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Stuppy’s core values are the foundation of our success and what ground us through challenges. Stuppy has operated with five core values in mind, but two stand out to us this month: ‘We love what we do’ and ‘We grow.’ These values are championed by two incredible individuals who have grown with us and been vital parts of the team for decades: Vicky Wantland, Customer Service Coordinator, and Jeff Dunlap, Receiving Manager.

A Journey of Family and Commitment

Back in 1972, when she started her first of many roles at Stuppy, Vicky Wantland worked in the warehouse, then moved to Inside Sales, and finally, Customer Service. Throughout her roles at Stuppy, one consistency remained during her years here—family values.

“My son was nine months old when I started at Stuppy, and they were an understanding group of people. When I needed time off for my son to have surgery—and I mean, I was newly employed—they understood and gave me the time off to be there. So yes, they have family values here, and I’ve always appreciated that,” said Vicky Wantland. Over five decades, Wantland has witnessed numerous people being taken care of thanks to this company. She credits this continuous care for their associates as a driving force behind her growth.

These family and core values have shaped Vicky’s growth not only professionally but also on a deeply personal level. “I technically call [Stuppy] my second family… and I still keep in touch with a lot of people who have left. I converse with them yearly and sometimes monthly. And I’ve enjoyed that part of keeping in touch, but I know the hard part will be saying goodbye to all my family here,” Wantland said. Vicky and Jeff’s incredible journey with Stuppy is a testament to their passion, dedication, and love for what they do.

Stuppy is incredibly thankful for the key role Vicky has played in our company. She is truly a pillar many of us have relied on over the years. Vicky is excited to pass on her wealth of knowledge, ensuring the next generation of Stuppy leaders continue to shine and build upon her legacy According to Vicky, “I know one person is already on the road to fill half of the shoes or all of the shoes, and hopefully two or three other people are, too. I think everybody brings their own specialty to the company… we just have to find out what they’re best at and let them shine.”

Having experienced three generations of Stuppy ownership in the pre-computer era, Vicky is ready to exit the workforce on her terms, with her health still in good shape. “I’m excited to spend time with my husband,” said Wantland. She looks forward to spending her newfound free time putting herself first and doing the things she loves, which include traveling, being with family, and potentially picking up new hobbies as she continues to find what makes her happy.

Adapting to Change with Perseverance

In 1987, Jeff Dunlap took a leap, leaving his position in receiving at K-Mart to join the family-owned business down the road. After meeting George and Frank Stuppy, he knew it was the right choice. Coming to Stuppy with 6-7 years of experience under his belt, Dunlap quickly took on both shipping and receiving, successfully managing and leading both teams until a few years ago. During this time, Jeff consistently adapted to and embraced changes, including new technology, updated processes, and improvements in product quality.

As new team members joined and technology was implemented, Jeff stated, “There is no magic pill to transfer knowledge. You have to jump out there with your hands and feet to do the work… it’s just experience. You’ve got to see the problems and you’ve got to work through the problems, and that’s what [Stuppy has] done.” Like any business, Stuppy experiences slower periods compared to busy seasons, and this is where success is often determined. Jeff and the warehouse team consistently used slower times for improvements, analyzing the bottlenecks faced during busy seasons—a crucial practice in line with our core values of continuous improvement and getting it right.

Even with the challenges of change, there are certain elements of a company you hope never change—core values and product integrity. One incredibly unique aspect of working at Stuppy is, as Jeff says, “I don’t have a clock number… with this company being family-owned, everyone knows everybody else’s name. I thought that was a more personal approach to getting to know everyone, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and [asking] how we can help these people get better and understand them a little bit.” This sincere care continues to attract talented and dedicated individuals to Stuppy. One such person is John Minor, the current warehouse manager. “He came in with a good attitude, wanted to change some things, and help improve the processes out [in the warehouse],” Jeff mentioned.

With any change, there is always concern about whether it’s the right choice or the right time, but despite these shifts, Stuppy’s work and products have consistently been held to a high standard. According to Jeff, one of the biggest reasons he chose to stay at Stuppy for over 30 years is the value behind the “Stuppy” name. “Matt Stuppy stands behind their work, stands behind their products, stands behind their buildings. If we say we’re going to do something, we do it… and it’s always been that way since I’ve been here.”

Stuppy deeply appreciates the pivotal role Jeff has played in shaping the company’s growth and success. While we will miss his contributions, we celebrate Jeff’s incredible contributions and know his legacy will live on, inspiring all of us as we take Stuppy to new heights. Jeff is looking forward to having more time for fly fishing, woodworking, and maybe even learning how to golf! Just as he did at work, we know Jeff will approach these new skills with patience, perseverance, and commitment.

Looking Toward the Future

We’re thrilled to see Vicky and Jeff embark on exciting new adventures in retirement while knowing their incredible legacies will continue to inspire us. With the groundwork laid by them, the future of Stuppy looks brighter than ever. The next generation is ready to soar, continuing their legacy of growth, excellence, and innovation.

Author: Maria Burns