Mark Hutchinson Sr. appointed as Atascadero Postmaster
–Mark Hutchinson Sr. will serve as the new Atascadero Postmaster. As postmaster, Hutchinson manages all operations at the Atascadero Post Office with a total of 9 city routes, 9 rural route routes delivering to 29,516 residents and 2848 Post Office Boxes. He manages 45 employees who process, distribute and deliver an average of 25,322 pieces of mail daily.
“As the Postmaster of this great city, my hope is to build a solid relationship of trust, through community involvement and exceptional customer service,” said Hutchinson. “Safety in the workplace for all employees will be my number one goal through engagement, integrity, and an environment where employees feel like they have the abilities needed to do the best job they can.”
In 1998 Mark began his postal career as a part-time flexible letter carrier in Visalia, Ca. He transferred to the Downtown Station Post Office in Bakersfield within a year.
In 2008, he began to manage as a 204B in Bakersfield, Ca. Over the next several years, he developed her knowledge and skills in delivery and retail services and managed various offices where he received the 5 Star Customer Service Award in 2009 and Exceptional Service Award from the Bakersfield Postmaster in 2010. In 2013 he transferred to San Luis Obispo, Ca. where he was promoted to Supervisor of Customer Service. After managing at Morro Bay Post Office and was Postmaster of Cayucos and the officer in charge for Paso Robles Post Office concurrently for short period of time.
The first commercial buildings in Atascadero were the Mercantile in 1923 by J.A. Hier-Johnson on El Camino Real just north of Traffic Way. The second building next door was the U.S. Post Office and across the street, the two-story bakery building opened in 1924 before it was moved to the new 22,000 square foot facility in the 1970’s.
The first postmaster of Atascadero was Guy Southwick appointed in 1934. He was born in Michigan which is the same State the new incoming postmaster was born in.
There are two former Postmasters still working for the Post Office: Michael Raine who is a contract carrier out of Paso Robles Post Office and Priscilla Jeng who is currently the City Delivery Specialist for HQ Delivery Operations in Washington DC.
Hutchinson and his wife, Nikki, have three children: daughters: Emily (25) and Danielle (20) and son Mark Jr. resides in Morro Bay, CA. He believes in community service and plans to become a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club, and/or the Elks Lodge. He volunteers his time with his son’s club soccer team and helps out with various activities at the Harrington Farms in Cuyuma. He also supports the local Project Surf Camp which was founded by his friends, the Taylors.
