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Our campus and facilities are serviced by dedicated employees working as a team to enhance the safety and resiliency of the ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ community. On January 23, 2025 several outstanding team members were recognized for their significant contributions to the university this past year. The following are recipients of the 2024 I&R annual awards:

DEI Awards

Chris Cox and Rachel Eastman�� ~Submitted by Tim Lockhart

“I am honored to nominate Karina, William, Chris and Rachel for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award. This exceptional team exemplified the power of cross-departmental collaboration by successfully translating our Custodial Core training program from English to Spanish. Their efforts not only enhanced accessibility for our non-native English-speaking staff but also fostered a more inclusive workplace culture.

Recognizing the barriers that language can create, Chris and Rachel spearheaded the initiative, identifying the need for equitable training resources for all employees. Karina brought her expertise in translation, ensuring that the content was not only accurate but also culturally relevant. William coordinated the logistical aspects, making sure that all staff were informed and supported throughout the process.

Together, they broke down silos within our organization, demonstrating a commitment to safety, diversity and inclusion. Their collaborative spirit and dedication to creating equitable opportunities for all employees have set a new standard for teamwork and innovation at CU.

I wholeheartedly recommend this team for the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award in recognition of their outstanding contributions and the positive impact they have made on campus.”

Hellems Team~Submitted by Amy Kirtland

“Throughout the duration of this project, I've been impressed by the strong internal team working on Hellems. This has not solely been a design and construction project; it's been a project that has included change management efforts, creative swing space solutions for both interior and exterior spaces, proactive messaging and communications to the campus community, and preservation and reimaging of the first Klauder designed building on campus.��The project team continuously act as campus stewards, and one example of this is how they proactively tackled negative feedback about construction fencing and modified campus pathways (could have been easy to dismiss one person's feedback about an altered campus pathway, but the team worked with the contractor to quickly make on site changes to improve the issue).�� Project managers have been particularly thoughtful about honoring the land’s history. ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ land acknowledgement will be at the main entrance and on the east side of the building, where medicinal and native plants will be planted, along with engravings in seating areas and indigenous art.”������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Rubi Andazola ~Submitted by Kelsey Draper and Wilson Batdorf

“We are honored to nominate Rubi Andazola for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award. Her exceptional commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace culture makes her a truly deserving candidate.

Rubi has been a driving force in promoting inclusivity, notably through her dedication to encouraging participation in our recently relaunched GED program. She has motivated her team and others throughout the department to take advantage of this and other valuable opportunities, including the computer literacy program, PERA, open enrollment for tuition assistance, and ESL classes for both personal and professional growth. Her proactive support has created a pathway for employees to advance their education and broaden their opportunities, underscoring her commitment to their development.

Rubi’s warmth and her natural ability to connect with the Information and Referral (I&R) team have had a profound impact. Her positive energy is truly infectious, bringing a renewed sense of enthusiasm and support within the department. By fostering this sense of community, Rubi has uplifted her colleagues and inspired a stronger commitment to inclusivity.

Rubi's leadership through these actions exemplifies her dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her passion and care for others have made a tangible difference, creating an environment where everyone feels encouraged, valued, and empowered.”���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������

Safety Awards

Christian Parker ~Submitted by Don Fitzpatrick

“Christian is the supervisor for our horticulture team. I have had a chance to observe Christian, and I’ll be honest, she does an amazing job coaching, developing, and mentoring her team members, always focusing on safety. Christian also reaches out to me to discuss safety concerns and hazards around campus. Not only does she report the problem, but Chrisitan already has a plan to correct the hazard. Nice job, Christian!����������

Daniel Buendia ~Submitted by Kevin Crosby

“Danny has been an excellent resource for projects in ensuring we meet accessibility requirements as well as being point person for Fall Prevention projects and other safety related items.”

Sabastion Fresquez ~Submitted by Gerald Donnelly

“Sabastion goes above and beyond to make sure jobs are safe and when operating the lift he makes sure everything is safe, including the students and the staff.�� He is an excellent safety person.

Student Award

Alex Melvin, Lorna Platt and Sophie Swift ~Submitted by Charles Holstein

“Alex, Lorna, and Sophie were our student horticulture team this summer and fall.�� They worked 40 hours a week through the summer, pulling weeds in the hot sun, and did so with good humor, good communication, and an excellent work ethic!��This was the first summer with a dedicated Horticulture team on East Campus, and these three students did so much of the weeding and general labor, that I was able to focus on developing the program and training my new full-time employees.�� This wouldn't have been possible without a student team that I knew I could depend on.�� The three of them worked together seamlessly, always kept busy, did an excellent job of communicating things they saw in the field that they thought I should know, and in general were a huge, huge, help to me personally and our crew in general.��I've had lots of student employees in my time here, and Sophie, Lorna, and Alex are some of the bests I've ever had.��It was my good luck to get them all at once!”����������������������������������������������������������

Team Awards

Marcelino Ruiz III, Danny Gallegos, Adam Garrett and Scott Nelson ~Submitted by Cate Antil

“In just a few months, Marcelino learned the ropes, took the reins & performed with honor & integrity. Constant open-door availability, always able to be interrupted & fully present for the matter at hand. Respectful of all and fair. Already balancing several plates in the air at once, never negative or grumpy. Includes all necessary parties in decision-making whenever possible, helping all feel included. Willing & able to take time to explain the why of decisions & always checks in with everyone on duty before leaving each day. Scott, Danny and Adam are always willing to help, share extensive institutional knowledge.”��������������������������������������������������������������

Elizabeth Goetz and Timothy Varrone ~Submitted by Wilson Batdorf and Kevin Griffin

“I am pleased to nominate the GIS Team for the Teamwork Award. Their extraordinary accomplishments, collaborative spirit, and innovative use of tools have made them an invaluable asset to our campus, providing support and resources that are hard to quantify yet easy to see.

The GIS Team is one of the most powerful units within Information and Referral (I&R), with their remarkable ability to create and share mapped resources that inform the daily work of Facilities Management and numerous other stakeholders across campus. Recently, they undertook a major initiative, migrating all campus utility data and maps from Munsys to the enterprise ESRI platform. This project involved migrating thousands of data points over the course of more than a year—a monumental task that required both precision and dedication.

Beyond the campus utility map, this team manages other essential resources, including the construction cone zone map, parking and bus maps, and tree mapping, while collaborating closely with CUPD, EH&S, and many other campus partners. Their accurate management of the mapping of over 1,100 acres of land and more than 13 million gross square feet of building space is a testament to their skill and dedication.

The GIS Team's commitment to teamwork and communication has led to significant outcomes and a supportive, can-do atmosphere. Liz, the team’s cornerstone, is consistently solution-oriented, exploring every request to find ways to make it happen. Tim, the newest member, has brought a fresh enthusiasm and a spirit of curiosity that has helped maintain the team’s momentum. Together, they combine expertise with creativity, delivering exceptional service that has elevated our campus infrastructure.

With their dedication to their craft, the GIS Team brings value to campus every day. Their efforts not only support the goals of others but also create a collaborative and enjoyable work environment that fuels their continued success.”�������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������

Plumbing and Steam Shop ~Submitted by John Gleason

“I would like to give a heartfelt thank you to all the hard-working and highly skilled staff in the Plumbing & Steam shop for their continued diligence in supporting our mission as a customer service organization. The criticality of the systems supported by this work unit for our research community in maintaining systems that keep our campus community safe can't be underestimated. I have received many customer feedback communications over this past year from our campus community thanking this work unit for their positive attitudes, helpfulness and quality work which is highly appreciated.

Your hard work deserves recognition and a HUGE THANK YOU!”��

Recycling and Solid Waste ~Submitted by Scott Redder

“Zack Tupper forwarded me an email chain from Sam Miller and Karli Hardesty.��Below are some excerpts that identify the amazing teamwork, customer service and dedication to zero waste.

From Zack:�� Hey Scott,

We don’t recognize your hard-working team as often as we should. Folks like Jason are central to our operation. And folks like Jason making doing our jobs fulfilling and rewarding. I’m not sure if there’s an award we can nominate him for, or if I can treat his team to lunch. Just let me know. We just want to make sure he’s recognized for his efforts.��

From Sam:��Hi Team,

I just wanted to share an awesome experience I just had. Admissions is cleaning a storeroom in the basement of ARCE and had 5 pallets of recycling they wanted picked up (see pic). I reached out to Jason Tavares (thanks for the contact, Michael!) and here is where it gets crazy… Jason responded in 15 minutes and had a truck and 7 people onsite 20 minutes later. They had all the recycling cleared in less than 30 minutes. All in all, the entire process took about an hour.�� I joke about how slow the University is, but Jason and team jumped on this and knocked out a big project in virtually no time at all, way to go CU solid waste and recycling team!

From Karli:�� Hi

If helpful I can add support that Jason was exactly as Sam describes in his experience when we needed help with large amounts of packing materials from the MCOL Entomology collections project in August.�� Effective communication, fast response time to both emails and action in getting items removed for us.���������������������������� ������������������������������������������������������������������������

“I am nominating the solid waste and recycling team for their outstanding contributions to our campus environment, particularly highlighting their initiative over the summer to paint the 109 trash dumpsters located throughout campus. This project not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of our campus but also fosters a sense of community pride and responsibility toward maintaining a clean environment.

The decision to beautify the trash dumpsters reflects a creative approach to solid waste management. By transforming these often-overlooked elements into vibrant, artistic installations, the team has effectively raised awareness about recycling and waste disposal. This initiative serves as a constant reminder to the campus community about the importance of sustainable practices, making the message of environmental stewardship more visible and engaging.

Moreover, the success of this project can be attributed to the exceptional teamwork displayed by the solid waste and recycling team. Their collaboration ensured that every step, from planning and design to execution, was carried out efficiently and effectively. Each member brought their unique skills and perspectives to the table, demonstrating the power of collective effort in achieving a common goal. This spirit of cooperation not only made the project successful but also strengthened their bond as a team, setting an example of what can be achieved when individuals work together with a shared vision.

In summary, the solid waste and recycling team's initiative to beautify the trash dumpsters is a testament to their creativity, commitment, and collaborative spirit. Their efforts not only improve the visual landscape of our campus but also promote a culture of sustainability, making them deserving candidates for this nomination.”������ ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

��~Submitted by Jason Tavares

“Only a few folks pay close attention to their waste.�� That is, until it doesn't get picked up and makes its presence known through the nose. The solid waste and recycling drivers work shifts amounting to seven days a week to ensure your trash and recycling get picked up in a timely fashion. In the winter, they have to roll dumpsters out of ice traps and through snowdrifts, not to mention working outside in the early morning sub-freezing dark before the rest of campus awakens. Every day, they have to climb in and out of their trucks a lot more than you might think, and it requires effort.�� During the summer they use their welding and mechanical skills to repair the damage wrought by wear and tear on heavy machinery.�� The current team has been a very cohesive unit working seamlessly together.”

��~Submitted by Barry Sparks

Individual Awards

Alex Hughes ~Submitted by Charles Holstein

“I could have nominated Alex in several of these categories, so I went with the one that was more of a catch-all.�� Alex is an excellent employee, and more important, excellent human being, whose presence improves our entire work unit.�� Alex is kind, patient, very knowledgeable, willing to help, and all around a credit to Grounds and FacMan.�� He comes to work every day with a great attitude, and often offers to help his teammates with anything they need.�� Alex became a licensed pesticide applicator this year, and has helped develop the program on East Campus, specifically with an eye for safety and a buddy system to help our Native Area Manager.�� Alex serves on the Grounds Safety Committee and is diligent in representing out concerns and sharing valuable information both up and down the chain.�� Alex has been instrumental in helping me develop the Horticulture program on East Campus and has helped train several new employees with patience and kindness, including those hired as his peers.�� He was instrumental in restarting our annual planting program, and the autumn bulb program.�� In general, Alex brings a helpful, warm, positive attitude to the work unit every day, and is seen as a leader and inspiration by everyone on the crew.”����������������������������������������������������������������������

Adam Sitzman�� ��~Submitted by Max Wachsteter

“Adam mentored me when I first started working at grounds as a student. He has done this for many other students before me and is one of the most tenured employees in the grounds/horticulture department. For years during his career at CU he has done the odd jobs, random things, and taken care of various unseen problems that most never notice. There are flower beds that would not bloom if Mr. Sitzman had not planted them.�� Water features that would not flow if he did not clear their storm drains. And certainly he is one of the most dedicated and passionate CU football fans there is, in my opinion he gives my peers in the student section a run for their money when it comes to enthusiasm. Which is something he brings to the workplace every day as well. For these reasons I nominate Adam Sitzman for the Unsung Hero Award.”��������������������������������������

Brian Richardson ~Submitted by Dev Chaudhary

“I am pleased to nominate OCC lead, Brian Richardson for the Unsung Hero Award. His dedication and behind-the-scenes contribution to the operation of Facilities Management, including different trades shops and custodial teams have been invaluable. Brian is integral to the daily operations of the OCC, overseeing scheduling and the implementation of policies and procedures. He also ensures that all custodial emergency contacts are up-to-date and keeps the information current. As a lead of the project review board, Brian actively fosters collaboration between the OCC and departments across Facilities Management, such as Building Services and Trades shops. This coordination ensures smooth communication and keeps everyone on the same page.

Brian’s contributions go well beyond the OCC. As a safety committee member, he actively promotes workplace safety. He also serves as a liaison for Facilities Management coordinating football games and special events at the stadium. From securing season parking passes for game day support staff to collaborating with Athletics and distributing credentials to participating departments, custodial teams, and trades shops, Brian plays a vital role in ensuring these events run smoothly. Brian consistently goes above and beyond and has helped with initiatives like restroom audits for new State laws and the successful NOAC conference, where our team received excellent feedback for outstanding customer service. His strong organizational skills and ability to resolve issues quickly make him an important asset to our team.

In addition to event coordination, Brian provides essential support with AIM work orders, offering guidance and troubleshooting whenever needed. Brian and his team at OCC were instrumental in helping me and other custodial supervisors navigate the Asset Works System after its implementation, providing support behind the scenes beyond formal training to enhance our understanding.

Brian’s efforts to ensure the smooth operation of the OCC by promptly creating and assigning work orders to the appropriate teams, as well as managing and coordinating support during emergencies, often go unnoticed, however, his dedication, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence make him an ideal candidate for the Unsung Hero Award. Also, his positive attitude, professionalism, and responsiveness make him a pleasure to work with. I believe his exceptional contributions deserve this recognition.”������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

Bounsou Signothahack ~Submitted by Tony McKnabb

“Bounsou brings strong assets to her role on our team, and we are incredibly fortunate to have her as our team lead. She is a consummate professional in all her duties and always goes above and beyond to ensure the team members have what they need to complete their task in a timely manner and that all of our customers’ needs are met. She hand-delivers supplies to the closets in all 20 of our buildings, which is an incredibly physical task not to mention very time consuming. Bounsou is amazing in supporting the organization as she volunteers for all overtime including all home football games, concerts, Bolder Boulder, finals OT and the yearly fixed seating upholstery cleaning project. She also covers all the weekend OT request from Macky auditorium which can be a taxing thing, as sometimes she is asked to come in to support more than 1 event a day as during the holidays they will have performances on Friday night, two on Saturday and one or two on a Sunday. Bounsou continues to participate in the ESL (English second language) which greatly helps her in interacting not only with the team, but all of the customers she comes in contact with on a daily basis.”������������������������������������������������������������������

Cheri Baumgartner ~Submitted by Claire Stecker

“Cheri exemplifies outstanding dedication and commitment to supporting our team and ensuring the best service for our students. Whether she's driving a bus due to staffing shortages or tackling tasks at her desk, she consistently prioritizes the needs of our students.

Her leadership shines through in her interactions with bus drivers, where she balances firm guidance with uplifting encouragement. Cheri’s presence in the office transforms the atmosphere; her positive attitude and infectious smile uplift everyone's spirits. Which increases bus drivers and managers desire to keep on pushing for the best service we can provide.

Additionally, Cheri engages students with delightful sing-alongs during bus rides, creating memorable experiences, such as organizing birthday celebrations where entire buses join in singing "Happy Birthday" for a student. Her exceptional communication, diligence, and ability to foster a joyful environment earns her glowing feedback from both colleagues and students alike. Cheri truly embodies excellence in customer service.”���������� ��������������������������������������������������������������������������

Chris Velardo

“Chris is an outstanding employee.�� He is always happy to help fellow team members, whether it be training them on equipment or by teaching them different mow/snow routes. He leads by example with his good work ethic and is someone that I can count on to get tasks done well without having to be asked. I think because he is self-efficient and needs little direction that his work doesn't always get the recognition it deserves.�� Chris has shown during his 9 years working for the East Campus Grounds Crew how much he cares about the campus, and I wanted to acknowledge and thank him for that. He is an integral part of the team!”

��~Submitted by Trent Wilson

Chris Velardo is someone who has the knowledge and experience in his position and is always willing to help teach others. Knowing that he is around gives others, like myself, confidence in my job. Not only do people look up to him because of the work he does, but they also seek advice from him knowing that he shares his expertise in the hope to educate people in the work they do. Having Chris in this department made my job and many others better and he makes CU better! We need people like Chris in our workplace.

~Submitted by Joshua Hollingshead

Chuck Whitecotton

“I’d like to nominate Chuck for his ongoing support in so many areas that go beyond IT. I have had the pleasure of working next to Chucks office at the Stadium over the last year as well as participate with him in Extreme Ownership and Dichotomy of Leadership. He has been a huge help offering resources that have made a real difference in my projects and my working environment. His knowledge and relationships on the campus have brought value to the way he shows support to me and other that I see showing up at his office asking for help. Chuck is also great at recognizing others around him and identifying ways he can offer assistance when he sees the need. On several occasions I have had ongoing conversations about Extreme Ownership principles that have held me accountable and encouraged me to do better. ��Besides my own interactions with Chuck, I have heard many others sing his praises as well, so I can confidently say that I believe others would agree with recognizing Chuck and his contributions to the I & R community.” ����������������������������������������������������

~Submitted by Michelle Nelson

“Chuck has done so many amazing things for the transpiration department. He has come over to our office so many times to help with problems including getting bus drivers set up with cell phones, that I joke that he should have his own desk in our office. Any time we have question or suggestion, he always is here to help with a smile on his face. Without Chuck, I don't think transportation would be able to get any work done.”����������������������������������������������������������

~Submitted by Claire Stecker

“Chuck showed great leadership of our team while I was away on vacation. When faced with unforeseen events he showed professionalism and exceptional initiative. He managed critical projects while effectively communicating with our end users. Although we were short staffed, Chuck ensured the team remained on track to meet deadlines. Due to his exceptional work ethic and leadership abilities, my return to office felt seamless and we remained on schedule with no delays.” ����

��~Submitted by Sandy Thrapp

Efren Avitia Nevarez

“The following email was sent showing Efren's dedication to exemplary customer service.

Dear Operations Control Center Team:

I would really like to thank Efren who so quickly responded to the toilet overflow issue on the 2nd Floor of 914 Broadway/Chancellor’s Admin. Bldg today. We didn’t get the water turned off at the base of the toilet very quickly, and regrettably, the toilet overflowed fairly significantly this time, and soaked the carpet immediately outside the restroom. I also think the water caused a seal in the tile to break, as there is now a split in the tile.

��

Efren responded very quickly. Expertly and kindly used a wet-vac to remove the excess water and remedy the situation.�� Efren also noted that we should check the first floor for any water damage in the offices / rooms below. Thankfully, those areas looked fine. We are so grateful to Efren!!! Please share our appreciation with him for his exceptional service today! We are all grateful! Thanks so much!”

Kind regards,

Maggie

��~Submitted by Charles Redder

Irma Bernard

“Irma is a great supervisor. She is kind to everyone on the team. She went out of her way to help people when they needed help. She has always treated us with respect. I like that she tried to be fair to everyone and doesn’t really favor one person over another. I hope that she will stay wonderful like that forever.
I haven't been working here for very long but got lucky to work for wonderful supervisors like Irma ,Rocio and Rickie . ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ should have more leadership like them. Thank you.”

�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ~Submitted by Tanya Nguyen

Jason Cunningham

“Jason is a delight to have as a bus driver. He is helpful, and friendly to all his passengers AND they know him by name!

We love to see his handwritten thank you cards come in. We have a few ADA passengers that always ask for Jason, because of his friendliness, promptness and gentle driving. Jason has also come up with putting our Electric bus in the Boulder parade of lights this year for all the community to enjoy. Here at Transportation, we are very proud to have such a dedicated team player.”����������������������������

~Submitted by Cheri Baumgartner

Josh Hollingshead

“Josh has done a terrific job taking initiative in his new position as the native plant specialist. He has done a great job coordinating and communicating with the other east campus ground crews to maximize safety, efficiency, and productivity.”�������������������� ������������������������������������������������

��~Submitted by Ben Rovner

“I am pleased to nominate Josh Hollingshead for the annual leadership award for his exceptional work in native weed management on our campus. In this newly established role, he has taken initiative, quickly becoming an expert in managing noxious weeds while actively seeking advice from his team.

His leadership is evident in how he has effectively coordinated efforts with main campus and East campus, leading to a significant decrease in noxious weed populations this year. He inspires collaboration among the grounds department while fostering a learning environment for his colleagues.

Josh also researches and collects native plant seeds, promoting biodiversity and enriching our campus landscape. His dedication not only transforms our environment but inspires both staff and students to appreciate and engage with our native habitats.

In summary, Josh exemplifies leadership through his commitment, collaboration, and tangible impact on campus ecology.”��������������������������������������������������

���� ~Submitted by Alex Hughes

John Kline

“John stepped up in a big way this year covering electrical inspections for campus over an extended period of time.�� He was immediately willing to jump into the mix, and this was critical as the campus was seeing a significant uptick in construction activity.��He did over 300 inspections in this backup role, and his expertise and responsiveness really helped keep the inspection program on track.�� Thank you, John.”

~Submitted by Zac Niehues

Janet Walker

“I would like to nominate Janet for all of her hard work with handling the work wear orders and organization, plus all of the behind the scenes work she does on a regular basis.”��������������������������������������������������

~Submitted by Cynthia McClure-Begley

“Janet consistently provides all the high-quality and thoroughly-considered logistics to make our department run smoothly. From making sure all the department cars are serviced and working, and to helping us with scheduling them; scheduling all the lunch and learn meetings with vendors (coordinating with vendors, ensuring lunch is provided, creating calendar appointments, providing virtual access to the meeting); ordering annual calendars for the department; as well as numerous administrative items I am unaware of. Her organizational strengths came together with in the recent purchase of new work wear for the department: I imagine many other people worked on this project in which she coordinated efforts, she also made it easy for staff to select an item by trying it on then mark it on an order form, and upon arrival of the work wear, worked with other(s) to arrange and make sure everyone got the item they ordered. I can only imagine, many others are also grateful for her many attributes that make the logistics of working here seemingly effortless, as well as add to the anchoring our culture.”������������������������������������������������������������������������

��~Submitted by Holly Opansky

“Among other things, Janet oversees our front desk, manages our As-Needed AE program, organizes and executes all the Lunch 'n' Learns, ensures we have access to needed supplies, distributes important campus notifications, organizes and hosts department events, and recently spent hours managing the orders and distribution of our new I&R wear.�� She does all this efficiently and quietly, not needing or drawing attention for herself but always working to ensure our department and events run smoothly. She is most definitely an unsung hero for PD&C!”������������������������������������������������������������������������

���� ~Submitted by Dena Heisner

Matt Gess

“Matt proved himself to be an exceptional leader when he stepped into the role of supervisor for the Building Engineer team. He was our supervisor for just under 2 years, and in that time he made a noticeable and appreciated impact on the Building Engineer team. When this opportunity landed on Matt's desk, he took it in stride with a sense of ownership and responsibility for the direction of the shop.

Something I really appreciated from him was how he didn't immediately jump in and start making changes. Rather, he made a point to get to know the team first, taking a chance to learn how (and why) we operate and what the needs of our group were. From there he was able to direct us, paying great attention to developing us in a group setting and in one-on-one sessions. He always took time to answer our questions, and never hesitated to join us in the field to help assess a problem.

As a team member, it constantly felt like we had someone in our corner who would stand up for us behind closed doors and had our backs. Matt initiated some positive changes in our processes that had been stagnant before, and this was a big game changer for us.

Our group greatly appreciates the attention and ownership he dedicated towards our team while he was with us, and we're happy to see him moving onto a new role. I think he has left us off in a good place. Our team has great morale, we have dialed in some processes that were lacking before, and we are on a good foot to successfully move forward with our new supervisor.

Matt did a great job earning his role as leader and left our group better off than he found it and that's why he deserves this nomination.”����������������������������������������������������������������������

��~Submitted by Christian Brooks

Patty Roma

“I am nominating Patty because she did an absolutely amazing job navigating a few very logistically challenging projects that served several campus clients, including DM, Parking, Housing, and Athletics. These projects required closing down several parking lots, roads, pedestrian pathways, and plazas over the Summer for maintenance on a very tight timeline. This is a challenge in and of itself with the impact these closures can have to campus operations, but she also had to coordinate these exterior closures around several major campus events, like: graduations, the Boy Scouts National Conference, concerts, athletic events, other construction projects, and campus move in to name a few. Her awesome communication and coordination with various campus stakeholders, along with her positive "Let's get it done!" attitude, made this scheduling gymnastics and project execution look like a breeze - though, I am most certain it was not. On top of the numerous kudos I have heard from campus clients regarding Patty's excellent customer service and project execution, I have also had several contractors as well as people from the City of Boulder and Boulder community give high praise of Patty's work. Patty, thank you for all that you do to make Campus a better place! You are an incredible asset to PD&C and the University, and it is a pleasure working with you!”������ ��������������������

~Submitted by Kristin Bostelman

Richard Deborski

“Truth be told, Rich should be nominated for three of the categories, Excellence in Customer Service, Excellence in Leadership and Unsung Hero.�� I have worked with Rich for 18 years now.�� In fact, he was on the hiring team when I interviewed for my first position within PD&C.�� In all of the years that I have known and worked with Rich, I have always known him to be helpful to anyone who asks him and doesn't hesitate to reach out if he knows of someone who is struggling.�� Many customers, vendors and co-workers have told me over the years how much they respect him and value his personal and professional demeanor, patience, competency, and work ethic.�� I have never known him to seek public recognition but instead, he is content with quiet and sincere appreciation, so I would really like to see him receive an award this year.�� Thank you for your consideration.”������

~Submitted by Lori Black