Sales Rep Awards 2009
There are many reasons why sales reps find success at Europa Sports. Part of the puzzle is an emphasis on relationships. Many of our sales reps will tell you that they don't have just customers...they have friends. Another part of the puzzle is a passion for the industry, Europa Sports and most of all, helping their clients grow their business. All of these attributes equal reps that exemplify the outstanding expertise that contributes to them being the best of the best.
Our awards ceremony is held every year in conjunction with a conference exclusively for sales reps that focuses on education, team building and how each sales rep can excel at Europa and in the industry. The conference culminates with awards given to select reps based on peer review, rep statistics and humanitarian efforts.
Keep reading for more information about our annual sales rep honors and how they envision potential for you and others.
Sales Rep of the Year
DAVID LEE
David Lee has been part of the Europa team since 1993. Lee started out as a Driver and eventually became Europa's very first official Sales Rep. For over 16 years Lee has educated customers on supplements and been the friend, go-to guy, and consultant that many customers trust and depend on.
"Gold's Gym International chose to partner with Europa because of the unsurpassed levels of service and selection they have to offer. One of the keys to success in servicing our account of 61 corporate clubs across the nation is the tireless service of our account representative, David Lee" explains Adam McIver, Director of Retail for Gold's Gym International. "David's commitment to excellence, product knowledge and customer satisfaction is helping us take our business to new heights. Thanks David for partnering with GGI to help us grow our business together," states McIver.
Europa's "Sales Rep of the Year" is not an award based on numbers but more on a rep's work ethic and all-around qualities and traits that reps admire and respect. To put it simply, it's based on everything else a rep does that makes them a role model for the entire sales department and company.
David Lee had this to say about the award, "I hope the award means I am an example of a good man as well as a good Europa sales rep. Just blessed in all areas of my life."
Rookie of the Year
RYAN LOWMAN
The Rookie of the Year award is bestowed upon a rep that's been in Sales between six to 17 months. This award is based on average sales rankings for the duration of time the rep has been in Sales.
Europa's Rookie of the Year is Ryan -Lowman. Ryan graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Human Nutrition Foods and Exercise. Ryan joined Europa in March 2008 and started in Customer Service. He then moved to Sales in July later that same year. According to Ryan, winning the award was a big surprise and enormous honor.
"This award doesn't come from one person's efforts, it's a formulated team effort. It's the Europa team concept at its best. The Europa team took me under its wings and made sure I was given the tools to succeed, not only to become a better salesman, but also more importantly, become a better man in the process. This is the strength of Europa, this is what Europa envisions for all employees," states Ryan.
Field Rep of the Year
JEREMY STAUFFER
The Field Rep of the Year Award was awarded to Ohio's Jeremy Stauffer. This award is based on total stores and gyms visited, new accounts opened, increase in sales of visited accounts, and best communication inside and outside the company.
"Receiving field rep of the year is a great honor for me. Europa is the best company, has the best management, best products, and best staff, which makes my job very easy and enjoyable. I love getting up everyday and going to work for Europa!" states Jeremy.
"We congratulate Jeremy Stauffer on winning our 2008 Field Rep of the year award. Jeremy came to us with a corporate mind-set (having worked with the NBA) and has shared those ideas and teachings to help further not only our market share but our relationships throughout the Ohio area," states co-sales manager Rick Hurd.
"Jeremy has done a great job for us beating the streets and supporting the Europa philosophy of excellence in customer service," said co-sales manager Justin Weeks.
Linny Mac Award
DEREK WEST
This is the first year for the Linny Mac Humanitarian Award. Named after Sales Representative Lin McAteer, who passed away in 2008. Lin did many noble activities; more that can be mentioned here but a couple of notable stories include anonymously paying for a disabled boy's gym membership who couldn't afford it. Another story was when Lin heard of a gentleman who had a history of drug and alcohol abuse and started training at one of the gyms Lin was a member. Lin started training and counseling him. The gentlemen beat his addictions and ended up becoming a minister. Lastly, Lin had over 30 gym memberships when he passed. A testament to the fact he always believed in paying it forward to his customers, friends and people he didn't even know. Based on these qualities, the inaugural Linny Mac Humanitarian award was awarded to FDM Sales Manager, Derek West. Derek has embodied many of the traits that the award was founded upon.
In November 2008, Connor McKemey, a teenage boy in Ft. Mill, SC was badly burned when his family's outdoor barbecue pit exploded. Once an avid lacrosse player, the 13-year-old now lies in a medically induced coma with burns over 80 percent of his body. Hearing of Connor's accident, Derek arranged for country superstar Garth Brooks to visit Connor. The singer autographed a guitar and football, which sits in Connor's room. In addition to Garth's visit, Derek coordinated with the Carolina Panther's to arrange for an autographed football from the entire team to also be delivered to Connor.
According to Eric Hillman, Europa Sports CEO, "Derek immediately thinks of others and what he can do to help. It's ingrained in his DNA. He's one of the most selfless people I know. Just like Lin, he's a big guy...[6'8 to be exact] but he's better known because of his huge heart, just like Lin was."
"I am truly honored and humbled to be the recipient of the first Linny Mac Humanitarian Award. Lin continually gave of himself to various organizations, causes and individuals. We are very fortunate to live and work in an environment that blesses us with all the tools to give back. Luke 12:48 tells us that to whom much is given, much is expected. I have always taken great pride in my community work and couldn't think of a better individual to have this award named after. Paying it forward is a very simple thing to do and a mind set that we should all live our life striving for," states Derek.
* To read more about Connor, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/mckemey.
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Sports Products - November 20, 2009
