Employee Spotlight: Semaj Gladden!
Meet Semaj Gladden, our first Employee Spotlight on one of the most front-and-center departments you'll see in the store: Security. We take security seriously here at Abt when it comes to our products, our store and our customers. Our Security department is made up of a broad collection of employees, from high school part-timers to Abt veterans who stand guard over every door. The best part? Semaj and his colleagues on the Security team are a primary line of both protection and service; whether you have a question about where to find a product or need help carrying something to your car, it's people like Semaj who embody the Abt motto, "The answer is always yes to any reasonable request". Semaj is the perfect example of how crucial Security team members can be to the business, and that's just one reason why we're spotlighting him this month.
Semaj's Start at Abt
Semaj has been a team member at Abt for eight years, but he's had several different positions since he began. "I started in the second shift warehouse, I've worked Security twice, and I've even been on Trucks (delivering and installing)." When his cousin, an employee in the warehouse at the time, pushed Semaj to apply, he began away from the customer-facing role he has now; he started in the second shift of the warehouse. When the lights go off in the store, the warehouse is still at work, and so was Semaj. "We have Security team members who help and monitor with loading and scanning trucks for the next day's drivers. They usually get started during store hours and go into after hours." He would help load trucks up with products to be delivered and installed the next day. Truck after truck was prepped with refrigerators, TVs, mattresses and more, and when Semaj was finished, the morning drivers would pull away with vehicles that were ready for the day's deliveries and installations. That's just one of the behind-the-scenes positions that keeps the store moving as fast as it can.
Security and Customer Service, Rolled Into One
Semaj has spent most of his time at Abt in Security, and while the team is large, Semaj stands out from the crowd, even if they don't give everyone a role or title the way other departments might. "My managers would like to call me a Lead, and that involves a lot of helping customers. This store is very customer-service-based, and I try my best to either get customers what they need or get them the next best thing that's possible if we can't provide it."
In a typical visit, customers purchase from a salesperson on the floor and head to Merchandise Pickup to walk away with their new product. By the time customers come to Semaj in Merchandise Pickup, they're ready for a smiling face to hand them what they've just purchased or to help them walk it to their car. However, there are rare inventory issues where the item you purchased just can't be found in the warehouse due to logistical issues. It's rare, but in those instances, Semaj steps in. "If someone can't find a product in the warehouse, I'll try and take it upon myself to find it. Since I have that warehouse background, I can be the determining factor in knowing if we have that product or not. That's when we'll try and give them some money back, a gift card, things of that nature."
When we do have products in stock, it can sometimes take a long time to find that iPad, that new microwave, that PlayStation 5, and bring it out to the customer. If you're not sure why, take a peek at the size of Abt as you turn a corner in the parking lot—the warehouse is massive, and we have people running back and forth to get items as customers bring their orders to the counter. Semaj knows it can be frustrating. "Some people end up waiting five, ten, even fifteen minutes or more for their order, and it's my job to turn that frown upside down." That's where his customer service skills come into play, and Abt's record of service steps in.
Campaigning For Charity: Abt's 3-Point Shootout
Semaj is committed to keeping Abt, our products, our employees and our customers safe, but it's about more than just the everyday grind here. One of his favorite memories here involves charity work in organizing and campaigning for our employee 3-Point Shootout for Breast Cancer. "Breast cancer hits home for me because my grandmother had breast cancer. She's a survivor, so she's still here with us. It feels good to host an event that can raise awareness for breast cancer and donate to a foundation striving to improve care and treatment." The first year he campaigned for the event, he couldn't get enough people to sign up, but Semaj was determined. The next year was a bash, with over 45 people shooting basketballs and even more donating to the cause. Everyone had fun, whether they took home prizes or just played with friends and coworkers. He's looking forward to leading this year's charity competition and making even more of an impact.
Beginning a Family at Abt
Semaj has done more than just build a career here, he's made lasting friendships—and built a family. The Security Lead met his girlfriend here at Abt five years ago. "We met at Abt and started a family with our two-year-old daughter." In the picture above, little Savannah even got a name tag that matches her father's a couple of years ago.
From organizing trucks in the warehouse at night to going home to a family eight years later, there's a lot that Semaj has learned and gained from Abt, but he's given back even more. From long, hard days of helping customers and coworkers to being the first line of defense at the door, Semaj comes to work "ready to turn that frown upside down". The next time you see Semaj on the floor at Abt, know that he's working double-duty—keeping Abt safe and our customers happy.
