JANUARY 12, 2011
Scottsdale honors its employees
SCOTTSDALE – Jamie Petermann (r) was named the 2011 recipient of the Herbert R. Drinkwater Award and Ryan Freeburg (below, l) was named the recipient of the Bill Donaldson Award at the city’s annual employees’ award ceremony.
The Drinkwater award, in its 13th year, goes annually to a Scottsdale city employee or employees who set an outstanding example through their volunteerism and dedication to serving others.
Communications Dispatcher Petermann embodies the essence of "serving our community." She has created, organized and managed several programs over the last few years that benefit non-profit organizations such as the Chrysalis Shelter, St. Mary's Food Bank, Scottsdale Senior Center and the city’s Vista Del Camino social services center.
“This individual embodies the essence of serving our community,” said Mayor Jim Lane in presenting the award. “She dedicates her time and effort not only to Scottsdale, but to the entire Valley and even globally.”
She also is an avid supporter of Beat the Heat, a city program that aids seniors and Terracycle, which recycles material into products such as lunch and tote bags. One of her recent projects is “Make a Difference Day” a national campaign which she supports through fundraising and collection efforts.
The Drinkwater Award is named in honor of the city’s former mayor, who served four terms and became one of the most popular elected officials in the state. Drinkwater retired in 1996. He died of cancer in 1997.
Fire Department Battalion Chief Ryan Freeburg (l) received this year’s award, named after a former city manager. The award is given annually by the Scottsdale city manager to an employee or group of employees who show great vision and innovation, help others through humanitarian efforts and work as team-builders.
“This individual has demonstrated a willingness and capacity to reinvent himself for the good of the Fire Department,” said City Manager Dave Richert. “It's not just the number of assignments he has assumed that is impressive; but it is his incredibly diverse skills necessary to be highly successful in all these positions.”
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane and City Council members presented the following awards to individuals for exhibiting traits embodied in the eight Employee Values.
The recipients were:
• “Be Accountable and Act with Integrity” – Michelle Baker
• “Collaborate as a Team” – Members of the Paiute Neighborhood Water Shut-Off Team: Leticia Beltran, Helen Gandara, Malcolm Hankins, Debora Johnson, Susan Hagen- Smith, Joseph Kertesz, Paul Ludwick, Anthony Mangini, Scott Popp, Luis Santaella, Valerie Trujillo, and Jeffrey Walther.
• “Focus on Quality Customer Service” – Members of Granite Reef Senior Center Team: Zachary Blechner, Donna Brower, Candy Campbell, Kristi Hahn-McDonald, Mayia Hernandez, Rebecca Joynt, Alex Larriva, Kim Mehlhorn, Nick Molinari, Jennifer Murphy, Jessica Rapp, Cynthia Salk, April Slater, and Clifford Van Loh.
• “Learn and Grow Continuously” – Members from Police Department Bike and Mounted Units: Chet Anderson , Christian Bailey, Austin Beck, Aaron Bolin, Eric Bolles, Bob Bonnette, Jr. , Bryan Brown, Daniel Garcia, John Miller, Steven Negron, Gary Sheldon, Kevin Watts, Paul Wein and Andrew Wilson.
• “Listen, Communicate, Take Action” – Raun Keagy
• “Plan and Innovate Award” – Irrigation Systems Team: Mike Akins, Jeremy Hildebrandt, David Gray, Thomas Loughlin, Mitchell Mielke, Nicola Petrov, David Pratt, Dion Romero, and Bob Salin.
• “Respect the Individual Award” – Carlo Rascon
• “Show Caring and Compassion Award” – Robert Clark and Ashley Gentry
