Five Takeaways from 13 Years at WIS

As I will likely be moving on from WIS at the end of the year, here’s a look back at some of my memorable moments over my dozen or so years with the company.

1. Being part of a dedicated Rite Aid crew for three years. I got certified to count pharmacies and was one of the best counters. I also had some great supervisors and coworkers over the years.
2. Becoming a van driver in 2014. I took the role on after the passing of one of our longtime employees in December of 2013. I officially got the OK to drive in February after passing my road test, which I took on the turnpike coming back from Beaver Falls.
3. Working with two WIS legends who have sadly passed. Mike and Paul were longtime employees of the company going back to their days as Washington Inventory services. Mike was a navy veteran and his first store was Hills in 1989. He had some great stories to tell about his time there and had a heart of gold. Paul was a longtime track coach (we may have met at Hempfield at a meet or at a tournament). He knew the same coaches and runners I did. He was very dedicated to the job as Area Manager or as a supervisor or counter. He was also a longtime baseball fan who loved his Pirates. It was a devastating day when we found out that he had passed away. We got word at our Dollar General that he died. Sarah and Chase broke down that morning at their stores and I did so later.
4. Getting two big accounts back. We had the opportunity to get Kohl’s in 2015. It was quite a big deal at the time. Our big bosses showed up for the first one at West Mifflin in March of 2015. We formed a good relationship with our loss prevention guys. We kept the account until the end of 2018 when RGIS took them back. In 2019, after almost a decade, we got Target back. Chase would be the one taking the wheel for this adventure. He even had to go to Corporate with other WIS managers to learn more about how to run the account. Our first one in Butler went smoothly on Valentine’s Day 2019.
5. This is cheesy to most of you but to me it’s a big deal. We had some great overnight trips during my time at WIS. None were more impactful than Ashtabula. The trip where my definition of style began to take off. My love of fashion was born that night. All because one of my coworkers decided to look amazing while I was dressed frumpy (gym shorts and a T-shirt). Sara always inspires me to be fashionable and apologies to my sister/twin/fashion buddy, but Emily did one better on this trip. The legend of the pink cherry 🍒 dress started on this trip and that’s why it was so memorable.