USPS Press release:

This April, more than 4,000 mailing industry professionals will attend the National Postal Forum (NPF), the industry’s premier event and tradeshow, in Nashville, Tenn. and gain cutting-edge strategies and techniques for helping their organizations thrive in today’s marketplace.

Since 1968, the National Postal Forum has provided business mailers with ongoing training and education and helped them keep pace with the industry’s rapid progress. This year, more than 130 workshops and sessions on key topics led by USPS management will explore global opportunities, direct mail, shipping services, Intelligent Mail and much more. In addition, the Forum will offer attendees the chance to network with business and thought leaders across the mailing industry, including Postal Service executives. Back by popular demand, peer-to-peer roundtables will be hosted on a wide range of industry topics and to promote the exchange of ideas – as well as business cards.

“There is no greater opportunity than the National Postal Forum to connect with businesses, organizations and people who shape the mailing industry,” said Steve Kearney, senior vice president, Customer Relations. “From people-in-the-know to people you need to know, NPF offers leading-edge strategies to navigate and succeed in today’s business world.”

To help mailers take advantage of technological advancements in mail processing and the demand for high visibility throughout the process, the Intelligent Mail Technical Workshop will provide a practical understanding of what’s required for organizations to leverage both Basic and Full Service options for implementation of the Intelligent Mail barcode. Attendees will dive into the world of electronic mailing documentation and learn about the various types of Intelligent Mail barcodes, how they’re constructed and how they can help organizations achieve the maximum ROI.

Other sessions include:

* Future Business Model of the U.S. Postal Service – This workshop envisions the Postal Service of the future and how the agency must evolve to meet the changing needs of customers.

* Exploring Five-Day Delivery – A panel of experts on city and rural delivery, mail processing, Post Office operations and transportation will talk about how the Postal Service is proposing to adjust its processing and delivery operations. * The Postal Service Takes Wall Street – Top financial analysts will take part in a panel discussion about the current state of the shipping industry, including expedited transportation and important strategic initiatives to drive growth.

After one of the most dynamic and turbulent years the Postal Service has ever faced, Postmaster General John Potter will take the stage during the opening keynote session and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the mailing industry moving forward. Attendees will hear firsthand from the Postal Service’s chief executive about innovations designed to keep the mail – and businesses – more competitive than ever.

Don’t miss out – register today at www.npf.org and take advantage of an early bird registration discount through Feb. 12.

The following information was released by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of South Dakota:

United States Attorney Brendan V. Johnson announced that a Lemmon man charged with Theft of Mail Matter was sentenced on February 2, 2010, by Chief US District Judge Karen E. Schreier. Claude Haugen, age 44, was sentenced to 2 months home confinement, 3 years probation, a $100 special assessment, and $866 restitution. Haugen was indicted by a federal grand jury on September 22, 2009. In February 2009, Haugen, a contract carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, stole a package from an individual on his route. On November 2, 2009, he pled guilty to the charge. This case was investigated by the USPS-OIG. Assistant US Attorney Carolyn G. Olson prosecuted the case.

New York, NY, February 4, 2010 — The Direct Marketing Association (DMA), the leading global trade association of businesses and nonprofit multichannel direct marketers, today named Robert (Bob) Allen, Interim President & CEO. Mr. Allen, an award winning direct marketing executive, is the former President & CEO of The Vermont Country Store, a multichannel retailer of hard-to-find products. He will assume the title of Interim President & CEO effective Friday, February 5, and be based in DMA’s New York office.

A seasoned marketing executive, Mr. Allen is a veteran of The Vermont Country Store, where he began in 1982 as assistant to the president. He advanced to president in 1994, earning the distinction of the first non-family president of the business. Mr. Allen has extensive experience with a diverse marketing background, currently serving as a director for six for-profit companies in New England: Gardeners Supply; Cuddledown; Susan Sargent Designs; JK Adams; Danforth Pewterers; and Kalow Technologies. Mr. Allen received a lifetime achievement award in 2004 from Catalog Success magazine and another in 2008 from the New England Mail Order Association. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

“Bob Allen’s in-depth knowledge of direct marketing and his multi-year experience leading a trade organization make him the natural choice to lead DMA during this time,” said Eugene R. Raitt, DMA Board Chairman. “He has successfully navigated businesses through revolutionary changes in direct marketing and will keep DMA advancing into the 21st Century. He is exactly the kind of forward-thinking leader we need.”

“I am honored to serve DMA while the board conducts a thorough search for a permanent President & CEO,” said Mr. Allen. “Direct marketing is in the middle of a period of rapid change. It will be important to maintain a balance between tried and true methods and new concepts like social media and the digital landscape; as I did when guiding The Vermont Country Store in its evolution from strictly ‘traditional’ media to digital. Successful companies will be the ones who understand and embrace both. I look forward to guiding DMA through this process.”

WASHINGTON — Four revered U.S. Navy icons were commemorated with a First-Class salute with the dedication of the Distinguished Sailors collectable stamps. Available nationwide today, the 44-cent stamps immortalize four sailors who served with bravery and distinction during the 20th Century: William S. Sims, Arleigh A. Burke, John McCloy and Doris “Dorie” Miller.

The dedication ceremony took place today at the United States Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.

“On behalf of the U.S. Postal Service, I am pleased to honor these four great sailors who impacted our nation and world,” said Potter. “These brave individuals represent the U.S. Navy’s proud legacy of service to this nation. Their example is an inspiration to every American.”

Joining Potter in dedicating the stamps were Juan M. Garcia III, Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Manpower and Reserve Affairs); Vice Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Director, Navy Staff; Edward K. Walker Jr., Rear Admiral, Supply Corps (Ret.) and United States Navy Memorial President; David A. Rosenberg, PhD, Naval Historian/Captain, U.S. Navy Reserves; Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX); Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX); and, U.S. Postal Service Vice President, Supply Management, Susan M. Brownell.

“I am honored to recognize the contributions these great Americans made to our Navy and to our country,” said Garcia. “It is only fitting that their legacy of honor, courage and commitment be spotlighted by the United States Postal Service.”

The stamps, designed by Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, are based on photographs from Navy archives. Text along the top of the stamp sheet identifies the four sailors, the approximate date of each photograph, and a ship named in honor of each sailor.

William S. Sims
Commander of U.S. naval forces in European waters during World War I, Sims (1858-1936) was an outspoken reformer and innovator who helped shape the Navy into a modern fighting force. Frustrated by the Navy bureaucracy, he circumvented his superiors to get the Navy to adopt improved gunfire techniques that increased firing accuracy as ships rolled through ocean swells. He also is noted for promoting the convoy system that grouped ships closely together as they were accompanied by small numbers of Navy escorts while crossing the U-Boat infested Atlantic — saving countless lives in both world wars. The stamp features a detail from a 1919 photograph of Sims and depicts the crest of the destroyer escort USS W.S. Sims (DE-1059), commissioned in 1970.

Arleigh A. Burke
After serving as one of the top destroyer squadron commanders of World War II, Burke (1901-1996) had an equally distinguished postwar career in which he played a major role in modernizing the Navy and guiding its response to the Cold War. During World War II, he gained a reputation for brilliance and innovation while commanding Destroyer Squadron 23, known as “the Little Beavers.” The squadron fought in 22 separate actions in a four-month period, sinking or helping to sink nine enemy destroyers and downing 30 airplanes. He later served an unprecedented three terms as the Navy’s highest ranking officer — Chief of Naval Operations — to speed construction of nuclear-powered submarines and initiating the Polaris Ballistic Missile Program. His stamp, based on a 1951 photograph, depicts the crest of the guided missile destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), commissioned in 1991.

John McCloy
Described by a shipmate as “like a bull” who couldn’t be stopped, McCloy (1876-1945) holds the distinction of being one of the few men in the nation’s history to earn two Medals of Honor for a rescue mission during the Boxer Rebellion in which he was wounded, and during the 1914 Mexican Revolt for intentionally exposing his boat to draw enemy fire to identify their positions for retaliation by U.S. cruiser gunfire. Shot in the thigh, he remained on post 48 hours until the brigade surgeon sent him to a hospital. In 1919 he was awarded the Navy Cross as commander of USS Curlew, which engaged in the “difficult and hazardous duty” of sweeping mines in the North Sea in the aftermath of World War I. His stamp is based on a circa 1920 photograph and depicts the crest of the destroyer escort, USS McCloy (DE-1038), commissioned in 1963.

Doris Miller
The first black American hero of World War II, Miller (1919-1943) became an inspiration to generations of Americans for his actions at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Serving aboard the battleship West Virginia as a mess attendant — the only job rating open to blacks at the time — Miller helped rescue scores of shipmates wounded or trapped in wreckage. He was later ordered to the bridge to help move the ship’s mortally wounded captain. Never trained in its operation, he manned an unattended 50-caliber machine gun to fire on Japanese aircraft until ordered to abandon the bridge as fires raged out of control. He was later awarded the Navy Cross. Miller was promoted in June 1943 to Officer’s Cook Third Class aboard the new escort aircraft carrier Liscome Bay and was killed in action on Nov. 24 that year along with more than 600 shipmates when an enemy torpedo sank the ship during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. His body was lost at sea. His stamp is based on a 1942 photograph and depicts the crest of the destroyer escort USS Miller (DE-1091), commissioned in 1973. Actor Cuba Gooding Jr., portrayed Miller in the 2001 movie Pearl Harbor.

From the USPS OIG:

When a Part-Time Flexible (PTF) Carrier in Pennsylvania kept calling his office on his day off to determine if four Express Mail packages had arrived from Arizona, the manager became suspicious. Aware that such packages had been part of marijuana trafficking networks from Arizona, the manager notified the Office of Inspector General (OIG). After identifying the packages as containing marijuana – 57 pounds of it – OIG Special Agents tailed the PTF Carrier as he picked up the parcels and delivered them to a third party. The PTF and his associate were arrested. End of story, right? Not so fast . . .

In a separate incident, an OIG investigative analyst reviewing Voyager fuel credit card transactions identified suspicious charges at several gas stations involving two cards assigned to the same Post Office as the PTF Carrier. The vehicle used in this suspicious activity was identified through a review of the gas stations’ video surveillance tapes. OIG Agents staked-out the station and when the vehicle showed up, they asked the vehicle operator who provided him with Voyager cards and PINs to use the cards.

The source? The same PTF Carrier. The vehicle operator admitted he used the cards to buy gas for himself and to sell to others at a cash discount, sharing the cash with the PTF carrier. They charged about $21,000 worth of gas on the cards.

A federal grand jury indicted the PTF Carrier for Possession with the Intent to Distribut Marijuana and Conspiracy; a superseding indictment charged the PTF Carrier with Theft of Government Property and also charged the associate as a co-conspirator in the case. The PTF Carrier lost his job, was found guilty and was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of probation. His associate received a six-month sentence, three years’ probation and both were ordered to jointly make restitution to the Postal Service of $17,061. So, 4 + 57 + 2 also equals $17,061. Go figure.

USPS Press release:

WASHINGTON. Feb. 3 — Now, just in time for Valentine’s Day, the Postal Service has expanded a test of greeting card sales from the 500 offices that initially offered greeting cards to about 900. Busy consumers can buy, stamp and mail a greeting card while conducting other Postal Service business under this year-long pilot program launched last fall. By the end of March about 1,500 locations will offer cards.

Offering greeting cards on a limited basis serves as a market test to determine if customer interest is high enough to warrant expanding the program throughout the country, according to Robert Bernstock, president, Mailing and Shipping Services.

“Greeting cards are a great way to let someone know you are thinking about them,” Bernstock says. “And our customers’ response has been enthusiastic. They seem to appreciate the convenience of having greeting cards available while doing business at the Post Office. It’s a real time saver.”

More than half of the 7 billion greeting cards sold in the U.S. are sent through the mail. “Cards are incredibly linked to the mail,” notes Bernstock. “What better place to sell them than at our Post Offices.”

In addition to valentines, the greeting card assortment includes cards for birthdays, baby announcements, encouragement, sympathy and wedding anniversaries. Seasonal displays will offer cards appropriate to various holidays and times of the year, including Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and graduation.

Greeting cards join a selection of shipping and mailing products at Post Offices designed to better meet the needs of harried customers. In addition to mailing tape and packaging, special decorative mailing boxes make sending gifts easier than ever.

According to the Greeting Card Association, Valentine’s Day is the next most popular time to send cards after the winter holiday season. The most popular everyday cards are birthday cards, followed in popularity by cards celebrating anniversaries, and cards of encouragement, including get well, friendship and sympathy cards.

A special edition CD, “Love Letters From Ella,” featuring 10 classic love songs by Ella Fitzgerald, is also available during February at many larger Post Offices and online at www.usps.com/shop.

From Twitpic: “Why does that not look safe.”

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 1 — Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., (Nasdaq: QTWW) today announced that it was selected by the US Postal Service (USPS) to produce an advanced electric postal delivery vehicle based on the widely used Long Life Vehicle (LLV) platform. Quantum was competitively selected, along with 4 other companies, for participation in a 1 year demonstration and validation program to be conducted by the USPS in Washington DC. A successful demonstration in the nation’s capital could pave the way to broad adoption of battery electric vehicles in the USPS fleet. Electrification of the 178,000-strong LLV segment of the postal delivery fleet, the largest civilian fleet in the country, will help to reduce emissions across the country and reduce dependence on foreign petroleum while supporting the continued development of the US EV industry. Besides the environmental benefits and fuel savings, electric postal vehicles could also serve as valuable energy storage devices for the grid, under Smart Grid technologies.

The short range mail routes with numerous stops make postal delivery vehicles an ideal application for a battery electric vehicle with regenerative braking features. Under this program, Quantum will integrate its Quantum Quiet™ high efficiency battery electric drive system, into a Grumman LLV. Quantum will supply the Quiet electric drive system that has been optimized for the specific requirements of the USPS, by incorporating a number of advanced features to maximize the efficiency of the electric drive system while operating in the typical 500-700 stops per day use of a postal delivery vehicle. The 20-25 mile usage range of the USPS vehicle is compatible with the energy storage capability of the advanced lithium battery used in Quantum’s electric drive system.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to demonstrate the performance, efficiency, and reliability of Quantum’s Quiet electric drive system to the US Postal Service,” said Alan P. Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quantum. “We are glad to see the US Government continue to take a leadership role in greening our country and building a domestic EV industry.”