You will see some changes in our department managers this month. We are excited because we have provided opportunities for advancement and professional growth to several individuals in our manager rank.
Finding qualified employees continues to be a challenge for all organizations, including Care & Share. To keep skilled employees, it is necessary to provide them with continued training, interesting assignments, and opportunities for advancement. We invest in our employees by giving them opportunities to learn new skills and take on new responsibilities. That sometimes means there can be a few bumps as people learn new roles and acclimate to new assignments, but it is better than losing an employee due to burnout or feeling they have reached their ceiling. We trust our volunteers wish for our staff to grow and succeed, and support their work and new roles.
As previously announced, we have a new Clothing Manager that is starting on Monday, November 18. Robert Rich joins us with an extensive history of retail and a deep love of working with people. He is very excited and looking forward to getting started and meeting our great crew of volunteers.
Robert’s hiring follows the advancement of Katie Styer to a new role as our Specialties Manager, which she will assume next month when Betsy Heavener reduces her role to a part-time position. Betsy has served faithfully in her role for 22 years and took an integral role in developing our success on eBay and auctions. She will continue in her new role as a Jewelry Buyer, serving 24 hours a week. We are grateful for her time with us and looking forward to her service in a new format. Katie has demonstrated an eye for product and a good knowledge of trends in the marketplace. As Specialties Manager, we envision her being a resource to all departments in offering those special pieces that we are given at a fair price that will honor the donor’s gift and expectation.
Elijah Krapf-Beckett, a familiar face from our Furniture Shoppe, has been promoted to Outlet Manager. He is eager to develop leadership skills, and the Outlet has been our training ground for new talent. As our operations continue to grow, for Elijah to have a good start in his new role, we have asked Jerry Zimmerman, Variety Manager, to provide management oversight to the Outlet. This will allow Jerry to provide direct hands-on training to Elijah and allow Jerry to increase his own managerial skills.
Evan Shlessman, former Outlet Manager, has been assisting in Furniture for the past six months. He has tremendous people skills with our donors and customers, and he is now our Truck Donations Manager. In this new role, he will be ensuring that our donors receive excellent service and that truck pickups and deliveries occur smoothly.
As new faces arrive in your department, please take a moment to introduce yourself! Our employees look forward to developing relationships with our dedicated volunteers.