Pluris Regional Manager Joseph Kuhns and Customer Care Director Beverly Yopp recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Pluris Southgate customer Steven Plotkin at his home in Sarasota Florida.
While visiting with Steven he shared a personal story regarding his eyesight and how it has been a challenge for most of his life, beginning at the age of 8 when he was diagnosed with Myopic; a disease which can cause severe nearsightedness. Approximately five years ago he lost his sight completely in one eye and shortly thereafter nearly lost all of his sight in the other eye due to an optic nerve disease. The combined loss of sight created many new challenges in even simple day to day activities.
It was at this time that Steven contacted Pluris’ Customer Care to make Pluris aware of his condition and a challenge of just being able to visually review monthly billing statements.
Upon reviewing the case with the Pluris customer care representative working with Steven, Beverly Yopp personally reached out to him to find a solution for his specific needs. In working together, they were able to find a solution that would work for both Steven and Pluris. Since that time Beverly has continued to maintain personal contact with Steven, often just checking in on him.
Steven has been a resident of Florida since 1974 when, after graduating from high school in New Jersey, he moved to Sarasota to attend New College where he received his bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Steven shared that after graduating from New College he briefly worked at the St. Pete Times newspaper but left to pursue a joint venture in designing and manufacturing a clothing line that was sold to designers, mostly in New York. The business was run out of his home on Siesta Key, one of his favorite places he has lived.
An avid fisherman, while living on Siesta Key Steven would fish daily, catching Snook, Flounders and Snappers. He also has a passion for cooking and until the loss of his eyesight loved to experiment with new recipes for the fresh fish he caught.
In 2000 Steven purchased his first home in the Southgate community where he continues to live today. In addition to his residence, he purchased several additional properties in Southgate as rental investments.
These days you can find Steven enjoying time with friends and sharing many of his experiences exploring Florida. Some of his favorite memories are of exploring the intercoastal waters throughout Florida by kayak.
