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Human Resources - GEM Awards
Previous Winners
2010 4th Quarter
We are proud to announce our 2010 fourth quarter GEM Award recipients. Pictured left to right are: Randy Johnson, Building Inspector, Urban Development; Pamela Kennedy, Purchasing Assistant, General Administration; Lynn Hill, Benefits Administrator, General Administration; Joey Shaw, Engineer, Fire Department; Kyle McCaleb, Engineer, Fire Department; Brenda Chapman, Planning Technician, Urban
Development; Cindy Reid, Recreation Aide, Leisure Services Department; and Valeria Seldon-Ray, Deputy Court Clerk, Municipal Court. Presenting the awards to our employees was Dr. John Kelly, Chief Administrative Officer (center).
2009 - 4th Quarter GEM Awards
Our GEMs (L-R): Anita Petty, Joan Head, Cathy Williams, Mona Ervin, Lizzie Pribyl,
Mayor Schloegel (center) Not pictured: Chadwick Bryant
Chadwick Bryant, Fire Department – Outstanding Service
Chad has spent countless hours working on a program to keep Firefighters’ structural gear inspected, cleaned, and up-to-date. By doing so, he has saved the City money by not outsourcing this service.
Mona Ervin, Public Works – Outstanding Service
Mona plays a critical role in the Maintenance Division by inputting data on repair orders, parts costs, and maintaining records on over 700 pieces of equipment. She has assisted with the development of labor hours of all work performed in the shop. Mona’s talents have greatly increased the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the division.
Joan Head, Police Department - Outstanding Service
Joan has worked to make the GPD’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) system to the FBI the best and most accurate it has ever been. Additionally, she has assisted with the Department’s transition to the more modern National Incident Based Reporting (NIBR) system. Gulfport has become the only law enforcement agency in Mississippi and one of only 30% of all law enforcement in the nation certified by the FBI to report crimes in this new format.
Anita Petty, Urban Development - Safety & Heroism
On December 16, 2009, an individual, who was eating a piece of candy began to choke. Anita recognized the warning signs, quickly began to administer the Heimlich maneuver, and was able to dislodge the candy.
Lizzie Pribyl, Municipal Court – Innovation
Since becoming a member of the Court staff in September 2009, Lizzie has used her excellent analytical and computer skills to improve the court operation and to positively impact the Court case flow for hearings and arraignments. This new system has increased the efficiency of the Court staff in processing defendants, and has also lessened the amount of time Police Officers wait to testify in general traffic trials.
Catherine Williams, General Administration – Innovation
Historically, at the end of the benefits open enrollment period, Human Resources staff had to manually enter each new insurance change made by every employee – resulting in countless hours of data entry and huge opportunities for errors. Cathy was recognized for creating a way to import changes employees made through HR Connection to MUNIS.
2nd Quarter 2009
Vera Edwards, Outstanding Service
Vera was nominated by a department leader because she goes out of her way to make guests more relaxed that the Hansboro facility. She accommodates them with materials, assists them with making coffee, and also uses her pottery expertise helps in the pottery room by helping customers become more familiar with the equipment when the instructor is out.
She also assists with the Seniors’ overnight trips when requested to do so and works with several other centers and special events as well.
Vera participates in fund raisers such as Heart Walk & Relay for Life.
Michael Krauss, Safety & Heroism
Michael was nominated by a department leader for his response to an accident with injuries on July 10. Upon his arrival, Officer Krauss observed the vehicle on fire and a passenger trapped inside. Officer Krauss immediately went to the vehicle and checked the victim who had a faint pulse & was badly injured. Officer Krauss cut the seatbelt and moved the victim to safety. When he checked the victim again, Officer Krauss found that he was not breathing. Officer Krauss performed rescue breathing until AMR responded to the scene.
Officer Krauss’ quick thinking, dedication & bravery saved the life of the victim.
Renee Oatman, Human Relations
Renee was nominated by a department leader for the help and kindness she displays to her co-workers. Citing one particular example, A few months ago, a Southwest Water employee had torn pockets on his work shirts. Renee took the shirts home & sewed the pockets back on for him.
Jason Pryor, Outstanding Service
Jason was nominated by a department leader because he was instrumental in the department’s move to the Hardy Building. He not only supervised trustees, but “rolled up his sleeves” and helped the workers with the heavy lifting, and did the same with moving surplus office furniture to the armory for storage. Jason also helped other departments with their moves.
Jason is the newest Inspector but is very contentious of his involvement with the contractors and citizens who frequently remark that Jason is professional with them even when delivering bad news.
Darlene Cooley (Sportsplex/Leisure Services) - During the MBO implementation process, Darlene suggested the establishment of an MBO Awareness Board to enhance the importance of supporting the MBO process within the office. The board displays the LS Dept. goals, each employees’ goals, & action steps required to accomplish the goals. The board is a constant reminder to all employees to stay focused and on their goals & to continue to provide good service to Sportsplex customers.
Slim Davis (Beautification/Public Works) - Slim displays tremendous efforts while helping our department create a better environment and provide services for the citizen’s of our city. He has been a hard worker, great attitude, and well respected by his peers. The City could always depend on Slim being one, if not the first, person on the job in an emergency such as a Hurricane. He never hesitates to work long hours to complete needed task and is an excellent equipment operator - he can operate every piece of machinery owned by Public Works. He has been a mentor to younger employees teaching them with patience the trade skills of public works.
Kathy Hale (Legal Department) – Kathy was nominated because she exhibits compassion for the customer and for her work product. She is extremely organized and proactive, anticipating the needs of the other members of our department and responding to those needs, many times before she is even asked for assistance. Rather than simply taking a message for a phone call, Kathy makes every effort to help resolve the question or issue as expeditiously as possible. She treats callers and visitors to our office courteously, understanding and acknowledging that the caller or visitor has a question or concern that is often time sensitive or a confidential matter.
Kathy comes in early, stays late & works through lunch – even if she has to rearrange personal plans or foregoing time with her family to ensure work is completed in a timely & appropriate manner. She helps others in her department without hesitation. For example, when another employee is behind on her filing, Kathy assumes the work load. Post-Katrina, Kathy learned the home demolition process and being able to share the information with citizens; and during the move from City Hall, she strived to ensure that those with legal department matters were inconvenienced as little as possible.
One nominator states that “because of Kathy's individual and dedicated efforts, the Legal Department's level of professionalism and performance has risen substantially and directly resulted in a significant overall contribution to the advancement of City service to the citizens of Gulfport”.
Bradford Ward (Garage Maintenance/Public Works) - In February 2009, an expensive piece of equipment sustained damage and required the purchase of a new $9800 engine as this equipment supports various needs throughout the City. Budget constraints made the purchase an impossibility and even the replacement parts to construct a new engine would cost $4750.
Brad was able to use his mechanical knowledge & experience to rebuild and reinstall the engine. Although he worked long hours and without manuals normally available to most engine rebuilders, he was able to complete the repair and save over $8000.
In another instance, Brad was successful in the rebuilding of a diesel engine. On this project, he saved the City over $4000 in out-sourced labor cost.
Pictured L-R: Stephen Murray – Outstanding Service; Shane Ogburn – Human Relations; Denise Waizenegger - Community Service; Mayor Brent Warr; Reginald Robinson – Outstanding Service; Josh Skaggs – Community Service.
Pictured left to right: Natasha Tate (Administrative Assistant, Fire Dept), recipient of award for Outstanding Service/Community Service; Pam Heiter (Deputy Court Clerk, Municipal Court), Community Service; Matilda Welch (Planning Technician, Urban Development), Human Relations/Community Service; Merlissia Lewis (Community Policing Assistant, Police Department), Community Service; Reggie Sims (Center Coordinator, Leisure Services), Outstanding Service.
Not pictured are Ian Clark (Engineer, Fire Dept.) recipient of award for Outstanding Service & Danny Meadors (Property Manager, General Administration), Outstanding Service.
Pictured (L-R): Chief Administrative Officer, Dr. John Kelly; Allison Stachura (Police Department), winner for Outstanding Service; Heather McCarthy (Municipal Courts), Outstanding Service; Jim Dyer (Leisure Services), Innovation; Ryan Merrill (Information Systems), Outstanding Service; Anthony Wallace (Police Department), Outstanding Service; Thomas Lane (Urban Development), Human Relations; Mayor Brent Warr.
