August 23, 2019 | News & Press Releases
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota (Aug. 23, 2019) — When Sioux Falls customers need a meal to celebrate a special occasion, they know that when they come to see Dick Stanga at the Hy-Vee on South Minnesota they’ll get a delicious meal with outstanding service. Whether it’s a meal for a family at home or an event feeding 1,000 guests, Stanga knows how to make sure each customer feels like his only customer.
Stanga, the Hickory House manager at the Hy-Vee on South Minnesota and a 40-year Hy-Vee veteran, has the same standard for every customer – which is to make sure they become a repeat customer. His passion for Hy-Vee and customer service is why fellow employees, family members, customers and Hy-Vee executives gathered at the Hy-Vee on South Minnesota today to surprise Stanga with the Legendary Customer Service Award. The award recognizes exemplary achievement in providing service that exceeds customers’ expectations. Only 11 winners are selected each year from among more than 80,000 Hy-Vee employees across eight states.
“Dick has been a key leader not only in his store but across the company,” Stanga’s colleague Adam Ullom wrote in his nomination. “He works directly with his team to make sure they’re trained in what makes Hy-Vee unique. He will open and close the department alongside his team to make sure everything is done to his standards. He personally delivers catering orders to make sure he thanks each customer for their business and to ensure everything exceeds their expectations.”
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 Stanga demonstrates exactly the type of commitment to customers that Hy-Vee leaders had in mind when the Legendary Customer Service Award was established in 2006.
“Dick lives out the things Hy-Vee stands for in everything he does — caring, helpful and dedicated service to our customers. His nominations pointed to his consistent commitment to his customers, his co-workers and his community. He goes above and beyond with every customer interaction, and keeps his customers coming back,” Edeker said. “This award honors the best of the best from among our Hy-Vee family, and Dick is most deserving of this recognition.”
Stanga and the other 2019 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. They will be guests of honor at Hy-Vee’s service award dinners in October, which honor employees for longevity of service. They also will be recognized at Hy-Vee’s annual stockholders’ meeting in December, where they will receive a travel voucher good for a trip to a destination of their choice. And finally, their photos will be prominently featured on the side of Hy-Vee trucks, showcasing their helpful smiles to millions of travelers across the Midwest.
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Hy-Vee Inc. is an employee-owned corporation operating more than 260 retail stores across eight Midwestern states with sales of $10 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 80,000 employees provide “A Helpful Smile in Every Aisle” to customers every day. For additional information, visit www.hy-vee.com.