Postal Biz-Buzz

In this episode Lois Ritarossi, President of High Rock Strategies, LLC  discusses direct mail and other strategies related to a successful multi-media campaign. She is a consultant, speaker, trainer, facilitator, entrepreneur, with 25+ years experience in sales and marketing communications. 

In this episode Jon Reynolds talks to Kerry Hannify the Director of Account Services and Quality at Data-Mail. If you're interested in visiting Data-Mail and you are in the Connecticut area on May 8, 2024, you're in luck. Visit the Connecticut Postal Customer Council web site below to find out the details.www.pcc-ct.org

In this long overdue return to the podcast world, Postal Biz-Buzz welcomes Melissa O'Mara. Melissa works out of Hartford and is responsible for the brand new Connecticut PCC. We have also recruited Jon Reynolds of the USPS to host this return podcast.  For those expecting to hear Lisa and Art, Lisa retired but Art is still involved and may host from time to time. In the meantime, the award winning Fairfield, Hartford, and New Haven PCC's joined forces to create the brand new Connecticut PCC. 

We turn the tables on PCC Superstar and Postal Biz-Buzz host Art Gerckensto hear his story on the enduring value of The Postal Service, PCCs,and their impact on his amazing life and career. 

Drumroll please! Introducing USPS Connect™  a dynamic suite of services with speedy delivery options, tracking, local, regional, national, and  returns options that will help any size business move forward.  Jon Reynolds, USPS Business Lead Development Specialist, tells you how!Learn more here!https://www.uspsconnect.com/

Need to make  your mailing, printing, and data processes simpler, safer and less expensive?!Chuck Chesler, Owner Corporate Mailing and Data Services, explains how his  super-secure, one-stop shop gets it all done! He might even sing you a song!Learn more at https://cmads.us/Listen to Chuck's original band Tyrone Shoelaces at https://www.tyroneshoelaces.com/home

Jill Horan, Special Education Teacher and Author chats with Art about her book"The Dog That Nobody Wanted"  a heartwarming true story of hope and transformation written from the perspective of Joey the dog who finally found his "forever home".  Learn more about Joey herehttps://www.amazon.com/Dog-that-Nobody-Wanted-attachment-ebook/dp/B08L5S66N1https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E18XN66G50chttps://www.facebook.com/Joeys-Story-The-Dog-that-Nobody-Wanted-105598457920238/

Dave Lewis, President of SnailWorks™  talks about how mail tracking and web-based interfaces create a solution that allows direct marketers to increase the effectiveness of direct mail through coordinated channels with powerful and easy-to-use reports.Learn more athttps://snailworks.com/Ext/default.aspx

Get an inside look into the 2021 National Postal Customer Counsel Day and 2022 National Postal Forum with special guest Da Shiek  Woodard, Customer Outreach Specialist (A)| USPS HQ Industry Engagement and Outreach – Corporate AffairsLearn more about National PCC Day at https://postalpro.usps.com/node/10028and National Postal Forum at https://npf.org/

Attorney L. Kay Wilson former USPS Legal Eagle and USPS Advocate gives us a "Birdseye" view of the agencies significant and innovative contributions to diversity and our nations economy.  

When "Plan A" reluctantly gives into "Plan B" and "Plan B" becomes the best plan of all. 

In this special Mother's Day episode  Art and Lisa discuss their top 10 songs about mothers and more. Be sure listen all the way to the end for special messages to and from moms. P.S.  "Call your mom!"

Difficult conversations are hard. In this special episode internationally renowned motivational speaker and author Joy Baldridge discusses how knowing the right words to use to defuse inevitable tensions makes them easier.Learn more about Joy by visiting her website at http://joybaldridge.com/

Special guest Gary Shank, President and Founder of QTrak explains how Package Pod Delivery Locker Systems save package delivery resources by eliminating long lines at your mailroom, consolidating multiple delivery points and much more. Learn more at by visiting QTrak's website at https://qtrak.net/ or by contacting Gary at 610.972.0290

Get ready to "dig in" as Urban Archeologist Greg Van Antwerp brings history to life with fascinating stories of postal artifacts discovered in peoples homes.Learn more about Greg's work by visiting his website at www.foundAstory.comContact Greg at historyhunter411@gmail.com

In this very special episode Art welcomes Gail Branham, USPS Customer Relations Coordinator and "Chief Elf" for the Operation Santa Program!https://www.uspsoperationsanta.com/Each year, hundreds of thousands of letters sent to Santa from children and families arrive at Post Offices around the country. Most letters ask for toys and games. Some ask for basic necessities. Some ask for help for themselves and their loved ones.USPS Operation Santa makes it possible for individuals and organizations to adopt these letters and send responses and thoughtful gifts in Santa’s place.

Cathy Rupard, Vice President at Midwest Mailing Service and long time Industry Chair of the National PCC Advisory Board, shares her stories about the value Postal Customer Councils, the enduring power of mail, and the joy of being thankful and giving back.

Ed Burzminski, President and CEO Chamber Marketing Partners, Inc. discusses the value of print in today's digital world. Ed also shares an amazing and inspiring story of hope, courage, and purpose!

Art welcomes mailing/marketing expert Tom Mackel, President of Engage Marketing Inc., QRM Inc. and Co-Founder of Freewheel by PSterling, LLC, and member of MTAC for the American Association of Political consultants. Art and Tom discus a variety of topics related to the upcoming election including political mailings, Enterprise Payment Systems, Informed Delivery, and more.

Art welcomes Maureen Marion, USPS Strategic Communications Manager, to discuss what makes the United States Postal Service "America's Most Trusted Government Agency"!

Host Art Gerckens talks with Bridget Schulten, owner of award winning 5th State Distillery about her company's successful pivot to hand sanitizer manufacturing during COVID 19.

Host Art Gerckens welcomes Wanda Santos-Haynes, USPS Manager, Consumer and Industry Contact and Positive Psychology expert. Wanda explains the principles of Positive Psychology and the value of fostering a growth mindset in the workplace to produce better customer outcomes.

Host Art Gerckens welcomes Gary MacNamara, Executive Director of Public Safety & Governmental Affairs, Co-Chair Sacred Heart University Corona Virus Management Team, and former Police Chief for the Town of Fairfield CT. Gary talks with Art about the vital role of communication, advanced preparation, and strong leadership in keeping returning students and faculty safe during the Corona Virus pandemic.

Host Art Gerckens brings Postal Biz-Buzz engineer and musician Lisa Landone out from behind the scenes to have some fun discussing their top ten postal related songs.See if you can count how many times Lisa says "you know"!

USPS expert Frank Polacco talks with Art about the value of Informed Delivery a free service that provides users with a daily email that contains images of mailpieces before they arrive to the mailbox! Frank also talks about the value to business mailers who can utilize Informed Delivery to engage users through an integrated mail and digital marketing campaign that generates additional consumer impressions, interactions, and insights.

Special guest Charles (Charlie) Apicella Manager, Mail, Distribution, Print, and Op Scan Services, University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Industry Co Chair of the Western Mass. PCC talks about the inner workings of college and university mail center operations, special provisions for handling university mail during COVID-19, and of course the value of Postal Customer Council (PCC) membership.

Host Art Gerckens welcomes special Guest Marc Garofalo Town Clerk, City of Derby and former City of Derby Mayor. Marc provides an inside view into the election process and discusses the valuable role of the U.S. Mail.

Host Art Gerckens and special guest Bill Llewellyn, President Universal Printing and Mailing Services, discus the marketing power of Direct Mail and Every Door Direct Mail Bill explains the differences and advantages of each service and the importance of incorporating mail into your integrated marketing campaign. For information on Postal Customer Councils visit our website at http://www.pcc-ct.org/Learn more about Direct Mail by contacting Bill Llewellyn at bill@universalprinting4u.comVisit Universal Printing and Mailing Services at https://www.universalprinting4u.com/

Host Art Gerckens welcomes special guest Christie Christensen, U.S. Postal Service Marketing Manager CT Valley District. Art and Chris discuss how free membership to local Postal Customer Councils will connect you to the right people and will keep you up to date on the latest mailing, shipping and marketing innovations to help you to save time, save money, and grow your business