JULIE VERSCHAGE STEPS DOWN AS GENERAL MANAGER OF AVON TOM WAHL’S AFTER 29 YEARS

BY SUZIE WELLS

If you’ve been in the Avon Tom Wahl’s over the years, chances are you’ve seen Julie Verschage, General Manager of the Avon agship. A er 22 years as GM and 29 years with the community, Julie is hanging up her GM hat to enjoy a semi-retirement.

Julie began at the Avon Tom Wahl’s in 1990, working as a crew member for ve years before taking a few years o to care for an elderly family member. She returned to Tom Wahl’s as a supervisor and was promoted to assistant manager within a year and then progressed to General Manager.

As she embarks on her new adventure at the end of April, Julie says:

“I have had so many team members that have been a pleasure to work with and whom I enjoyed inspiring to succeed in their next career choice. It is heartening when they come back to tell me that they too enjoyed having me as their leader.

“My success here has all been because I have surrounded myself with great people, just like my great leader Keith Herman told me to do. It has made my career fantastic.

“To all our great guests, thank you! I have enjoyed seeing and talking to you all over the last 29 years. Without all of you, Avon would not have been so successful in being the number one store throughout our company. It’s your wonderful visits that have made this happen for the last 22 years. I have made many friendships and will truly miss seeing you all.

“To Tom Wahl, thank you for all your encouragement throughout the years. It always warmed my heart to hear you tell me I was the best manager and that I do a great job with your namesake. I will miss our visits and talks of the past.

She says she has so many fond memories from her years at Tom Wahl’s and especially loves whenever old sta members come in and they chat. She also loves when Tom himself comes in for visits about every other week.

Julie says the physical building may have changed over the past 29 years, but the way it’s run has not. Each location follows Tom’s philosophy that customers always come rst. Tom has cardinal (golden) rules all team members still work by: Beat the customer to the counter; Beat the customer to a smile; Make only the best; Keep the place clean; and Always say thank you.

Julie says maintaining those standards across team members and across locations is de nitely what makes Tom Wahl’s the essential part of the community it is to this day.

In her semi-retirement, Julie says she will work part-time as manager in charge of training to share some of her knowledge and expertise with other managers and crew members across locations.

“Last but not least, thank you to my husband for his endless supportI couldn’t have done it without him. I will miss my current role, but I will enjoy my semi-retirement. ank you all again! Much love to you all!”