NORTHRIDGE, CA — On Friday, August 24, 2018, at 11:00 am, Kelsey Vela will follow a tradition that dates back to 1954 when Dean I. Love was appointed as the first Postmaster of Northridge.   

Vela will raise his right hand to be sworn in as the new Postmaster at the Northridge Post Office, 9534 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, CA 91324.

In December 1998, Vela began his postal career at the Santa Clarita Plant and Distribution Center as a Casual Christmas help and continued on as a Transitional Employee.    In less than 8 months, he began his first management position as Supervisor Distribution Operations at the Pasadena Post Office.

Between 2001 and 2016, Vela worked at various Post Offices as Supervisor Customer Service, Supervisor Distribution Operations and filling in as Manager Customer Service.

In 2016, he was promoted to Manager Customer Service at the Simi Valley Post Office. 

“It is a great honor to serve as a Postmaster and it was a goal that I set 20 years ago,” said Vela. “I want to provide prompt, reliable, and efficient delivery, shorter wait times for our customers.  I will engage, mentor and develop my employees to improve safety and provide better service satisfaction to our customers.”

Vela and his wife, Bonnie, and their two children, son Collin (9) and daughter Isabel (8), reside in Moorpark, CA.  He is a US Navy Veteran. He enjoys camping, sports and spending time with family.  He is a soccer coach for kids.

As Northridge Postmaster, Vela manages all operations at the Northridge Post Office with a total of 57 city routes and 1 rural route, delivering to 38,121 addresses and 1,931 Post Office Boxes.  He manages 108 employees who process, distribute, and deliver an average of 132,748 pieces of mail daily.

Sierra Coastal District Manager Post Office Operations Mary Bream will administer the official oath of office.  Vela replaces Shawn White who was promoted to Santa Clarita Post Office.

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