Hanson Directory employees honored for successful 2012

Friday, Nov. 16, Hanson Directory Service held its annual awards banquet at Prairie Meadows Banquet Center in Altoona.

Veronica Hanson, Telephone Sales Manager, began the evening by recognizing and thanking key people in the organization who consistently were team players, going “above and beyond expectations, setting all of our sales staff up for success.” The employees she singled out were: Don Larkin, Bryan Tipton, Julie Schultz, Teresa Shaw-VanVark, Crissy Ray, Jim McNeer, Amy Crook, Shawna Stevenson, Heather Wolf, Randy VanderLeest, Tiffannie Bruce and Renae Heikkila.

Hanson also paid respect to the sales managers, saying, “I also want to thank our Premise Managers [Rob Snook, Rod Simpson and Curt Buchmeier], who have the double responsibility of being both salespeople and managers.”

Hanson Directory Service CEO Bill Hanson then addressed those in attendance, thanking the employees for their hard work and commitment.

“Hanson Directory Service would not be celebrating 40 successful years in business without our employees,” he said. “We could not do this without you.”

Hanson also acknowledged the current economic condition and the impact it has had on the company’s customer base. But, he also spoke of a bright future and continued success because of the relentless dedication of Hanson Directory employees.

The following employees received awards recognizing them for assisting their customers in COOP advertising, Multimedia Advertising, larger ad campaigns and adding new customers to Hanson’s client base: Jeff Cobb, Tom Bruner, Karla Lanser, Brian Flattery, Brandon Hanssen, Lorraine Nelsen, Al Stewart, Dan Sullivan and Scott Penning.

As the night moved to a close, the final award and the coveted honor of  “Salesperson of the Year” was unveiled. Both the winners and the runners up represent individuals who worked hard to provide the best advertising campaigns and customer service to their customers.

In the Telephone Sales Department, the runner-up was Brandson Hanssen, while Salesperson of the Year was awarded to Lorraine Nelson. Both were asked what was one of the contributing factors to their success.

“I believe in the product,” Nelson said. “I use my telephone directory daily and my customers can hear that conviction in my voice because it’s the truth.”

“Having people here that can always help you with ideas and ways to help with your accounts is huge,” Hanssen added.

In the Premise Sales Department, the runner-up was Brian Flattery, while Salesperson of the Year was awarded to Dan Sullivan. They, too, were asked what factors contributed to their success.

“You have got to have belief in your product to be successful,” Sullivan said. “Your customers can tell. If you are passionate about making them money as a business owner, they will appreciate your taking the care to custom fit an advertising program for them.”

Flattery added, “Building relationships with my customers year after year and my belief in the product has been the key to succeeding out there on the open road. I love getting to see all the rural historical places and working with people.”