This week we will be sharing an interview with Dwyle, the manager of the meat and deli stands at our New Castle Farmers’ Market. Dwyle has been an employee here at Stoltzfus Meats in a full-time capacity since 2008, but as you’ll find out, he actually started even before that around 2004 when he was 15 years old. I’ll let him share more about himself!
Q: Tell us a little bit about who you are outside of work – your family, your hobbies, what fills your time?
A: I have a beautiful wife, twin girls who are almost 6 years old, and twin boys who are almost 6 months old so they keep me busy. I also work with Drexel Hill Church of the Brethren. My official title there is Director of Youth and Family Ministries – I just tell people I’m a youth pastor. I used to play a lot of sports for fun: basketball, softball. I still enjoy playing basketball at the gym when I can, once or twice a week, but I don’t have much time right now.
Dwyle and a few other Stoltzfus Meats employees at the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia.
Q: Since you have been with the company for quite a few years, can you tell us a little bit about your journey at Stoltzfus Meats?
A: I started at 15 years old as a market clerk at New Castle Farmers’ Market. I did that for 3 years and then, after graduating high school, I was working a full-time job elsewhere, but kept my foot in the door on the sub list. I would help out on the weekends here and there. In 2008, in the middle of the recession, the company I worked for went out of business. I was looking for a new job and was offered a full-time position with Stoltzfus Meats as a clerk and food prep worker at market. That led to becoming the assistant manager of the meat department, which I did for about 4 or 5 years. In 2013, I took over as the manager of the meat department at New Castle. Up until about 4 years ago, I also worked at the plant 1 day a week in a meat cutter position. Before we had packing rooms at the plant, I used to help box everything as well, such as
ring bologna, kielbasa, and
scrapple.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Watching people grow and being a part of their development. Watching them learn things in general, but watching them mature and become really good at what they do. In a lot of cases, it results in them taking their skill set elsewhere, but I’m very proud that I was a part of developing that skill set even if they are successful somewhere else other than Stoltzfus Meats.
A New Castle market crew, including Dwyle (in the 2nd row), circa 2005.
Q: Favorite Stoltzfus Meats product:
A: We do a lot of things well, but our sausage is the best. Whichever flavor you like, our
sausage is the best of anywhere else, nowhere else comes close. My favorite is the mild and hot rope.
When it comes to great leadership and department managers here at Stoltzfus Meats, we are so blessed. Dwyle brings a calm, steady approach to managing what are extremely busy and fast-paced stands at market. He genuinely cares about the people he works with and that shows in his leadership here. We are so thankful for Dwyle and his dedication to Stoltzfus Meats and each and every employee!
1 comment
Dwyle is one of the nicest people I have every met. My husband and I are there every Friday and he always speaks to us. He is a very hard worker and stops to help anyone. I always kid him about working or helping in all of the departments.