Magazine
What Is In-Store?
PG. 6
Meet the RCT!
PG. 8
The Retail Concierge Team is Here to Support!
March 2026
Time spent reading this magazine is non-compensable.
Welcome to Elevate!
If this is your first time reading Elevate, welcome! We’re so glad you’re here.
This Special Edition was created for you as you step into this new chapter with In-Store. Transitions can bring excitement and opportunity, along with a few questions. Our goal is simple: to make things feel clearer, more connected, and fully supported from day one.
Elevate is our internal magazine focused on growth, resources, and the people who make our work possible. Inside, you’ll find key updates, helpful tools, and introductions to teams who are here to support you. Through Elevate and ElevateU, our team is committed to providing the learning resources, development opportunities, and guidance you need along the way. We’re excited to support you in this next chapter and grateful for the professionalism and dedication you bring. If you’d like to explore more, you can also check out our March/April edition of Elevate, which includes additional development resources and updates for all of our teams.
Jen Hovestadt
Jennifer HovestadtElevate Executive Editor
A Letter from Leadership
As we enter this important new chapter, I want to recognize the significant change and transition each of you is navigating. Bringing our Crossmark and Premium teams together into one industry‑leading field organization is a meaningful shift for everyone. Your work in the field—supporting a wide range of clients across countless retail locations—has always demanded adaptability, resilience, and professionalism. Those strengths have defined you, and they will continue to guide us as we unite as one team. We’re truly excited to combine these two exceptional field teams and build a stronger, more capable future together. Each of you plays a critical role in delivering outstanding service to our clients, and this merge gives us the opportunity to broaden our impact, share expertise, and create new paths for growth. Thank you for your continued commitment, patience, and dedication. We deeply appreciate everything you bring to this team, and we are here to support you through every step of this transition. One team. One purpose. Unstoppable.
Thank you,
Harry
Harry Miller Sr. VP of Field Operations
Content
What is ElevateU?
In-Store Services
Meet the OSC!
Meet the RCT Team!
Required Trainings
Brain Teaser
Our Volunteer Staff
What is
ElevateU is our custom development platform. Whether you want to grow personally or professionally, you’ll find courses, certifications, and resources to help you build toward what’s next.
Take the Intro to ElevateU Course!
Introducing Skills in ElevateU:
Your Growth, Mapped
Because growth shouldn't feel like guesswork.
We’re excited to introduce Skills: a powerful new way to take ownership of your growth and start shaping what’s next in your career journey. This first phase is all about you. You can self-assign skills and select your current proficiency levels, giving you a clearer view of your strengths and the areas you’re ready to develop. Think of it as setting your starting line. The more intentional you are now, the more personalized your experience will become as new features roll out.
Coming soon, we’ll introduce an interactive Skills Map, making it easier than ever to explore potential career paths and see how your current skills connect to future opportunities. You’ll be able to visualize what’s possible, and what it takes to get there.
And we’re just getting started. In the coming months, you’ll gain access to skills assessments to validate your proficiency and unlock higher levels or new capabilities. Skills aligned to your role will help guide your development. Later this year, AI-curated learning recommendations will connect you with targeted content to help you close gaps and build momentum toward the goals you’re most excited about. As you dive in, remember: developing and demonstrating skills is an important part of your growth journey, but it doesn’t replace the standard application and selection process for open roles. Think of Skills as your personalized growth engine; designed to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and intention.
Your development is in your hands. Let’s build what’s next. ✨
In-Store Services is the behind-the-scenes strategic support engine helping Acosta Group’s three retail agencies – Premium, Acosta Walmart and Acosta Retail – better serve its customers.
Our goal is to transform retail by leveraging our unified systems, extensive scale, and exceptional people to offer an unparalleled combination of client engagement, workflow optimization, and integrated support across all brands and channels.
What is In-Store Services?
Learn more about In-Store HERE
Please note: You will need to log in with your SSO credentials to access this link.
Check Out the Latest Episode of Shelf Talkers!
Meet the osc!
Operations Support Center
The OSC features a dedicated team of on-call specialists ready to provide real-time support with troubleshooting, photo monitoring, and reporting. They’re available to assist with a variety of field needs, including:
- 360 navigation
- Job instruction questions
- VOLT support
- Service Order reporting assistance
- POP assistance
Check out the video below to learn more about how the OSC can support you in the field!
Retail Concierge Team Provides Support During Transition
The Retail Concierge Team (RTC) launched in 2024 to support new Field Representatives during their first 30 days. Their mission is simple: provide personalized, one-on-one guidance through onboarding and training; distilling job and market-specific expertise while building confidence from day one.
Now, that same support is expanding.
In partnership with the OSC, RCT will be assisting our new In-Store team members during this transition. Their goal is to ensure you feel supported, prepared, and connected as changes take place.
Starting later this month, Retail Training Specialists will also be visiting our Field Teams in-store to offer hands-on support and guidance. Be on the lookout and you may spot one of our RCT's out in the wild.
Check out the video below for more information about our RCT team!
What to know about required training
As our new teams get started, you’ll be using two primary systems to support your work and development. You will no longer be using BlueView. Instead, you will be using ElevateU and 360, each designed to serve a distinct purpose in your day-to-day responsibilities and long-term growth.
ElevateU is our Learning Management System (LMS) and will serve as your central hub for skill-building, career development, and professional development courses.. Field Managers will use ElevateU to complete required trainings such as Compliance and Management Certifications. Field Employees will use 360 to complete required program- or client-specific training tied directly to their work. Field Managers will also utilize 360 to complete Service Orders for client-specific or program-specific training requirements. In short, 360 supports operational execution and ensures work and training are completed efficiently and accurately.
Brain teaser
Word Scramble
CHICAGO
DAYLIGHT SAVING
JELLY BEANS
PASSOVER
NEBRASKA
GIHCOCA
Hint
GIDALHTY IVSGAN
Hint
LEBYELNJAS
Hint
AEOSPSRV
Hint
ARNASBEK
Hint
Answers
Love games? Want more? Keep your eye out on your email for 4 weeks of games and prizes, coming soon!
LIVE games coming soon! More details will be announced in our July/August issue--don't miss it!
Previous Issues
Missed an issue? No worries! We've got you covered; check out our previous issues from our archive catalog.
Microsite
Hey Field Teams: Did you know that you can access the Microsite unique to your In-Store group from the 360 Dashboard? Check out the "Training Resources" section, and click on "Start Here" to access it.
Cooleaf
Check out Cooleaf to recognize a coworker, and spend your points!
Meet the elevate
Staff
Jennifer Hovestadt
Executive Editor
Writer
Alex Marin
Project Manager
Keely Brubaker
Dave Wolfe
Game Master
Art Director
Melanie Long
Parsa Shamloo
Prize Master
Writer
Thank You!
See you next issue
Tell us how we did! Use this link to drop us a quick note of appreciation, inspiration, or anything else you want to share about your Fresh UP experience. We can't wait to hear from you!
Want more? Check out the archives.
Dave Wolfe
Writer
Coming Soon!
Writer
Dave Wolfe began his Acosta Journey on Mosaic’s Best Buy Entertainment Division in 2003-2006 as a field representative. Over the next 15 years, he served in multiple field manager roles for both Mosaic and Acosta leading large field teams in big box retailers and Walmart. Dave transitioned from field management to leading the Walmart training division in 2020. As the National Training Manager for Acosta Walmart, Dave was responsible for creating and facilitating training webinars, curating training content over the years, and assisting field employees with their training journey. Dave has dedicated his time and focus on leadership development, building comprehensive training for field leadership. Leaning on over a decade of experience, Dave has created and led quality courses that have encouraged leaders to grow in an entertaining and safe environment. His processes and patience with those that he trains has earned him the respect and trust of his teams. When away from work, Dave enjoys pursuing his main hobby as a board gaming enthusiast competing in national tournaments throughout the year.
Jennifer Hovestadt
Executive Editor
Jen started with Premium as a part-time Brand Ambassador over 12 years ago. Since then, her passion, grit, and dedication to continual learning and helping others achieve their goals have brought Jen to her position as Sr. Training Manager for Premium. Jen also credits her career growth with her personal development strategy as a lifelong learner. She believes that by continuously learning, any person can better themselves and increase their ability to accomplish their goals in life.
Alex Marin
Project Manager
Alex began their journey in 2016 as a Google Area Manager, where they quickly became known for their leadership style and creative approach to training. They thrive on finding fresh, outside-the-box ways to make learning stick. After transitioning from a Regional Market Manager role into a Trainer role with the In-Store Training Team, helping build engaging, practical, and enjoyable learning experiences. As the Elevate Project Manager, Alex brings that same outside-the-box thinking to the magazine — blending creativity, strategy, and storytelling to deliver content that’s fresh, inspiring, and designed to spark new ideas. When they are not working, they enjoy working on voice acting projects, hiking, music, and going on road trips with their sweet Aussie pupper, Ozzy, and energetic black Lab, Salem
Keely Brubaker
Art Director
Keely is a dynamic professional with a rich background in training and tech, and a fervent passion for wildlife and nature. Starting her journey with Premium Retail in 2017 as part of the Pixel team, Keely swiftly climbed the ranks, transitioning through various roles before becoming an Instructional Designer in 2022. Alongside her professional endeavors, Keely finds fulfillment in volunteering at a wildlife center and indulging her love for birding with her kids. Now serving as the Art Director for Elevate Magazine, Keely brings a wealth of creative expertise and a dedication to excellence, promising to infuse each page with innovation and inspiration.
Melanie Long
Prize Master
Melanie began her journey with Premium in 2011, starting in the call center before quickly advancing into Project Management and then Client Account Management. Over the years, she has successfully supported a diverse range of clients, beginning with OnStar and most recently serving as a Senior Client Account Manager for Foster Grant. Now Melanie is bringing her client-focused experience and strategic mindset to the internal operations team as a Demand Planning Analyst.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has been an active member of the Premium (In-store) Culture Team for the past four years as the Prize Manager. Her passion for employee recognition and creating meaningful, engaging rewards continues as she joins the Elevate Team as the Prize Master.
Parsa Shamloo
Parsa is a learning and development professional with a background in education and sales. He graduated with his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas and began his career in the classroom in 2020 before transitioning to support adult learners full-time in 2022. He currently works as an instructional designer and began with CROSSMARK in 2022 before it joined the Acosta Group. He takes pride in supporting people and inspiring confidence in others to succeed in their roles. Parsa believes everybody has the ability to learn if they have the willingness to learn, and providing people the avenues to enrich themselves is paramount for a well-functioning enterprise. In his spare time, Parsa enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and two cats; playing his euphonium in a wind ensemble; watching movies; collecting fountain pens; playing sports; and cheering for the Dallas Mavericks.
Elevate: March 2026 Special Edition
In-Store Training
Created on January 28, 2026
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Transcript
Magazine
What Is In-Store?
PG. 6
Meet the RCT!
PG. 8
The Retail Concierge Team is Here to Support!
March 2026
Time spent reading this magazine is non-compensable.
Welcome to Elevate!
If this is your first time reading Elevate, welcome! We’re so glad you’re here. This Special Edition was created for you as you step into this new chapter with In-Store. Transitions can bring excitement and opportunity, along with a few questions. Our goal is simple: to make things feel clearer, more connected, and fully supported from day one. Elevate is our internal magazine focused on growth, resources, and the people who make our work possible. Inside, you’ll find key updates, helpful tools, and introductions to teams who are here to support you. Through Elevate and ElevateU, our team is committed to providing the learning resources, development opportunities, and guidance you need along the way. We’re excited to support you in this next chapter and grateful for the professionalism and dedication you bring. If you’d like to explore more, you can also check out our March/April edition of Elevate, which includes additional development resources and updates for all of our teams.
Jen Hovestadt
Jennifer HovestadtElevate Executive Editor
A Letter from Leadership
As we enter this important new chapter, I want to recognize the significant change and transition each of you is navigating. Bringing our Crossmark and Premium teams together into one industry‑leading field organization is a meaningful shift for everyone. Your work in the field—supporting a wide range of clients across countless retail locations—has always demanded adaptability, resilience, and professionalism. Those strengths have defined you, and they will continue to guide us as we unite as one team. We’re truly excited to combine these two exceptional field teams and build a stronger, more capable future together. Each of you plays a critical role in delivering outstanding service to our clients, and this merge gives us the opportunity to broaden our impact, share expertise, and create new paths for growth. Thank you for your continued commitment, patience, and dedication. We deeply appreciate everything you bring to this team, and we are here to support you through every step of this transition. One team. One purpose. Unstoppable.
Thank you,
Harry
Harry Miller Sr. VP of Field Operations
Content
What is ElevateU?
In-Store Services
Meet the OSC!
Meet the RCT Team!
Required Trainings
Brain Teaser
Our Volunteer Staff
What is
ElevateU is our custom development platform. Whether you want to grow personally or professionally, you’ll find courses, certifications, and resources to help you build toward what’s next.
Take the Intro to ElevateU Course!
Introducing Skills in ElevateU:
Your Growth, Mapped
Because growth shouldn't feel like guesswork.
We’re excited to introduce Skills: a powerful new way to take ownership of your growth and start shaping what’s next in your career journey. This first phase is all about you. You can self-assign skills and select your current proficiency levels, giving you a clearer view of your strengths and the areas you’re ready to develop. Think of it as setting your starting line. The more intentional you are now, the more personalized your experience will become as new features roll out. Coming soon, we’ll introduce an interactive Skills Map, making it easier than ever to explore potential career paths and see how your current skills connect to future opportunities. You’ll be able to visualize what’s possible, and what it takes to get there. And we’re just getting started. In the coming months, you’ll gain access to skills assessments to validate your proficiency and unlock higher levels or new capabilities. Skills aligned to your role will help guide your development. Later this year, AI-curated learning recommendations will connect you with targeted content to help you close gaps and build momentum toward the goals you’re most excited about. As you dive in, remember: developing and demonstrating skills is an important part of your growth journey, but it doesn’t replace the standard application and selection process for open roles. Think of Skills as your personalized growth engine; designed to help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and intention. Your development is in your hands. Let’s build what’s next. ✨
In-Store Services is the behind-the-scenes strategic support engine helping Acosta Group’s three retail agencies – Premium, Acosta Walmart and Acosta Retail – better serve its customers. Our goal is to transform retail by leveraging our unified systems, extensive scale, and exceptional people to offer an unparalleled combination of client engagement, workflow optimization, and integrated support across all brands and channels.
What is In-Store Services?
Learn more about In-Store HERE
Please note: You will need to log in with your SSO credentials to access this link.
Check Out the Latest Episode of Shelf Talkers!
Meet the osc!
Operations Support Center
The OSC features a dedicated team of on-call specialists ready to provide real-time support with troubleshooting, photo monitoring, and reporting. They’re available to assist with a variety of field needs, including:
- 360 navigation
- Job instruction questions
- VOLT support
- Service Order reporting assistance
- POP assistance
Check out the video below to learn more about how the OSC can support you in the field!Retail Concierge Team Provides Support During Transition
The Retail Concierge Team (RTC) launched in 2024 to support new Field Representatives during their first 30 days. Their mission is simple: provide personalized, one-on-one guidance through onboarding and training; distilling job and market-specific expertise while building confidence from day one. Now, that same support is expanding. In partnership with the OSC, RCT will be assisting our new In-Store team members during this transition. Their goal is to ensure you feel supported, prepared, and connected as changes take place. Starting later this month, Retail Training Specialists will also be visiting our Field Teams in-store to offer hands-on support and guidance. Be on the lookout and you may spot one of our RCT's out in the wild. Check out the video below for more information about our RCT team!
What to know about required training
As our new teams get started, you’ll be using two primary systems to support your work and development. You will no longer be using BlueView. Instead, you will be using ElevateU and 360, each designed to serve a distinct purpose in your day-to-day responsibilities and long-term growth. ElevateU is our Learning Management System (LMS) and will serve as your central hub for skill-building, career development, and professional development courses.. Field Managers will use ElevateU to complete required trainings such as Compliance and Management Certifications. Field Employees will use 360 to complete required program- or client-specific training tied directly to their work. Field Managers will also utilize 360 to complete Service Orders for client-specific or program-specific training requirements. In short, 360 supports operational execution and ensures work and training are completed efficiently and accurately.
Brain teaser
Word Scramble
CHICAGO
DAYLIGHT SAVING
JELLY BEANS
PASSOVER
NEBRASKA
GIHCOCA
Hint
GIDALHTY IVSGAN
Hint
LEBYELNJAS
Hint
AEOSPSRV
Hint
ARNASBEK
Hint
Answers
Love games? Want more? Keep your eye out on your email for 4 weeks of games and prizes, coming soon!
LIVE games coming soon! More details will be announced in our July/August issue--don't miss it!
Previous Issues
Missed an issue? No worries! We've got you covered; check out our previous issues from our archive catalog.
Microsite
Hey Field Teams: Did you know that you can access the Microsite unique to your In-Store group from the 360 Dashboard? Check out the "Training Resources" section, and click on "Start Here" to access it.
Cooleaf
Check out Cooleaf to recognize a coworker, and spend your points!
Meet the elevate
Staff
Jennifer Hovestadt
Executive Editor
Writer
Alex Marin
Project Manager
Keely Brubaker
Dave Wolfe
Game Master
Art Director
Melanie Long
Parsa Shamloo
Prize Master
Writer
Thank You!
See you next issue
Tell us how we did! Use this link to drop us a quick note of appreciation, inspiration, or anything else you want to share about your Fresh UP experience. We can't wait to hear from you!
Want more? Check out the archives.
Dave Wolfe
Writer
Coming Soon!
Writer
Dave Wolfe began his Acosta Journey on Mosaic’s Best Buy Entertainment Division in 2003-2006 as a field representative. Over the next 15 years, he served in multiple field manager roles for both Mosaic and Acosta leading large field teams in big box retailers and Walmart. Dave transitioned from field management to leading the Walmart training division in 2020. As the National Training Manager for Acosta Walmart, Dave was responsible for creating and facilitating training webinars, curating training content over the years, and assisting field employees with their training journey. Dave has dedicated his time and focus on leadership development, building comprehensive training for field leadership. Leaning on over a decade of experience, Dave has created and led quality courses that have encouraged leaders to grow in an entertaining and safe environment. His processes and patience with those that he trains has earned him the respect and trust of his teams. When away from work, Dave enjoys pursuing his main hobby as a board gaming enthusiast competing in national tournaments throughout the year.
Jennifer Hovestadt
Executive Editor
Jen started with Premium as a part-time Brand Ambassador over 12 years ago. Since then, her passion, grit, and dedication to continual learning and helping others achieve their goals have brought Jen to her position as Sr. Training Manager for Premium. Jen also credits her career growth with her personal development strategy as a lifelong learner. She believes that by continuously learning, any person can better themselves and increase their ability to accomplish their goals in life.
Alex Marin
Project Manager
Alex began their journey in 2016 as a Google Area Manager, where they quickly became known for their leadership style and creative approach to training. They thrive on finding fresh, outside-the-box ways to make learning stick. After transitioning from a Regional Market Manager role into a Trainer role with the In-Store Training Team, helping build engaging, practical, and enjoyable learning experiences. As the Elevate Project Manager, Alex brings that same outside-the-box thinking to the magazine — blending creativity, strategy, and storytelling to deliver content that’s fresh, inspiring, and designed to spark new ideas. When they are not working, they enjoy working on voice acting projects, hiking, music, and going on road trips with their sweet Aussie pupper, Ozzy, and energetic black Lab, Salem
Keely Brubaker
Art Director
Keely is a dynamic professional with a rich background in training and tech, and a fervent passion for wildlife and nature. Starting her journey with Premium Retail in 2017 as part of the Pixel team, Keely swiftly climbed the ranks, transitioning through various roles before becoming an Instructional Designer in 2022. Alongside her professional endeavors, Keely finds fulfillment in volunteering at a wildlife center and indulging her love for birding with her kids. Now serving as the Art Director for Elevate Magazine, Keely brings a wealth of creative expertise and a dedication to excellence, promising to infuse each page with innovation and inspiration.
Melanie Long
Prize Master
Melanie began her journey with Premium in 2011, starting in the call center before quickly advancing into Project Management and then Client Account Management. Over the years, she has successfully supported a diverse range of clients, beginning with OnStar and most recently serving as a Senior Client Account Manager for Foster Grant. Now Melanie is bringing her client-focused experience and strategic mindset to the internal operations team as a Demand Planning Analyst. In addition to her professional accomplishments, she has been an active member of the Premium (In-store) Culture Team for the past four years as the Prize Manager. Her passion for employee recognition and creating meaningful, engaging rewards continues as she joins the Elevate Team as the Prize Master.
Parsa Shamloo
Parsa is a learning and development professional with a background in education and sales. He graduated with his bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Texas at Dallas and began his career in the classroom in 2020 before transitioning to support adult learners full-time in 2022. He currently works as an instructional designer and began with CROSSMARK in 2022 before it joined the Acosta Group. He takes pride in supporting people and inspiring confidence in others to succeed in their roles. Parsa believes everybody has the ability to learn if they have the willingness to learn, and providing people the avenues to enrich themselves is paramount for a well-functioning enterprise. In his spare time, Parsa enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and two cats; playing his euphonium in a wind ensemble; watching movies; collecting fountain pens; playing sports; and cheering for the Dallas Mavericks.