NOKOMIS, FL — As part of the United States Postal Service’s “For the Long Haul” initiative, we are proud to celebrate Joel Prestia, a dedicated Retail Associate, who has faithfully served the Nokomis, FL community for over 28 years. Joel’s unwavering commitment and exceptional service have made him a beloved figure in the neighborhood he serves.

“For the Long Haul” is an initiative designed to honor the remarkable dedication of long-serving employees like Joel, who have become integral parts of their communities.

Joel Prestia, who began his career with USPS in 1996 at the Nokomis Post Office, shared the following sentiments, “A few years ago, when I hit my 25-year mark, a strange thing happened. My customers began remarking  ‘You’ve been here a long time, haven’t you?’ When I revealed how long I’d been working in Nokomis, it led to some wonderful interactions. I was told how they remembered my help changing their addresses when they first moved to Florida. They reminded me about sending baby gifts to their grandchild that was now starting college. They thanked me for recommending the best way to send homemade cookies to a sick friend. But mostly, they thanked me for still being here.”

Nokomis Postmaster Diana Erickson expressed her appreciation for Joel’s invaluable contributions to the success of the Postal Service. “Joel’s knowledge base, combined with his ability to be dynamic with USPS policy and procedure changes, makes him an asset to the public he serves. He takes pride in knowing the right answer for his customers, and without a doubt, Joel’s customers really are ‘his’ customers…he knows most of them by name. There is a sincere appreciation of his positive attitude and his nurturing of customer relationships. He ensures that the USPS stays competitive in the rapidly changing marketplace of shipping choices.”

The United States Postal Service has been an essential part of American life since its inception. Committed to providing reliable, affordable mail service to every address in the country, USPS plays a crucial role in maintaining communication and commerce across the nation.

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