FOR BELK ASSOCIATES Number 1 Volume 9 . October 2010 My Viewpoint by Lynda Stadler, editor IN THIS ISSUE • Belk Reveals Logo with Southern Style and Grand Fanfare • Store Associates Unite in Celebration of New Brand • Six Associates Honored with Award of Excellence ________________________________ EDITOR'S PRODUCT PICK Home Accents Collection This tableware from Home Accents is hand painted in solids and patterns that mix and match and dress up any meal with a casual festive feel. Includes dinner and salad plates, serving platters and bowls, mugs, and cereal and fruit bowls. Sold open stock. $4.89 - $29.99. Pattern: Natalia CUSTOMER SERVICE & SALES ACHIEVEMENTS Complete Report Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) | August 2010 Top 5 Stores – Overall Satisfaction Month YTD Total Belk 80% 90% #292 Hot Springs, Ark. 95% 79% #580 Mooresville, N.C. 94% 80% #609 Mobile, Ala. 93% 83% #371 Tulsa, Okla. 93% 81% #388 Cape Coral, Fla. 93% 93% Store Standings Top 5 stores in each division that met or exceeded sales and profit plans for the month of August Northern Division Rockingham, N.C. #14 Statesville, N.C. #11 Roanoke Rapids, N.C. #360 Mooresville, N.C. #580 High Point, N.C. #30 Belk made a huge splash in the marketplace earlier this month with its newly-released brand identity and logo. Members of the media and customers attended celebrations in Charlotte N.C., Raleigh, N.C., Atlanta, Ga. and Birmingham, Ala. to watch the momentous event of new store signs being unveiled on the front of Belk buildings. News media headlines, including a front page feature in Women's Wear Daily and national television coverage, proclaimed Belk's new logo and branding initiative as a statement of the "hipper, modern side of its southern charm." I like the way that sounds. The various training, meetings and communications relating to the new brand initiative, gave us all a strong sense for what the Belk mission is really all about: to satisfy the modern Southern lifestyle like no one else, so that our customers get the fashion they desire and the value they deserve. Emphasizing the southern component of our company is a smart and sensible way to reinforce Belk's value to the marketplace and lets customers know that no matter what the logo looks like, Belk will always be their "hometown" store - even if they live in a "big" southern city. We hope, too, to lure new customers with updated, modern assortments and earn their loyalty based on the service experience they enjoy. As you see the transformation in your store or office with the appearance of new Belk logo on bags, signs, visual displays, doormats, windows decals, advertising and kiosks, remember what you wrote on your "You Are the Brand" commitment tag and try to live it each day. Thanks for helping to make the Belk brand come to life in your world. A shout out to Mary Conley and her team and associates in Gastonia, N.C. #6 who invited me to participate in their branding celebration on Sept. 30. (See story below: Store Associates Unite in Celebration of New Brand.) Peace - Lynda Belk Reveals Logo with Glitzy Southern Style and Grand Fanfare Belk revealed its new corporate identity and logo to store managers and corporate associates at a blowout celebration event at the Charlotte Convention Center on Sept. 27 attended by more than 1,100 Belk managers and associates. The new logo, shrouded in intense mystery over the past 12 months, was unveiled in a multi-media display of smoke, lights, pyrotechnics and music. The event began with a “brand camp” session, followed by a full-scale, fall fashion show, and a surprise live performance by Kellie Pickler, fifth-season American Idol contestant and country music star. One Belk veteran admitted, "in all my years at Belk I've never seen anything this big!" “Wow, it’s great to have all of the store managers together in the same room, along with managers from the division offices, BSS and the distribution centers,” exclaimed Tim Belk, chairman and CEO, as he welcomed guests. “The anticipation has been building all month and I feel the energy and excitement in this room. I have never been more excited about the future of this company.” The brand camp, designed to further acquaint associates and managers with the new Belk brand identity, was presented in a fun, energetic game show format featuring John Thomas, executive vice president, private brands as host and Adam Orvos, executive vice president, human resources, Dixie Minatra, vice president and regional store manager, and Corliss Kazemba, store manager at Belk in Cape Coral, Fla. #388, as contestants. Designed after a combination of
Transcript
F O R B E L K A S S O C I A T E S
Number 1 Volume 9 . October 2010
My Viewpoint by Lynda Stadler, editor
IN THIS ISSUE• Belk Reveals Logo with Southern
Style and Grand Fanfare • Store Associates Unite in
Celebration of New Brand • Six Associates Honored with
Award of Excellence ________________________________
EDITOR'S
PRODUCT PICK
Home Accents Collection This tableware from Home Accents is hand painted in solids and patterns that mix and match and dress up any meal with a casual festive feel. Includes dinner and salad plates, serving platters and bowls, mugs, and cereal and fruit bowls. Sold open stock. $4.89 - $29.99.
Pattern: Natalia
CUSTOMER SERVICE & SALES ACHIEVEMENTS
Complete Report Customer Satisfaction Survey (CSS) | August 2010
Top 5 Stores – Overall Satisfaction
Month YTDTotal Belk 80% 90%
#292 Hot Springs, Ark. 95% 79%#580 Mooresville, N.C. 94% 80%#609 Mobile, Ala. 93% 83%
#371 Tulsa, Okla. 93% 81%#388 Cape Coral, Fla. 93% 93% Store Standings Top 5 stores in each division that met or exceeded sales and profit plans for the month of August
Northern Division Rockingham, N.C. #14 Statesville, N.C. #11 Roanoke Rapids, N.C. #360 Mooresville, N.C. #580 High Point, N.C. #30
Belk made a huge splash in the marketplace earlier this month with its newly-released brand identity and logo. Members of the media and customers attended celebrations in Charlotte N.C., Raleigh, N.C., Atlanta, Ga. and Birmingham, Ala. to watch the momentous event of new store signs being unveiled on the front of Belk buildings. News media headlines, including a front page feature in Women's Wear Daily and national television coverage, proclaimed Belk's new logo and branding initiative as a statement of the "hipper, modern side of its southern charm." I like the way that sounds.
The various training, meetings and communications relating to the new brand initiative, gave us all a strong sense for what the Belk mission is really all about: to satisfy the modern Southern lifestyle like no one else, so that our customers get the fashion they desire and the value they deserve. Emphasizing the southern component of our company is a smart and sensible way to reinforce Belk's value to the marketplace and lets customers know that no matter what the logo looks like, Belk will always be their "hometown" store - even if they live in a "big" southern city. We hope, too, to lure new customers with updated, modern assortments and earn their loyalty based on the service experience they enjoy. As you see the transformation in your store or office with the appearance of new Belk logo on bags, signs, visual displays, doormats, windows decals, advertising and kiosks, remember what you wrote on your "You Are the Brand" commitment tag and try to live it each day. Thanks for helping to make the Belk brand come to life in your world. A shout out to Mary Conley and her team and associates in Gastonia, N.C. #6 who invited me to participate in their branding celebration on Sept. 30. (See story below: Store Associates Unite in Celebration of New Brand.) Peace - Lynda
Belk Reveals Logo with Glitzy Southern Style and Grand Fanfare
Belk revealed its new corporate identity and logo to store managers and corporate associates at a blowout celebration event at the Charlotte Convention Center on Sept. 27 attended by more than 1,100 Belk managers and associates. The new logo, shrouded in intense mystery over the past 12 months, was unveiled in a multi-media display of smoke, lights, pyrotechnics and music. The event began with a “brand camp” session, followed by a full-scale, fall fashion show, and a surprise live performance by Kellie Pickler, fifth-season American Idol contestant and country music star. One Belk veteran admitted, "in all my years at Belk I've never seen anything this big!" “Wow, it’s great to have all of the store managers together in the same room, along with managers from the division offices, BSS and the distribution centers,” exclaimed Tim Belk, chairman and CEO, as he welcomed guests. “The anticipation has been building all month and I feel the energy and excitement in this room. I have never been more excited about the future of this company.” The brand camp, designed to further acquaint associates and managers with the new Belk brand identity, was presented in a fun, energetic game show format featuring John Thomas, executive vice president, private brands as host and Adam Orvos, executive vice president, human resources, Dixie Minatra, vice president and regional store manager, and Corliss Kazemba, store manager at Belk in Cape Coral, Fla. #388, as contestants. Designed after a combination of
popular games shows, including Who Wants to Be A Millionaire game show, The Ultimate Belk Challenge posed various questions about Belk history and the new brand mission, vision and values to contestants who answered with help from audience members who cast their votes using hand-held remote clickers. Following the brand camp, guests moved into the ballroom lobby for a brief reception. Tim Belk then began the program, unveiling the logo to the crowd and spoke of the bright future he expects for the company and its evolving identity. During the fashion show, music pumped through the room as more than 80 models walked the runway showing off Belk’s fall merchandise featuring a college football theme and the hottest Most Wanted styles for men, women and children. The biggest surprise came when Kellie Pickler, a North Carolina native, took the stage. Pickler entertained in her customary, fun-loving, wide-open, country-girl style, performing several of her hit songs such as Things That Never Cross A Man's Mind, Red High Heels and I Wonder. “I am so happy to have been invited here for this event,” said Pickler, who grew up in Albemarle, N.C., about 20 miles from Charlotte. “Having Belk in our little town was a very big deal, it’s really all we had except for the dollar store.” After the show, Johnny Belk presented Pickler with a pair of red Nine West “Escher" glitter peep toe pumps in appreciation for her performance. “We found something we thought you would like in the Belk closet,” said Belk, as Pickler pulled the shoes from a shopping bag adorned with the new Belk logo. The successful event kicked off a bright, new future for Belk.
Store Associates Unite in Celebration Of New Brand Identity
Photos: Associates in Gastonia, N.C. #6 celebrate Belk's new brand. Store manager, Michael Ujcich, Myrtle Beach, S.C. #516. In Greenville, S.C. #16, store manager John Fiedler presents a commemorative gift to Budd Williams, visual manager.
At Belk stores across the south, associates participated in simultaneous logo reveal events on Sept. 30 when store managers unveiled the new Belk logo, which was introduced by a 10-minute video that told the story of Belk's evolution from a small bargain store in Monroe, N.C. to the south's leading department store and presented associates with memorable keepsake gifts. In Gastonia, N.C. #6, store manager, Mary Conley and her team played classic Bob Seger tunes to enhance the party atmosphere as associates enjoyed refreshments and watched the video presentation. "We are Belk," proclaimed Conley as she presented associates with a commemorative ceramic shopping bag. "We will live this new brand and continue to give our customers the very best shopping experience. It's a great time of year (the holidays) to show off our new logo – it's fresh, new and shows where we want to be as a company," she said. During the gathering at Belk in Haywood Mall in Greenville, S.C. #16, store manager John Fiedler discussed with associates the past, present and future of Belk and how each person has a part in the story of Belk. “Everyone loves the new logo and what it stands for,” he said. “We feel proud to work for a company that takes great pride in their Southern heritage and we plan to represent Belk proudly in everything we do!” Thank you to all store and corporate associates for participating in the "You Are Our Brand" commitment activity and displaying the "What Does It Mean to Be Belk" posters that were sent to you. There were so many wonderful individual comments written on the tags that accompanied the poster. Great statements of commitment inspired by our mission, vision and values were sent back to the corporate office to create a giant 11ft. by 32 1/2 ft. Belk logo mural which was revealed at the meeting in Charlotte and is now displayed in the corporate office atrium. More than 6,800 tags were used in the mural, which took three weeks to construct. It was designed by Ologie, Belk's brand consulting firm and Curtis Elliott Design. Here are just a few examples of the statements, words, actions and thoughts shared:
Shop! Inspire
Transformation! Pride
Be Positive and Embrace Change I am Fashion!
By Being My Truest Self Every Moment
Make Customers Feel Welcome Show the Heart of Belk Every Day
Be a Happy Camper – Smile! Lov'in it!
Expect Excellence Pure Satisfaction
Help Others When They Need HelpSay It With Your Eyes
Smile and Share the Belk Vision!I Am The Belk Brand!
Western Division Jackson, Tenn. #588 Franklin, Tenn. #629 Columbia, Tenn. #315 Kingsport, Tenn. #682 Huntsville, Ala. #607
SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES October 2010
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS
Friends & Family Thursday – Sunday, Oct. 21 - 24 All Stores Men's Night Wednesday, Oct. 27 Top 115 Men's Tailored Clothing Stores Pink Is Our Passion "Pink Saturdays" continue through October
Belk Honors Six Associates With Award of Excellence for Community Service Tim Belk, chairman and CEO, and Johnny Belk, president and COO, honored six Belk associates with the Belk Award of Excellence during a luncheon held at the corporate office in Charlotte, N.C. on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Belk executives, managers and guests gathered to recognize the winners for their outstanding community service and contributions. The Award of Excellence is the highest honor given by the company to acknowledge and promote the spirit of service and volunteerism that is a hallmark of Belk stores.
"You Are The Brand" display in Greenville, S.C. #16.
The 2010 winners were chosen from among 122 associates who were nominated from locations across the company. They were nominated by fellow associates and chosen by a selection committee composed of associates representing the stores, corporate and division offices. During the awards ceremony, each winner was presented with a $500 cash award and an Award of Excellence trophy. Read winners' stories Photo: Back row, from left, Terry Casper, Vivian Conley, Ethel Morris, Stephen Crosby and Johnny Belk. Front row, from left, Tim Belk, Dena Cohen and Amy Lewis.
Belk Store Workbench Streamlines Information Flow, Strengthens Store Execution The Belk Store Workbench, a web-based information center, is continuing its efforts to improve communication between the corporate office, divisions and stores with reliable communication of priorities that drive sales and execution. The Store Workbench launched last July and replaced the monthly playbook and e-mail as the primary means of sharing information with the field organizations. “Switching from a reliance on e-mail and the many pages of the old Playbook to a more streamlined web-based system is a significant cultural change for Belk users,” acknowledged Scott Delmar, communications gatekeeper. “Although e-mail is a valuable business tool, it can create a significant bottleneck in information flow and hinder execution. Thus far, we've found that Web-based content delivery eliminates delays in the process and lends greater clarity to our priorities.” Managers who use the Store Workbench regularly say they like the format and the efficiency. “The Workbench is well organized, easy to navigate and provides detailed information,” said Mary Conley, store manager in Gastonia, N.C. #6. By having information centrally located, it is easier to keep all managers in the loop, added Gordon Willis, store manager, Southern Pines, N.C. #532. "The Workbench has greatly improved our communication among store managers. If you teach your team where the information can be found, they can easily access it when they need it. The system also reduces time required to process e-mails and the division portal helps us discern what the division priorities are for each day." New tools and processes, including the individual division portals, have been developed over the past year to further streamline information, provide consistent division-specific formats and eliminate redundancy of information, added Delmar. Next steps for the Workbench and the division portals will focus on continuing to improve navigation and organization through developing more role based views of content, and also on managing Webinar scheduling. “We have made tremendous progress in the last year and a half,” said Delmar. “We have established a Workbench Governance Committee to ensure that we continue to improve our delivery of priority information that will help drive sales and execution.”
CUSTOMER SERVICE BEHAVIORS: MAKING THE GRADE Focus on Suggestive Selling
Suggesting additional products or items that will help customers meet their shopping needs improves service and increases the chances that they will spend more money during a given visit, said Chris Farinella, vice president and regional manager, Spartanburg/Greenville region and Customer Satisfaction Executive Committee member. “The deeper the engagement with each customer, the higher the dollar amount each customer spends and the higher their overall satisfaction. It’s a win-win situation for all.” Research shows that when sales associates ask questions to better understand customer needs and recommend merchandise selections, customers spend about 10 percent more and are 28 percent more satisfied compared to customers who are not engaged. One easy suggestion-selling technique is to pick an item of the day or week and share the features and benefits with customers. Also, know your merchandise well and choose
coordinating items from other departments ahead of time, adds Farinella. For instance, if you just received a great new dress in your department, find a few pairs of shoes that will go well with it. Knowing this ahead of time will make suggestive selling easier, and you will make a great impression as a helpful and knowledgeable associate.
CORPORATE OFFICE Private Brands Provides Shirts For First Tee of Charlotte Belk’s private brands department donated 500 polo shirts to the First Tee of Charlotte Learning Academy for its annual summer program. Through its Pro Tour sponsorship with D.J. Trahan, the private brands department has also been affiliated with The First Tee of Charleston Chapter for the past two years. There are 200 chapters of the national First Tee organization. The First Tee was established in 2001 to teach children life skills through the game of golf. It is based on nine core values that are taught through its character education program: responsibility, respect, honesty, judgment, courtesy, integrity, confidence, perseverance, and sportsmanship. “Private Brands was able to extend a hand in providing the kids in the organization with a polo shirt which helped to build confidence and add a sense of pride for the children,” said Mike Restaino, vice president, private brands, design, operations and sourcing. The shirts were embroidered with the First Tee and Belk logos.
DIVISION ACHIEVEMENTSAssociates Named To UPT Chairman's Club Associates qualify for the "UPT Chairman's Club" by achieving a rate of 1.50 UPTs or above. The top three winners from each division are: Northern Division Kakashi Parker, Raleigh, N.C. #458, UPT 1.76 Roy Kesterson, Charlotte, N.C. #452, UPT 1.64 Hogan Nance, High Point, N.C. #30, UPT 1.63 Southern Division Jessica Rivera, Kissimmee, Fla. #387, UPT 1.84 Kendall Taylor, Gaffney, S.C. #72, UPT 1.83 Rosalind Corley, Atlanta, Ga. #619, UPT 1.77 Western Division Hunter Moodie, Tuscaloosa, Ala. #608, UPT 2.08 Inez Kyser, Montgomery, Ala. #613, UPT 1.67 Brooke Fitton, Little Rock, Ark. #633 UPT 1.67
Contributors: Mary Conley, Chris Farinella, Tolly Harris, Kristin Haas, Scott Laws, Becky Pinion, Darlene Starcher, Emily Spratt, Chaitanya Tamane,
Darrell Williams, Gordon Willis and all Belk executives and merchants who provide information for View Online
View Magazine is Belk's print publication for and about Belk associates. It is published five times each year. Copies of View Magazine are available in each department area (corporate office) and associate break rooms (stores). View Online is a supplemental electronic publication to View Magazine.
View Magazine • Belk, Inc. • 2801W.Tyvola Rd. • Charlotte, N.C. 28217-4500 | general information View Magazine and View Online are internal publications produced by Belk’s Corporate Communications Department.
The information contained in them is intended solely for Belk associates and is not for external distribution.
CUSTOMER SERVICE & SALES ACHIEVEMENTS Customer Satisfaction Survey –August 2010 OVERALL SATISFACTION MTD YTD Total Belk 80% 80% #292 Hot Springs, Ark. 95% 79% #580 Mooresville, N.C. 94% 80% #609 Mobile Ala. 93% 83% #371 Tulsa, Okla. 93% 81% #388 Cape Coral, Fla. 93% 93%
MOST IMPROVED VS. PREVIOUS MONTH OVERALL SATISFACTION
AVAILABILITY OF ASSISTANCE MTD YTD Total Belk 66% 66% #269 Bainbridge, Ga. 86% 74% #328 Kerrville, Texas 85% 80% #292 Hot Springs, Ark. 84% 63% #667 Greenville, Miss. 81% 73% #529 Zebulon, N.C. 81% 75%
SPEED OF CHECKOUT MTD YTD Total Belk 74% 74% #285 Rogers, Ark. 91% 85% #299 North Augusta, S.C. 90% 76% #526 Culpeper, Va. 90% 77% #292 Hot Springs, Ark. 89% 77% #269 Bainbridge, Ga. 89% 80%
DIVISION OVERALL SATISFACTION
MTD YTD Total Belk 80% 80% Northern 80% 80% Southern 81% 81% Western 80% 81%
October 2010
CUSTOMER SERVICE & SALES ACHIEVEMENTS STORE STANDINGS The following list represents the top 10 percent of stores in each division (excluding closed stores) that met or exceeded sales and profit plans for the month of August.
TOP DEMAND CENTERS Based on sales percent increase to plan for comparable stores during the month of August: 7090 Men’s Better 7101 Girl’s 4-6x 7093 Young Men’s Sportswear 7111 Hard Home 7035 Designer
October 2010
SERVICE ANNIVERSARIES – OCTOBER 2010 Associates Honored for Years of Loyal Service 40 Years Gay Drye, Corporate Office Dana Simpson, Summerville, S.C. #566 35 Years Frieda Cooper, Sanford, Fla. #660 John Sylvester, Chattanooga, Tenn. #694 Fannie Wright, Birmingham, Ala. #603 30 Years Henriette Fernandes, Ridgeland, Miss. #676 Evelyn Holloway, Hickory, N.C. #26 Ollie Keller, Maryville, Tenn. #683 Dennis Ripple, Birmingham, Ala. #603 Donald Robinson, Monroe, N.C. #1 Frederick Whitt, Birmingham, Ala. #604 25 Years Saundra Bentley, Bristol, Va. #52 Virginia Brown, Asheboro, N.C. #61 Martha Edwards, Concord, N.C. #10 Deanna Gaddy, Raleigh, N.C. #458 Elaine Gray, Roanoke, Va. #462 Frances Irby, Bluefield, W.Va. #408 Linda Jackson, Middlesboro, Ky. #496 Geneva Langston, Cary, N.C. #489 Susan Larimer, Winchester, Va. #187 Vann Matthews, Gastonia, N.C. #6 Brenda Miller, Statesboro, Ga. #284 Eric Peaks, Raleigh, N.C. #458 Marina Turner, Lynchburg, Va. #322 Olive Warrenfeltz, Beaufort, S.C. #325 20 Years Susan Anderson, Charlotte, N.C. #452 Ena Ashley, Jacksonville, Fla. #141 Bruce Bridwell, Flowood, Miss. #678 Katherine Briggs, Union, S.C. #3 Charlotte Evans, Rocky Mount, N.C. #28 Barbara Gadsden, Charleston, S.C. #202 Maria Gargiulo, Winston-Salem, N.C. #17 Pamela Hare, Macon, Ga. #398 Kathy Harrell, Oak Ridge, Tenn. #686 Gigi Luedeman, Corporate Office Wanda McIntyre, Trussville, Ala. #349 Helen Misenheimer, Salisbury, N.C. #7 Johnny Moton, Statesville, N.C. #11 Marilyn Muldrow, Florence, S.C. #84 Jamie Reynolds, Cary, N.C. #489 Julia Rocco, Columbia, S.C. #182 Mary Rogers, Thomaston, Ga. #366 Brenda Rucker, Rock Hill, S.C. #581 Margaret Smith, Morganton, N.C. #81 Francis Sullivan, Flowood, Miss. #678
20 Years (con’t) Carol Wardlaw, Easley, S.C. #454 Kathey Watkins, Raleigh, N.C. #458 Ginger Weaver, Orangeburg, S.C. #513 Cassandra Young, Mobile, Ala. #652 15 Years Leah Alexander, Pineville, N.C. #553 Jane Butler, Lynchburg, Va. #322 Cleda Cantrell, Gainesville, Ga. #87 Antonia Conklin, Westminster, Md. #521 Wanda Crawley, South Boston, Va. #48 Eleanor Crume, Charleston, S.C. #202 Eva Curtin, Pisgah Forest, N.C. #587 Kimberly Davis, Johnson City, Tenn. #688 Gayle Dixon, Mobile, Ala. #652 Lottie Donald, Monroe, N.C. #1 Sharon Duncan, Raleigh, N.C. #458 Karen Dyer, Bristol, Va. #52 James Fisher, Leesburg, Fla. #497 Joyce Gaines, Tuscaloosa, Ala. #608 Cheri Gambow, Sebring, Fla. #583 Rosa Hazel, Georgetown, S.C. #569 Susan Iverson, Southern Pines, N.C. #532 Carolyn Jones, Birmingham, Ala. #603 Lisa Kemp, Greenville, Miss. #667 Linda Kidd, Concord, N.C. #10 Phillis King, Columbia, S.C. #178 Georgia Knowles, Port Orange, Fla. #392 Malcolm Manning, Ridgeland, Miss. #676 Renell Maybank, Georgetown, S.C. #569 Marion McCoy, Rockingham, N.C. #14 Marie Meyer, Atlanta, Ga. #619 Felicitas Montano, Savannah, Ga. #239 Debra New, Rockingham, N.C. #14 Virma Nieman, Monroe, La. #645 Karen Ottinger, Greeneville, Tenn. #693 Frances Phaup, Farmville, Va. #530 Eleni Politis, Charlotte, N.C. #452 Edward Porter, Murfreesboro, Tenn. #380 Juanita Pyle, Birmingham, Ala. #604 Tammy Rupard, Florence, S.C. #84 Sylvia Schwartz, Wilmington, N.C. #13 Fannie Solomon, Tuscaloosa, Ala. #608 Patricia Stalls, Trussville, Ala. #349 Carolyn Stone, Columbia, S.C. #162 Bruce Sudderth, Gastonia, N.C. #6 Alice Tennant, Hendersonville, N.C. #165 Tiwina Thedford, Meridian, Miss. #668 Llewelyn Tillery, Corporate Office Starlet Underwood, Raleigh, N.C. #458 Carol Vick, Columbia, S.C. #162 Laura Wallace, Mobile, Ala. #609 Judy Williford, Rock Hill, S.C. #581
10 Years Rebecca Alston, Sumter, S.C. #503 Edward Antczak, Knoxville, Tenn. #685 Shontell Ashford, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Barbara Bannister, Smithfield, N.C. #60 Maria Barbare, Greer, S.C. #464 Lori Bolick, Asheboro, N.C. #61 Carol Bragg, Sanford, Fla. #660 Heidi Brinson, Athens, Tenn. #684 Elizabeth Bryan, Montgomery, Ala. #613 Laurie Bunch, Flowood, Miss. #678 Susen Burns, Griffin, Ga. #495 Abigail Canzater, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Michael Carney, Chattanooga, Tenn. #691 Joyce Carr, Lady Lake, Fla. #228 Terri Carter, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Florence Chambers, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Belinda Chavis, Lumberton, N.C. #120 Susan Claseman, Dothan, Ala. #615 Linda Clemons, McComb, Miss. #680 Dorothy Cohen, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Rakeshiz Coley, Cordele, Ga. #522 Robert Conder, Jackson, Tenn. #588 Trisha Cothran, Gadsden, Ala. #616 Lydia Council, Walterboro, S.C. #374 Hazel Cross, Tupelo, Miss. #671 Penelope Davidson, Trussville, Ala. #349 Olivia Davis, Centerville, Ga. #582 Karen Demeraski, Pineville, N.C. #553 Julia Dempsey, Winston-Salem, N.C. #17 Dearl Dixon, Pensacola, Fla. #626 Ann Drew, Cumming, Ga. #337 Jared Dutton, Tuscaloosa, Ala. #608 Janice Feldmann, Cary, N.C. #489 Shirley Flemister, Atlanta, Ga. #619 James Floyd, Huntsville, Ala. #607 Sandra Fournier, Melbourne, Fla. #323 Judy Free, Tuscaloosa, Ala. #608 Sheila Garvin, Greensboro, N.C. #465 Roger Griffin, Shallotte, N.C. #263 Russell Grunewald, Fayetteville, N.C. #476 Denise Harrison, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Lori Henson, Jacksonville, Fla. #141 Marilyn Herring, Lady Lake, Fla. #228 Nola Holliman, Hattiesburg, Miss. #670 Kristina Holt, Corbin, Ky. #251 Joan Horn, Southern Pines, N.C. #532 Loretta Howell, Maryville, Tenn. #683 Ruslana Hundley, Asheville, N.C. #112 Anthony Jones, Montgomery, Ala. #613 Ardra Jones, Jacksonville, Fla. #141
Bernice Jones, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Doris Jones, Spartanburg, S.C. #482 Susana Jones, Charleston, S.C. #202 Robin Joseph, Corporate Office Samia Kamel Fahmy, Cary, N.C. #489 Parin Kapacee, Columbia, S.C. #182 Frederique King, Durham, N.C. #242 Elaine Kirven-Hoffmire, Summerville, S.C. #566 Mary Lake, Tuscaloosa, Ala. #608 Blair Lambert, Biloxi, Miss. #679 Caesar Lamonaca, Raleigh, N.C. #458 Leota Langston, Cleveland, Tenn. #692 Ann Larson, Lady Lake, Fla. #228 Lisa Lassiter, Gainesville, Ga. #87 Julie Lauer, Deland, Fla. #234 Judith Lawson, Lady Lake, Fla. #228 Lakrista Lewis, Suffolk, Va. #110 Minnetta Little, Morehead City, N.C. #283 Joyce Mabel, Charlotte, N.C. #452 Valerie Martin, Deland, Fla. #234 Wanda May, Johnson City, Tenn. #688 Benny Morris, Tuscaloosa, Ala. #608 Rebecca Murray, Bristol, Va. #52 Carrie Myers, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Edward Myers, Orange Park, Fla. #149 Judith Oxendine, Lumberton, N.C. #120 Patsy Pathel, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Jennie Ray, Macon, Ga. #398 Willard Ray, Zebulon, N.C. #529 Kecia Reed, Birmingham, Ala. #604 Jacqueline Roberts, Charlotte, N.C. #452 Yuvonne Robinson, Fayetteville, N.C. #419 Terri Rouse, Washington, N.C. #130 Annette Ruff, Kennesaw, Ga. #620 Rhonda Ryant, Duluth, Ga. #439 Lucius Sampson, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Ivalee Saylor, Dalton, Ga. #188 Karen Shapiro, Concord, N.C. #10 Gail Sharp, Lady Lake, Fla. #228 Jan Shaw, Mobile, Ala. #609 Norma Smelser, Knoxville, Tenn. #687 Marlene Snyder, Charlotte, N.C. #452 Carol Sullivan, Montgomery, Ala. #613 Mary Taylor, Johnson City, Tenn. #688 Rita Taylor, Johnson City, Tenn. #688 La Toya Thompson, Blythewood, S.C. #737 Princess Turner, Selma, Ala. #655 Cynthia Watts, Huntsville, Ala. #607 Dawn Webb, Wilmington, N.C. #394
Belk Honors Associates with Award of Excellence
for Community Service and Dedication
Back row, from left, Terry Casper, Vivian Conley, Ethel Morris, Stephen Crosby and Johnny Belk.
Front row, from left, Tim Belk, Dena Cohen and Amy Lewis.
Six Belk associates were honored with the Belk Award of Excellence during a luncheon held at the
corporate office in Charlotte, N.C. on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Belk executives, managers and guests gathered to recognize the winners for their outstanding community service and contribution. The Award of Excellence is the highest honor given by the company to acknowledge and promote the spirit of service and volunteerism that is the tradition of Belk stores.
The 2010 winners were chosen from among 122 associates who were nominated from locations across the
company. They were nominated by fellow associates and chosen by a selection committee composed of associates representing the stores, corporate and division offices. During the awards ceremony, company chairman and CEO Tim Belk and Johnny Belk, president and chief operating officer, presented each of the winners with a $500 cash award and an Award of Excellence trophy.
TERRY CASPER Human Resources, Winder, Ga. #401
Terry Casper hails from Barrow County, Ga. and is known as a “pillar” of her community, with a long family history in her area, and a legacy of civic, business, and charitable involvement. Growing up in a small town where everyone knows everyone suited Casper, whose people skills helped launch her early career in sales for Peachtree Software. After 18 successful years, Casper migrated into commercial lending and real estate. Casper joined Belk as special events coordinator for the opening of Belk’s Winder store in February of 2009. When the store opening events were a huge sCasper realized that she enjoyed the access to the community afforded by a position inretail. She decided to join Belk full-time, beginning in the Home department and eventually moving into human resources.
uccess,
As a third-generation Barrow County native, Casper has seen much growth and positive change in her community. She adds to it through Belk. She has established Belk as a “Partner in Education” with four area schools and as a “Friend” of all Barrow County schools. She is a Founding Board Member of the Barrow Community Foundation, and serves on the boards of the March of Dimes, United Way and Boys & Girls Club of Barrow County. She is an Ambassador for the Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Relay for Life committee. She is a member of the Touchdown and Cheerleader Booster Clubs, and also supports the Lion’s Club, the community concert band and theater, Habitat for Humanity, the Adult Learning Center and several other area charities.
Casper says no matter your position in life, there is always someone less fortunate who needs help. This is especially true for children, many of whom do not enjoy the loving and secure family life that shaped Casper. As a result, Casper focuses much of her involvement on organizations benefiting children and young adults. One such organization is Tree House, an advocacy center for children who are abused. Casper has served on the Tree House Board for seven years.
Casper also passionately supports “Food 2 Kids”, an organization that provides sacks of food to elementary school children at risk of going hungry over the weekend. The backpacks full of fruit, cereal bars, and other staples nourish children whose parents have cannot provide for them. “I am excited and honored to be recognized with an Award of Excellence,” said Casper. “I encourage everyone to their time to help others. It costs you nothing, but pays in so many ways.” Photo: Casper accepts her award from Tim and Johnny Belk. DENA COHEN Merchandise Assistant, Moderate Sportswear & Swim, Corporate Office, Charlotte, NC
Dena Cohen, has turned her lifelong love of animals into a wide-ranging effort to protect them from harm. As a girl, Cohen countered her only-child status by creating an extended family of stray cats and injured animals rescued in her Jacksonville, Fla. neighborhood. She volunteered at a variety of animal shelters, including a sanctuary where animals are rehabilitated and released back into the wild. In college, she helped with animal adoption events and raised over $40,000 for the Tallahassee Animal Shelter. But even as Cohen dug in to rescue one animal after another, she was gradually realizing that her effort and dedication might be put to more effective use on the larger stage.
After attending a Humane Society rally at the state capital, Cohen saw the wisdom of parlaying her passion for animal protection into skillful
advocacy at the state level. She gave up volunteering for the many groups she loved in order to found “PAW” – People Promoting Animal Welfare -- an organization dedicated to improving the lives of animals. PAW seeks
to raise awareness about animal welfare issues through effective lobbying, and to inspire communities to live conscious lifestyles with regard to animals. As the organization’s Director, Cohen spreads the word about upcoming animal welfare legislation via press release, Facebook, personal appearances, and the PAW website (www.pawty.org). She teaches less experienced advocates how to locate and contact the representatives who will be voting on important bills, and offers a crash course in respectful, positive lobbying.
One of Cohen’s “pet” causes is the elimination of puppy mills. To fight the mass breeding of puppies, Cohen has blogged, given speeches, and asked. legislators face-to-face for their “yes” vote on pending legislation. PAW is currently organizing the state’s first fundraiser to support lawmakers friendly to the animal movement. Cohen also advocates ending factory farming and outlaw wildlife penning, a practice which allows injured foxes and coyotes to be used as live bait in dog competitions. With each campaign, PAW hopes to shed light on how every day decisions impact animals – from where you find a pet, to the food we eat, to the laws that govern animal welfare. Photo: Dena and her mother, Alice Cohen. VIVIAN CONLEY Certified Fitter, Intimate Apparel, Asheville, N.C. #112
Vivian Conley grew up in the Burton Street community of Asheville, N.C., where
she continues to live today. Her parents set an example of working vigorously for one’s community, and raised five children under the banner of equal rights for all. In high school, their belief in non-violent activism inspired Vivian to march on Washington for civil rights, where she was fortunate to witness Martin Luther King deliver his famous “I Have a Dream” speech.
Conley joined Belk in Asheville 21 years ago. She is a certified bra fitter in the intimate department, a top sales producer, and Wacoal specialist. Her fellow associates describe Conley as someone who is always thinking about others and looking for ways to make their lives a little easier. For example, Conley continued fitting breast cancer
survivors for prosthetics on referral long after Belk stopped carrying them. Her involvement with survivors has inspired her to spread the message of early detection, particularly for women of color, through the American Cancer Society, the Relay for Life, and at area churches.
Conley is an active member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, and over the years has served as choir director, mission president, secretary and treasurer, Sunday school teacher and worship leader. She was the first female treasurer of the local Baptist Association, and has also worked at the state and national Baptist Conventions. She teaches the youth from her church about proper table etiquette and her beautiful voice can be heard whenever there is a wedding to celebrate or passing to mourn.
As a leader in her historic neighborhood, her efforts touch almost every demographic in the community. For instance, she worked diligently with neighbors to free their streets from the stranglehold of drugs. She is part of the federal Weed and Seed program for troubled youth, establishing “Go Green” community gardens and providing training for jobs. Conley also helps seniors fill out paperwork to ensure they are getting all the benefits they are entitled to receive.
While Conley is taking care of others, she is grateful for the three children and seven grandchildren who take care of her. In her free time, she enjoys being a grandmother, cooking and entertaining, traveling, and listening to gospel music. “I thank my co-workers for their recognition, and want them to know the sense of joy and peace she I feel when serving others,” said Conley. Photo: Fro fell, store manager, Vivian Conley with daughter, Michelle Moore, and Hugh Halpert. m left, Bob Gren
STEPHEN CROSBY Human Resources Coordinator, Southern Division Office
Stephen Crosby grew up on a farm near Statesboro, Ga., and credits his close-knit family for lessons that have allowed him to succeed in life – practicing his Christian values, working hard, caring for others, being grateful and staying true. These lessons fostered in Crosby a genuine desire to give back and to develop any resource or talent that could be used in support of others.
He attributes his love and respect for God, country, and the great outdoors to the years he spent in scouting. After earning the rank of Eagle Scout in 1998, he has spent countless hours helping other scouts complete service projects, serving on Scout review boards and honor courts, and leading groups on high adventure trips.
For the past two years Crosby has served as a director of Camp Hillview, the camp that he attended each summer during his entire childhood. Directing the week-
long camp with his sister requires months of advance preparation, travel and programming for activities such as Bible curriculum, music, crafts, team-building, praise and worship.
Crosby consistently steps up first to help when special needs arise, whether it’s for Belk or a worthy cause. Over the past five years, he has volunteered with the Georgia chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society to support its Bike MS and Walk MS events. As a result of his efforts and those of his fellow volunteers more than $8 million has been raised to fund MS research and programs. Last year, after relocating to the Atlanta area, Stephen was asked to increase his involvement and become a member of the Bike MS Board. In spite of the extra duties and responsibilities, he saw this as a fantastic opportunity to use his work skills to raise awareness, manage a team of volunteers, and coordinate two major cycling fundraisers a year. Stephen coordinates all aspects of the events from beginning to end.
Crosby is also small group leader at his church and for the past ten years has served as an advisor and program volunteer for state and district conferences of the Y-Clubs of Georgia, a Christian service organization for young people.
“I know from personal experience that even the smallest gift of time and effort can make a huge difference in someone’s life,” said Crosby. ”I encourage everyone to get involved in the community any way they can.” Outside of his Belk job and volunteer work, Stephen enjoys hiking, camping, backpacking and water sports. Photo: Stephen Crosby and his mother, Linda Crosby. AMY LEWIS Program Manager, Training & Development, Corporate Office, Charlotte, N.C.
If you want to understand the positive power of parents’ love for their children, consider the life of Amy Lewis. Amy grew up with an exceptional mother and father whose wisdom and goodness live on through her as she raises daughters of her own.
Surrounded by five siblings in a close, loving family, Lewis was a natural leader in her hometown of Matthews. From the age of 12, she worked at her family’s hardware store. When nuts and bolts gave way to dreams of evening gowns, Amy took a job as a sales associate at Belk where she had shopped throughout her childhood with her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. After college graduation, Amy joined Belk full time.
Lewis’ mother, who was a nurse for 30 years, taught her that “it is nice to be important, but more important to be nice!” Lewis took this advice to heart. She lost her mother in a tragic car accident 15 years ago but her legacy lives on through Amy who
says her mother’s inspiration and guidance continue to inspire and motivate her to care for others. Lewis is a third-generation member of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church where she serves as a deacon
and is involved in many of its ministries. This spring, Amy and her family helped build a Habitat for Humanity
house for a refugee family of seven from Sudan. When Lewis learned that the family had lost virtually all of their possessions, she reached out to the Charlotte Good Neighbor Fund, a charity she has supported as a volunteer for 13 years, to help.
Lewis has a true affinity for Birthday Blessings, a local non-profit that provides birthday parties for homeless children and gift baskets for the moms of homeless newborns. Amy has been a volunteer for many years, helping to raise money, hosting parties at women’s sheltersand donating numerous gift baskets.
Amy has been a strong role model for her 12- and 13-year-old daughters who often work along side of her in her volunteer and ministry work. Each year, Amy’s family serves meals to thousands of people at the annual Thanksgiving lunch at the Charlotte Convention Center, and throughout the year at the local homeless shelter.
Her daughters also played important roles in helping the family of an afterschool teacher who was about to be evicted from her apartment. They enlisted the help of the Charlotte Good Neighbor Fund to help pay rent and utilities and provide other basic household needs.
Each Christmas as a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Lewis hosts a holiday luncheon and craft auction to benefit hospitalized soldiers and veterans and two area orphanages. She is also a seven-year member of the PTA Board, and recently became a volunteer and fundraiser for the Charlotte Children’s Choir. Photo: Morris is accompanied to the awards ceremony by husband, Jeffrey, and aunt, Juanita Larson. ETHEL M. MORRIS Sales Associate, Kids, Natchez, Miss. #677
Ethel Morris refers to herself as “the backbone of her family.” She has held multiple part-time jobs for over the decades to support her son, elderly parents, and four grandchildren who she has helped raise from birth. At every job she performs, Morris is consistently described as a generous and dependable.
As an associate in the kids department, her enthusiasm and passion for children extends far beyond the sales floor. For 28 years, Morris has served as Student Attendance Clerk and Secretary for the Natchez-Adams School District in Mississippi. She applies her computer skills and knowledge to ensure that both the school district and her state get accurate daily attendance figures so that the maximum education funding is attained for the children in her community.
Morris is one of the founders of Family Fun Day at Morgantown Elementary, Belk’s local “Partner in Education” school. Each year, she organizes volunteers and gathers donations of food, money, gift cards, and other prizes so that thousands of students, parents, and community members can interact with the school in a positive way. She also leads the way in our store in promoting Education Appreciation Days and the Charity Sales.
Morris became more active in volunteer work after she lost her closest childhood friend to cancer in 1988. “Life challenges such as this touch the heart and should encourage us to lend a helping hand to others in need,” she said. During Hurricanes Katrina, Ike, and Rita, Morris served food and helped with other duties at the American Red Cross emergency shelter. For the past five years, she has worked at the concession stands to help raise money for the annual Relay for Life event sponsored by the local sheriff’s department.
When a beloved Belk co-worker lost her home to fire last year, Morris rallied the associates in her store to help out – and they assisted the family with food, clothing, and shelter.
After this same friend was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and had to leave her job, Morris organized a church benefit and a school district fundraiser which generated $8,000 to help the family pay medical bills and other expenses.
Morris is a member of Shiloh Baptist Church, which she calls “my family’s church”. Her great-great-grandfather was the founding pastor at Shiloh, and her father was the oldest deacon until he passed away at age 97. Church is where Ethel’s Christian values were instilled, including her belief that it is better to give than to receive. Her many volunteer efforts have helped feed, clothe, encourage, and nourish the lives of countless people in and around the Natchez Community. Photo: Ethel Morris is at the heart of Kids Fest at Belk in Natchez.
