Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
February 22nd is National Supermarket Employee Day! In any business, displaying exceptional customer service is the key to success. At Price Chopper and Market 32, we have a lot to be proud of with our hardworking, dedicated teammates whose customer service goes above and beyond. They are the engine that drives our company day in and day out!
Today and everyday, we want to honor our fantastic teammates whose customer service does not go unnoticed. We thank them for all they do!
Read below about some teammates who have shown exemplary customer service in our Price Chopper and Market 32 locations!
Market 32, O’Neill Highway (Dunmore, PA) #135
Charmaigne E. Santiago, Front-End Teammate
Charmaigne started her career with Price Chopper/Market in December 2021. There was an instant connection and we knew we had a winner bringing Charmaigne onboard. If you look up the definition of customer service, you will find a picture of Charmaigne Santiago!
There isn’t a day that passes that Charmaigne doesn’t receive a compliment. One of our customers wrote in, “Charmaigne makes every person smile. She is a kind, hardworking, lovely woman. I always try to get in her line.” Her bubbly spirit is contagious, and she instantly puts customers and teammates in a good mood. She is dependable, charismatic, earnest, and a true asset to our company. Charmaigne is always engaged and challenges her teammates to do the same. We are proud to have Charmaigne on our team!
Price Chopper, Erie Boulevard (Syracuse, NY) #172
Tyler Burgess, Customer Service Assistant Team Leader
Tyler has been with the company for almost seven years. Tyler started with us as a Part Time Maintenance Teammate at store 199 in Cicero. During Tyler’s time at Cicero, he worked very hard and learned anything he could. He went from Maintenance to the Cash Register and then to Supervising the Front End in a high volume store. Last year, Tyler was selected for our Associate Development Program (ADP) where Tyler went on to further his skill set by leaving Cicero to train in other stores. Tyler trained with us at Erie Boulevard, store 172 and then went to Clay, store 182 to train in the Cash Office. Tyler successfully graduated the ADP program and returned to us at Erie Boulevard where he is currently acting as our Customer Service Assistant Team Leader.
In Tyler’s short time back to the store he has already exhibited his exceptional service by being mentioned as a “Wow Teammate” on our Helpful Experience Shops not just once, but twice!
In Tyler’s spare time he is an avid bowler. Tyler is not just passionate about Customer Service, Tyler and his girlfriend are also very driven to help animals in need, as they foster cats that need homes as well.
Price Chopper, Cortland NY #178
Morgan McDonald, PAC Teammate
Morgan is a great asset to our store and to our customers. She is there whenever a customer or teammate needs her and will answer questions for any department. Morgan often receives compliments from customers when working in the aisles as she helps them find item locations. She will often come up to assist the Front-End by running the register, helping customers with a carry out, or assisting with an Instacart order. Morgan is very artistic and created a customized sign for Cortland’s participation in Trunk or Treat this last fall. We appreciate Morgan’s dedication and willingness to go above and beyond!
Market 32, Sutton MA #244
Richard Laflash, Bakery Teammate
Here at Market 32 in Sutton, MA, we have an exceptional teammate in our bakery department. His name is Richard Laflash. Rich never fails to be punctual on a daily basis with a smile on his face. He has been with our store since we opened in 2015.
For YEARS, the bakery team in Sutton has been receiving scores of 100% on mystery shops because of Rich and his excellent customer service skills. It is no secret that Rich goes above and beyond for any guest in need anywhere, anytime. He is known for going out of his way to escort guests to specific products they may be looking for. If Rich doesn’t know the answer, you can be sure he’ll do anything in his power to find out!
Rich is not only great with customers, but an asset to his team as well. He is well known for keeping a pristine donut and bagel case, knowing that it is the first thing the customers see when they walk in the front doors. Rich gives so much of his time and effort to the company. He comes in early or stays late if needed. He will even periodically come in on days off to help.
Expressing how Richard Laflash is exceptional is an understatement.
Interested in joining our team? Check out career opportunities at careers.pricechopper.com!
Malta Market 32 Grand Re-Opening: Meet the Team!
We have an awesome team over at our Malta, NY location. We’re excited to give them some shine. Through their hard work and efforts, we are able to re-open their store to a brand more Market 32! Learn more about our Malta, NY roster.
Store Manager: Paul Colwell
Shortly after graduating High School, Paul entered the US Navy. Upon completion of his service, he knew he needed to gain employment. Pondering his future in the Fall of 1990, he walked into the old Lenox, MA Price Chopper and put in his application. Paul was hired on the spot as a Part-Time Front End teammate. Originally, Paul had no aspirations of a career in retail, but was given the opportunity to train in other areas around the store and didn’t miss the chance. He learned produce, seafood, grocery, and receiving and from there became hooked on all the ins and outs of the daily operations of the store!
Paul’s first Full-Time opportunity was in the old Lee, MA Price Chopper as “third man on night crew.” Over the next 10 years, he held the positions of Assistant Night Manager, Night Manager, Assistant Grocery Manager, and Grocery Manager, expanding his experience over 18 different locations throughout Vermont and Massachusetts over that time. In 2003, Paul was promoted to Store Manager of the old Springfield, VT Price Chopper. From there, he went on manage our stores in Manchester, VT, Essex, VT, Barre, VT, New Lebanon, NH, Rutland, VT, and eventually, Malta, NY in the Winter of 2020.
All told, Paul’s Price Chopper journey has taken him to some type of work in 29 different stores and locations. He says he’s fortunate to have worked for any organization whose afforded him the many opportunities to learn, grown, and develop, all while enjoying a career he is passionate about. Paul says, “I have spent the last 32 years blessed to be a part of so many wonderful teams, and to have worked with teammates that are absolutely the best in the industry. Lastly, I am humbled by all those who were gracious in passing their knowledge onto me.”
We’re excited to have Paul and his team leading the way as we re-open the Malta store to a brand new Market 32!
Co-Manager: Jodi Clain
Jodi joined the Price Chopper team in 1996 as a Part-Time Deli teammate. She’s held positions of Assistant Team Leader and Deli Team Lead in our Saratoga Springs, NY, Clifton Park, NY, and Market Bistro locations, earning several awards for her leadership along the way. As Co-Manager of our Malta store Jodi exemplifies both a strong work ethic and outstanding leadership abilities.
General Merchandise Team Lead: Bob Pavone
Bob began his Price Chopper career in 1982 as a Part-Time teammate. After a stint as Full-Time Night Crew in 1989, Bob joined the old Hudson, NY Price Chopper as Assistant General Merchandise Manager. In 1990, he was promoted to General Merchandise Team Lead and has held the position for the past 32 years. As a leader in General Merchandise Bob is tremendous, but he’s an even more outstanding human being. Regardless of what Bob has in front of him on a daily basis, you’ll find him helping out his fellow teammates in other departments, all while fulfilling the needs of guests, and even making repairs on broken equipment. Bob continuously exemplifies compassion for others, and his selfishness makes him a valued member of our team. We’re proud to put the spotlight on his 40 years of distinguished service!
We Are Hiring! Join Our Winning Team!
Mia Teal
E-Commerce Marketing Department
Are you interested in a new career but are unsure of where to begin? Stop what you are doing and check out this article! At Price Chopper and Market 32, we are looking for exceptional new members to join our winning team! With more than 130 stores, we have positions available for part-time and full-time employment in the states of New York, Vermont, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire.
You may be wondering why you should work for us or what we have to offer, and the answer is that we have SO much to offer! Some benefits include tuition reimbursement, a 401k plan, a teammate wellness program, flexible scheduling options, room for career growth, and more! We also celebrate diversity, inclusion, equity, new ideas, and creativity within our company.
Still on the fence about applying for a job with us? See some of the incredible teammates below who you would be working with. Not only do these teammates go above and beyond for our customers, but they are outstanding leaders and role models for their fellow co-workers. We are honored to have them on our team!
Matt Wallis
Erie Boulevard Price Chopper
Matt Wallis has been with the company in the Syracuse area for over 24 years and is the master of the Wet Rack. He is routinely called upon to assist with resets, remodels, Grand Openings and any other events. His merchandising skills are second to none and his years of experience show in the detail he gives to everything within the department. Matt also has exemplary Guests Service skills as both guests and teammates alike look forward to seeing him when they are in the store.
Outside of work, Matt is an avid softball player. He also has a daughter who routinely competes in marching band competitions, and Matt is undoubtedly her biggest fan. We are extraordinarily fortunate to have someone like Matt on our team!
Lori Haglund
Middletown, CT Price Chopper
Lori Haglund has provided exceptional service to each of our guests since coming on board to join our team back in July of 2022. Lori has championed promoting and informing each and every one of her guests about our MasterChef promotion and company Rewards programs, including how the Point system works. Lori takes the time to explain how to sign up for the Price Chopper app on their phone as well as how to take the survey at the bottom of the receipt. Each guest is leaving the store very informed on our Rewards program and more importantly leaving with an exceptional experience through our checkout line. Through two weeks of the MasterChef program, Lori has sold 22 knives!
Destiny Bartee
Clifton Park Shoppers World Market 32
Destiny Bartee has been with us since 2018. She started off as a cashier and now is an absolutely fantastic Front End Supervisor. Victoria Desantis, Customer Service Manager wrote that she “could not ask for anyone better” to be in that supervisor position. Not only does Destiny go above and beyond for customers, but she is willing to come in early and stay late if needed. She thinks outside the box to try to come up with different ways to boost sales. Destiny always comes into work with a smile on her face and makes the Front End a friendly place to work!
Gary Denaris
Sutton Market 32
We have a teammate in the Sutton, MA Market 32 that is the definition of excellence in customer service. His name is Gary Denaris. Gary is our 6am cashier in the Front End. Not only is he bright eyed and bushy tailed EVERY early morning, but his loyalty to customer satisfaction is outstanding. However, Gary is not limited to being our 6 am cashier. Gary will even go as far as working a double shift if by chance we are stuck in a bind and will do so with a smile on his face. This is not to mention his impeccable attendance and punctuality!
Store management and team leaders get compliments about Gary on an everyday basis! He will go out of his way for any and all customers. This includes careful inspection of all products being purchased to be sure of the quality, along with exemplary bagging that goes above and beyond the customers’ standards. He always gets to the yes!
Gary’s loyalty to the customer is not all that should be mentioned. His loyalty to the company is worth discussing as well! He will always mention any donation opportunity (St. Jude or Red Cross) and any current promotion that Price Chopper offers (MasterChef knives) for every customer’s order without fail! This includes the Customer Satisfaction Survey at the bottom of every receipt, and this is where Gary THRIVES…
The mention of Gary, by name specifically, on our CX Survey is out of this world. We receive CX data pretty much on a weekly basis and mention of his name is without question. There has not been a single week when reviewing the results that Gary’s name is not specifically mentioned for astonishing customer service.
He truly deserves US going above and beyond FOR HIM considering he always goes above and beyond for everyone else!
Beth Skovronsky
Wyoming Price Chopper
Beth Skovronsky epitomizes customer service/excellence. She is a cashier and works in the General Merchandise department. She helps with center store inventories and does whatever is needed. The best and most important part is the cheerful way she does every task and greets each guest. Beth leaves each guest and teammate smiling and happy after they interact with her because of her amazing personality. Guests will go out of their way to shop when she is working because of her positive attitude. There is never a time when Beth is asked to help out that she does not say, “Of course!” and does so in an exceptional manner.
Marianne Hodge
West Lebanon Price Chopper
Marianne Hodge has been with Price Chopper for three years. She started off as a cashier and now is a supervisor. Marianne also assists in closing the Service Desk at night. She has a great personality, is always smiling, and the customers absolutely love her! We have guests who will only go to Marianne for checkout. She goes above and beyond with every single guest she encounters. With her smile and her can-do attitude, she makes the best teammate. She works very hard and is willing to cover shifts and help anyone in need.
We are so proud to highlight these outstanding teammates! Be sure to check out our careers page and apply today!