Officer Dee Livingston honored as City of Heath 2007 Employee of the YEar
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The City of Heath Holiday and Awards Luncheon was a time of celebration as employees were honored for their outstanding performance in 2007.
In opening remarks, Karen Lewis, Mayor Pro Tem, acknowledged that a critical part of what makes Heath a premiere hometown is the quality and caliber of the employees dedicated to serving Heath’s residents.
The employees chosen for the 2007 awards displayed excellence in numerous areas including on-the-job performance, customer service, cooperation, integrity, dependability, judgment, initiative and workplace knowledge as well as noteworthy achievements within the year.
Department of Public Safety Officer Dee Livingston was honored as the City of Heath Employee of the Year for 2007. Officer Livingston has been with the City for almost five years and is recognized for her exceptional work as the School Resource Officer at MaurineCainMiddle School. She also is responsible for special projects such as planning the City’s annual National Night Out Celebration each August.
Officer Livingston entered law enforcement eight years ago with the full support of her family, particularly her brother, Kevin Oblander, who was a Rockwall police officer at the time.
“I always wanted to make my big brother proud by walking in his footsteps,” said Officer Livingston. “Moving to Heath was the best career choice I could have ever made, and I am thankful to every officer and employee of the City for backing me and believing in me.” “I first met Dee when I was the City Manager of Greenville, Texas and she was my secretary,” said City Manager Ed Thatcher. “She made the decision to enter law enforcement and attended the Police Academy in Plano where she graduated first in her class. Dee worked as a police officer in Greenville and then hired on in Heath several years before I arrived here. She has continued to excel and we frequently and regularly receive compliments on Dee’s work from Cain principal Sarah Watkins, the teachers and the students.”
“Receiving the honor of ‘Employee of the Year’ was an unexpected surprise that leaves me humbled,” said Officer Livingston.
Also honored during the program was B.J. White, who was selected as the Public Works Department Employee of the Year. A City of Heath employee since 2004, Mr. White is recognized for his commitment to ensuring quality work that is completed on time and on budget.
“B.J. treats each project like his own project,” says Pedram Farahnak, Director of Public Works. “By getting the job done right the first time, B.J. saves the City money and time. He has also earned our admiration through the kind and respectful way that he treats all of his colleagues and the citizens we serve.”
Tara Plexico was named the Finance Department Employee of the Year. Ms. Plexico joined the City in 2005 as a Customer Service Representative and has displayed the highest levels of professionalism, respect and genuine concern for others, even on the most stressful days.
“It is a pleasure to work with someone who is able to handle her responsibilities with the consistency that Tara exhibits,” says Laurie Mays, Finance Director. “She has a wonderful attitude about her job and is truly a team player who is always willing to help others, be they a customer with a problem or a fellow employee with a project.”
Department of Public Safety Officer Matt Mayo was honored as the department’s Officer of the Year by the City of Heath as well as the Rockwall Rotary Club of Texas earlier in the year. An officer with Heath since 2002, Officer Mayo is the School Resource Officer at Rockwall-Heath High School where his visible presence on campus and rapport with the students and faculty contribute to a safer environment.
“Matt is dedicated to the safety and well being of our high school students and has investigated a high volume of incident reports with the goal of removing dangerous elements from campus,” says Public Safety Director Terry Garrett.
Les Horvath, Administrative Projects Coordinator, was recognized as the Employee of the Year for the Administration Department. Since associating with the City in 2001, Mr. Horvath has implemented and assisted with many programs including the City’s household hazardous waste and recycling collection, storm water management, and school and scout environmental programs.
“There are many exciting things happening at City Hall, and I’m glad to be a part of theprogress,” says Mr. Horvath, who is also a long-time Heath resident. “It is a pleasure to assist the City Management staff with projects that involve every City department, and it is especially rewarding to work directly with the school and community groups of Heath.”
“It’s a blessing to be a member of such a great team working together to serve one of the best hometowns in America,” concludes Mr. Horvath.
Echoing Mr. Horvath’s sentiments, Officer Livingston stated, “I am rewarded each and every day by getting to work with such a great group of people. Being recognized is just an extra bonus; working with the kids at Cain is the most rewarding of all!”###
