Maddy Johnson has been a Customer Service Rep at Ohlheiser Corporation since 2006.
Recently Maddy relocated to Florida with her fiancé, Roger, but continues to be a part of the Customer Service Team. We caught up with Maddy to give you an insight into her world at Ohlheiser 'South'.
Maddy, what do you like best about working at Ohlheiser?
I enjoy the work I do. I like talking to customers, finding out about them. I like learning new things and trying to solve problems. It's special to work with someone I consider a very good friend, the other half of "Lucy and Ethel". Having a boss that is fair and open minded makes the daily job easy to handle and working with people you like is a big plus.
Can you tell us more about the "Lucy and Ethel" reference?
We have two customer service teams consisting of 2 people per team. Each team is responsible for certain salesmen and their customers. My "Teammate" is Laura. 
Sometimes situations happen during the day and it isn't always clear how it happened. The Lucy reference started before I worked at Ohlheiser. Once Laura and I teamed up, it was clear Lucy and Ethel were alive and well at Ohlheiser.
How did you get to be working from Florida?
My fiancé Roger put in for a transfer to Florida with his company SMC. When his company finally Ok'd the move I had to give Rob, Chuck and Debbie my notice. Not too long after that they all called me in Rob's office. In my head I was thinking uh-oh now what did I do? But they asked how I would like to continue working for Ohlheiser but from Florida. I was flabbergasted.....and very flattered that they would offer me this opportunity.
So now that you're working from Florida, how does that work with your customers and co-workers still in New England?
Except for the fact that I don't have a wall to knock on to get Laura's attention , anyone to talk Boston sports with or an eighty minute ride to work every morning everything is as if I am in the office. My phone and my computer are hooked up to CT. I hear when someone is being paged and Sally buzzes me for my phone calls the same as she always did. I was always one to sit at my desk as soon as I got in the office and I do the same thing now. I knew I could be disciplined to work from home. I get my lunch and snacks ready before the day starts. I talk to Laura during the day on the phone. We work well together as a team, Lucy and Ethel. We help each other out with whatever situation comes up. If there are issues throughout the day instead of walking to my desk people buzz my extension.
If you could meet one famous person who would it be and why?
Most would think it would be Elvis but I will pick Paul Newman. Besides being a great actor and extremely handsome, he has supported a lot of charities and was a race car driver. He didn't try to stay young as he was getting older. He seemed to embrace life's challenges and learn from them. I admire that he was married for over 50 years. Cool Hand Luke is one of my favorite movies.
Could you describe your typical day?
When I lived in CT my day started at 5:30am so I could leave by 6:30am and be in work by 8. My 125 mile a day commute has diminished to a walk across the house. I put my computer on around 7:30am and a little before 8:00 I am ready to start the day. I say hello to my partner/teammate Laura, check emails, print out any orders and get ready for the phone calls. There are days when it feels like as soon as you hang up the phone you get another call. Every day is the same but different. Another reason I like my job. When there are problems that arise hopefully they are easily solved. We have a great team to work with. Don Rossignol is one of the best tech people I have ever worked with. He answers my questions even if it's one I've asked him a bunch of times before. At lunch time I go for a walk or a bike ride.
What was your first job ever?
I started Hoffman's, a clothing store in Lynn, MA when I was 16. I started again when my kids started elementary school. I worked there a total of 15 years. My second full time job was at SMC Corporation, starting in 1990 after I got laid off from Hoffman's. That is how I came in contact with Ohlheiser. They were my first customer at SMC. Debbie taught me a lot way back then when I was a green customer service person.
What are some key lessons you have taken from your career thus far?
That diplomacy is the best way to deal with things. Not the easiest, but the best. I'm still working on it.....
- Thanks to Maddy for sharing a little about herself and we look forward to spotlighting her co-workers in the month's to come.
