E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year - Daniel Salter

BY JESSIE SHOOK

The recipient of the 2021 E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year Award, Daniel Salter, began his journey with Alabama Farmers Cooperative and Quality Cooperative, Inc. with a phone call from past General Manager and 2016 Manager of the Year, Ryan Williams. Salter was assistant manager at an auto shop down the road from the Co-op. After Williams’ persistence, Salter decided to consider the opportunity. “The last time he called it kinda just struck a nerve and I felt like I needed to hear him out,” Salter said. “I started two weeks later.”

Salter had been in retail most of his life with an agriculture background which made the transition seamless. He was assistant manager for three years before becoming General Manager of Quality Co-op and Salter said it fit like a glove right from the beginning. He knew he made the right choice. “It’s all about the people,” Salter added. “It’s not always the name on the side of the building, even though AFC has a very reputable name – it’s the people that you work with.”

When asked why he enjoys working at the Co-op, Salter reiterated the most important thing to him – people. “I enjoy what I do because I get to work with so many different people,” Salter said. “While we are a rural store, we are under the umbrella of a large company that has the same values and ideals that I do. I don’t think a person should dread coming to work or dislike what they do – I couldn’t imagine liking anything else better.”

Surprised wasn’t the word Salter used when his name was announced as Manager of the Year. “I was actually kinda shocked,” Salter said. “I knew that our store numbers were really good but you never know. I’ve never needed an award to validate what we do but it certainly tells us that we are on the right track.”

Photo Credit: Studio Panache

When Salter accepted his award, he was greeted by his family. His son, Elijah Daniel (4), joined him on stage, making this moment even more special. “That’s what it’s all about,” Salter said. “He loves it. He always tells me he’s going to be a Co-op man and working for a company that is very accepting of families means a lot. Just like inviting my whole family to see me accept this award … what company does that?”

Family is as important to Salter as it is to AFC. He described the importance of having a supportive family at home. “They live this every day, just like I do and it’s one thing to win something, it’s a totally different feeling when someone is there to see you accept it,” Salter added.

Salter said his success at the Co-op comes from staying humble and putting his customers and employees first. “My belief is that I don’t have all the answers and I have a willingness to listen to others, to customers and to the people I work with,” he said. “I am a people person first and foremost, I try to make the Co-op a very good atmosphere for the employees because I understand that the employees are the most important commodities that we have.”

Photo Credit: Studio Panache

Customer service is also something Salter keeps at the forefront. “I’m really big on customer service – if we can’t do anything else right, we can at least ace customer service,” he added.

Salter also believes that the leadership throughout AFC contributed to his growth and ability to win this award. “I think what contributed to me winning this Family is as important to Salter as it is to AFC. award was AFC having the He described the importance of having a supportive correct leadership,” Salter family at home and how it meant the world to him said. “Having the right to have them present to see him accept his award. people in place to navigate me through the learning process and once again, I don’t have all the answers, but some people do, and you’ve got to be willing to listen to those people,” said Salter.

Salter expressed how all the right people have to be in place at every level of this business to have success. “’The people that actually contribute to the award a lot of times never get recognized and it’s not just me or the people that work at Quality Co-op,” Salter said. “It’s everybody that answers the phone when I call, the people that I email when I need product, the people that make sure I get that product and don’t lose a sale – it’s everything working together to make that happen. Everyone should take pride in any manager winning because they certainly didn’t do it on their own.”

Daniel Salter was surprised when his whole family was there to watch him receive the E.P. Garrett Manager of the Year Award. (Photo Credit: Studio Panache)