Planner of the Year

Last week had a very exciting event for me. Mom’s surgery was scheduled for Thursday, so I told everyone at work that I would be off on Thursday and Friday to go be with her. Several hours later, I get a notice for a planning meeting from our Exec VP – Mandatory. Oh great, I thought. So I talked to my boss, who tried to get it moved to another day with no success. So I talked to mom, who had already said Allan would take her and we worked out a plan – I’d leave immediately after my meeting and be in Houston by the afternoon. I hated not being there for her actual surgery, but I thought – this will work fine. So now Thursday rolls around, and in the morning we had our company annual merchant recognition awards, to be followed by my meeting (or so I thought). I had all of my materials ready for the meeting - stayed late the night before, (missing my step class), to be sure I was organized and ready so I could jet out right after. We headed down for the merchant awards… First was the “star awards” – recognizing those offices that achieved their spring season and annual plans. Next up was Assistant Buyers of the Year – one from each division. WOOHOO – Alex was awarded… so well deserved!! Next up came “risk takers” awards – several winners from across the company. Then came the announcement of the Merchandise Planner of the year…

Here is the script given by our Exec VP of Planning:
This award was established to recognize the merchandise planner who fosters a dynamic business partnership with the merchants, the stores and the vendors. It’s their job to balance inventory and sales…and to maintain profit and stock plan objectives.

The Planner of the Year is versatile with tremendous resolve. She is always in command of the countless circumstances in her division that demand her immediate attention. She spends most of her time analyzing the business to determine what is needed to drive sales. She challenges her team everyday to consider business-maximizing opportunities.

Her constant and consistent communication with the stores has earned her respect at all levels. From Merchandise Mangers to DSA’s to sales staff she is admired and considered a valued member of the team.

She is actively involved in many company committee task forces and test pilots. Additionally, she spends significant time training each new Executive Development class on projections and planning theory. That’s no small achievement!

Please join me in congratulating 2008’s Planner of the Year, Sarah Gourley, Senior Merchandise Planner, St. John! Congratulations Sarah!


I was completely shocked, surprised, and honored to receive this amazing award!! And, the $500 cash, free parking for 1 year, and gorgeous Steuben crystal are a huge bonus as well!





So as you can probably now imagine, I didn’t have a mandatory meeting this morning, but my entire team, and family, had been conniving on a way to make sure I was there! I still smile when I think about how lucky I am to work with such amazing people to recongnize me in such a huge way.