2007 Employee of the Year
Sammie Chance
Recycling Equipment Operator
Public Works and Utilities Department
Employee since 1994
Sammie Chance has been employed with the Town of Cary Solid Waste Division for the past 13 ½ years. Since the first day that Sammie came on board with the Town of Cary, he has become the exceptional role model that every solid waste collector should strive to be. He has always maintained an excellent work and safety record, including leading by example.
Professional and courteous customer service is Sammie’s number one priority. It is something that he doesn’t take lightly and strives to make sure that his co-workers provide the best customer service that they can provide. The Town has received many phone calls from very appreciative customers who had personally witnessed his dedicated attention to detail in maintaining cleanliness around their trash cans.
“Sammie is a great worker and a wonderful person. I fully support his nomination for the 2007 Employee of the Year Award,” wrote PWUT Interim Director Mike Bajorek. “Sammie is a role model for other members of the Solid Waste Management Division. In addition to this, Sammie was recognized this year as one of the best Solid Waste workers in the state of North Carolina. While he has a difficult job, Sammie is always friendly and positive.”
Over the course of his sanitation career, Sammie has been a real motivator for others to excel in their respective job performances. Earlier this year, Sammie was offered a position as a Recycling truck driver; being responsible for the one man operation of the Town’s new automated recycling trucks. He was selected for this exceptional opportunity based upon his continuous exemplary work performance reviews and his sincere dedication to exceptional professional customer service.
In August, Sammie was one of three finalists for the Herman Drake Award, which is sponsored by the North Carolina chapter of the American Public Works Association. It is presented in recognition of the North Carolina Employee of the Year who has contributed outstanding service to the community through dedication and efforts in Public Works/Sanitation.
These aren’t the only examples of Sammie’s dedication and service to his fellow man and the community. His never-ending desire to lead by example can be witnessed by his passion to coach 13-15 year old boys in competitive recreational games of basketball, football and softball that are sponsored by the towns of Cary and Apex recreation departments. He is a longtime member of his church’s men’s choir at the Greater Christian Chapel in Apex. For the past 7 years, he has also served on the church’s Vacation Bible School committee.
Sammie’s pleasant and outgoing personality, along with his never-ending smile towards others, is one of his major character traits that sets him way above your average sanitation collector. He is well respected by his peers, co-workers, supervisors, and most importantly, by his loving family.