November 22, 2010

CARY, NC – Nineteen Town of Cary staff have been nominated by their colleagues or citizens for the honor of the 2010 Employee of the Year, part of the Town’s employee recognition program designed to help retain and reward the best in local government. These nominees will be recognized at the annual Employee of the Year Nominee Reception - Wednesday, December 1, starting at 3 pm - Herb Young Community Center - Room A, and the finalists will be announced.

The Employee of the Year will be announced at the Employee Recognition Luncheon on Wednesday, December 8, which begins at 11:30 am at the Herb Young Community Center.  The winner will receive a commemorative plaque and a $1,000 US Savings Bond.

This year’s nominees are:

• Brian Austin, Master Police Officer -  Police - Community Services
• Bob Bilodeau, Operations Division Manager - Public Works/Utilities - Operations
• Pat Bruen, Water Conservation Technician - Public Works/Utilities - Operations
• Wes Everett, Operations Analyst -  Inspections & Permits - Administration
• Debra Grannan, Senior Planner - Planning - Rezoning & Development Regulations
• John Holloway, Operations Analyst Supervisor - Public Works/Utilities - Administration
• Kathy Lleras, Budget & Management Analyst - Budget Office
• Craig Manahan, Water System Worker - Public Works/Utilities - Operations
• Dan Matthys, Senior Planner - Planning - Communication & Information
• Gerald Mitchell, Wastewater System Worker II - Public Works/Utilities - Operations
• Cindy Nicolaisen, Utility Accounts Manager - Finance - Customer Accounting
• Teri Peralta, Administrative Assistant - Administration/PIO/Sustainability
• Sarah Preston, Performing Arts Coordinator - Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources - Cultural Resources
• Bob Shultes, Engineer - Engineering - Engineering Services
• Jimmy Simpson, Facilities Work Expeditor - Public Works/Utilities - Facilities Management
• Yoko Sorensen, Fire Captain - Fire - Station #2
• Andy Tipaldos, Solid Waste Equipment Operator - Public Works/Utilities - Solid Waste Management
• Betsie Winokur, Data Analyst - Public Works/Utilities - Administration
• Terry Yates, Telecommunications Manager - Technology Services - Telecommunications

“Employees are an invaluable resource to Town government and our citizens, and we thank and congratulate this highly skilled group of dedicated individuals,” said Town Manager Ben Shivar.  Shivar noted that the Town employs 1,140.375 full-time equivalents, or about 8.1 staff members for each 1,000 Cary residents, which is one of the lowest citizen to staff ratios for a large community in North Carolina.

The Town of Cary’s Employee of the Year program was established in 1989 to recognize employees who consistently perform well beyond what the job description requires. Nominees are consistently courteous and helpful to others, and they strive to improve themselves and participate in the community.  Many nominations often include accolades from Cary citizens. For more about the program, see Employee of the Year at www.townofcary.org.

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PRIMARY CONTACTS: 
Valiria Willis, Human Resources Director, (919) 469-4072
Ben Shivar, Town Manager, (919) 469-4003
Deanna Boone, Deputy Public Information Officer, (919) 462-3908
Susan Moran, Public Information Director, (919) 460-4951