Employee Spotlight

Debbie Newton

Employee Spotlight: Celebrating 30 Years of Dedication!

We are honored to shine the spotlight on one of our incredible team members, Debbie Newton, who has been an integral part of our Pharmacy Family for an amazing three decades!

“My name is Debbie Newton. My job title is Head Pharmacy Technician at Drug Emporium #200 in Longview, Texas. I have worked with Drug Emporium for almost thirty-one years. I began working at Drug Emporium part time in 1992 as a cashier. I was moved to the pharmacy and became a pharmacy technician a year or so later. The company culture is a retail pharmacy with a family feel. We have customers who have been loyal for years and we are on a personal level. I enjoy the customers I get to help and interact with daily and who I have known for years. In my time, I have seen customers grow from children to adults. In addition to the customers, I have had great coworkers throughout the years. Drug Emporium even has great office personnel, store personnel and management. Having all of these people around me, makes my job enjoyable. Even the coworkers who have left, I still consider some of my closest friends. These relationships that are built with both my coworkers and customers, make the job worth it.”

Brian Talley

Employee Spotlight: Celebrating 31 Years of Dedication!

Today, we're thrilled to shine the spotlight on one of the cornerstones of our company's success - Brian Talley!

For an incredible 31 years, Brian has been an integral part of our store’s journey, contributing his unwavering dedication, expertise, and passion to every project he’s touched. Thank you, Brian!

“The culture of the company from my perspective has always felt like an extended family.

Vitamins Plus is a very customer service oriented section of our store. For the customers who show up in our vitamin section, it can be a bit overwhelming. We have so many options to choose from. I do my best to recommend the products they need in order to help make a good decision with their approach to any health concerns they have. When interacting with the customer, I get to know them on a first name basis, and start to build a relationship. I like the interactions that I get to have with our customers, and getting to know them on more than a customer level. Actually, at this time, I have three members of our crew that are longtime customers.

I started working for Drug Emporium on May 20, 1992. Just a high school kid at the time, I was an evening stocker. It wasn’t long after graduating high school, that the receiving manager job became available. I was asked if I would like to give that position a try, and I accepted it. I worked in that position for a few years while attending college. The next opportunity came to me as the assistant store manager. While working in that position the whole concept of “Vitamins Plus” appeared. From the beginning, I was curious about the new products that Vitamins Plus would be carrying. In the growing phases of Vitamins Plus, my next opportunity presented itself in the form of managing this department. I gladly took it. I’ve learned a lot over the years in this industry, and I’ve built relationships with vendors, brokers, company representatives, delivery drivers, and of course customers. I am thankful for all the opportunities that Drug Emporium has given me over the years. It’s been a great journey thus far.

On the personal side of things, I’m an avid outdoorsman. I love to hunt and fish every chance I get. I enjoy some outdoor things that some would call crazy. I’m very particular about my yard so I spend a lot of time keeping it looking nice. I’m also a single dad of three young men that I’m super proud of. My youngest son is 12 and he will be starting the 7TH grade this year. My middle son is 17, he will be a senior this year. My oldest son is 23, he works at Drug Emporium as well. They keep me on my toes.“

ward sutton

Employee Spotlight

September Employee Spotlight

At Drug Emporium we believe in recognizing and celebrating the incredible talents that make our team shine!

Today, we're thrilled to introduce you to Ward Sutton, our superstar General Manager at our Longview Location. With his dedicated service, Ward has been an invaluable asset to our organization. His commitment, passion, and innovation have not only inspired his colleagues but have also helped in driving our success.

“My name is Ward Sutton. My title is General Manager at the Longview Drug Emporium. I have been working at Drug Emporium for 2 years and 8 months. The company culture at our Longview Store is that it’s easy to come to work and it’s homey with a willingness to Succeed Attitude that shows we can drive sales in a tough market. I enjoy communicating and sharing ideas in the store and seeing them implemented and seeing our numbers do the talking for us. I am truly enjoying working for Drug Emporium. I am always challenging myself and team of how we can get better and better. I enjoy digging and looking into each aspect as a business owner- so much to challenge “Status quo”. I hate hearing, “ This is how it’s always been.” I have been in retail for over 40 years and I enjoy my family and building items. I am married and have a little boy, 7 yrs old, and 4 adult children. I love collecting Guns and displaying them to show. This is why my son’s name is “Colt”. I love helping and sharing ideas personally and in business and then sitting back and watching your efforts show up.”

Ward was nominated for this month’s Employee Spotlight by one of his colleagues,

“Ward goes above and beyond, he has delivered results in his store that very few, if anyone, thought possible. He shares his wins with the other managers and reaches out to help anyone that is wanting or needing help. He has totally transformed the image of Drug Emporium in Longview and is building a reputation of a store that is involved and committed to the community. He is continuously challenging and trying to find ways to get all aspects of the business involved in the success of a “total store” mentality.”

#EmployeeSpotlight #Teamwork #Appreciation #CompanyCulture #EmployeeRecognition #DrugEmporium

Jennifer Cook

Employee Spotlight: Celebrating 5 years of dedication!

October Employee Spotlight: Celebrating 5 Years of Dedication!

Join us in honoring Jennifer Cook, a wonderful member of our team for 5 years!

“Hi, my name is Jennifer Cook. I am a cash office associate and a weekend manager. I have been with Drug Emporium for 5 years. I enjoy getting to know my customers by name and building relationships. I feel it makes their shopping experience special when they visit. I cherish the friendships I have developed with my fellow coworkers. When I'm not working, I love spending time with my husband of 20 years, 5 children, and 8 grandchildren.”

Thank you, Jennifer, for being such an integral part of our team. Here's to many more years of success, growth, and shared achievements together!