September 10, 2021 | News & Press Releases
Steve Wadstrom (second from left) with Hy-Vee District Vice President Ryan Roberts (left), Ankeny Hy-Vee Store Director Jen Kopriva (second from right), and Hy-Vee Regional Vice President Jeff Mueller (right).
ANKENY, Iowa (Sept. 10, 2021) — Customers at the North Hy-Vee in Ankeny 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 Steve Wadstrom.
Steve, the Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh manager at North Ankeny, is well-known for his passion and commitment to his customers. He tries to put a smile on the face of everyone he meets and greet every customer that walks through the door of the North Ankeny Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh. That’s why fellow employees, family members, customers and Hy-Vee executives gathered at the North Ankeny Hy-Vee yesterday to surprise Steve 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.
“He loves to put a smile on the faces of his customers and his employees,” wrote Ryan Roberts, district vice president. “Steve knows the customers who come into his store by name and shows that he genuinely cares for them. He is the first to help a customer if the air needs checked in their tires, assist them if they’re having car trouble, or anything else that a customer might need. It comes as no surprise that many customers have written recommendations for Steve as this kind of service is a daily occurrence.”
Steve has put a smile on many customers’ faces, and even brought tears to a few eyes with the outstanding service he provides. Steve has been a sympathetic ear to a customer who lost his wife, and has even provided a full-service fill up to a customer when the pay at the pump feature was not working. Going above and beyond for every customer is just a normal day at work for Steve.
“Steve is a true leader who consistently lives the Hy-Vee fundamentals every day with each person he comes in contact with,” wrote Jeorgie Smith, digital marketing manager for Hy-Vee’s Des Moines market. “He consistently goes above and beyond for his customers and holds employees to the same standard. Steve is a role model for both our store and company of what it means to deliver the perfect customer experience. He is a humble leader and is dedicated to the Hy-Vee family. I truly believe Steve is the epitome of ‘Legendary Customer Service’ and as a company we are honored to have an employee as passionate as Steve Wadstrom.”
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 Steve 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.
“Steve is an outstanding example of the Hy-Vee fundamentals 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 Steve is certainly deserving of this award.”
Steve 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.