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Have you given thought to your hopes and dreams for this year?
Remember Henry Ford’s famous words, “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t — you’re right.” Thinking positive will not only help you reach your goals, but also let you enjoy the ride along the way.
Whether your goals are personal or professional, now’s the time to commit and put your vision into action. Publix associates shared their goals with Publix News about taking a positive step toward their future. Let’s join them and make 2016 our best year yet!
Baker Angel Williams, #1202, Pelham, Alabama
Lately, I have been working on updating my life so I can move to the next level. My 2016 goals include not getting behind on any of my bills for the entire year and achieving a management position in the bakery by third quarter. And most important to my health, I will kick my awful nicotine habit by the end of this month! I remain enthusiastic and determined to achieve all three of these goals.
Customer Service Staff Samantha Bianco, #1439, Orlando, Florida
In 2016, I would like to finish school and continue traveling. I’m attending online school at Valencia College while I work 40 hours a week at Publix. I plan to finish my associate degree, but I’ll take time to travel this year too. I’ve already been to Canada, Tennessee and Iceland. It’s pretty exciting! And this year, I’m going to New York and Norway. I can’t wait!
Assistant Deli Manager Daniel Colon, #853, Greensboro, Georgia
I came to the United States with $500 in my pocket and the desire to make something of myself. After three weeks of non-stop job searching, I got the call from Publix. I was made a full-time deli clerk in less than three months, and I became an assistant deli manager in a year’s time. My goals include becoming a deli manager, and in the next five years, to become a deli retail improvement specialist (RIS). Everything I am here in America is because of Publix.
Food Safety Specialist Robert Casey, Miami Division
My personal goal for 2016 is to complete the immigration process for my wife. We met online and were married a year later in August 2015. She is Canadian, and we are in the process of getting a spouse visa for her so we can be together full time.
Customer Service Manager Melinda Gates, #773, Atlanta
I would like to start off by thanking Mr. George for creating a company that gives me the opportunity to do what I love each day. My career goals are broken down into three categories: daily, monthly and ultimate.
My daily goal is to ensure I am the best example of Mr. George for my team, to not only treat my customers as royalty but also my team.
I strive to perpetuate Publix’s culture through my everyday interactions and by providing premier customer service throughout the store. I also plan to learn something new about each department on a daily basis. This will allow me to become the best candidate for the assistant store manager position. On a monthly basis, I will execute on the new things I’ve learned about each department to reach and surpass every goal that is set before me, such as helping improve sales throughout the store, meeting special program goals or meeting KPI goals. I will consistently sharpen and improve my overall performance — not only in my current position as customer service manager but in every position that follows. My ultimate goal is to become a district manager.
Assistant Store Manager Mike “Willie” Scottman, #800, Atlanta
My professional goal is to become a Publix store manager by the end of 2016. I’m a cancer survivor, and my personal goal is to remain cancer-free.
As an official volunteer for the American Cancer Society, I plan on volunteering at least 10 times this year.
Cashier Audrey Mullaney, #628, Tampa, Florida
My kids have just graduated from high school, and they’re going to college, so I hope to make more of my career at Publix and move up. I’ll now be able to open up my availability, and I can do more to help Publix. Maybe I’ll even go on a cruise with my husband in 2016. It would be our first cruise together after all these years. How about the Caribbean? That would be really nice.
Customer Service Staff Alex Matthey, #1251, Bethlehem, Georgia
For 2016, my goals are both career-driven and personal. My career at Publix has just started to move forward, so my most important career goal is to be a customer service team leader by the end of 2016. If it comes sooner, I want to go for management. My personal goals are to start eating better and to save up enough money to buy a new car.
Assistant Bakery Manager Nicole Crews #111, Pinellas Park, Florida
In 2016, I’m looking forward to my destination wedding and honeymoon in St. Lucia. My fiancé and I have never been there, and we both want to explore a new island together.
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Grocery Manager Joseph Castillo, #1453, Charlotte, North Carolina
My wife and I were really busy last year, between moving here, getting married and buying a house. I’m just looking forward to maintaining this year, just taking time to settle in and enjoy my new life. Professionally, my goal is to become an assistant store manager by the end of the year. I took the test in December and would like to move up. Publix is having tremendous growth in this area and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.
Customer Service Staff Brittany Holsomback, #1202, Pelham, Alabama
I’m going on my fourth year with Publix, and I’ve never worked anywhere before where I’ve had so many opportunities to be a better me. When I started at Publix, I thought it was just a job that would give me money. Since then I’ve learned it’s a career with endless possibilities. I’ve worked my way up and plan to go even further. My goal is to learn as much as I can and be the best I can be. I know Publix cares about me and is interested in how well I do as a person. Publix has helped me to have a better life — giving me the confidence I need and the opportunity to provide for myself. I want to thank Publix and those who have helped me get to where I am now. 2016 looks so bright! I’m excited for the future and thankful to be here.
Meat Cutter Mark House, #1251, Bethlehem, Georgia
My goals for 2016 are to take and pass my ROI test for assistant meat manager; to continue learning as much as possible and make my transition into management a little easier; to finish building the deck around my pool; and to get my red belt in karate.
Deli Clerk Jonique Millan, #1439, Orlando, Florida
In 2016, I hope to get more involved in community service. I volunteer with the American Heart Association, and I’ve been volunteering with March of Dimes for more than five years, doing walks and taking part in their events. I came to Orlando four years ago because my mom was sick, so I wanted to help my dad care for her. I do my community service in honor of my mom, and I love it. I plan to keep up all of my involvement to help others.
Grocery Replenishment Specialist Eric Parton, #1202, Pelham, Alabama
My professional and personal goals for 2016 are very similar. As Publix grows in the next year, I want to grow with them. I plan on taking my test to become a manager and then be promoted to assistant grocery manager — if not grocery manager — by the end of the year. I am as serious about my future as Publix is about theirs. Personally, I want to help my wife graduate college and get her new career started. We plan to purchase our first new home together, and our family can grow as our careers grow.
Customer Service Staff Samantha Geary, #628, Tampa, Florida
Currently, I’m in school, so I want to make sure I continue maintaining my grades because that’s really important to me. I’m going to make an effort to procrastinate less, because that’s always an issue. But, I know I can do it. I want to make sure I’m focused on that in 2016.
Meat Manager John Craig, #111, Pinellas Park, Florida
I’d like to run a full marathon in under four and a half hours. That’s my goal. I love running and feel it’s a great stress reliever. Running marathons is fun, and I really enjoy it!
Grocery Team Leader Derek Andrews, #853, Greensboro, Georgia
When I first came to Publix in April 2013, I had no idea I was going to be in the position I am now. Publix is truly known for not letting hard work, dedication and desire go unnoticed. With a daughter soon to come, being a dad is both exciting and a blessing. It has inspired me to work even harder each day. I want to become an assistant grocery manager within the next year, and from there, I want to continue to climb the management ladder all the way up to store manager!
Produce Clerk Luis “Lex” Nieves, #1439, Orlando, Florida
I started a year ago in produce with Publix and went full-time after just six months, which is really exciting. I just want to keep moving up because I love Publix! I started working here because someone told me Publix had great opportunities. That’s exactly what I needed, and being here now, I realize they were right. I’m excited to be part of this company, and I just want to keep moving up until I hit the top! That’s where I want to be.
Customer Service Team Leader John Harms, #1202, Pelham, Alabama
My professional goal for 2016 is to go into management. I don’t want to stop at assistant customer service manager; I want to continue up the ladder as far as I can go. I have worked for Publix for eight years and feel I have grown a lot during this time. I have been given the tools required to do my job right. Once I get into management, I hope to be able to give up my second job, help my stepmother more often, and take vacations so I can travel to different countries.
Grocery Replenishment Specialist Christina Jones, #628, Tampa, Florida
I have a 2-year-old and a 9-year-old, so I have a lot of busyness in my life. My goal is to get more organized in 2016. If I can get my kids more organized, then I can be more organized too. Our lives will be easier and I can move into management. That’s my goal!
Customer Service Staff Brenda Omaish, #1202, Pelham, Alabama
I have been with Publix since 2011 and so appreciate my Publix family. They have created a safe environment where learning and growing is a joy. I’ve been given the gift of great management and real support, and I have learned so much over the last four years. I feel the brass ring is clearly in view, and this is my year to grab hold and go for a big future with Publix. I truly believe I am ready. With hard work, determination and a big smile, anything is possible for me with Publix in 2016!
Meat Cutter Paul Haberman, #1251, Bethlehem, Georgia
I’ve been with Publix for more than three years now and am thankful for all of the opportunities. My plans for 2016 are to move up to an assistant meat manager for Publix and to keep moving up from there!
Customer Service Staff Anna de Leon, #628, Tampa, Florida
School is important to me. I plan to get my pre-requisites completed so I can attend the University of South Florida for mass communications, with a focus on marketing. I really want to accomplish that, and then become a manager as soon as possible. And I want to do whatever Publix needs me to do!
Grocery Replenishment Specialist Jonathan Yates, #1251, Bethlehem, Georgia
My career with Publix began in July 2012 in customer service. I realized early on that providing stellar customer service is not only a job requirement, but also something that brings me personal enjoyment. After a short time, I transferred to grocery and am currently a grocery replenishment specialist. I am committed to a long, successful career with Publix. My first major goal of 2016 is to become a grocery team leader. One of my ultimate goals with Publix is to be the recipient of the George W. Jenkins Award.
Seafood Specialist James Panacci, #1439, Orlando, Florida
As a seafood specialist, I would like to increase sales. We have a nice seafood department here at our store — one of the best I’ve seen! In a short period of time and with my help, I know our sales have gone up. My goal is to keep those numbers up and increase our sales in 2016.
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2016 Associate Goals
Have you given thought to your hopes and dreams for this year? Whether your goals are personal or professional, now’s the time to commit and put your vision into action. Tune in to this month’s Publix News Live to hear what some of your co-workers are planning to accomplish in 2016.
