Creston Hy-Vee employee receives high honor

Creston Hy-Vee’s Mark Hoffman even showed why he won the company’s Legendary Customer Service Award, while he was just learning he was the recipient.

During a surprise announcement Friday inside the store’s entrance, moments after Hoffman walked in and was told, he made sure the door opened for a customer who was behind him.

“This is a thank you to the customers,” Hoffman said later on during the reception. “I wish I could do more for customers.”

This award is the highest honor presented to a Hy-Vee employee. It recognizes those who go above and beyond every day to help customers and provide them with exemplary service. This year, only 11 recipients were selected from among more than 86,000 Hy-Vee employees. Award recipients enter the Hy-Vee Legendary Customer Service Award Hall of Fame and receive additional gifts and honors. Hy-Vee has been a company known for exemplary customer service since its founding in 1930.

“After I greet them, I just make sure their first journey through the store is a good one,” he said

Mitch Streit, district vice president for Hy-Vee’s Western Iowa district, met with Hoffman in an impromptu ceremony in front of employees. He was assisted by Curtis Bortell, district store director of the Creston and Osceola Hy-Vee locations, and representatives from Hy-Vee’s corporate office.