As the new store manager of the Walmart store in Clearlake, I’m thrilled to be part of this vibrant community.

I’ve been with the company for about eight years and am proud to be a first-time store manager here in Clearlake.

I left another retailer to join Walmart because several of my friends worked for the company and told me what about the numerous opportunities with Walmart.

Not only do we have great benefits and career mobility as hourly and management associates, I’ve was also able earn my bachelor’s degree through our Lifetime Learning program – with a schedule that was flexible so I could attend classes and study for exams. I enjoy offering these same opportunities to our Clearlake associates too.

Recently there has been some misinformation circulating here in the community about safety issues regarding our store and the costs associated with those issues. I want to assure our customers that this is unfounded information.

My priority has been and will continue to be to provide a safe and pleasurable shopping experience for our customers and a great work environment for my associates.

Being a good community citizen is as important to me personally as it is to Walmart, which has been here in Clearlake since 1994.

In just the few weeks since I arrived, our store has supported several events, such as Power to the Youth’s basketball tournament and the Police Explorers bake sale, plus we helped fund the annual Fourth of July fireworks show and have handed out free school supplies to local schools.

In 2012, our store supported a number of local organizations including the local Coast Guard Auxiliary, Kelseyville High School Sober Grad Committee, Middleton Senior Citizens and Habitat for Humanity.

Each initiative has enabled our store to personally support what matters to the citizens of Clearlake. Any organization that would like to apply for a grant can do so through the Walmart Foundation or stop by the store and speak with a member of my management team.

Speaking of which, the next time you’re at Walmart, I’d love to meet you. Please, walk up to me and introduce yourself. Tell me what Walmart can do to help you and what we can do to make our town even better.

If you’d like to learn more about our company, associates like me and how we help you save money, please visit www.therealwalmart.com .

I look forward to being more involved in Clearlake and getting to know our citizens personally.

Travis Peck is store manager of the Walmart store in Clearlake, Calif.