Ruffin Postmaster, Doug Mixson selected 2009 SC Postmaster of the Year

League of Postmasters State Membership Selects Candidate to Compete for National Award

Returns are in, and it has been announced that Postmaster Doug Mixson, of Ruffin, SC, has been selected as 2009 Postmaster of the Year by his South Carolina peers of the League of Postmasters at their state convention. Mixson will compete for the honor nationally this year at the League of Postmasters 106th National Convention, to be held in Buffalo, NY the first week of August. Candidates, who are judged by past winners of the award, will provide written information regarding their efforts during the past year to help the Postal Service, the League of Postmasters and the community. They must also provide evidence of the recognition they have earned for these efforts. Criteria on the ballot states that candidates must be an active League member, an “above average” Postmaster, and must assist other Postmasters.

Mixson, 27, has been Postmaster in Ruffin, a lowcountry town of 2,155, since 2005. He began his career as a Postmaster Relief at age18 in Smoaks in 2001. In 2004, Mixson gained national recognition as the nation’s youngest Postmaster when he was promoted to the position in Williams, at age 21. In 2008, Mixson was given a certificate of appreciation by the U. S. Postal Inspection Service for giving his professional and computer expertise as an expert witness in solving a fraud case involving an eBay seller.

During the past year, Mixson has assisted South Carolina’s League of Postmasters as webmaster, maintaining a website he designed in 2006, http://www.scpostmasters.org/. He has been recognized during the past year by lowcountry Post Office Operations Manager, Bob Bergdorf, for his assistance as scanning coordinator/trainer, service review auditor, attendance control coordinator and several other ongoing quality control and delivery service administrative duties both at the regional and district level.

Mixson is also active in community service, serving as a volunteer fire Station Captain for Colleton County Fire-Rescue Station #23. He actively assists the Town of Cottageville and other local law enforcement agencies as a South Carolina State Constable, as well as assisting with large scale Homeland Security statewide response needs. He, his wife, Jennifer and his 2-year-old son, Luke, attend Community Baptist Church in Lodge .

“I’m so proud to represent my fellow South Carolina Postmasters in pursuit of this great honor,” said Mixson. “Our daily goal at work, like the League’s ideal, is to achieve proficiency through teamwork. I wouldn’t have had my career opportunities without it, and I want to help others the same way. In these difficult times, teamwork and efficient customer service are needed more than ever by the Postal Service. I take pride in my service as a Postal employee, as a member of the National League of Postmasters, and as a resident of the lowcountry. ”