Ventura County Public Works Agency awarded the Employee of the Year accolade to three veteran personnel who have been selected for their skills and efficiencies for a great job performance.
Marco Reyes and David Hazen from Water and Sanitation, and Karen Goodman from Engineering Services were honored as the winners among 10 other nominees.
Goodman, who currently serves as Supervising Contract Support Specialist, uses her initiative, patient demeanor and attention to detail to run her high stress position. In that capacity, she provides administrative support services for consultant contracts executed by the public works agency, including: reviewing contracts, verifying standards and procedures are being followed, organizing and creating annual contracts, working with consultants and project managers to establish rates, execute contracts, and administer work orders and invoices.
“I was grateful for the consideration,” said Goodman. “This position runs the gauntlet which is wonderful, and I never get bored as each contract-standalone or annual, work orders, modification are different.”
Reyes currently serves as a Water/Wastewater Services Worker II where he’s responsible for helping customers with the move in-move out process, meter reading, fire hydrant, facility and equipment maintenance. However, he credits his department for the nomination.
“I am surprised and honored to be recognized,” said Reyes. “My nomination really is a recognition for our department and what teamwork can accomplish in an ongoing effort to provide clean and clear water for residents residing in our water districts.”
David Hazen is a longstanding veteran with 38 years of working experience at the County of Ventura and is currently the Superintendent for the County of Ventura Waterworks District. He handles a crew of 21, who work to operate and maintain the public water system in the City of Moorpark and the communities of Somis, Lake Sherwood, and Bell Canyon.
“I’m very humbled by this award because I do the best job I can. I’m proud of my crew because they are starting to see themselves as professional water distribution operators, not just maintenance workers,” said Hazen. “I constantly remind them of the importance of their job in providing clean, safe drinking water to the customers we serve, and encourage them to take pride their work.”
Nominees for the annual award were chosen by peers who had to select an office employee, an operations & maintenance employee, and a manager in their respective departments. Other nominees included are: Yvette Perez, Duane Foster, Chris Hooke and William Alonzo (Transportation), Kenji Myata and Jim O’Tousa (Engineering Services), Ron Marotto and Stephanie Molina (Watershed Protection District), Sam Gonzalez (Water and Sanitation), and Kristina Colton (Central Services).
“We are very grateful and appreciate this group of hardworking employees who truly exemplify the core values of VCPWA,” said Ventura County Public Works Agency Director Jeff Pratt. “These nominees lead the way in excellence in every possible way.”
Get Citizensjournal.us Headlines free SUBSCRIPTION. Keep us publishing – DONATE
