September 7, 2021 | News & Press Releases
Mark Hoffman (center) with Hy-Vee District Vice President, Western Iowa District, Mitch Streit (left) and Hy-Vee District Store Director Curtis Bortell (right).
CRESTON, Iowa (Sept. 7, 2021) — Customers at the Hy-Vee in Creston, Iowa, know just who to turn to when they need help. They’ll find the helpful smile and exemplary customer service Hy-Vee is known for in Mark Hoffman.
As a produce manager, Mark works hard every day to make sure customers have the best experience while shopping for produce at the Creston Hy-Vee. Mark can often be found with a spray bottle and rag in hand and a smile on his face to ensure every customer is greeted and welcomed to a clean, fresh store. That’s why fellow employees, family members, customers and Hy-Vee executives gathered at the Creston Hy-Vee last Friday to surprise Mark with the Legendary Customer Service Award. The award recognizes exemplary achievement in providing service that exceeds customers’ expectations. Only 11 winners were selected from among more than 86,000 Hy-Vee employees across eight states.
“Mark knows his customers by name and will drop everything to assist them,” wrote Mitch Streit, district vice president for Hy-Vee’s Western Iowa district. “He enjoys mentoring the younger employees in the store and sharing knowledge about Hy-Vee, or giving advice about life. He is a third-generation Hy-Vee employee who truly knows what it means to serve others, customers and co-workers alike, and he is never without his helpful smile.”
Mark can often be found making sure all the produce in his department is fresh, or helping customers find items in all parts of the store. He has been with Hy-Vee for 37 years and has truly mastered knowing every customer’s name and greeting everyone he sees in the store.
“Mark starts every day with a smile,” wrote Isaac Binns, the former assistant manager of store operations at the Creston Hy-Vee. “He makes sure that all of the produce is fresh, everything is clean, and all of his signs are correct so that the customer knows what they will be spending and not have any extra surprises when they get to the register. He goes above and beyond every day to greet every customer that walks through the door and make them feel right at home. He truly radiates the Hy-Vee way.”
Candidates are nominated for the Legendary Customer Service Award by their co-workers, and winners are selected by a panel of Hy-Vee’s top officers. Nominations are evaluated on the employee’s overall contributions to the company in nine areas: passion for customer service, attitude, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving skills, dedication to Hy-Vee fundamentals, communication skills, professional image and self-confidence.
Hy-Vee’s Chairman, CEO and President Randy Edeker said Mark demonstrates exactly the type of caring commitment to others that Hy-Vee leaders had in mind when the Legendary Customer Service Awards were established in 2006.
“Mark is an outstanding example of the Hy-Vee’s helpful smile and truly going above and beyond for a customer,” Edeker said. “This award was created to honor the best of the best in our Hy-Vee family and Mark is certainly deserving of this award.”
Mark and the other 2021 recipients of the Legendary Customer Service Award will be inducted into Hy-Vee’s Customer Service Hall of Fame and receive a coveted Legendary Customer Service name badge and a custom-designed ring to commemorate the honor. Recipients will also receive a crystal trophy and a free trip of their choice.
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Hy-Vee, Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 280 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $11 billion annually. The supermarket chain is synonymous with quality, variety, convenience, healthy lifestyles, culinary expertise and superior customer service. Hy-Vee ranks in the Top 10 Most Trusted Brands and has been named one of America’s Top 5 favorite grocery stores. The company’s more than 86,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.