Acme Announces the 2022 Pinnacle Award Winner

When she confirmed up for work on her initially working day at Acme Brick, Julie Sowards could not have known her new task was likely to transform into a 38-calendar year trip to the pinnacle. Having said that, which is particularly what has transpired.

On March 1, 2022, Acme CEO, Dennis Knautz announced the winner of what will be an annual award for excellence – The Pinnacle Award. “With this award, we want to identify an associate who has shown a extensive-phrase commitment and contribution to the success of our firm. No a person epitomizes this extra than Julie Sowards.”

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An Incredible Occupation

“I honestly never considered I would have so significantly enjoyable in a task,” Sowards mentioned. “The qualified benefits have been remarkable, and in quite a few ways, humbling. Any achievement that I have enjoyed has been the result of hundreds of other persons, my mates and colleagues at Acme Brick. They have aided me, and I have tried using to aid them.”

In an overview of what Julie Sowards has attained in her vocation with this 130-year-previous company, Carol Kiburz, Vice President of Human Methods at Acme reported, “She began her job with us as a receptionist and an administrative assistant for Dave Martin and John Harp.   

“Julie’s enthusiasm and outstanding intellect authorized her to develop into a “subject subject expert” (SME) for the Mideast Region (in Springfield, MO). Later on, she assumed the position of head SME for the full organization. In this function, she handles the coaching and implementation of new insurance policies for unique departments and new hires, which most not too long ago integrated the “Smarter Commerce” (a new method for credit rating card processing) software as effectively as purchase entry and pricing examination for the Midwest location.  

“Julie is the form of associate who hardly ever states ‘No’ and is always there to assistance.  She has mentored new associates into their roles by heading to their site in human being. Her checklist of work duties is virtually limitless: payroll, buy entry, credit rating, dispatch, non-brick obtain orders, created brick allocations, SME obligations, coaching, mentoring, product sales rep assist, office environment supervisor, and administration.

“Her commitment to Acme is second to none,” Kiburz concluded. “Julie is truly 1 of Acme’s best property. We are delighted that she has received the 2022 Pinnacle Award!”

Embracing Transform

More than the span of her tenure at Acme Brick, Julie has observed a whole lot of adjust and, not like numerous workers who sense awkward with a regularly growing products blend, management engineering and customer expectations, she relishes it.

“The SME’s of our corporation seriously embrace alter,” she said. “That’s a aspect of the career description. Our business management helps make conclusions about more items or new enterprise technologies that will greatly enhance the advancement of our organization, and it’s our occupation to thoroughly comprehend it and then encourage this to the discipline. 

“Ultimately, the experts in every of our workplaces make this system function. With any luck ,, we do a good job of mentoring our co-employees and conveying any new apply, but at the stop of the day, they bring their immense abilities and determination to making sure outcomes. 

“Almost every single day, there is a thing transforming in our enterprise. It is this style of problem that helps make me energized to get up and go to operate!”

The 2022 Pinnacle Award winner and 3-many years veteran was asked the noticeable concern: How has Acme Brick adjusted in the earlier 38-several years?

“The most significant change is that we’re no extended just a brick enterprise,” Julie stated. “The selection and kinds of goods we now supply operate the gamut of the ‘home improvement’ group. 

“This implies our product sales associates ought to be qualified to enable clients comprehend the characteristics and gains of a considerably wider assortment of products – from flooring to out of doors amusement appliances to minimal upkeep landscaping products. It also indicates our accounting, promoting, supply chain management, credit rating processes and every other part of our organization should be expanded in order to exceed our customers’ expectations. It’s a significant challenge, but these variations have designed us a improved business.”

There are hundreds of Acme associates just like Julie Sowards, waiting around to help you locate the solutions you have to have. Simply click here to talk to just one.