D is for Dillard, Stark Spotswood Dillard

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

D is for Dillard, Stark Spotswood Dillard

Stark Spotswood Dillard was born in 1894 in Lynchburg, Virginia. His father died when he was three, leaving his mother to raise 12 children alone. At the age of 11, Mr. Dillard began his career folding boxes in his hometown. Soon, the young Dillard transitioned to sales and eventually, was able to open a paper company. In 1926, the entreprenueral Mr. Dillard moved to Greensboro and founded Dillard Paper Company which, by the time he died in 1975, evolved into one of the largest distribution companies in the world. Perhaps you remember their retail store and company motto, "If It's Paper...." Mr. Dillard's recipe for success was 1) having a competitive spirt; 2) believing employees worked hardest when they received incentive compensation and had opportunities for promotion; 3) leading by example; 4) adapting to the ever-changing business environment; 5) providing creative solutions for customers, suppliers, and the company; and, above all, 6) treating everyone fairly. As an example of the positive approach to running the business, Dillard Paper Company held "D Month" sales contests in May, historically the company's slowest month. The person with the greatest percentage increase over his/her personal quota in the month won the Stark S. Dillard Trophy. Cash and merchandise awards were provided for employees. May went from being the slowest month to the most profitable.

Recently, we had the pleasure of an impromptu tour of Mr. Dillard's corner office, featured above, at what is now the massive International Paper/Xpedx complex at 3900 Spring Garden Street. We met with Lisa Moser, who began her career working in the mailroom and worked her way up to office manager. In that capacity, she fielded our questions about "the Dillard Era" and remembering fondly "D Month." Also, one of her favorite memories of Mr. Dillard was the fact that he knew everybody's name and addressed all employes by name, regardless of whether they sorted mail, cleaned the building, or negotiated contracts. Were Mr. Dillard still living today, he would be beaming at Mrs. Moser's efficiency, personability, and pride in her company. She keeps Mr. Dillard's office organized and holds on to a company history just in case someone comes along looking for someone who remembers.....

Right now, the world could use an infusion of Mr. Dillards.... and Mrs. Mosers! Read more about Mr. Dillard and watch a short video clip here. This round of ABC Wednesday, we are featuring A-Z citizens who have contributed to Greensboro. Today is ABC Wednesday and "D" is for Dillard. (see previous entries, including our A-Z streets series, here).