Employee of the Year!


Voting ends November 26, 2003

Administrative Nominees for Employee of the Year:

  • Deborah Rogers
  • Pat Wright Technical Nominees for Employee of the Year:
  • Jean Gagliardo
  • Teresa Steinke

    Catagory: Administrator
    Nominee Name: Deborah Rogers
    Nominee Title: Executive Director
    Years Employed: 9 years
    Nominator: Charles Servinski, Dale Wolfgang, Louis Badour, Mike Atton, and Cindy Davidson

    Deborah Rogers, Executive Director of the Midland County Conservation District has been more than challenged to accomplish the extra ordinary.

    During the planning session of 2000, the board agreed to the long term goal of owning their own building, by the year 2006.

    Through Deb's persistence, a keen eye on the goal and the determination to make it happen, the Midland County Conservation District has their own building, 2 years ahead of time. Working hard each year to accomplish significant projects, keeping her eye on the horizon for Midland County's conservation needs, holding effective yearly planning sessions, continual resource assessment, scheduling, leading and evaluating those projects to determine the importance and impact of those projects on the community has allowed the District to accomplish this very significant milestone.

    If it had not been for Deb's grant writing expertise and her continued persistence and ability to stay focused on the goal, in addition to her excellent communications to the Midland Area Foundations in support of the grant requests, we would still be renting and wishing. Deb works hard to maintain a very efficient and competent office staff, in addition to her day-to-day interface and involvement that keeps the Midland Conservation District truly visible in the community.

    Thanks Deb! for being an enthusiastic mentor for the Midland Conservation District.

    Catagory: Administrator
    Nominee Name: Pat Wright
    Nominee Title: Education Coordinator
    Years Employed: 4 years
    Nominators: Bruce Davis, Director, and on behalf of the entire Board of Directors of Lapeer Conservation District

    As the Education Coordinator for the Lapeer Conservation District, Pat Wright is a part-time employee who makes a big-time impact on the youth in Lapeer County, her fellow workers, and the people who visit our office. Because her position receives very modest funding, much of Pat's impact is felt when she is working on her own time. In addition to her duties as Education Coordinator, Pat is always there to lend a helping hand, whether its covering the front desk, pitching in with office work, helping with our tree sales, or representing the District on a more personal level such as when someone close loses a loved one.

    However, Pat's biggest impact is on the youth of Lapeer County through the great relationship she's built with the kids. Her outstanding educational program includes:

    • Fall Soils Program: Impacts 1,431 fifth grade students including home school students;
    • Project Red - Earth Tunnel: Impacts 430 third grade students;
    • Poster Contest: Nine presentations and judging for 573 entries in 2004; and
    • Fundraising Program: A special tree sale in conjunction with Lapeer County schools, proceeds are split 50/50 between the schools and the LCD Education Program.

    Catagory: Technical
    Nominee Name: Jean Gagliardo
    Nominee Title: Groundwater Technician, Kalamazoo - St. Joseph Counties
    Years Employed: 4
    Nominators: Kalamazoo County Conservation District Staff

    Conservation District Technical Staff are offered many opportunities to expand their technical expertise and Jean Gagliardo, Groundwater Technician for Kalamazoo and St. Joseph Counties has availed herself of any educational tool to meet farmer's needs over these past 3 ½ years. She quickly accomplished her deliverables and developed a rapport with agency personnel, the private sector and landowners.

    Jean completed Conservation Planning modules I and II, Nutrient and Pest Management Courses, Water Quality, Soils, Project Wet and Grazing School. Partnering with MSU and Plant Growers Association, Jean introduced Greenhouse*A*Syst and brought 50 Greenhouse growers together, aiding them in coming into compliance under the new Water Use Reporting.

    Being a valuable technician brings with it the added benefit of being in the "always available to present" category. Jean's speaking include: Progressive Planning, MAEAP Level One, County Commissioner's Tour, NRCS training and a Horse owner MAEAP outreach workshop. Other activities include Irrigation Calibration Training and Nitrogen Research with MSU. Fifty producers from 5 counties attended Jean's Irrigation Calibration Workshop for which she raised $1000 in sponsorship.

    Jean's technical experience and horse background also placed her on the statewide Small Farm*A*Syst committee to develop this tool for non-traditional animal owners. Thank you for all the little extras you do for the staff.

    Good luck as our MAEAP technician.

    Catagory: Technical
    Nominee Name: Teresa Steinke
    Nominee Title: Groundwater Technician
    Years Employed: 4 years
    Nominators: Gaye Blind, Interim Administrator

    Perseverance and fortitude are two words that describe the groundwater technician of the St. Joseph River and Galien River Conservation Districts, Coming off the "most improved groundwater program of the year in 2003", Teresa just keeps getting better. Even after her top notch efforts earned a "2005 Program Cancellation" from the crumbling Galien River board of directors, Teresa Never faltered. With no administrative support, Teresa single-handedly worked all phases of her program. Her deliverables and commitment to the program continue to be top notch.

    I recently attended the 2005 Kickoff program. A number of well-deserved awards were given for significant accomplishments by groundwater technicians. No where could conditions for failure hve been more favorable, an the office environment more hostile, than Berrien County. In all areas: performance exceeding normal requirements, overcoming unusual difficulties, special effort or innovation resulting in hightly desirable benefits: a MAEAP Verified Farm, finishing up on a Livestock Verified Farm, and in here outstanding contributions to two conservation districts.

    My vote goes to Teresa Steinke, Groundwater Technician Extraordinaire.


    Voting ends November 26, 2003

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