Sam’s Club associates and leadership celebrate growth and giving back at 2022 Associates Meeting.
At the 2022 Sam’s Club Annual Associate Meeting, the message was clear: We are capable of amazing accomplishments! We’re member obsessed. We love great items. We listen, we learn, we adapt—and we care for each other and our communities like no other.
Member Obsessed
Kath McLay (pictured above), President and CEO of Sam’s Club, and Lance de la Rosa, Chief Operating Officer of Sam’s Club, jumped right into the meeting by asking Damarla White from Club 4740 in Southaven, Mississippi, to join them on stage. They surprised Damarla with an on-the-spot promotion to manager in training (pictured below)!
Kath praised her for showing compassion, resourcefulness and a member obsession, explaining that Damarla used a translation app on her phone to communicate in the member’s language and help her find the items she was looking for in the club.
Caring for Kids Across the Country
In 1987, when Sam’s Club and Walmart associates started donating to the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, Mr. Sam told Donny Osmond, “Our associates will amaze you.”
Thirty-five years later, his words ring true. We have donated an incredible $1 billion! ($42 million in 2021 alone!)
Ava Paige, who was treated for cancer by the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, thanked associates with a song she wrote. “I received the life-saving treatment I needed thanks to you all!”
Fall in Love With Items
Megan Crozier, Sam’s Club’s Chief Merchant, thanked the associates for everything they do to make the merchandise look great in the clubs. She shared some of the items that she loves right now, including the Member’s Mark Kids’ Explorer Sofa, the Member’s Mark Churro Cookies, insulated beverage tumblers, Member’s Mark Pajamas and Member’s Mark Key Lime Pie.
“There are so many great items in the club. And, If you love an item, you can make somebody else love an item, or at least convince somebody else to give it a try.”
Investing In Our Communities
Ernesto Mancera proves the power of giving back on a smaller budget. He’s a Supplier Quality Manager who works in Gonzalez, California—known as the Salad Bowl of the U.S. because of how much of our country’s produce is grown in that area.
He identified a need in his community, which led to the launch of Salad Bowl Boxing. The non-profit corporation gives local kids and teens a place to not only box but feel safe. To support Ernesto’s work, Kath presented a $20,000 check from Sam’s Club (pictured above).
Don’t Stop Believing
What’s next for Sam’s Club? Kath believes she can see it. Big things are in the future for Sam’s Club.
How does she know? “We became a membership that people trust. We focused on members. We are member obsessed. I believe in what we’re doing. I believe in our strategy. And I believe in you.”
Let’s Go!
Lance thanked all of the associates and told them to remember they are bigger than they know they are. And that their impact is far-reaching. He challenged them with a simple call to action: “Let’s Go!”
Lance said every associate is truly a celebrity. Like Austin Kornack (pictured above, with Lance), Team Lead at Club 8215 in Springfield, Illinois. According to his club manager Ralph Irons, “Austin understands at a very high level how to care for our members and our associates.”
After he was called up to the stage, Austin was surprised by Lance with the news that he’d been accepted to join the manager training program.
Congratulations, Austin! And congratulations to all our Sam’s Club associates.
