Postmaster returns to her roots

Julie Mader, a long-time Nevada resident, returns to work at the post office as the new postmaster. Photo by Michelle Workman/Daily Mail

Nevada Daily Mail

After spending the last 10 years commuting to Butler and Jasper for her postmaster's job, in August Julie Mader became the new postmaster in hometown, Nevada.

Graduating from Kansas State University with a degree in agricultural economics, Mader said she did not think she would end up in a career in the United States Postal Service, but that is precisely what happened after accepting a job at a post office in 1985. By 1988 she began working in Nevada's post office.

Over the last almost 30 years, Mader served as a clerk, supervisor and postmaster at various offices around the area, despite an offer to take a job more closely related to her degree. In August, she returned to apply for the position in what has been her hometown throughout those years.

"It's been good," Mader said of her experience in the postal service. "I've seen a lot and met a lot of friends."

While serving in Jasper and Butler, Mader said she tried to be active in those communities, even while still living in Nevada. As Nevada's new postmaster, Mader looks forward to investing in the city.

"In a smaller facility it's more of a hometown feeling, they try to go the extra mile for their customers," Mader said of the postal service and its employees. "It's more than just a number -- they know the people and they try to help the people as much as they can. I think that's why I'm glad to be back."

Mader said the postal service has evolved over the years as the process moves to more automation as opposed to the manual sorting and work. The increase of online purchasing has also shifted their work from letters to parcels as well.

But despite that shift, Mader said she and many others still enjoy receiving that personal letter from a friend.

"As the post office, I like to think we tie the country together," Mader said.

While working for the postal service, Mader said her favorite part of the job has been working with the people, although, as with any job with the public, that can be a double-edged sword.

"You run across a lot of really good people," she said, recalling times when people even offered to take her in if the weather was too bad for her to drive home while she was working away from Nevada. "It's important ... to be able to serve the community and help those people."

Mader said she is glad to be back at the post office in Nevada, one of the first she worked at in her postal service career.

"We had a lot of postmasters come out of this office," Mader said, listing postmasters in Walker, Schell City, Lamar and Sheldon who started in Nevada's office. "We're given opportunities."

Mader now looks forward to giving other employees those opportunities as she serves as Nevada's postmaster as well as for Deerfield, Moundville, Bronaugh, Milo, Richards and Walker, which do not have their own postmasters.

Although starting at the new position during the busiest time of year with Christmas around the corner, Mader said she already enjoys the work she is doing.

"I'm glad to be back," Mader said.

Tuesday evening, the post office will be open until 8 p.m., providing an opportunity to residents expecting gifts before Christmas Eve.