Spahn & Rose says tech trainer goes ‘Above & Beyond’
In the latest edition of its digital newsletter, Iowa prodealer Spahn & Rose announced that software trainer Tonya Sullivan is a recipient of the company’s Above & Beyond Award.
According to Spahn & Rose, Sullivan has guided employees through the intricacies of new computer systems and technology.
Sullivan began her career at Spahn & Rose more than 25 years ago in the accounting department, and in 2018, she moved to the information technology department.
“Tonya was not only the first General Office staffer that I met 18 years ago during training; she’s also the one I have leaned on the most since that time,” Kevin Jacobs, general manager of Spahn & Rose’s DeWitt, Iowa, location, said in a blog post from Spahn & Rose. “Tonya is always available for tough questions that I often have about our operating system. She always gets back to me with the help I’m looking for.”
As part of her job, Sullivan travels to different Spahn & Rose locatoins, assisting with point-of-sale systems and other information technology questions store employees may have.
“I love traveling and seeing and working with other Spahn & Rose employees,” Sullivan said. “I try to spend a day at each location, and I find that I learn as much from other employees about systems as they learn from me.”
When it comes to learning new technology, Sullivan says she encourages employees to jump right in.
“It’s really rewarding to see a coworker learn a new system,” Sullivan said. “When that light goes on and they see how the new program or process can save time or (make them) more efficient, I love it. Sometimes users are reluctant to learn a new system and it take a little TLC to get them there, but we have a good crew.”
Sullivan’s computer knowledge has also helped Spahn & Rose’s bottom line.
“Tonya’s efforts training the managers on how to batch commodity purchases will help improve project margins as we go forward,” says Gordon Staley, regional sales director. “She always has a positive attitude and willingness to help solve problems.”
The Above & Beyond Award is given to employees of Spahn & Rose, Wisconsin’s Dunn Lumber and Georgia’s Metro Building Products for outstanding customer service and significant contributions to their team.
Sullivan and other winners of the award receive a $100 Visa gift card and are eligible to be named Employee of the Year, which includes a $1,000 award.
Based in Dubuque, Iowa, Spahn & Rose has served professional contractors since 1904. The dealer operates 24 locations in Iowa, Illinois, Georgia, and Wisconsin.
In August, the dealer announced the acquisition of Still Lumber in Conyers, Ga.
