 "Mike's work has been instrumental to the success of the Bureau of
Marketing, Promotion and Grants, in particular," said Agriculture
Director Bob Flider. "He has developed a new Web page for the bureau
and posted forms online for companies and partnerships to expedite
the delivery of information, specifically during planning for the
Illinois Products Expo and Ag Legislative Day events."Knepler, a
Springfield resident who has worked for the state 17 years, was
selected from among 11 Employee of the Month award winners. Other
finalists were Susan Baatz, Sherri Powell, Laurie Leuenberger, Tom
Waller, John Hughey, Lee McKean, Dawn Ribble, Kristi Jones, Kelly
Beck and Kent McFarland.
Wendy Call, an employee of the Division of Food Safety and Animal
Protection, was presented the Assistant Director's Fellowship Award.
Call, of Springfield, was honored for her "unfailing good cheer." As
one colleague wrote: "Wendy is known as a 'go to' person when others
need help. She truly fulfills the spirit of this award."
Former general counsel Shari West, an Illiopolis resident, won
the Ag Ambassador Award. According to co-workers, West's "natural
legal abilities and calming demeanor not only improved the public's
understanding of the department's services, but also promoted a
positive perception of the agricultural industry."
The Commitment to Quality Award was presented to the architects
of Driftwatch, a new, Web-based tool that aims to protect
pesticide-sensitive crops by improving communication between growers
and commercial pesticide applicators. The program allows specialty
growers to enter the location of their fields on an Internet map
that pesticide applicators can consult to avoid spraying sensitive
crops. Staff worked with representatives of Purdue University to
make it available. The team included Steve Chard and Kevin Rogers,
both of Springfield, Scott Frank of Mason City, and Warren Goetsch
of Williamsville.
The Ron King Award for Efficiency went to Linda McQuinn of
Springfield, an employee of the Bureau of Budget and Fiscal
Services.
"Linda has streamlined the agency's property accounting system,"
Flider said. "She has taken responsibility for all equipment
vouchers, ensuring that no item goes untagged and unrecorded, and
has worked with bureaus to ensure accurate and timely annual
property inventory reporting. She also has reconciled property
records and developed a system to surplus property to CMS on a
regular basis."
[to top of second column] |
Well-wishes were sent to Ted Tracy, the department's internal
auditor. Tracy, a member of the Illinois National Guard, currently
is serving in Afghanistan.
Twenty-seven employees were honored during the ceremony for 10,
20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of service. A complete list follows with
names and hometowns.
40 years:
35 years:
30 years:
25 years:
20 years:
-
Lynn Burton,
Galesburg
-
Leann Fitzgerald,
Rochester
-
Juliann Heminghous,
Chatham
-
Laurie Leuenberger,
Stonington
-
Donald Ruckman,
Altamont
-
Shelley Snyder,
Gilson
-
Craig Von Burg,
Carlyle
10 years:
-
Dennis Beckmier,
Humboldt
-
Robert Edwards,
Arcola
-
David Gleason,
Springfield
-
Brenda Shepherd,
Oneida
-
Barbara Stewart, Lamoille
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Agriculture
file received from the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
