Employees

BBY BBQ story

21 Jun: ‘Seasoned’ Best Buy employee making mark behind the grill

Matt Lokay wasn’t always comfortable around fire. But when his dad traveled for work, as he often did, Matt took on the task of running the grill at home.

Back then, he just hoped he wouldn’t blow up anything.

“The ignitor didn’t work, so my mom and I would cross our fingers as we threw the match into the grill to light the propane,” he said.

The aspiring cook — who said he’s always been a “foodie” and shadowed his mother and grandmother in the kitchen — got his first taste of barbecuing at just age 9.

Jennifer-Salinas-intern

17 Jun: ‘Smart, driven and curious’: Best Buy welcomes 2022 summer interns

When Jennifer Salinas joined Best Buy as a seasonal store employee in October 2018, she never imagined she’d someday be working for the corporate office.

Over the past few years, Jennifer has gone from cashier to sales advisor to a leadership role as a supervisor at a store in suburban Chicago. The college senior has enjoyed that journey but was prepared to leave the company to pursue an internship this summer.

Thankfully, she didn’t have to because her manager pointed her to an internship within the company.

Agent Nortons fathers day blog

17 Jun: Like father, like son: Badges run in Oklahoma family

For some, a great way to start the day could be watching the sun rise or sipping a perfect cup of coffee. But for Shelby Norton, it’s all about family.

“Morning started out great with my dad presenting my badge to me,” he posted on social media with a photo of himself and his dad, Jim.

As is customary for many badge ceremonies, there was an element of surprise for Shelby, a Home Theater Agent in USO 1804 in Oklahoma. His supervisor, John Holbrook, set up the event for him and a few other Cadets and Agents in March.

Headline

17 Jun: Best Buy named a Top 75 Company for Executive Women in 2022

Best Buy has been named to Seramount’s 2022 Top 75 Companies for Executive Women list

The list celebrates companies that champion women’s advancement, with a focus on succession planning, profit-and-loss roles, gender pay parity, support programs and flexibility programs. Seramount, now part of EAB, is a strategic professional services and research firm dedicated to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.

We’re proud of this recognition and to have women leaders at the highest levels of our company. That includes CEO Corie Barry and 45% of our board of directors. 

Juneteenth blog

17 Jun: Best Buy employees celebrate freedom, community on Juneteenth

In 2020, Best Buy declared Juneteenth a company holiday to commemorate June 19, 1865 — the day the last enslaved people in the U.S. were declared free, two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

The holiday has long been meaningful for Black Americans, but it didn’t become a federal holiday until last year. The day is one for celebration, reflection, giving back or spending time with family. Events of all sizes will be happening around the nation.

At Best Buy, our Black Employee Resource Group has been hosting conversations about the holiday and ways to celebrate.

blood drive texas blog

08 Jun: Texas Best Buy stores go big for local blood drive

Giving blood can save lives, and 10 Best Buy stores in Texas recently came together to host a blood drive to help people in their communities. It all started when Myrna Bullock, general manager of Store 1035 in Mansfield, started hearing about a critical blood shortage.

“I learned that around the Memorial Day holiday the need for blood generally increases,” she said. 

She talked with other Texas GMs on a weekly call about what they could do to help. They decided to have a blood drive to support Carter BloodCare, a nonprofit that serves more than 200 medical facilities in the state.

patriot award blog

07 Jun: Leader receives Patriot Award for support of National Guard employee

While Matt Jesse is away from work to serve in the Minnesota National Guard, he’s grateful to know someone is watching out for him back at the Best Buy corporate office in Richfield.

He has been on military leave for more than two years. Being away from his team for so long has been difficult, but Matt knows he has the support of his boss, Jeremy Stewart, senior director of global operations for Exclusive Brands.

“I haven’t had to worry about what I’m coming back to,” Matt said.

KyleGraduation_Blog

02 Jun: Best Buy listed as a 2022 Best Employer for New Grads

Cap and gown? Check.

Diploma? Check.

New job? Check … Best Buy out.

Forbes magazine has recognized Best Buy as one of America’s Best Employers for New Graduates for 2022. It’s the fourth year in a row we’ve made the list, which identifies companies young professionals would most highly recommend to family and friends. Employers are ranked based on criteria such as their workplace experience, career opportunities and the values and purpose of the company.

Starting a new job after completing college is a big deal, and Kyle Tekautz is one of many recent grads kicking off their professional lives at Best Buy.

pride blog sherri-dawn 2

01 Jun: Texas employee helps youth embrace their identities

Editor’s note: In June, Best Buy is proud to honor Pride Month and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Read on for the story of one of our employees.

If there’s one word to best describe Sherri-Dawn’s style, it’s rainbow.

“I always have my rainbow glasses,” the Texas-based, Best Buy delivery service driver said.

Though Sherri-Dawn regularly sports her multicolored accessories and, since joining the company in 2016, has participated in events for Best Buy’s Pride Employee Resource Group (ERG). But it wasn’t until recently that she decided Pride spirit wasn’t enough.

Passion, confidence and support blog

31 May: Employee finds passion, confidence and support at Best Buy

Editor’s note: In June, Best Buy is proud to honor Pride Month and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community. Read on for the story of one of our employees.

On Graham’s first day as a part-time sales associate at Best Buy, his only thought was, “What have I gotten myself into?”

“There was so much that I didn’t know,” he said. “I was so nervous and scared to talk to people at first.”

Graham’s start at his store in Florida might have been overwhelming.

Substitute teacher blog Shannon

10 May: Best Buy employee becomes substitute teacher to help schools in Minnesota

Shannon Smith has walked the halls of her children’s Minnesota elementary school many times as a parent. Now she’s getting used to taking those same steps as a teacher.  

An associate product manager on Best Buy’s Digital, Analytics & Technology team, Shannon recently became a substitute teacher. She was motivated to get licensed after seeing the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on her school district, including the loss of several teachers and bus drivers.   

“Schools are hurting for teachers right now,” she said.

The Spillners mothers day blog

06 May: A family tradition: Wisconsin mom instills value of volunteerism

Editor’s note: At Best Buy, we celebrate all mother figures. Here’s one example of a Best Buy mom celebrating her family and making a difference in her community.

Pam Spillner’s a senior finance specialist, mom, and volunteer extraordinaire who has inspired a whole new meaning to the phrase “Best Buy family.”

Her daughter, Ali, is a Geek Squad Agent at Store 1052 in Stevens Point, Wis. Son Jarod is also an Agent who makes in-home repair visits. The siblings have followed in their mom’s footsteps in more ways than one.