Each year, the Mid-Region Council of Governments (MRCOG) recognizes an outstanding employee from each of its divisions for going above and beyond expectations. Individuals are nominated by their peers and celebrated during an annual employee event.
This year, MRCOG Executive Director Dewey Cave presented five staff members with Peer Recognition Awards in September. Each of these individuals demonstrates a high level of dedication and makes a positive impact on their department and the organization.
Meet the Winners
Meet the winners below and find out why their colleagues nominated them.
Bill Panas, Maintenance Technician, MRCOG
“Bill is always kind and makes a point to say hello to each person.”- “He works extremely hard to make sure the building is always looking great.”
- “Bill is such an important part of the day-to-day operations at MRCOG, and we are a better organization for having him!”
Clyde Gonzales, Maintenance Technician, MRCOG
“Clyde always greets everyone with so much enthusiasm.”- “He is always willing to lend a hand and go the extra mile to help everyone in the building.”
- “Clyde is always a positive presence and goes above and beyond in his work to make sure everything in the building is in great condition.”
Normally, only one individual would have been selected for an award. However, Bill and Clyde received multiple nominations and are a kind of “dynamic duo” in the MRCOG administrative building. Here’s a few more comments from people who nominated them as a team:
- “Bill and Clyde are always busy doing things for us that make our jobs here at the MRCOG more pleasant - from making sure the grass is trimmed and sidewalks are swept, to moving furniture, to ensuring restrooms and common areas are clean, to collecting everyone’s garbage at the end of the day, and everything in between.”
- “It’s impossible to separate this amazing team that does so many things for everyone working at the MRCOG.”
- “They have shown us all that we are all part of a bigger team and that we need each other.”
Kenneth Garcia, Rio Metro Transit Operator, Valencia County
“Ken is one of our senior drivers here at Valencia; he is hard working and comes in every day, rain and snow.”- “He is kind, caring and dependable.”
- “When a new driver comes in, Ken is always willing to help them find their way.”
Rex Musselman, Rio Metro Transit Operator, Sandoval County
“Rex's job description is to operate a bus as a standby driver, meaning he fills in when another Operator is off work or unable to drive. He does drive on a daily basis and goes above and beyond with everything he does.”- Since Rex has accepted the stand-by position this year he has become a Jack of All Trades. He does building maintenance, bus maintenance, washes the spare buses inside and out, runs errands, cleans the bus yard, assists with paperwork in the office, and is currently training to dispatch and answer phones.”
- “Rex is ready, willing and able to do anything and everything to help out and make our division a success.”
Bailee Monk, Business Consultant, New Mexico Workforce Connection
“Over her four years in this position, Bailee has obtained a reputable rapport with her community in the Los Lunas/Valencia County area as a trustworthy counterpart of our program.”- “Bailee is the first to ask if anyone else in the office needs assistance, whether it be in the resource room, another partner, or a customer in the lobby.”
- “Bailee is a valuable asset to our staff, not only because of the knowledge she has acquired in her time with the New Mexico WIOA OJT Program, but also because she demonstrates innovation, encouragement, and shares her knowledge with her peers, so they too can become successful in their positions as Business Consultants.”
Congratulations Bill, Clyde, Kenneth, Rex, and Bailee! Thank you for your hard work and dedication.