ABA AWARDS & RECOGNITION

 

Facilities Management Recognizes Employees of the Month

 

March 2016 - Allan Ganotisi

"Allan is special in many ways. He is a team player, and is self-driven and full of energy! He is attentive to the needs of his customers, providing services with a smile, and remaining professional and polite. Allan is always willing to do whatever is needed to support the cause. 

Allan is a great individual to have in the department, not only because he does his job, but because he makes the day go by a little easier for others, and his happy disposition makes for favorable communication."

 

April 2016 - Jose Bustamante

"Jose Bustamante has been an asset to the University since 2010.  Jose is always ready to jump in to lend a helping hand when operations are hectic, and he maintains a great attitude.  He greets all his customers with a pleasant smile, is team player, and he works safely with minimal supervision.

Jose’s amazing work ethic leads to him being one of the first crew members to offer assistance when needed. By obtaining his HVAC technical degree, continuing to further his education, and by gleaning industry knowledge when working with skilled employees, Jose has exhibited the desire to further his knowledge, ability and accountability as related to the trade."

May 2016 - Robin Eicher

"Robin was recently involved in a project with the Residence Halls with a strict deadline, and if the work was not completed on time, many students assigned to live in Draper Hall would have been affected. Robin managed her complicated task through to completion, even though many hurdles and obstacles arose during the process.

Robin stepped up to take on additional tasks, and did so with a cheerful attitude, a positive demeanor, and with minimal supervisorial oversight."

 

June 2016 - Thomas Moon

"Thomas 'TJ' Moon performed over 85 projects last year with a price tag of $10,000 or higher, which was the most of any employee in the Planning & Design department. That equates to almost one project every four to five days. He did this with a cheerful attitude and a positive demeanor. Completing what was required for this summer’s 23 classroom remodeling project was only the beginning of another productive year for TJ Moon. We are honored to have TJ as a member of our Facilities team."

 

July 2016 - Chardik Teves

"Chardik Teves is a very welcomed addition to the Grounds Department family. He has a great work attitude and exhibits a wonderful spirit of team work. He has volunteered to cross train in the preparation and cleanup for athletic events as well.  He is a very talented grounds worker and takes great pride in his daily maintenance duties.  The department initiated a grounds improvement program, and Chardik has kept his assigned zone in top shape, completing hand weeding and all pruning necessary to keep these areas very presentable.  He is an asset to the Facilities Management Grounds Division."

September 2016 - Cesar Ramirez

"Cesar Ramirez has a positive effect on both student residents and custodial team members. He is always reaching out to assist the residents with concerns in his assigned building. He is also quick to volunteer to work overtime when unusual situations arise. Cesar delivers great customer service and follow through. His eagerness to help makes him a valuable member of the Housing department."

 

October 2016 - Alena Rybachuk

"Alena is 'the glue that keeps Project Management functioning,' and is always ready to do whatever task you give her. She is super-organized, diligent, and very patient. Alena goes the extra mile to make sure Project Managers are armed with the knowledge and documentation needed to perform their job. Additionally, she can find information quickly. We would be lost without her. She is a true team player!"

 

November 2016 - Elvin Saldivar

"Elvin is special in many ways. He demonstrates dynamic leadership qualities on a daily basis. He understands his position as a lead custodian, and has earned the respect and loyalty of custodians, and his peers, by working side by side with them. 

Elvin’s positive attitude and professionalism contributes to the success of Facilities Management and that of the University. He approaches his responsibilities and challenges with the mindset of it being an opportunity to grow. He responds quickly to the needs of his customers and the requests from his managers, and does so with a smile. Elvin is a great addition to the team!"

 

Nathan Rice Recognized by MADD

Sac State's Police Department added another award for their wall when Office Nathan Rice received the Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Hero Award. To qualify for such an award, an officer must work to reduce the number of DUI drivers on roadways. The officer with the biggest impact from participating agencies is nominated, and MADD hosts an award dinner to recognize the award recipients, as well as other law enforcement efforts across the state.

"I am honored to receive this award," said Officer Rice. "To be recognized for my efforts to help the students of this campus remain safe continues to provide inspiration to do my job with pride."

This isn't the first time Officer Rice as been recognized by MADD. In fact, he is a multi-year recipient, largely due to the passion Rice has for his work. "During the time I have been in uniform, I have seen the devastating consequences that drunk or drugged driving has on someone’s future. Many of the scenes I have been on related to DUI’s are carried with me every day. I work with campus departments and student organizations on a weekly basis to put on trainings and presentations related to alcohol.. I will continue to work until there are no more DUI's from our students, staff, and faculty until the day I ret ire. Every DUI investigation and training, is another life saved," said Rice.

Way to go, well deserved!

 

Bursar's Office Kudos Pay Off

As previously featured in a Behind the Scenes feature story, the Bursar's Office (formally known as the Student Financial Services Center) has an internal recognition program that allows employees to leave positive kudos about their colleagues.

Interim Assistant Director of University Collections Nicole Rogers explains: "We get approximately 5-10 kudos each month. Staff members fill out a little kudos form with the date and a brief description on what that person did. We read them at our monthly staff meetings. We have a kudos board hanging in our office and pin them up."

Kudos are accepted year-round, but each semester, two recipients are selected and receive $50.00 gift cards for their outstanding work. "Supervisors get together at the end of each semester, review the kudos and select our Employee of the Semester," said Rogers. The most recent spring semester winners were announced and Meuy Saechao and Briana Bennett were selected for their outstanding efforts!

"I am grateful and happy to receive a kudos and to ultimately have won the spring 2016 semester because it shows me that my colleagues recognize the work that I do," said Meuy Saechao, accounting technician II. "I love the kudos program because it gives a person the opportunity to acknowledge someone for the exceptional work that they do and it doesn’t go unnoticed. It also creates office morale and good team communication."

 

Certified Safety Professional - John Owen

Earlier this year, ABA's own John Owen, industrial hygienist, became a Certified Safety Professional.

Certified by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, this process requires completion of an exam and 5 years of personal experience, and verification of competency in a wide range of safety, health, and environmental practices.

"Completing these certifications was an important career milestone that supports my goals," said John. "These are both professional certifications that require significant education, experience and months of preparation."

Congratulations John, and great work on ensuring the campus is a safe environment free of hazards!

 

Police Department Recognizes Employees and Students

 

Employee of the Quarter, 3rd Quarter 2016 - Jeff Reinl

"Sergeant Reinl has readily taken on multiple responsibilities and assignments in addition to his patrol duties. Not only is he supervising a busy day shift patrol team, but he is in charge of special event planning, is continually involved in the CSO Program, had been assigned administrative projects, supervised and worked closely with the detectives in writing search warrants and navigating the DA’s office.

Sergeant Reinl always has a positive, can do attitude while performing his duties. He encourages teamwork and comradery within his team while still maintaining a high expectation of performance from them. Sergeant Reinl is a true asset to this department."

Student of the Quarter, 3rd Quarter 2016 - Kacie Louie

"When CSO Kacie Louie sees a problem, she immediately comes up with a plan to solve it and then implements the solution. For example, she has attended a large number of new student orientations. She discovered from her interaction with students that it was a cumbersome task for students who were interested in the CSO Program to navigate the department webpage to access the online application form.

CSO Kacie Louie took the initiative and created a card size 'cheat sheet' that provides clear and concise step by step directions for the online application process. Her initiative not only improved the efficiency of the CSO’s assigned to work at Student Orientation, but elevated the competency image of the program."

Employee of the Quarter, 4th Quarter 2016 - Serena Fuson

"Serena is the matriarch who holds together the familial atmosphere of the Police family. She is the go-to person for all initiatives that promote the image and working relationships of the department. Serena has numerous responsibilities here at the Police Department. Besides being the Chief’s right-hand woman, she handles the budget, purchasing, hiring, the Annual Clery Report, and Emergency Notifications.

Her cheery and creative management of the department Facebook page allows the department to reach a large student/parent audience with service related information and timely warning notifications. The content of her postings always reflect the core value of the department, that of service, concern, and community involvement."

Student of the Quarter, 4th Quarter 2016 - Blake Erdman

"CSO Blake Erdman has been instrumental in assisting officers in resolving a critical incident recently. A female student was in cellphone communication with her therapist indicating that she has suicidal thoughts. The student refused to provide her location on campus. CSO Erdman monitored the broadcasted radio information and observed a female student who was exhibiting distressed behaviors talking on a cell phone.

CSO Erdman immediately broadcasted his observation and maintained observation on the student from a non-intrusive distance. The entire incident came to a positive conclusion thanks in large part to CSO Erdman’s observation, awareness, and teamwork."

 

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