Editor’s note: The following is a letter written by Winnemucca resident Bryan Mahoney and sent to Raley’s COO Keith Knopf.
June 1, 2015 you started your dream job as Chief Operating Officer. Did you tell Mr. Teel and the board of directors that you would work hard, be honest and improve the profit margin percentage?
On your first day did you tell Ken Mueller, the Chief Financial Officer to give you the list of 138 stores arranged in numerical order, from most profitable to least?
On your second day did you tell Chelsea Minor, the public relations officer to prepare a politically correct letter that because of competition, aging stores and profitability you were closing 10 stores in 2015?
On your third day did you finish your five year plan by selecting 20 stores to close in 2016? Stores in 2017? Stores in 2018? Stores in 2019?
Certainly you can get this from the chapter in your business management book on how to improve profit percentages. To accomplish this and earn your $1,000,000 salary, get your year-end bonus, your share of private stock and all expense vacation to Bermuda you had to get all this done in a hurry. Since Raley’s is a private company we will never know if this is exactly correct, however, it is in line with May company incentives.
Did you ask the U.S. President for assistance? He and the government spent $500 million building a solar plant in California that did not work and is now bankrupt. Surely they had a few dollars left to help grocery stores.
Did you ask the Nevada governor for incentives to stay open? He and the legislature work hard to bring business to Nevada. Surely they would listen to you.
Did you contact: the Humboldt County commissioners, The Winnemucca mayor?
Did you ask a truck driver how to reduce costs?
Did you ask pharmacy how to improve profits?
Did you ask diary if they had any ideas to improve productivity?
Did you ask the produce manager for suggestions?
Did you ask deli for suggestions?
Did you ask the outstanding checkers for information?
Did you ask a courtesy clerk?
Did you ask suppliers to give you the same discounts they give the competition?
Did you think about asking for a new location in Winnemucca?
Did you think about a store remodel?
It appears to us that you did not have time to do any of the above. Instead, it was easier to slash and quit and guarantee your benefits.
The nice customer service lady at 800-925-9989 said you would not change your mind.
Did you tell her that Jan. 1, 2016, she would be replaced by a telephone answering machine that never returns calls and you could reduce operating costs by another $50,000?
Would Tom Raley, rest his soul, be proud of you? He was thrilled to open new stores, create good jobs, and provide excellent products with outstanding customer service. Mr. Raley added value to each community he chose to do business in.
Would you accept the challenge of keeping the store open and implementing cost cutting measures improve productivity and beat the competition? We will sure appreciate it.
If not, please consider what the excellent employees of the Winnemucca Raley’s store are doing in December while you are enjoying your all-expense paid vacation.
They will be looking for other work, considering relocation and having to get by on a meagre unemployment check.
We hate this to happen to such a dedicated, loyal group of Raley’s employees!
