL STORIES

they could only dream of reaching not long ago. Through a website and electronic payment processing, these businesses have the opportunity to enjoy national awareness for their products — even a global presence.

No longer limited in reach to customers within the city of their physical presence, small businesses have access to global markets. A digital presence brings with it new challenges, including shipping items to geographically distant customers.

Shipping costs are an additional element that many small businesses must consider. While some shipping companies gladly accept the new business, their shipping features aren’t small-business friendly. Fuel surcharges, delivery area surcharges,

package pickup fees and other pricing factors had the potential to severely impact the profitability of selling products online. To this day, there’s only one shipping company than can compete effectively with other shippers and offer customers great value — the Postal Service.

With a wide-variety of USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate options, small businesses have a partner they count on to deliver value at a highly competitive price. When delivering exceptional shipping service at an efficient cost matters, there’s no better deal in town or across the country than the Postal Service.

Megan Brennan named 74th Postmaster GeneralAt the November meeting,

the Postal Service Board of Governors announced the

appointment of Megan J. Brennan as Postmaster General effective Feb.

1, 2015. Brennan replaces PMG Pat Donahoe following his retirement.

Brennan, a 29-year veteran of the Postal Service, has been chief operating officer since 2010.

She joined USPS in 1986 as a letter carrier in Lancaster, PA, and began her management career as a delivery and collection supervisor. She served as Springfield, MA, district manager and plant manager for the Lehigh Valley and Reading, PA, processing and distribution facilities.

Before being named COO, she was vice president of Eastern Area Operations and vice president of Northeast Area Operations. Prior to that, she was manager of Operations Support for the Northeast Area. In this capacity, she was responsible for coordinating and integrating processing and distribution, transportation and delivery operations throughout the Northeast Area. Brennan also held the headquarters position of manager of Field Support and Integration, where she worked directly for the Chief Operating Officer.

Brennan is a graduate of Immaculata College in Pennsylvania. She is a Sloan Fellow and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.


GENERAL STORIES

Heroism — just another day at USPSA recent edition of

yourpostalpodcast.com introduces two letter carriers who have

earned customers’ praises — one for saving a baby’s life, the other for delivering information and entertainment to customers with disabilities. A roundup

of the latest postal news follows these captivating stories.

Both the audio and transcript versions of this edition and previous ones are available at yourpostalpodcast.com. Listen on a mobile device at yourpostalpodcast.com/mobile or search for “Your Postal Podcast” at the iTunes Store.

Boise, ID, Letter Carrier Gretchen Young receives an award from the Idaho Commission for Libraries from Boise Overland Trail Station Manager Les Miller.

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Greenville, SC, Letter Carrier Christopher Brown has received praise for his quick action to save a baby from choking while on his route.

GENERAL STORIES

Executive appointmentsWESTERN AREA

Anchorage Senior Plant Manager Edna Cockerham.

Edna Cockerham was named Anchorage P&DC

senior plant manager Nov. 1. Cockerman began her postal career in 1983 as a distribution clerk at the Anchorage, AK, P&DC and has been a manager in the Postal Service for 29 years. Prior to her new assignment, she was Alaska District Post Office operations manager.

Phoenix Postmaster Humberto “Junior” Trujillo.

Humberto “Junior” Trujillo was named Phoenix

Postmaster Nov. 1. Trujillo began his career as a mail processor in 1989 at the Phoenix Post Office and has been a postal manager since 1993. Prior to his new assignment, he was customer services manager at Phoenix Maryvale Station.

St. Paul Postmaster Robert Reynosa.

Robert Reynosa was named St. Paul Postmaster

Dec. 13. Reynosa began his career in 1984 as a letter carrier in Norwalk, CA, and has been a postal manager for 24 years. Prior to his new assignment, he was senior Post Office operations manager in Nevada-Sierra District.

Portland District Manager Kevin Romero

Kevin Romero was named Portland District manager

Jan. 24. He began his career as a city carrier in Santee, CA, and has been a postal manager for 17 years. Prior to his new assignment, Romero was a field performance manager for Western Area.


Executive appointmentsWESTERN AREA

Portland Senior Plant Manager Felipe Flores.

Felipe Flores was named Portland P&DC senior plant

manager Nov. 25. He began his postal career in 1993 as a distribution clerk at the Santa Ana, CA, P&DC and has been a postal manager for 8 years. Prior to his new assignment, Flores was Plant Manager at the Mt. Hood DDC.

Mt Hood DDC Plant Manager Mary Alt.

Mary Alt was named Mt. Hood DDC

plant manager Dec. 1. She began her career as a markup clerk in 1983 and has been a postal manager since 1989. Prior to her new assignment Alt was lead maintenance manager at the Minneapolis P&DC in the Northland District.

Seattle District Manager Don Jacobus.

Don Jacobus was named Seattle District Manager

Nov. 25. He began his career in 1981 as a mail handler in Long Beach, CA, and has been a postal manager for 31 years. Prior to his new assignment, Jacobus was senior plant manager in Seattle District.

Seattle Senior Plant Manager Lisa Shear.

Lisa Shear was named Seattle P&DC senior

plant manager Nov. 25. She began her career in 1981 as a multiple position letter sorting machine clerk in Pasco, WA, and has been a postal manager for 29 years. Prior to her new assignment, Shear was Portland District senior plant manager.

The right trackMORE ONLINE SHOPPERS TRACKING PACKAGES

The Postal Service has given consumers more ways to track packages.

More shoppers are tracking their online purchases, with almost one-quarter checking six times or more to see when their packages will arrive, recent research shows.

Seventy-seven percent of customers track their online orders, up from 68 percent in 2013, according to a study last fall by

mailing services company Pitney Bowes Inc.

One-third of consumers check once or twice to see when their packages will be delivered. Another 21 percent track packages three to five times, while 23 percent track them six times or more.

“The ability to track a package in transit supplies the level of responsive service customers have come to expect,” Patrick Brand, a top Pitney Bowes executive, wrote in a recent edition of trade publication Mailing Systems Technology.

The Postal Service emphasizes the importance of scanning packages and other mail so customers can track them.

USPS has also given consumers more ways to track packages. In September, the Postal Service introduced My USPS.com, an online tool that allows customers to manage and track all their USPS-shipped packages in one place.


Employee makes kuskpuks a hitThere are few places in the

United States that are more reliant on the Postal Service

than rural Alaska. And when a person in one of these remote areas decides to start their own mail order business they must have total confidence in their local Postmaster.

That is exactly the case with Christy Zimmerman who moved to Aniak, AK— a village about 350 miles west of Anchorage — nine years ago.

Zimmerman recently started a business called Aniak Creations that ships to customers all over the world.

“Starting a business in a small village off the road system of Alaska is no easy thing,” Zimmerman said. “Receiving materials and sending finished products to my customers was one of my greatest challenges as I navigated to get my business off the ground.

“It took the help and advice of my Postmaster, Eleanor Sanbei, to create a simple and cost-efficient way for my business to mail beautiful things from Aniak all over the world,” she noted.

Sanbei has been Postmaster in Aniak since 2001. She takes pride in assisting her customers in the village of about 600 people.

“We are so dependent on the mail. I know how much the people come to rely on us,” Sanbei said. “I welcomed the chance to assist Christy when she started her business.”

“When I moved to Aniak about nine years ago, I had never sewed a

stitch in my life,” Zimmerman said. “The elders in the community gather each week to teach the young people how to sew kuskpuks (a parka-like jacket, which is traditional native wear). “I went with my daughters and I too learned how to sew a kuskpuk and made five of them, one for each of us in the family.

“I was hooked. Now I sew custom-made kuskpuks for people all over

Alaska and elsewhere, and design and quilt Alaskan wall art,” Zimmerman explained. “My inspiration comes from the dog teams running down our road, the moon rising over the Kuskokwim River and the women in the community who gifted me with the knowledge that allows my creativity to soar.”

She credits her Postmaster with being an inspiration for her business.

“Each time I take a kuskpuk or a wall hanging to the Post Office, Eleanor won’t allow me to mail anything without a little show and tell,” Zimmerman jokes. “So I pull out my latest creation. Eleanor advises

me on how best to mail it and our neighbors gather around to admire. Eleanor is not just my shipping consultant, she is also my publicist.”

“I have Christy use Priority Mail Flat Rate for her shipments,” Sanbei said. “It is the most cost-efficient way to go.”

“Eleanor Sanbei goes above and beyond in encouraging my art and my small business,” Zimmerman said. “She has helped me save money, improved my shipping process and gone over and above the normal duties of a Postmaster.

“There have been many times that she kept an eye out for packages I was expecting and has even helped me receive items late on Christmas Eve. One of the best things about living in Aniak is being a part of a close knit community. I am blessed with a Postmaster who really cares about me and my growing business,” she concluded.

Aniak, AK, Postmaster Eleanor Sanbei, left, with Christy Zimmerman and her latest quilted wall hanging ready for mailing.

ALASKA

A native Alaskan kuskpuk made by Christy Zimmerman.

A native Alaskan


SALUTE to the troopsDuring the holiday season this past

December, many people across the country had the opportunity

to spend time with friends and family. For military service men and women stationed overseas, the holidays served as a reminder of the absence of loved ones nearby. One particular group from Doon, IA, sought to help bridge that gap and bring a taste of home to those serving their country.

SALUTE — short for Sending Appreciation and Love with Unending Thoughts of Esteem — is a group of volunteers that send care packages to troops overseas. The group, started by Tracy Post and Cindi Blankespoor, has operated in Post’s basement since 2003 and has sent nearly 4,500 packages to

HAWKEYE

locations throughout Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany and other countries.

This past December, the group sent

230 Priority Mail packages to military members stationed abroad. Doon, IA, Postmaster Leah De Jong and her team were eager to assist.

“I appreciate their hard work and dedication for the troops,” said De Jong. “I’m glad my team had the

chance to help fulfill their mission of showing service members stationed in another country how important they are.”

Contained within each care package is a handwritten, heartfelt note of support and appreciation to the troops. SALUTE also sends support packages to wounded soldiers as well as children in Iraq in need of clothing, shoes and medical supplies.

SALUTE operates entirely on donations provided by individuals,

businesses, churches and other organizations. It has shipped more than 50,000 pounds of supplies overseas — exceeding $80,500 in postage.

Members of SALUTE pose for a photo after preparing more than 200 Priority Mail care packages for the troops.

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Fastest deliveryIn November, the Phoenix metro area

became the third location to test USPS Metro Post delivery service,

which enables customers to receive items purchased online the same day they ordered them.

Three Post Offices — including main Post Offices in Glendale and Tempe and Hopi Station in Scottsdale — serve as hubs that receive drop shipments of packages for delivery in the Phoenix area. The packages are delivered to customers who purchase items from a participating e-commerce site and request same-day delivery before 2 p.m.

Metro Post service is designed for customers who need more immediate access to items purchased online and provides them with a same-day delivery option from e-commerce sites and

their associated retailers that participate in the program. The service was piloted in San Francisco in 2012 and is currently being tested in New York City in addition to Phoenix.

Metro Post is available only within defined metropolitan areas for delivery on normal USPS delivery days.

Phoenix area customers were astonished at first when they saw

ARIZONA

Glendale, AZ, City Carrier Assistant Vaughn Strachan prepares his Metro Post deliveries.Glendale, AZ, City Carrier Assistant Vaughn Strachan prepares his


“Repink” performance

Postmaster Sharon Clark and her Carl Junction, MO, Post Office team received top honors for a

second year in a row for posting best-in-the-nation Breast Cancer Research stamp sales in a true “repink” performance. More than $49,000 in Breast Cancer Research stamps were sold during October at Carl Junction,

MID-AMERICA

Postmaster Sharon Clark (bottom right) and the members of the Carl Junction, MO, Post Office team.

Postmaster Sharon Clark (center) is recognized by Area Vice President Drew Aliperto for her success in Breast Cancer Research stamp sales.

beating their previous record. Clark and her community set a

sales goal to surpass last year’s total of more than 86,000 stamps. The community of 6,800 residents rallied to the challenge and sold more than 100,000.

“We paint this town pink in October,” said Clark.

A breast cancer survivor herself, Clark believes she is still alive today because of early detection. Her battle with breast cancer gives her a personal motivation to lead the nation in sales for breast cancer research.

“This community really comes together and recognizes an opportunity to fight this disease,” said Clark.

letter carriers making rounds in the late evening hours to deliver the packages, sometimes in rented vans to handle the extra capacity at the 2 p.m. start time each day.

“The first day I was driving a rented U-Haul van and using a flashlight to read house numbers, so I got a lot of attention from customers,” said Phoenix Rio Salado Station City Carrier Assistant

Cameron Griswold, who delivers Metro Post packages from Tempe’s Main Post Office hub.

“When it’s dark and you pull up with a package, they are a bit surprised,” Griswold said. “But mainly, they say, ‘Thank you.’”

Griswold noted that there is a reason some customers aren’t surprised. “They know they ordered a package earlier that day and requested same-day delivery, so they’re expecting that package.”

“I’m glad we’re getting more business with Metro Post packages,” said Tempe Post Office CCA Ibrahim Badrawi. “It means more work and that means more business. I hope they come up with something new again soon to bring in even more business.”

ARIZONA

Phoenix Rio Salado Station City Carrier Assistant Cameron Griswold loads his vehicle with Metro Post deliveries. Phoenix Rio Salado Station City Carrier Assistant Cameron Griswold


SEATTLE

888 WESTERN AREA UPDATE � WINTER 2015

SEATTLE

High prices often cause some shoppers to look for more cost efficient alternatives. For

The Barn Nursery in Olympia, WA, a better alternative is exactly what the company needed in the face of high costs at one particular shipper. That’s when the management team at the firm decided to contact the Postal Service to help them rein in their expenses.

“We had been using UPS, but their rates had gone up to the point where it was difficult for us to make shipping worthwhile,” said Chris Watkins at The Barn Nursery. The business has been in operation for nearly 30 years as a garden center. It regularly ships products such as tools, cedar outdoor furniture, garden décor, centerpieces, swags and wreaths.

“Wreaths are one of our most popular items at Christmas,” Watkins explained. “We are a retail operation. Customers who purchase our wreaths have them shipped to family around the country. We try to keep our costs in line to be competitive, but UPS’ rates have gone up significantly the last few years.”

She also didn’t like UPS’ billing. “We were getting surprise surcharges with UPS. You couldn’t anticipate what your costs were going to be. And they would bill us once at the end of the shipping season so we got one huge bill in January. We pay the Postal Service as we go and without any hidden charges,” Watkins noted.

Watkins contacted the Olympia Post Office to see what the Postal Service could offer as a means of shipping their wreaths.

“I spoke with Dennis Tuomi who was very interested in helping us,” said Watkins. “He didn’t have all the answers, but he put us in touch with Lorne Counter who came to Olympia

The Barn Nursery in Olympia, WA.

and gave us a presentation with price comparisons.”

Tuomi, a Customer Service supervisor in Olympia, was pleased to be able to assist. “I was willing to do whatever it took to get their business, keep it and maybe even increase it,” Tuomi noted. “Now that we have their business, I set up the transportation to pick up their shipments every day. There were some issues at first with them printing postage and shipping labels, but that was resolved and everything is going well.”

“I was able to show how the Postal Service could reduce their shipping costs and provide a high level of service with our Priority Mail,” said Seattle District

Business Development Specialist Lorne Counter. “They were convinced and now we have a good working relationship.”

Watkins said they are getting very good service from the Postal Service. “The postal driver who picks up our shipments gave us his cell phone number so we can call him if there are any issues. Dennis keeps in

touch as well. Everyone we have dealt with at the Postal Service has been very helpful and appreciative of our business.

“Lorne told us about Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) as a means of getting advertising mail to specific ZIP Codes and carrier routes at a very attractive rate,” Watkins said. “He gave us a demonstration. We are definitely interested in it as a means of getting our name and business into the local

community.“We plan to give it a try next

spring when the gardening season starts up,” she said. “It is something that enables small businesses to be competitive. It is very refreshing to see that the Postal Service wants to help small businesses.”

Business prunes shipping costs

Wreaths from The Barn Nursery in Olympia, WA, are now being shipped via the Postal Service’s Priority Mail.


Packages for the troopsThe holidays are a time to enjoy

quality moments with friends and family. For troops stationed

overseas, those intimate moments aren’t always possible. Sutherlin, OR, resident Pat Greer hoped to bring the troops a little closer to home this past season by send-

ing them holiday care packages.Greer prepared nearly 200 Priority Mail

Flat Rate boxes filled to the brim with items such as books, magazines, toothpaste, soap, and jerky for charlie company from the Oregon National Guard. The unit, currently on a one-year deployment

in Afghanistan, received the packages just ahead of Christmas to help brighten their season.

“We managed to get them all done in just under two hours, all while still helping customers,” said Sutherlin Postmaster Lynne Tonn.

Retail Associates Judy Myers, Betty Macauley and Postmaster Lynne Tonn helped Pat Greer send smiles to the troops.

Pat Greer with some of the Priority Mail care packages destined for troops overseas.

Carrier slams brakes on high shipping costs for car parts businessA few months ago, when City

Carrier Somkiat Parleybut from Portland’s Sellwood Station

noticed that a business on his route was shipping several small items via USPS competitors, he went online to do some research.

As he delivered mail to the business day after day, Parleybut realized that the car parts sales business was shipping many items via UPS and FedEx that would easily fit in Priority Mail Flat Rate packaging.

After work, Parleybut got on his computer and searched the competitors’ website — and USPS’s — to do a cost comparison of the services. After gathering that information, he started talking with the business’ shipping manager, provided the cost analysis showing the company could realize substantial savings by using the Postal Service and persuaded them to try Priority Mail.

During that trial period, Sellwood Station Manager Customer Services Don Firkins stayed in contact with

PORTLAND

City Carrier Somkiat (Som) Parleybut, Sellwood DDU Manager Don Firkins, Business Solutions Specialist June Norbom, and Portland Post Office Business Connect Coordinator Angela White-Leary.

the customer to make sure they had a steady supply of Priority Mail packaging and answer any questions they had about Priority Mail. Firkins also visited the customer with Portland

Post Office Business Connect Coordinator Angela White-Leary to ensure all their questions were answered and needs met.

This dedication to excellent service by both carrier and manager paid off in a big way.

After a few short months, the number of parcels being shipped by the business overwhelmed Parleybut’s delivery vehicle, so Firkins coordinated a dedicated

collection pickup. Firkins and White-Leary, along with Portland District Field Sales Representative June Norbom, finalized the sale, and the customer is expected to spend nearly half a million dollars with the Postal Service in the first year.

“They always tell me the service is quick and the items get there fast,” Parleybut said, adding he continues to keep his eyes open for more Customer Connect opportunities to find new customers. “I still continue to try to open my eyes and see who’s doing what.”

Parleybut added that carriers can be more effective at identifying leads and informing customers about services that may work for them if they are given the opportunity to learn pricing information for Priority Mail services.


IntersectionsPostal vehicles are involved in

thousands of accidents every year. One out of four occurs at

intersections. Here are precautions you should take when approaching an intersection.

1. Obey traffic signals. First, watch for traffic signs and vehicle taillights that signal you to stop. Don’t assume a green light will stay green. Be prepared to stop your vehicle safely. Don’t run a yellow light. The few seconds you spend waiting at a red light might mean the difference between life and death. When approaching a red light, brake early to give motorists behind you time to stop.

2. Anticipate problems at uncon-trolled intersections — ones without stop signs or lights. Anticipate stopping by releasing the gas pedal, placing your foot above the brake, and looking left

and right. Yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right. If there is doubt or confusion, it’s always safest to yield.

3. Use extra caution. Half of all vehicle accidents involving pedestrians occur at intersections, many pedestrians dart out unexpectedly. Be attentive when turning

or merging with traffic. Be extra cautious in rural areas and school zones. Expect the unexpected. Elderly pedestrians whose vision and hearing may be poor may be less aware of traffic hazards.

4. Proceed with care. Before pro-ceeding after stopping at an intersection

accelerating, look in all directions. If your vision is obstructed, edge your vehicle carefully into the intersection. Proceed slowly and accelerate only when you are certain that it is safe.

5. Always wear your seatbelt. When an accident occurs, there are

actually two collisions. The first is between the vehicle and what-ever it hits and the second occurs inside the vehicle, when the occupant strikes the interior of the vehicle.

Even if you can’t prevent the first collision, you can save yourself from injuries in the second

collision. The chance of dying is 25 times greater if you are thrown from the vehicle. A belt and shoulder harness spreads the force of the crash throughout your body, reducing the impact and keeping you inside the vehicle.

Secrets of Cheyenne MountainFor decades, Cheyenne Mountain in

Colorado Springs, CO, was home to some of the nation’s deepest

secrets, housing military high-tech defensive missile technology that kept the nation safe during the cold war.

Above ground, a neighborhood flourished and now is home to thousands of houses that overlook the Colorado Springs valley.

The USPS Cheyenne Mountain Station has a few secrets of its own. Business Connect contacts grew $700,000 in new revenue this past year.

At the beginning of the year, Cheyenne Mountain Station Manager Larry Pacheco asked his management team to kick up their Business Connect efforts in order to model good practices for carriers involved with Customer Connect.

COLORADO/WYOMING

Finance/Window Supervisor Edith Fehrman, NaRai Siam Cuisine owner Jasmine Andrew and Station Manager Larry Pacheco celebrate mutual success at the restaurant.

One of their strategies meant involving retail clerks with the efforts. Whenever a business owner — large or small — visited

the window, the clerk would immediately introduce them to the Finance/Window Supervisor Edith Fehrman. The introduction would lead to a conversation

about shipping and mailing needs. Often the brief conversation led to

a more in-depth visit about Every Door Direct Mail and a demonstration of the program at the business. Last year, Pacheco and Fehrman took their sales material and dined at a local Thai restaurant, NaRai Siam Cuisine, visiting with Jasmine Andrew, the owner who they had met at the window.

“It’s so easy to use,” said Andrew. “I get great feedback from our customers about our specials and I’m saving so much money compared to newspaper advertising.”

“She was most impressed at how she can use it on her time,” said Fehrman. “I actually showed her how to use it. She was able to ease into it, one route at a time. It’s the most delicious

food I’ve ever had and I’m glad more people are experiencing it thanks to Every Door Direct Mail.”


While delivering mail on his route, Golden, CO, Rural Carrier Robert Trujillo smelled

smoke. He discovered a small brushfire

near the home of a customer who he had recently seen drive away from the residence several minutes earlier. Because he had no cell phone service, he drove to a nearby home and asked the resident to call the fire department. The resident called 911 while her husband went to help Trujillo fight the fire. The two dug a line in the dirt around the fire, using their feet and large sticks.

A Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputy soon arrived on scene and assisted until the fire department arrived later. The deputy later wrote, “When I arrived there was a lot of smoke but not much fire due to the line that Robert built around the fire. The wind was blowing out of the South East at about 10 miles an hour with strong gusts.”

Trujillo was recently honored with a Postmaster General’s “Hero’s Award,” presented by Colorado/Wyoming District Manager Selwyn Epperson. He was also honored by all three Jefferson County Commissioners with a Citizen’s Coin and by Foothills Fire Chief Brian Zoril, who presented him with a fireman’s protective hat.

According to Zoril, the fire would have reached the home if Trujillo hadn’t taken action. The house was far enough off the road that a fire wouldn’t have been spotted otherwise.

“We’ve seen small fires turn into large fires,” said Zoril. “Who knows what could have happened.”

“He’s not only a hero, he’s a great carrier,” said Customer Service Supervisor Barbara Pacheco. “Robert is efficient and reliable. He gives great service and is a model to others. So it was no surprise that he would do something like this.”

Wsmoke.

near the home of a customer who he had recently seen drive away from the residence several minutes earlier. Because he had no cell phone service, he drove to a nearby home and asked the resident to call the fire department. The resident called 911 while her husband went to help Trujillo fight the fire. The two dug a line in the dirt around the fire, using their feet and large sticks.

soon arrived on scene and assisted until the fire department arrived later. The deputy later wrote, “When I arrived there was a lot of smoke but not much fire due to the line that Robert built around the fire. The wind was blowing out of the South East at about 10 miles an hour with strong gusts.”

Postmaster General’s “Hero’s Award,” presented by Colorado/Wyoming District Manager Selwyn Epperson. He was also honored by all three Jefferson County Commissioners with a

Wsmoke.

near the home of a customer who he had recently seen drive away from the residence several minutes earlier. Because he had no cell phone service, he drove to a nearby home and asked the resident to call the fire department. The resident called 911 while her husband went to help Trujillo fight the fire. The two dug a line in the dirt around the fire, using their feet and

soon arrived on scene and assisted until the fire department arrived later. The deputy later wrote, “When I arrived there was a lot of smoke but not much fire due to the line that Robert built around the fire. The wind was blowing out of the South East at about 10 miles an hour with strong gusts.”

presented by Colorado/Wyoming

Jefferson County Commissioners with a

COLORADO/WYOMING

Colorado ballots now cast at the mailbox instead of the polling station

Mail acceptance, processing, distribution, transportation and delivery units across

the nation saw an influx of political mail throughout the fall. For Colorado operations, there was an additional piece of mail in every registered voter’s mailbox — a ballot.

A recent change in state law eliminated traditional polling places, and instead, turned to the Postal Service to deliver and return ballots. Only three states use Vote-by-Mail for elections — Washington, Oregon and now Colorado.

Over a three-day period, 64 Colorado counties entered more than 3.5 million ballots in the mail. Colorado/Wyoming Election Mail Coordinator Donna Walker was tasked with coordinating with counties, printers, mail acceptance units, and mail processing personnel.

“I’m thrilled that the process went

COLORADO/WYOMING

Colorado Springs carrier in USPS TV commercialsColorado Springs Templeton

Station City Carrier Scott Zilverberg was one of seven

people selected to star in USPS holiday television commercials.

He applied for the spot and, according to Zilverberg, he was “extremely excited and honored” to be selected. He was flown to Austin, TX, to shoot the commercial. The 30-second spot was “very methodical.”

“I thought it was funny that I was the one in the boat, because I don’t swim,” he admitted.

Zilverberg was also the featured carrier driving the LLV in all the scenes and his finger was the one pressing the doorbell.

“The whole experience was fantastic,” he said. “For a day, it was like being in the movies.”

He has gotten several calls from friends and family who saw him on TV.

Zilverberg is a six-year colon cancer survivor and very active with the local support group. He was recently chosen to be on the cover of their “Colander” for 2015.

so smoothly,” she said. “The only problems we had were with printers or vendors. Nothing internal.”

Voter Records Manager Amanda Beach of the City and County of Denver was involved in the planning and mailing of nearly 350,000 ballots from her jurisdiction. Using Intelligent Mail barcodes, they tracked their ballots through the distribution process.

“All ZIP Codes were processed by USPS at 100 percent,” she said in a note to the District manager. “Thank you so much for all of your support in this delivery.”

“We appreciate the attention and detail you gave our

ballots,” said Adams County Clerk and Recorder Karen Long. “Together, we succeeded with the mail ballot delivery system to distribute our voter’s ballots.”

Denver P&DC Dock Supervisor Dzung Nguyen verifies a tray that holds just a few of the 3.5 million ballots mailed in Colorado’s first all-mail ballot election.

Rural Carrier helps stop

potential wildfire

Rural Carrier


Acting Senior Field Sales Representative Ralph Langevain with Gabriella’s General Manager Dave Davis. Davis hopes to bring in lots of “dough” thanks to the switch from traditional advertising to Every Door Direct Mail.

Diversification can be an important factor in helping a small firm to grow and thrive.

Daiv Freeman is living proof. He’s parlayed three distinct product lines — coffee, hats and books — into Hats Off Coffee, a successful small business in Long Prairie, a community of 3,400 in central Minnesota.

His journey into business ownership has been part necessity and part inspiration, with a healthy assist from the Postal Service.

Freeman came to Minnesota with 15 years of mail order experience in the auto parts business. When his employer went out of business, he found opportunity through one of his

hobbies — exotic plants. A lengthy search for a rare book

made him realize other hobbyists might experience the same difficulty. “I have a cactus forum online,” said Freeman. “I know a lot of people in the hobby. So I thought, ‘what the heck, I should give this a try.’”

He pitched his idea to authors and publishers and built a website. Freeman also investigated shipping options and found that “Media Mail, for heavy packages of books, just blows everything else out of the water.”

Freeman grew his book business from his home and got his next inspiration when he needed a new hat. When he finally located exactly what he wanted, he was frustrated to learn he could only order it in a six-pack

A slice of success

When people want to eat out, they usually look for something close to home. When it comes time

for pizza, the neighborhood connection is even stronger.

That’s what helped Acting Senior Field Sales Representative Ralph Langevain make a big Every Door Direct sale to Gabriella’s — an upscale Italian pizzeria.

“I told them that by putting a piece of mail in every mailbox in the neighborhood, they would have a distinct advantage over the other restaurants in the area,” said Langevain.

Unlike other businesses, Gabriella’s was brand new. They didn’t have a reputation or reviews to build upon. But they did have the power of information.

“They weren’t sure of how to market their business,” said Langevain. “Every Door Direct Mail really sells itself, especially when the features and benefits are explained.”

The tipping point was when Langevain visited the business and

NORTHLAND

showed them how to use the mapping tool on the website.

“It allows the customer to choose the neighborhoods and routes they want to reach,” said Langevain.

“I really like the instant feedback I can get using Every Door Direct,” said Gabriella’s General Manager Dave Davis. “Using other forms of advertising, you really don’t know.”

“I can see what works – and then tweak it on the next mailing,” said Davis. “We can be much more adaptive and responsive. Other advertising isn’t nearly as pinpointed as this. When people want a pizza, they want something close. And that’s who we want to reach with our ads.”

According to Davis, customers like the physical touch of mail. It’s something with “staying power,” referring to the fact that mail doesn’t disappear into the Internet, radio or television waves.

The sale is expected to bring in more than $34,000.

Tips to Prevent Cold Stress…

Langevain visited the business and

Dress for the weather.

Protect your face, ears, hands and feet.

Stay dry.

Move to warm areas when possible.

Monitor your physical condition.

Hats off to Priority Mail

Hats off A slice of successNEVADA-SIERRA


NORTHLANDwith three different sizes.

He advertised the other-sized hats that he didn’t want on his book website, fully aware that the hats didn’t exactly fit in with his book theme. Freeman tinkered with a hat website, but soon lost interest. Months later, he discovered that potential customers had been trying to order the hats.

“I thought, wow. Maybe I ought to get serious about this,” he said. Hats take up much more space than books, requiring a separate facility. He found a vacant building that had formerly housed a credit union just a half-block from the Post Office. As he peeked in the windows and began visualizing how to accommodate his two growing businesses, he noted the drive-through window and the light bulb of inspiration lit up again.

He called his uncle, who custom roasts his own coffee and said, “Hey, you want to do a coffee shop?” With that

final component, Hats Off Coffee was complete.

Having both a storefront and online presence allows for larger, more diverse

Flair for businessIn 2010, armed with zero experience,

a $100 investment and a rudimentary website, Laura Benson dipped her toe

into the fashion industry. Four years later, she’s in with both feet.

Benson launched Filly Flair, her online boutique, as a way to pay entry fees for her rodeo hobby. She started out selling western-themed belts and purses to fellow competitors.

She hauled samples to events and handed out business cards at every opportunity. She did research to identify manufacturers she wanted to work with. The business grew rapidly and the product line diversified to reach a wider clientele.

“Now, we’re mainly fashion and a little bit of western,” she explained.

However, the rapid growth didn’t come easily. Working from her basement, Benson found herself packing up orders until midnight. With an upcoming wedding and other life events on the horizon, she had to reassess.

Benson temporarily shut her site down. When she returned, she opened a storefront in Colton, SD, creating a little separation between home and work. Within a year, Filly Flair moved three times with the need for more space.

The Colton location remains but the retail business is a sliver of the online action – with nearly 700,000 likes on Facebook.

The operation is housed in a decidedly nondescript building just off Interstate-29 in Baltic, SD. Ten full-time and several part-time employees process orders and manage an inventory of about 10,000 items. The activity is constant yet orderly, a tribute to the quality of the staff.

DAKOTAS

Acting Post Office Operations Manager Linda Schmit and Filly Flair owner Laura Benson.

Finding the right people and treating them well is vital to manage the growth, Benson explained. “When you start a business, you’re doing everything. This is your baby. You made this,” she said. “As you grow, you have to hand steps off. That’s a hard thing to do, so you have to have great people that you have confidence in.”

Benson also had confidence in the Postal Service as her shipping partner since day one.

Filly Flair has gone from hauling sacks filled with packages into the Post Office to having a dedicated truck for 400- 500 daily packages during the holiday season. The company now qualifies for Commercial Plus Pricing, and everyone is eagerly awaiting the arrival of co-branded packaging with the Filly Flair logo. “That’s a really big deal for our entire team,” Benson says.

It’s the service that keeps Filly Flair a USPS fan. “We have a whole section of the country that gets their orders in two days with Priority Mail. That’s really important for us, knowing our customers get their orders fast,” she said.

Wanted: Your voiceHave something to say? Want to comment on a story in the Update? Send a letter to Rod

Spurgeon, Editor, Western Area Update, 1745 Stout St. Suite 1075, Denver CO 80299-7500

or [email protected]. A digital or print photo of you is appreciated.

Long Prairie, MN, Letter Carrier Lorna Hunter and Hats Off Coffee Owner Daiv Freeman raise a cup to success.

product lines. That helps fuel local sales. “The two ends of the business really support one another,” said Freeman.

Add to that formula the support Freeman has received from his local Post Office and the result is a successful business.

“I don’t understand why more people don’t use the Postal Service for packages. I can only guess that they haven’t run the numbers, but it’s worth the effort,” Freeman explains. “The rates are phenomenal, you get the boxes for free, Priority Mail is faster than the ground service of other carriers and the tracking has caught up.

“I tell everyone because I want the Postal Service to thrive and continue to offer the kinds of services that have benefitted me.”


SALT LAKE CITY

Nailed itJamberry Nails is a firm based

in American Fork, UT, that specializes in providing designer

fingernail and toenail wraps for its customers nationwide. Demand for the company’s products have experienced such rapid growth that the firm recently expanded to a 37,000 square foot warehouse to handle its 20-30 percent monthly increase in sales. With such high product demand, the company needed to find a more efficient package delivery partner that offered competitive pricing.

When Sales Representative Mike Jensen made a cold call to Jamberry to discuss its shipping needs, Jensen

discovered that the company used a competitor’s ground service. He provided Jamberry with an outline of the advantages of USPS shipping services and scheduled a meeting to detail how USPS could help improve its bottom line.

Jensen met with Jamberry’s Chief Operating Officer Brick Bergeson and Operations Manager Peter Larsen and discovered that the company wanted to lower its shipping fees in order to maximize revenue without giving up high quality service. With this information in hand, Jensen created a customized business solution that took advantage of USPS Priority Mail

Cubic Rates. He also worked with Operations Integration Specialist Toby Rampa, District Manager Jimmy Wolf, District Sales Manager Chris Neeley and Network Specialist Darin Chugg to establish a daily pickup, including a drop trailer for their new facility. The savings were too good for Jamberry to ignore.

Jamberry switched to USPS shipping and realized an average cost reduction of $2.74 per package. Besides a lower cost, the delivery time for packages decreased to 1, 2, or 3 days. The new business resulted in anticipated annual revenue of more than $8.8 million for USPS.

This stamp, going on sale Feb. 7, continues the Celebrating Lunar New Year Series.

Jan. 8 marked the 200th anniversary of Major General Andrew Jackson’s triumphant victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans. To commemorate this historic event, USPS dedicated the War of 1812 Battle of New Orleans stamp at the site of the battle.

The Black Heritage series continues by honoring this architect and educator, who is believed to have been

both the first black graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the country’s first academically trained black architect.

The traditional red and

white of the Forever

Hearts stamps make them

appropriate for valentines,

wedding invitations,

baby announcements,

anniversary cards, party

invites, or any occasion

that calls for a classic,

timeless stamp.

The Vintage Rose stamp can be

used for wedding RSVP cards and

thank-you notes, Mother’s and

Father’s Day cards, Valentine’s Day

cards, birthday cards, sympathy

cards, thinking-of-you cards, or for

any time a beautiful stamp is fitting.

The traditional red and

The Vintage Rose stamp can be

2015 winter stamp releases


The long road to successSALT LAKE CITY

Persistence is a virtue that isn’t easy to maintain. It requires a balance of patience, observation

and action, the right combination of which isn’t always the same from one situation to the next. As Hurricane, UT, Postmaster Sjohn Johnson and his employees recently discovered, persistence has its rewards.

In 2010, Johnson received a Customer Connect lead that linked him with Paparazzi Accessories, a direct sales company specializing in the sale of $5 jewelry — including necklaces, bracelets, rings, earrings and hair accessories. He met with company representatives at the time and while they appreciated the offer, they chose to continue their relationship with a postal competitor.

The rejection could have been final, but Johnson and his employees didn’t give up. Hurricane employees took advantage of all opportunities to stay in touch through the years with Paparazzi employees who would pop into the Post Office periodically with a few packages to some far destinations.

Johnson continued to contact the company every six months to check in on their needs, satisfaction with their shipper and to discuss how USPS could support their strategic goals.

In 2014, a chance meeting at a restaurant became the encounter that finally sealed the deal. Johnson struck up a conversation with Paparazzi Co-Founder Trent Kirby and Executive Director Evan Thomas during lunch one afternoon. Kirby divulged a major change in the company’s purchasing and shipping options. Johnson

Hurricane, UT, Postmaster Sjohn Johnson (left) with the Paparazzi Accessories team.

discussed how USPS could offer shipping strategies that aligned with the company’s goals. He asked them to contact him when they were ready to discuss shipping options, pricing and transportation.

Within three months, Johnson received a call from Kirby requesting more information. Both Johnson and Senior USPS Sales Executive Chris Neeley met with Kirby and Thomas to discuss their needs. When they realized the cost and service advantages of USPS, they made the switch.

“Before August 23rd of this year, our sales were only made to licensed Paparazzi distributors (consultants) throughout the country,” said Thomas. “Now, we also offer online retail sales with direct shipping to anyone in the country, licensed or not. Orders are placed under the ID number of the consultant and we ship to their customers using USPS.”

Total estimated USPS annual revenue for the persistent effort is $364,000.

“My employees and I have kind of been pecking at them for the last three years,” said Johnson. “We know the people at Paparazzi on a first name

basis. I really consider it an office sales lead, because my employees visit with them frequently. We did everything we could to earn their business and it finally paid off. When I heard they decided to start shipping more lightweight packages, I knew we could save them money.”

Johnson says it’s all in a day’s work. “Generating revenue is part of the job. It’s job security for me and our employees. If we can save them money, it’s icing on the cake,” said Johnson.

Paparazzi couldn’t be happier with their decision, or the support they’ve received the Postal Service.

“It’s our first business venture with the Postal Service, and we’ve been really happy with it,” he said. “Sjohn is great to stay in close contact with us. He pays attention to the details, such as days the Postal Service will be closed and how it will impact us. He makes sure we have what we need for special pick-ups

the days before and after. He is urgent about our success and we appreciate that.”

The praise of Johnson goes all the way to the top.

“Sjohn has been instrumental in the setup and implementation of our relationship with USPS going above and beyond the call of duty to help make it a smooth transition,” said Paparazzi Co-Founder Trent Kirby. “His open line of communication helped make the transition smooth and problem free.”

SALT LAKE CITY

PRESORTEDFirst-Class MailPostage & Fees PaidUSPSPermit No G-10

The Western Area Update is published quarterly by the Western Area Corporate Communications Center. Send all correspondence to the address above.

Vice President Area Operations, Western Area Drew Aliperto

Manager Corporate Communications John Friess

Editor Rod [email protected]

National EditorGregrick Frey

Art DirectorMarcial Amigo

Graphic Designer Maciej Zajac

This publication provides notice of USPS trademarks by capitalizing their initial letters and by referring readers to the trademark lists at http://lawdept.usps.gov/ClientServ/Trademark/ tmlist.cfm. USPS registered marks include United States Postal Service, Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, First-Class Mail, Click-N-Ship and Parcel Post. Unregistered marks include Postal Service, Post Office, USPS Tracking and Signature Confirmation.

The USPS eagle symbol and logotype also are registered trademarks of the United States Postal Service. All rights reserved.

For more information visit usps.com.

Western Area Update © 2015 United States Postal Service

USPS National Emergency Hotline.Is your facility operating?Call 888-363-7462.

Moving? If you have access to the postal intranet, Blue, or a Personnel Center kiosk, you can change your address by clicking on Employee Self Service. If you don’t have access to these options, request a Form 1216, Employees’ Current Mailing Address, from your supervisor. All districts should send Form 1216 to HRSSC Compensation/Benefits, PO Box 970400, Greensboro, NC 27497-0400.

JER

ILYN

CO

LBU

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High voltage delivery

This shocking mailbox was discovered by Valentine, NE, Retail Associate Jerilyn

Colburn while travelling though her local community. The unusual characteristics of the assembly contrast significantly from a typical post that dutifully shoulders the day’s mail delivery.

The uncommon find left Colburn with a warm feeling of joy and wonder without the electrifying experience the utility pole once offered to local residents.

High voltage delivery

from the area vice president the right shipper...

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