Eatery, worker lauded for customer service
Posted: October 6, 2012
The Winchester Star
MIDDLETOWN — Two big thank-yous were handed out Friday to honor the top customer service professional and business of the year for the region.
The Chick-fil-A restaurant at 2230 S. Pleasant Valley Road took the business honors, and Janet Ping, an information technology services technician at Lord Fairfax Community College in Middletown, was recognized for her work as a service professional.
It was the first time the awards were handed out at the fourth annual Customer Service Professionals Day, sponsored by the LFCC Office of Workforce Solutions.
“I’m a little shocked, to say the least,” said Chuck Guffee, the franchise operator of the Chick-fil-A. “It’s not because of me. It’s because of the employees that take care of the customers.”
Ping, who has worked for LFCC for eight years, did not think she deserved an award. “I just think I’m doing my job. It’s nothing special.”
Nominations for the Customer Service Professional of the Year were submitted at the Workforce Solutions website.
Christine Kriz, coordinator of business and industry training at Workforce Solutions, said more than 50 nominations were received. The nominations doubled as votes, so those with the most nominations in their category won the award.
Ping deserved it, according to Richie Crim, LFCC’s chief information officer. “She’s an outstanding employee. She exudes positive energy.”
The event included a keynote address, “Be the Best You Can Be,” from Bobbie Walker of the Virginia Department of Tourism.
About 35 attendees were also able to participate in customer service informational sessions, including ways to build loyalty through customer service, methods to make customer service a time- management priority, and ways to provide customer service that comes from the heart.
— Contact Conor Gallagher at cgallagher@winchesterstar.com