Garland, Texas - May 17 - Garland Power & Light held its annual employee appreciation luncheon to handout awards and honor the Employees of the Year for the various divisions.
Director of Garland Power & Light, Jim Harder, opened the luncheon, which was held at the Pavilion of Firewheel Golf Club, welcomed the employees and extended the appreciation for their efforts in the past year. In his short presentation, Harder informed the group of the progress in deregulation and the status of various projects being undertaken by GP&L.
"We are continuing to sell power and doing very well at it," Harder said. "Last year our net revenue was over $15 million. From a financial standpoint the electric utility is in very healthy condition."
Harder pointed out that the $5 million program for renovating the underground cable system has reduced the amount of power outages by more than 76%.
Following the buffet luncheon, the awards ceremony was highlighted by the presentation of trophies to the Employees of the Year. The safety committee of each division selects an employee of the month. From these 12 honorees they then name the Employee of the Year. The selection committee considers safe working habits, attendance, no accidents and the contribution of the employee to the division. Also the employee's involvement in the community is given consideration.
Production Manager Dave Breedlove presented awards to Kevin Toler and Rose Berger, Production Division. Art Martinez, Assistant Utility Director, recognized Lauri Vornberg, Administration Division; Joe Nixon, Operations Division; Jimmy Caston and Ron Lipsey, Distribution Division; and Billy Springfield, Substation Division.
Mark Albright, Risk Manager for GP&L, recognized Mark Tidwell and Chuck Cox for having completed GP&L's federally recognized line technician apprenticeship program. The volunteers to the Lineman Rodeo Team, Richard Martinez, John Bender and Harold McNair, were acknowledged for their first year efforts and plans for the 2000 Lineman Rodeos.
From the Texas Safety Association, Albright announced that GP&L had been given the award of achievement for the reduction of lost time due to accidents. Safe driving awards were also issued by Albright for TSA. Recipients of the 10-year driving record were Harold McNair and Jose Guzman. Merit for 15 years safe driving went to Fred Ewing, Roy Trotter, Blane Owens, Jack Chipman, Patrick Polk, Jerry Lara, John Fults, Jeff English, Clay Alder, Sonie Jackson, George Flournoy and Juan Martinez.
Awards for 20 years of safety went to Bob Williams, Randy White, Charles Merritt, Melvin Bardfield, Frank Cranson, David White and Steve Foster.
Harder introduced guests at the luncheon, including Mayor Jim Spence, City Council members Reuben Avelar, Sharron Stotts, John Beach, Bob Schwarz, Lowell Hyatt, Jackie Feagin, Former Councilman Harris Hollabaugh; Utilities Advisory Board members Louis Howard and Jerry Partain; and City executives Jeff Muzzy and Bill Dollar.
GP&L employees Kathy Cumbie, Paul Kelly, Michael Young, Juan Martinez, and Terry Darby served as the committee directing the annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon. Glen Smith, Key Accounts Manager, was the master of ceremonies.
Ron Lipsey with Art Martinez awarding.
(L-R) Jimmy Caston, Billy Springfield, Rose Berger,
Lauri Vornberg and Kevin Toler. Not pictured, Joe Nixon.
