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Elliot Maras By Elliot Maras
Editor



AM Route Driver of the Year: Paul Housman
Recognizing an entrepreneurial team's commitment to customer service as strong as his own, Paul Housman has helped make Peninsula Vending Services, Newport News, Va., a rising market leader.



Paul Housman
Paul Housman
Paul Housman, Allen Whitehead, Greg Whitehead and Jason Banwart
Paul Housman, seated, accepts the appreciation of Allen Whitehead, left, Greg Whitehead and Jason Banwart.
Paul Housman loading truck
Paul Housman has taught his employer a more efficient way to load trucks.
Housman cleans coffee machine
Housman cleans the coffee machine thoroughly with every visit, recognizing that its cleanliness impacts product quality and therefore customer satisfaction as well.
account manager appreciates Housman's attention to machines
An account manager appreciates the attention Housman gives the machines in the break room.
Housman appreciates the independence that comes with being a route driver
Housman appreciates the independence that being a route driver allows him.

Recently, the supervisor at one of his accounts raised a concern about salad in the food machine not being fresh. Housman responded by immediately removing all the salads from the machine, even though he knew there was nothing wrong with them.

He knew that Whitehead and Banwart would support this decision to please the customer.

Whitehead and Banwart, for their part, want all of their drivers to be capable of responding quickly to customer service issues on their own.

A committed family man

Housman's 14-year-old son, Ryan, works in the warehouse one day a week during the summer school break. According to Allen Whitehead, the office manager, “This young man's work ethic reminds us that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.”

While he works long days, six days a week, Housman considers himself fortunate to have a supportive family. He and his wife, Crystal, have a 12-year-old daughter in addition to their son, Ryan.

Meanwhile, he continues to enjoy his freedom while pleasing customers. “Working for good people makes it easy,” Housman said. “I always enjoy the work.”

Record At A Glance

  • Years as a route driver: 18
  • Account retention: 100 percent
  • Percentage of company sales in 2006: not revealed
  • Waste level: near 0
  • Miles per day: 100
  • Citations or accidents: 0
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Reader Comments
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Posted by Mike Hamilton in Bluffton, Indiana
Route driver of the year
You could not have made a better selection for route driver of the year. I worked with Paul for over 15 years and he has always gone above and beyond the call of duty. My congratulations to Paul!
(12/25/07 - 06:39 PM)


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