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
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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.
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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.
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2021 Q3
Ritchie Valdez - Maintenance Technician ll
Over the last several years, Ritchie has taken ownership of the Microfiltration area of GWRS in many ways, particularly when it comes to monitoring membrane integrity by thoroughly investigating daily Pressure Decay Test (PDT) values and following up on valve issues that affect those results.
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2021 Q2
Crystal Nettles - Senior Communications Specialist
Crystal Nettles is an outstanding example of a dedicated employee who deserves to be recognized as OCWD’s Employee of the Quarter. This year, in particular, Crystal is deserving for her tireless work on planning and implementing the annual Youth Environmental Summit (YES), which transitioned from its usual two-day in-person event to a week-long virtual event in response to COVID-19 restrictions.
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2021 Q1
Tony Carreira - Operations Shift Supervisor
Tony supervises and performs a variety of tasks associated with the operation, routine maintenance and repair of the GWRS and GAP treatment plants. As a shift supervisor, Tony is responsible for prioritizing and assigning work.
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Employee of the Year
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2021
Ritchie Valdez, Maintenance Technician II
Ritchie's knowledge of the Microfiltration area of the GWRS and positive attitude has made it easy for him to work with others and pass on what he has learned over the years to other employees.
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2020
Tony Arocho and Miguel Chavez, Warehouse Technicians
Tony and Miguel were selected as employees of the year for their consistent and positive "can-do" attitude.
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2019
Natasha Issak, Human Resources Assistant
Natasha was selected as employee of the year for going above and beyond, not only for her group but for anyone around her.
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2017
Ray Camacho, Utility Maintenance Technician
Ray has an incredible work ethic and a positive attitude. When the maintenance utility duo became shorthanded, Ray provided additional help and pulled double duty for months.
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2016
Kim Dusky, Human Resources Specialist
Kim goes above and beyond in ensuring staff and new staff are well trained. She follows up and takes time out of her day to help others even when she is very busy.
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2015
Pedro Barrera, Maintenance Technician I
Pedro deserves to be Employee of the Year because of his ability to go above and beyond in performing his job duties. And always with a smile. Pedro sets a positive example for all OCWD employees to follow.
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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.
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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.
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2012
Nate Scheevel, Senior Engineer
Before becoming an engineer, Nate previously worked as a heavy equipment operator and a BCV Supervisor for OCWD. As the BCV Supervisor, and even now as an engineer, Nate has shown a high degree of initiative in his work performance.
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2011
John Souza, Shift Supervisor IV
As a Shift Supervisor in Water Production, John supervises GWRS plant operations and makes decisions that affect the overall success of the GWRS facility. John goes above and beyond what is expected and always gives 100 percent.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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2007
Matt Buis, Basin Cleaning Vehicle Operator
As the Basin Cleaning Vehicle Operator, Matt Buis proactively looks for ways to improve BCV performance including, but not limited to, managing the hose system, adjusting cleaning hood settings and other operational parameters.
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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.
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2006
Bonnie Nash, Habitat Restoration Manager
Bonnie Nash is OCWD’s Habitat Restoration Manager based at Prado Basin. Bonnie is a self-taught expert on wildlife and endangered species, and only one of six people who have a permit to work with the threatened Santa Ana Sucker fish.
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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.
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2004
Nira Yamachika, Director of Water Quality
The Orange County Water District employees have voted and we are pleased to announce that Nira Yamachika was nominated 2004 Employee of the Year!
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2003
Chris McConaughy, Chief Operator
The Orange County Water District employees were given the opportunity to vote for the Employee of the Year by choosing from the 12 previous Employee's of the Month. The 2003 Employee of the Year is Chris McConaughy.
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