2011 Employee of the Month Archives
January 2011
Corbin Hottel, Activity Aide I within the Missouri Veterans Commission – Cameron Veterans Home, has been selected as the January, 2011 Employee of the Month for the Department of Public Safety. Corbin was selected for this award for his outstanding performance in fulfilling the responsibilities of his position. Corbin has been recognized as being kind, courteous and helpful not only in assisting residents, but also in lending assistance at events within the various departments of the Cameron Veterans Home. While there are countless instances in which Corbin demonstrates this compassion, a specific example to provide is when Corbin drove a Veteran 240 miles across state lines so that the Veteran could attend the funeral visitation of a loved one who had passed away.
February 2011
Mary Johnson, Physical Therapy Aide II within the Missouri Veterans Commission – St. Louis Veterans Home, has been selected as the February, 2011 Employee of the Month for the Department of Public Safety. Mary was selected for this award for her outstanding performance in fulfilling the responsibilities of her position. Mary has been recognized as being one of the hardest working and most caring individuals employed with the St. Louis Veterans Home. Recently, Mary was selected to attend the annual NAHCA convention, as only the best employees are chosen to attend this event. Mary was chosen to attend because of her consistent demonstration of excellence in caring for our Veterans and constantly going above and beyond the call of duty when it involves serving the Homes’ resident Heroes.
March 2011
Junior Crafton Corporal Junior Crafton and Mike McClure Corporal Mike McClure, within the Missouri State Highway Patrol, have been selected as the March, 2011 Employees of the Month for the Department of Public Safety. Cpl. Crafton and Cpl. McClure were selected for this award for their actions during a December 11, 2010 incident in which the Showboat Branson Belle came ashore during severe weather conditions. Cpl. Crafton and Cpl. McClure were repeatedly called upon to respond by patrol boat to the Belle to offload emergency personnel onto the vessel, as well as evacuate passengers experiencing serious medical conditions requiring hospitalization. With each response to the Belle, Cpl. Crafton and Cpl. McClure placed their lives at risk as winds were at speeds in excess of 50 mph, temperatures had reached the 20 degree mark, and waves exceeded five feet in height.
April 2011
Chuck May, Planning and Disaster Recovery Branch Manager of the State Emergency Management Agency, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s April, 2011 Employee of the Month.
In his position, Chuck is responsible for collecting information about the impact of disasters on local communities across Missouri and then preparing correspondence from Missouri’s Governor to the President, seeking federal major disaster declarations. Since 1990, Missouri has received more than 30 such declarations, bringing in much needed funding to speed the recoveries of communities and individuals.
Chuck’s meticulous concern for detail, his knowledge and understanding of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s complicated rules and procedures, and his dedication to his job have helped ensure that Missouri gets the much needed assistance that is deserved.
Chuck is also responsible for updating Missouri’s emergency operation plans, including coordinating the state’s new earthquake response plan. He has shown tremendous dedication in this area as well.
May 2011
Kim Becker, Deputy Chief - Training & Certification within the Division of Fire Safety, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s May, 2011 Employee of the Month. One of the many roles the Division of Fire Safety is statutorily mandated to administer is a training and state certification program for Missouri’s fire service and emergency first responder personnel. For several months, Kim devoted countless hours orchestrating an extensive revision to the Division’s existing curriculum, which now requires 270 hours of classroom training and more than 100 practical hands-on skills. The final product certainly rivals any available commercial product, and is a clear demonstration of Kim’s dedication to Missouri’s fire service.
June 2011
Kevin Onstott, Capital Improvements Specialist II within the Missouri Veterans Commission, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s June, 2011 Employee of the Month. Kevin was selected for this award for the exemplary manner in which he performs the responsibilities of his position to all programs of the Commission. Kevin devotes considerable time and energy in helping the Homes Program with projects that insure a safe environment for residents and staff. For example, in one particular instance, Kevin discovered that a construction project at one of the Homes was not being building according to specification. This notice of discrepancy resulted in the contractor being required to comply with the specifications through disassembly and re-construction. Additionally, Kevin recently successfully completed training that certified him as a Fire Inspection Specialist. This certification has enabled Kevin to work closely with the Homes’ Program Plant Maintenance Engineers to enhance their fire prevention measures and life safety code regulations.
July 2011
Chanda Saultz, Director of Nurses within the Missouri Veterans Commission – St. James Veterans Home, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s July, 2011 Employee of the Month. Chanda was selected for this award for the exemplary manner in which she planned, organized, and coordinated the movement and relocation of residents during the replacement of the Home’s sprinkler system. In addition to her regular duties, Chanda volunteered to take on this responsibility that occurred on six different occasions, as it required each unit and its residents to be vacated at the time of demolition and reinstallation of the sprinklers. Additionally, Chanda organized the process of ensuring that each resident was returned to their original room once the installation of each unit’s sprinkler system was complete.
August 2011
Ashley Catron, Nursing Assistant within the Missouri Veterans Commission – Cameron Veterans Home, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s August, 2011 Employee of the Month. Ashley was selected for this award for the caring, compassionate, and helpful attitude she exhibits to all at the Home. Ashley genuinely cares about her co-workers, the Veterans, and their families. A recent example of Ashley’s compassion involves a Veteran who was facing an upcoming surgery. Ashley identified his fear of the surgery, sat with him to answer his questions, and found answers to those questions she was not able to immediately answer. Ashley’s care was further demonstrated by holding the Veteran’s hand and accompanying him to and from the surgery center. Ashley’s simple acts of kindness and compassion are why she has a positive influence on all she meets.
September 2011
Becky Hoover, Nursing Assistant within the Missouri Veterans Commission – Cape Girardeau Veterans Home, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s September, 2011 Employee of the Month. Becky was selected for this award for the caring, compassionate, and helpful attitude she exhibits in the performance of her position’s responsibilities. Becky has a unique ability to encourage and persuade even the most challenging residents to cooperate in their care. Co-workers and charge nurses often request Becky’s assistance in many situations that require special “encouragement” of the Veterans. Becky also puts her “heart and soul” into her position. An example of Becky’s dedication and compassion was especially noted during the recent passing of one of the residents. Becky stayed at his side, held his hand, offering reassurance and comfort as he passed, which was a gesture that was deeply appreciated by the family of the resident.
October 2011
Nina Stults, Office Support Assistant within the Missouri Veterans Commission – Springfield Veterans Cemetery, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s October, 2011 Employee of the Month. Nina was selected for this award for her outstanding work ethic, dependability, and ability to get every job done with a high standard of excellence. A recent example of Nina’s demonstration of these characteristics involves the completion of a monumental four year project of entering 14,775 files into a database with outstanding accuracy.
November 2011
Candace Adams, Planner III (Area Coordinator for Region D) within the State Emergency Management Agency, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s November, 2011 Employee of the Month. Candace was selected for this award for her exemplary duty performance during the on-going response and recovery efforts from the April 19, 2011 through June 6, 2011 severe storms and tornadoes. The rapport that Candace has established with federal, state, and local elected officials, first responders, faith-based and volunteer groups, and emergency management officials has had a direct and positive impact on those affected by the disaster which struck Jasper and Newton counties.
December 2011
Barbara Quin, Administrative Office Support Assistant within the Office of the Adjutant General, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety’s December, 2011 Employee of the Month. Barbara was selected for this award for the exemplary manner in which she performs the responsibilities associated with her position supporting the staff and the functions within Missouri Theatre Aviation Sustainment Maintenance Group (MO-TASMG). In addition to her daily responsibilities, Barbara also provides the administrative function of preparations for the annual MO-TASMG Workshop by researching conference topics of interest, scheduling presenters, building the conference schedule, preparing conference packets, working at the conference registration table, and all other related administrative duties to ensure the Conference flows smoothly. Barbara seamlessly accomplishes all work assigned to her through great team management skills, multi-tasking, and computer efficiency.
