CLARKTON — When the Bladen Journal decided to have a Best Boss contest in honor of today’s National Boss Day, there were some tough choices among the 12 entries received. The essay that stood out was written Richard Priest about his boss, John Stoll of Clarkton Drug.

“He’s kind and generous to a fault,” Priest said. “He seldom fails to support a worthy cause, especially for children.”

“I’m very humbled by this,” said Stoll on Tuesday of the honor. “I do this to serve my fellow man and patients. I try to give of myself to others. I’m not really doing it for recognition.”

Stoll said he likes to try to keep a light but professional atmosphere in the store.

“If they (his staff) are not happy, I want to know why and fix it,” said Stoll. “The one thing I’ve always tried to live by is to take care of your employees and they will take care of you.”

Stoll says his main philosophy as a boss is if he can keep his employees in a good mood it will set the tone for the day. The employees, in turn, will pass the good spirit on to the customers and patients they see during the workday.

All of Stoll’s employees described the ingredients to being a great boss as someone who takes the time to talk to his employees and learn their needs; supports his community and its activities; as well as someone who supports his or her employees in their endeavors both inside and outside of the workplace.

Priest said of his boss in an interview Tuesday, “He’s a person who will go out of his way to help someone.”

He added Stoll has been very helpful in his efforts to learn about his current job.

“He’s been a big help teaching me. I had to learn form the ground up. He’s full of knowledge and a wealth of information,” said Priest.

Priest has worked in numerous jobs including have been employed at Bladen County Hospital. He says having worked for a lot of different people, working with Stoll has been a pleasure.

“If we (the employees) need something after hours, he’ll help us,” said Priest.

“He treats you like you were part of his family. We’re all considered family,” said employee Linda Hazel. 

“He goes out of the way to help customers. I love my job because of him,” said Connie Priest.

According to Priest’s essay, Stoll’s patients claim to learn more about their health-care from Stoll than anyone else. Priest’s essay explains Stoll takes all the time needed to go over his patient’s medicines with them.

“He will go out of his way to see that his patients have what they need for their health care,” said Priest.

He added if the patient needs something and Clarkton Drug does not have it in stock, Stoll will try to locate the item and have it sent to the pharmacy so his patient’s needs are met.

Hazel added, when a church group or school comes into the store asking for a donation, Stoll is ready to give if he can.

“He is a generous supporter of Dixie Youth Baseball, county recreational activities for children and local school projects,” wrote Priest.

“John is a person that talks to you one-on-one. If you have any problems you can go to him and it will be kept confidential,” said Hazel.

“He’s a good fella to work for,” said Priest.