Employee Spotlight: Eddie Streif

Customers of the Kowalski's Excelsior Market certainly recognize cashier Eddie Streif, a Minnetonka High School graduate who lives with his parents, Susan and Ivan Streif, in Excelsior. Outside of work Eddie makes time for the things that matter most to him: school, theater, dogs (especially his yellow lab Annie), cheering for the Green Bay Packers and, of course, video games.

Eddie thinks of his Kowalski's co-workers as family. "Whenever he had something special happen at school, our first stop was always to the store so that he could share his experience or award with his fellow workers," explains Eddie's mother, Susan. "They've always been very generous and supportive of his accomplishments."

She and her husband, Ivan, describe the "profound impact" working at Kowalski's has had on Eddie. They've been thrilled to see positive changes in him since he began work as a courtesy clerk in October 2016.

In addition to becoming more independent and responsible, their once reserved son has newfound comfort and confidence in social interactions. Facing life with an autism spectrum disorder, Ivan describes that Eddie has historically had difficulty "interacting with people he does not know well; [it's] always been very challenging for him."

"When I see him in the store chatting with his co-workers and making polite conversation with customers," Ivan continues, "it hardly seems possible that it is the same person who as a boy would sit in a corner unable to talk or make eye contact with anyone."

Customers and co-workers alike find Eddie a joy to be around and have taken to his sense of humor and concern for others. Today Eddie himself feels more accomplished and has his sights set on improving his communication skills even further, perhaps one day advancing to the role of Front End Supervisor.

His very proud parents couldn't be happier for Eddie's success. "It is hard to guess what the future might hold," Ivan explains, "but I would be delighted if he decided to make a career with Kowalski's."

Kowalski's CEO Kris Kowalski Christiansen agrees. "Eddie is so respected and well liked. While his success is obviously more attributable to his parents than us, I am so proud of our staff at all of our stores for their passion for the people they work with every day. I am constantly amazed at the level of commitment our stakeholders have for supporting each other's success."