She holds the keys to everything.
Research facilities, laboratories, the front door of your building.
Everything.
And for Kimberlyn Gray, an office services specialist III in Physical Security, it’s both a figurative and literal responsibility she doesn’t take lightly.
“I have to make sure our employees are able to get access to the places they need to get to so they can do their jobs,” Gray says. “That’s my main priority — to program cards for building access and assist customers getting their ID cards and keys.”
Gray handles these and her other responsibilities with aplomb, say her co-workers. She is an exemplary employee who doesn’t get frazzled and completes her tasks in a timely manner and with a kind word for her customers — all qualities that have earned her recognition as November’s Employee of the Month.
Many departments on campus are frequent customers of Gray. Computer Sciences, Justice Sciences, Medical Student Services, Chemistry and Dentistry are some of her regular customers. Those areas know the paces when it comes to ordering badges and access keys.
But some — like Michael Smith, formerly in the Department of Urology and now a compensation analyst for UAB — are new to the university and unfamiliar with the process. And ordering keys that have special access privileges for doctors left Smith with a helpless feeling. He didn’t know where to go and was happy when he eventually connected with Gray.
Above and beyond the call of duty
“I had to order keys and get access for several doctors, and I thought it was going to be an arduous process,” Smith says. “I had no clue how to request keys or to get access, but Kim made things so easy. She reached beyond her duty to give me excellent customer service. I even called the Surgery Department recently, and they gave accolades about her resourcefulness. She is a tremendous employee and asset to UAB.”
Samm Bartee, operations manager for UAB Animal Resources, is a frequent customer of Gray. Bartee knows first hand the hard work and diligence her fellow employee applies to her job.
“Kim goes above and beyond the call of duty every single day,” Bartee says. “Every single time I call, which is frequently, Kim is cheerful, professional and extremely helpful. Her customer service skills are exemplary, and if I have to refer someone to her for help, I know they will receive the same type of service that I have come to expect and heavily rely upon.”
Gray has several other duties in her position, including answering multiple phone lines, scheduling student groups for ID/access card appointments, submitting purchasing order requests and other assignments.
Sherry Primous-Bennett, administrative associate in Physical Security, says Gray shines in performing each of her responsibilities.
“Kim is a very hard worker, dedicated to service and committed to providing quality service,” Primous-Bennett says. “She is always polite to our customers, and she has a great working relationship with co-workers. She’s also received numerous accolades from various customers. Kim is an asset to our department and UAB.”
Gray says her relationships with her customers are vitally important to her. She wants to be a calming influence they can rely on to help them when they need it. Her goal each day is to help others and do so with a positive attitude.
“My goal each day is to provide quality customer service,” Gray says. “I’m a happy-go-lucky kind of girl. I try to make each day as un-stressful as possible, and part of that is to strive every day to come in with a good attitude. Once you start that way, you tend to have a very productive day — one you can go home and feel good about.”
