Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883

Gaffrey gets applause from Chamber

September's Employee of the Month got an enthusiastic nomination from a young member of the community.

JoAnn Gaffrey, who has served customers from behind the plexiglass at Casey's since July 2020, was nominated by NR-S senior Macey Wobbema.

"JoAnn is the nicest employee at Casey's. She has the best customer service I've ever seen!" Wobbema told the Chamber board of directors. "I always look forward to seeing her when I go in. She makes you feel like family!"

Gaffrey is enjoying her new career at Casey's, which is quite the switch from her previous job. She spent 21 years in the accounts payable department at Dakota Growers Pasta Company of Carrington before she was laid off in 2019.

"I worked in a cubicle," Gaffrey recalls. "The computer told me what to do."

Now at Casey's, she also has a computer guiding her work, this one ringing up customers' purchases, and letting her know how much change to give.

She accepted the award Wednesday, and in the short time that elapsed during the interview, she made several trips to the front counter to take care of customers. Each time she did, she gave the customer her undivided attention.

Gaffrey is a New Rockford native who worked at a few local businesses during her youth. Most notably, she stocked shelves, carried out groceries and even cut meat at Joe's Fairway, the store her dad built. Now that building is home to Miller's Fresh Foods in downtown New Rockford.

She remembers serving popcorn at the Rockford Theatre, which was owned by Richard Johnson and Pat Caulfield at the time. She was also a lifeguard at the local swimming pool.

Interacting with customers is her favorite part of the job. "I love to play jokes on them," Gaffrey quipped. As Wobbema pointed out, her quick wit and hearty laugh make every trip to Casey's a pleasant experience.

She jokingly considers "harassing Kevin Johnson" (fellow Employee of the Month honoree and former co-worker at Dakota Growers) among her hobbies, right up there with gardening and yard work. Apparently the pair have a bit in common.

Gaffrey is also an active volunteer for the Hunger Free Food Pantry, helping ensure that no Eddy County resident goes hungry. She can often be found assisting with food distribution events and stocking shelves at the pantry, located in the basement of First Lutheran Church of New Rockford.

Have you had a memorable customer service experience recently? There's a person behind that interaction that deserves to be recognized! Please consider nominating someone for the Employee of the Month award by filling out the form online at http://www.cityofnewrockford.com. Nominations are also accepted by email to [email protected]. The Chamber board of directors chooses one person to receive the award each month.

 
 
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