2004 NETWORKING® MAGAZINE’S DAVID AWARD HONOREE.

THOMAS F. ROSATI

Long Island District Manager
United States Postal Service

In 1967, Thomas Rosati began his career as a postal clerk in the Flushing Post Office in Queens. The country, however, was embroiled in the Vietnam War, and Rosati's career was interrupted a year later, when he chose to enlist in the Army. He served in the 9th Infantry Division, with active duty in Vietnam during 1969-70, receiving numerous meritorious and valor awards including two Bronze Stars.

Rosati recalls that during that time, the Postal Service workers "took care" of him, sending him a "care package" once a month. The gesture had a lasting impression, and he has become a firm believer in "people taking care of people."

After military service, Rosati's career continued, and he has served in various postal management positions throughout the New York metropolitan area. After the Postal Service reorganization in 1992, he became senior plant manager, Queens Processing and Distribution Center and Triboro District Manager, overseeing operations in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. He completed management courses at the University of Virginia, Duke University and Suffolk Community College.

In 1996, Rosati was selected as Long Island District Manager, and from his Hauppauge office, he is responsible for operations in the 115, 117, 118 and 119 ZIP code service areas. The district is comprised of 200 retail locations, has 147 postmasters, over 9,000 employees, three major mailing facilities, and delivers an annual mail volume of 2.5 billion pieces.

Rosati quickly demonstrated his leadership abilities and management prowess. In December 1997, he received the Long Island Distinguished Leadership Award from Long Island Business News. He was honored by the Postal Service in 1998, receiving the prestigious Postmaster General's award, given to the top postal district of the 85 district's nationwide. Personally presented by Postmaster General William Henderson, the award recognized his knowledge and performance, as well as his contributions to the organization. He also received the Postal Service's Chief Operating Officer award and the Vice President's Award.

Recalling those care packages he received in Vietnam, Rosati says the Postal Service has always been active in the communities it serves. "Letter carriers are the eyes and ears of their community," he adds, and Rosati is dedicated to supporting corporate citizenship.

"Getting involved is a part of the culture of the Postal Service," Rosati remarks. "We are a 'where the rubber meets the road' group."

Every year, postal workers participate in the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program, turkey drives, and Operation Santa. The Postal Service sponsors an employee blood drive, and this year alone, postal workers have given hundreds of pints of blood to replenish shortages on Long Island.

Working with the National Center for Disability Service's Henry Viscardi School in Albertson, Rosati set up a small post office where youngsters with disabilities can learn and practice the skills associated with postal clerk employment.

Since 1996, Rosati has led dedicated volunteers in the Annual National Association of Letter Carriers food drive, which entails the collection of food donated by homeowners and other service recipients. "The drive involves the entire postal community from supervisors to mail handlers," notes Rosati, and it supplies major food banks on Long Island. Much of the donated food remains in the same communities where it was donated to feed local people in need. "We collect a million pounds of food every year, and all the work is done by people who collect, process and deliver mail for a living."

In addition to hands-on volunteer work, Rosati encourages employees to participate in the Combined Federal Campaign, the medium by which federal employees can donate money to specific causes. Donations by the Long Island Postal District represented about 50% of all donations received from federal agencies on Long Island in 2002, and during the years Rosati was chairman of the Combined Federal Campaign (1999-2002), postal employees donated over $2 million to United Way of Long Island.

Rosati is proud that he has been able to be "a facilitator," helping employees pursue charitable projects. An avid supporter of breast cancer awareness, he assisted a group interested in promoting an awareness stamp, and the project initiated the issuance of a postal breast cancer awareness stamp that helped raise funds for cancer research. In addition, employees in the Bayport postal service area have raised funds for animal protection and collected food for animal shelters.

As a Vietnam veteran, Rosati was highly conscious of those veterans' disappointment with the recognition they received for their service when they returned home from war. With this in mind, in 1998 he initiated the formation of the Long Island District Postal Veterans Coalition to honor and support the 2,500 active, working postal employees who are veterans. The organization, and the veterans who participate, help others who served in the Armed Forces by raising money for individuals experiencing hard times and for veterans' organizations assisting those who are paralyzed or disabled. At its mid-Island facility, the Postal Service employees and friends constructed a memorial, with the help of many donations, where veterans can gather and reflect on their service, those with whom they served, and the brave soldiers they left behind.

An unassuming executive, Rosati refers to his employees as his muse - a collective, silent muse - "that keeps things in perspective and keeps me grounded." He continues, "I'm inspired by the people I work with. They have needs, like everyone does, and that motivates me to participate."

"I'm proud of their spirit of community," Rosati concludes. "And I'm doing my best to promote a positive employee image, so that postal workers are recognized for their contributions to community."

Mr. Rosati lives in Bohemia with his wife Loretta and four children.

NETWORKING® January 2004