 | | | Manuel Valdez at the Moraga Post Office Photo Andy Scheck | | | | | | Manuel Valdez raised his right hand at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 1 and was sworn in as postmaster at the Moraga post office on Center Street. In doing so, he followed a proud tradition that dates back to 1886 when the first post office opened.
Valdez took the job in Moraga a few months ago and was immediately appreciated by the staff. Shelley Hayse who works in Moraga noted that his winning personality may come from the fact that he has actually worked in nine different facilities during his postal career, starting in Orinda where he carried the mail for 12 years before graduating from the Associate Supervisor Program that served as a springboard to his management career. He was the manager of the Fremont delivery unit in 2014 prior to his selection as the Moraga postmaster.
Hayse noted that Valdez has been open and accommodating, and willing to take the time to train everyone in new technologies that are quickly taking over the postal procedures. She says that his philosophy is that the Moraga post office should be a facility with employees who actually look forward to coming to work.
Valdez' desire to create a positive working environment for his employees, adds Hayse, also translates to his attitude toward both the residential and business customers. "He is committed to providing solutions to problems and does not hesitate to go to extreme lengths to find answers to delivery questions," she says.
"It is a privilege to work for such a great and diverse organization," says Valdez. "When I first started working for the Postal Service, I never imagined that one day I would be a postmaster. It is truly a great honor."
As postmaster, Valdez is responsible for all delivery and retail operations for the town of Moraga with 14 routes, 872 P.O. boxes, and 5,868 delivery stops (business and residential addresses). Valdez manages 34 employees who process and deliver a daily mail volume of more than 30,985 pieces.
- S. Braccini
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA