Employee of the quarter/year
The Employee of the Quarter and Year Program is established to recognize outstanding Orange County Water District (OCWD) employees and to acknowledge their contributions to OCWD. The program hopes to encourage quality work, process or continuous improvement, teamwork, savings, customer service, and a high level of dedication. The program recognizes OCWD employees are the source of our strength, reputation and innovation.
Employee of the Quarter
2022 Q1
Julio Polanco, Scientist
Julio has successfully completed a major project for OCWD R&D to evaluate removal of virus at OC Sanitation’s Plants 1 and 2. The District is now working with the California Division of Drinking Water to seek regulatory credit for virus log removal for GWRS because of this project. Julio played a critical role as the lead scientist for this project, executing this work over 2 years via coordination with OC San, plant sampling including onsite filtration, and data analysis using complex statistical methods and software programs.
2021 Q4
Julio Langarica – Recharge System Operator
Julio had received a SCADA alarm for power failure at 10:00 PM the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day. When he got to FHQ, he saw that the two power poles (which supply the FHQ Office) were snapped like toothpicks and the wire was lying across the road. The extreme winds had knocked them down and left FHQ with no power for three days.
Employee of the YEAR
2022
2003
2014
Frank Simone, Buyer
Frank deserves to be EOY because he does his job with extreme buying POWER! Frank should be admired for his calm, cool and determined attitude to get any requests accomplished. Frank is a joy to work with. Frank always conducts himself in a professional manner, always returns phone calls and sees projects through to completion.
2013
Don Houlihan, Recharge Operations Supervisor
Don is responsible for oversight of OCWD’s recharge operations including the planning for storms and imported water deliveries, movement of water around the District’s various recharge operations and conveyances, and the scheduling of basin cleanings and maintenance at dozens of geographically diverse locations.
2010
Janice Kovacevic, Senior Administrative Support Specialist
Janice is responsible for a wide range of activities for the Water Production Group and the District. This includes preparing many reports, numerous requisitions, helping prepare presentations and other duties. Supplying support for a staff of 60 requires a lot of effort and patience.
2009
Joe Flint, Sr. Maintenance Technician III
Since the start up of the GWR System, Joe Flint has taken ownership of the Trojan Advance Oxidation Process (AOP). He has distinguished himself in that effort by the development of new procedures and lamp inventory management practices. The procedures developed by Joe have maximized the utilization rate of UV lamps resulting in significant savings for OCWD and OCSD.
2008
Julio Langarica, Heavy Equipment Operator
Julio Langarica is such a dedicated employee that he not only performs his job well at OCWD’s Anaheim Field Headquarters, but he also garnered certification to conduct pest spraying along the Santa Ana River, which means a 3 a.m. start time. That’s 3 a.m. on top of a full day performing the task of being a heavy equipment operator!
2007
Dave Henry, Process Control System Programmer
Dave Henry oversees OCWD’s process control system for its Green Acres Project, a water recycling program that provides reclaimed water for landscape irrigation at parks, schools and golf courses as well as for industrial uses; and the Groundwater Replenishment (GWR) System, an innovative water purification project.
2005
Adrienne Campbell, Receptionist
When you walk up to or call the Orange County Water District (OCWD) reception desk, you are immediately greeted with a warm smile and a cheerful greeting followed by efficient and friendly service. This is the trademark of Adrienne Campbell who was just voted by the OCWD employees to be the OCWD employee of the year.
