Fishing postmaster receives top honor

GRAND MARAIS — Dubbed the “fishing postmaster,” U.S. Postal Service employee Elvis Jeanminette has received a top postal service honor with the Benjamin Award for his ongoing community outreach activities.

The Benjamin Award, named after Benjamin Franklin, is presented to postmasters who interact with the community and tell positive stories related to the postal service through local media, said Daisy Comeaux, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Postal Service.

The term “fishing postmaster” stems from Jeanminette’s numerous outdoor-related activities, including the Top Rod Big Bass Classic he helps host each year as a fundraiser for the Louisiana PepperPlex and his weekly KANE radio show “Top Rod  Fishing.”

As part of his radio show, Jeanminette, a 50-year-old Jeanerette native, said he takes time out of his show each week for a “Did You Know” segment that gives interesting facts about the U.S. Postal Service.

“He’s known as the fishing postmaster, but he works with getting kids involved in community activities and getting kids off the streets,” Comeaux said. “He’s involved with St. Jude’s Hospital, and he’s a positive role model for the Postal Service.”

Jeanminette, who delivered mail in New Iberia for 22 years and was Centerville’s postmaster for four years, now works as an operation specialist at a Lafayette branch of the U.S. Postal Service creating short-term plans and updating the databases for daily mail delivery.

His other activities include the Big Bass Mardi Gras Mambo and Court Appointed Special Advocates fundraisers and fishing tournaments for children.

“It (the award) is for the community-oriented work I did,” said Jeanminette. “And The Daily Iberian’s coverage of every activity I did helped me to win the Benjamin Award.”

Jeanminette was one of 22 postmasters and postal managers in the country to receive the award, Comeaux said, and one of only two people to receive it in the Southwest region that includes Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Louisiana and Arkansas.

“The Louisiana district has high recognition because our postmasters do get involved with their community, not just their 8 to 4:30 desk jobs,” said Comeaux. “They exceed their roles and responsibilities that are related to their position with the postal service.”

Jeanminette was able to travel to St. Louis in late August to receive the award, presented to him by U.S. Postmaster General Jack Potter.

“One of the greatest feelings is receiving the award from the highest ranked in the postal service,” Jeanminette said. “He was there to honor all the Benjamin Award winners.”

Jeanminette’s career with the U.S. Postal Service has paid for three of his children to attend college, he said, adding he enjoys the daily challenges involved with his job.

“The Postal Service has been evolving for years, especially with my job now,” he said. “But I love the challenge.”