Somerset — A community member who has been leading one of the largest stores in Pulaski County and whose name has become synonymous with community service in the Pulaski County area is leaving.
Allen Adcock, general manager of Wal-Mart since July 2003, will serve his last day today, before going to Indianapolis to begin serving as regional operations and merchandising director for Southern Indiana and all of Kentucky.
As employees gave Adcock a going away party yesterday morning, he was almost speechless.
“He’s been a great leader and taught us a lot,” said Marnita Smith, electronics department manager, following the party. “He’s really showed us how to share with the community.”
Benton Nunemaker, co-manager of general merchandising at the store, describes Adcock as his mentor and friend.
“For me he’s a mentor. He knows how to run a business and be professional,” said Nunemaker. “He’s the best friend a person could have.”
And as far as being involved in the community projects, as recently as helping God’s Food Pantry put up shelving for its new building and helping the library in its move, Nenemaker said Adcock is the driving force.
Adcock and his wife, Anne, told those present yesterday that ultimately the decision was about doing what was right for their family and that the decision was a hard one.
The almost five years Adcock and his family have stayed in Somerset is longer than anywhere else over the years that he’s been with Wal-Mart, as he has held positions in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Rhode Island over the last 12 years.
“It’s hard to leave this community,” said Adcock. “I’m hoping one day I can make it back to Somerset (to retire). It’s a great community.”
The community support is probably what has kept him here so long, Adcock added.
And as he leaves, Adcock says what he will miss the most are all the people he works with.
“When you are here (at the store) 70 some hours a week, they are as much as your family,” said Adcock.
Upon Adcock’s arrival to the community, those in the area began to see Adcock and other Wal-Mart employees involved in the work of various community organizations.
Adcock said being involved in the community wasn’t something he just did in Somerset, though, as he had always done that no matter where he was and that is something Wal-Mart tries to do.
“We have to think why we’re here,” said Adcock. “We’re here for the community.”
Adcock said usually every manager is assigned to a non-profit organization and they concentrate on that organization.
“One of (our) cornerstones is giving to our community and doing what we can,” said Adcock. “We have a lot of resources.”
Some of the organizations Adcock and other members of the store have been involved with in recent times include God’s Food Pantry, the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Trooper Island, United Way, Rotary, Take a Kid Fishing, Always Believe in Children, Catch a Rainbow, and Somernites Cruise. Wal-Mart is currently sponsoring the computer room at the new library, which will open Monday.
Adcock was the mind behind the Somernites Cruise Block Party, which started in 2005 and has grown to a monthly event that brings a crowd to the Wal-Mart parking lot for music, classic cars and fun every Friday night prior to Somernites.
The event has become so successful that other Wal-Mart managers are now asking Adcock how the Somerset store pulled such an event off.
As well, Adcock helped bring Somernites Cruise more notoriety when he helped develop Somernites Salsa, which made it’s debut in 2006.
Adcock worked with the Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Proud program — the program which helps farmers have an alternative to the tobacco crop and has items that are 100 percent made in Kentucky — about a salsa after thinking about the impact it could also have on local farmers throughout the state of Kentucky.
Adcock said he appreciated all the support from community businesses, the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and customers.
“We could not do it without them,” said Adcock. “Without them, we wouldn’t have a store or jobs.”
At the end of the day, Adcock said it had been an emotional day, as so many people from the community had been coming in to see him, as well as most all of the store associates who were off work coming to give him a farewell.
“It’s a good thing when you have that many people supporting you,” said Adcock.
A replacement for Adcock has not yet been chosen.
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