By Sarah Mahan

The Selma Times-Journal

 

Through the Rising Star Award Program, the Selma and Dallas County Chamber of Commerce hopes to recognize people who might believe their positive attitudes and welcoming smiles go unnoticed.

Lee Nichols, service manager for Moore-Stewart Ford in Selma, received this month’s Rising Star Award.

The Rising Star Award recognizes outstanding customer service in the community.

“We thought it would be a good idea to identify people in Selma who have great customer service, whether that be at a drive-through or car dealership.” Ann Murray, a member of the Chamber’s Retail Committee and creator of the award program, explains. “We want to identify the people who are meeting the public in a positive way.”

Murray said anyone from the community can nominate or be nominated.

“We started the program in October, and receive nominations through email or fax from any member of the community,” Murray said. “It has been so much fun to recognize everyday people who are just doing their jobs. It is really meaningful to the people, and to us, because we feel we are impacting [others].”

Each month the Chamber of Commerce decides a new “rising star.” Nichols, this month’s winner, was chosen for, “always meeting and greeting customers with a smile, while keeping both employees and customers happy in the service department,” according to the application submitted to the Chamber of Commerce.

Sheryl Smedley, executive director of the Chamber, thanked Nichols for his hard work and excellent customer service.

“We want you to know that what you do makes a difference to the service department, to us and to your community. We thank you,” she said while presenting Nichols with the award.

Nichols expressed thanks for the award and appreciation that his hard work was noticed. When asked about his excellent customer service, he said, “There’s a lot of things you can’t control but your attitude isn’t one of them. I try to keep a smile on my face, even when it is difficult. I appreciate that someone noticed my [effort].”

“The folks that are really getting the work done behind the scenes, you don’t see them because they are so busy making everything happen,” Todd Stewart, manager of Moore-Stewart Ford, said. “Nichols has done a great job prioritizing and taking care of business for the last 13 years. I’m glad he works for [Moore-Stewart].”