Business & Tech
Local Hy-Vee Employee Wins Major Award
John Wombacher was one of a nine selected from among 58,000 Hy-Vee employees for prestigious customer service award.
When John Wombacher showed up at work today, Sept. 8, at the First Avenue Hy-Vee, he was in for a surprise.
The produce manager's family, friends and 75 co-workers had crowded into front dining area to meet him. Wombacher had been nominated and then selected to receive Hy-Vee's Legendary Customer Service Award.
"I was stunned," said Wombacher, who has worked at the First Avenue and Waterfront Hy-Vee for a combined 27 years.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
As the award was presented, words like "friendly," helpful," and "respectful" were used to describe Wombacher. It is the hardest award in the company to get.
The award was established in 2006 and is given annually to fewer than 10 employees a year. That's pretty long odds in a company that has 58,000 employees in eight states.
Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.
For Wombacher, he received a crystal trophy, a ring, he joins the Hy-Vee Hall of Fame and --- how many people can say this? --- his face will be put on the side of the Hy-Vee trucks.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.