GRATON, CA — On Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016, at 1:30 p.m., Rosellen Simmons will follow a tradition that dates back to 1906 when John Robertson became the first Postmaster of Graton. Simmons will raise her right hand to be sworn in as the new Postmaster at the Graton Post Office, 3171 Ross Rd, Graton, CA  95444.

Simmons started her career with the United States Postal Service in 1977 as a clerk at the San Rafael Post Office when it was a mail sorting facility. Simmons transferred to the Sonoma Post Office where she was a clerk, letter carrier, and a supervisor for 13 years. She also served as Officer-in-Charge at the Vineburg and Fulton Post Offices. Simmons was promoted to Postmaster of Valley Ford in 1991 and enjoyed being a part of that community for 23 years.

“I appreciate the privilege to represent the Postal Service in a community,” said Simmons. “My goal is to provide a Post Office that the community has confidence in and one that they can be proud of.” 

Simmons lives in Rohnert Park, CA and has a daughter, Madeline, 25. 

Simmons is very active in her community. She helped organize fund raisers as part of the Valley Ford Volunteer Fire Department and served as treasurer for 15 years prior to becoming the corresponding secretary.

For many years, the Graton Post Office has provided tours for kindergarten classes, and each year a week before Valentine’s Day a teacher from Oak Grove School designs a school project by having her kindergarten class come up with their own drawings that they would like to see on a postage stamp.

Simmons stands in front of a display of postage stamp ideas from Ms. Drury’s kindergarten class.

As Graton Postmaster, Simmons manages all operations at the Graton Post Office, which has one rural delivery route with 228 delivery points (residential business addresses) and 726 PO Boxes. She manages three employees who process and deliver an average of 3,790 pieces of mail daily.

Sandy Sewell, Postmaster of Graton from 1990 to 2001, will administer the official oath of office.  Simmons replaces Jim Fleck, who retired.

# # #

Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at about.usps.com/news/welcome.htm.

For reporters interested in speaking with a regional Postal Service public relations professional, please go to about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.

Follow us on twitter.com/USPS and like us at facebook.com/USPS. For more information about the Postal Service, go to usps.com and usps.com/postalfacts.