The prestigious Blue Coat Award proves that greatness is always in style at Sam’s Club.
What’s the hottest accessory for a Sam’s Club associate? The Blue Coat of course!
Officially called the Sam M. Walton Award of Excellence, the Blue Coat Award is more than a fashion statement. It’s been a symbol of excellence ever since Kenny Folk was announced as the first winner in 1986.
“This is the highest individual honor at Sam’s Club. It’s presented to outstanding associates who think and work differently, make positive change and get results — while always remaining true to our values,” says Sam’s Club CEO Chris Nicholas.
Winners are recognized for exemplifying our culture and elevating the way Sam’s Club operates. (In fact, its original name was the Operations Award of Excellence.) Simply put, Blue Coat winners not only deliver results, but also make Sam’s Club a better place to work and shop.
While the honor has existed since the 80s, it was renamed the Sam M. Walton Award of Excellence in the early 2000s — an important reminder that if you are granted the honor of wearing a Blue Coat, you are upholding Sam’s prestigious legacy.
Consider Lisa Smith, a retired senior project manager for Walmart. In 2009, in what she says was the highlight of her career, Lisa was awarded the Blue Coat.
Earvin Young Jr., vice president of belonging experience at Walmart and Blue Coat Award recipient, describes the feeling of wearing the distinguished blazer: “For me, it’s the most comfortable jacket I have ever worn — but almost the heaviest when it comes to its expectations. You might not see us wearing the coat every day, but we carry the coat’s responsibilities every day.” Indeed, the coat is only worn on special occasions, such as ceremonies and luncheons with leadership.
Many winners got their starts as hourly associates and each one has demonstrated qualities that inspire us all to reach new heights. Recent winners include:
- Shane Haynie, club manager at Club 6317 in Canton, Ohio: Shane serves as a mentor in his market and across the company, leading with a “people first” mindset. He has led his team to Club of the Year twice in the last four years. Shane strives for excellence every day and is a role model for new club managers. His club has continued to increase membership and sales despite an increasingly competitive market.
- Yajaira Castro, club market manager, Southeast Region: Yajaira leads high-volume clubs while driving digital tool adoption and encouraging her team to be curious, agile and eager to learn. She’s also led from the front lines to help those in need following natural disasters, including Hurricane Fiona.
- Colin Chapman, group director of Operations at Club Support: Colin shows that culture is not just about the words we use, but how we bring our work to life. He embraces change, working to remove obstacles for associates through technology and process changes that drive the business forward, without seeking the spotlight or accolades.
- Megan Crozier, executive vice president and chief merchant at Sam’s Club: Our chief merchant has been a driving force behind the organization's historical sales growth and all-time-high quality, with Member’s Mark setting the highest bar. She leans into the hard work, helping us create value for our members every single day.
- Vanessa Smith, vice president of People and Field Operations: Vanessa is a role model of our values, working tirelessly to improve the experience for our associates and members. She has driven instrumental change to the hiring systems and overall satisfaction scores in clubs have never been higher thanks to her fierce advocacy for investing in people. She’s an authentic listener, vocally celebrates the success of others and is developing the next generation of leaders, while positioning Sam’s Club as a pillar in the communities it serves.
Blue Coat winners show us what it means to be a leader, inspiring us to reach higher. They show us that it’s possible to make Sam’s Club and Walmart a better place to work and shop — no matter what color your coat is.
Fun facts behind the seams
Getting recipients’ measurements is a unique challenge each year, with their families often getting involved — covertly, of course. (They’re sworn to secrecy!) The coat takes three to four weeks to be made.
Special touches trim the jacket, like a gold lapel pin and gold buttons with the initials “SWC” (Sam’s Wholesale Club).
A seamstress adds the finishing touches and wraps the suit in a garment bag with “Sam M. Walton Award of Excellence” embroidered on it.
