Inaugural program salutes dealers’ behind-the-scenes superstars
By Andy Kriege, YSN
YourSource News is excited to announce the winners of the first annual High Five Awards, a salute to the unheralded employees who are the backbone of every business.
Each year this award will honor five special employees from across the industry for their relentless pursuit of doing whatever it takes to get the job done. The High Fives recognize those who are doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes with little or no fanfare and deserve their day in the sun. Think of it as a collective “high five” from all your peers to applaud these special workers for all they do.
YSN asked independent retailers and supporting companies from coast to coast to select their very best staffers for this coveted accolade. YSN received scores of nominations for well-deserving workers from across the country and selected the top five to represent the inaugural class of High Five Award winners.
The High Five winners for 2022 are:
John Love Jr., Pattersons Home Appliances, Knoxville, Tenn.
John was cited for his incredible dedication during his 25-year career with Pattersons. Over the decades he worked his way up from delivery person to parts, then onto sales and eventually became the operations manager for the company’s six (and soon to be seven) locations. “John is the first one in the door at 6:30 a.m. and has been known to go in at 2:00 a.m. to make sure everything is OK when a spider sets off the security alarm,” said owner Elaine Patterson.
Cody Miller, Idler’s Home, Paso Robles, Calif.
Cody began working at Idler’s some 25 years ago at the tender age of 18. He started out in the warehouse, transitioned into installation work, and eventually moved into sales. Never one to balk at a challenge, Cody took the lead on the introduction of mattresses and home furnishings at Idler’s and has contributed greatly to the growth of the business he grew up over the past quarter of a century. “Cody takes on way more than he should, but never complains about it,” said owner Jennifer Idler.
Rob Allen, Bemis Appliance, Yakima Wash.
Rob has been with Bemis Appliance for 28 years and currently serves as delivery manager, overseeing an 8-person crew and managing the company’s warehouse. He is highly organized and willing to pitch in wherever needed. During the height of the COVID chaos, he jumped aboard the delivery trucks and helped deliver products, often late into the evening. “We could not have managed all that the pandemic threw at us without Rob,” said owner Ron Bemis. “After 28 years he continues to exceed our expectations.”
Cheryl Bettin, Canham Maytag Home Appliance, Norfolk, Neb.
A 17-year-veteran of the team, Cheryl is the heart and soul of Canham Maytag, running the parts and service department simultaneously and seamlessly. She keeps all the trucks stocked and moving and even pitches in on the sales floor in a pinch. “No matter what time of day or night, Cheryl will help out anyone with anything wherever she is needed,” said owner Bill Canham, who described her as “the number one asset” that came with the business when he acquired it in 2005. “This place would not run without her.”
Dean Voelker, Klein’s BrandSource, Fairview Heights, Ill.
Dean has been ringing up sales for Klein’s for 30 years. The consummate team player, Dean will pitch in any time for anyone in need of assistance. He is usually the first guy to answer the service department phone when everyone is tied up, or to help answer questions for the other sales associates, drawing on the immense wealth of knowledge he has accumulated over the decades. Sales Manager Clay Iler marveled at his loyalty, noting that “He’s the first guy in the door to turn the store on every day, and to do so for 30 years tells you all you need to know about the guy.”
Jenny Boyle, Boyle Appliance Center, Ogden, Ut.
In addition to the five winners, a special High Five Spirit Award was presented to Jenny Boyle of Boyle Appliance Center in Ogden, Utah. Jenny, the sister of store owner Pam Blanch, has Downs Syndrome, and when the pandemic hit, she could no longer work her regular job or attend her day program. Pam began bringing Jenny to the store, where she has become quite an asset to the business. Besides being a wonderful company ambassador (she checks in daily to make sure all on the team are doing well), she serves as custodian and personal assistant to Pam. “All of her cognitive skills have improved since coming here,” Blanch noted. “Jenny loves her job at the store, and everyone loves her.”
Congratulations to each of this year’s High Five Winners, and a special thanks to all of you who took the time to nominate so many of your hardworking staff.
YourSource News raises our arm with a resounding high five to you all!
BrandSource, a unit of YSN publisher AVB Inc., is a nationwide buying group for independent appliance, furniture, mattress, and CE dealers.