43 employees honored for 591 years of services

Forty-three Tribal employees, all hired in the last quarter of the year, were recognized for a combined 591 years of service to the Grand Ronde Tribe during an awards ceremony held Friday, Jan. 13, in the Tribal gym.

The event was originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 12, but Tribal offices were closed by inclement weather on Wednesday, Jan. 11, and did not re-open until 10 a.m. Thursday. However, Human Resources provided Smoke Signals with an advance list of employees being honored.

With every day she works, Health & Wellness Center Business Office Manager Tresa Mercier sets a longevity record with the Tribe that will be difficult to surpass. She was honored for her 32^nd year of working for the Tribe.

Two more Merciers – Tribal Librarian Marion and Acting Tribal Employment Rights Office Manager John – were honored for reaching their 26^th year of service to the Tribe.

Hitting the 21-year mark were Social Services Department Manager Dana Ainam, Recruitment/Employee Relations Administrator Daphney Colton, Asset Inventory Specialist Jerry George, Employee Benefits Administrator Tammy Gould, Member Services Administrative Assistant Hollie Mercier and Compensation/HRIS Administrator Candy Scranton.

Ceded Lands Manager Michael Karnosh rounded out the employees reaching or surpassing two decades of service by reaching the 20-year mark.

All employees reaching 20 years or more received a bonus check and Karnosh received an additional gift card.

Other employees recognized for their service of five years or more during the ceremony included:

19 years: Dental Assistant Donette Spaulding.

18 years: Health Information Supervisor Lillian Engel.

17 years: Chinuk Language Specialist Crystal Szcepanski.

16 years: Planning & Grants Development Manager Kim Rogers, Health & Wellness Accreditation Coordinator Jill Hafliger and Lead Shipping & Receiving Clerk Nathan Rolston.

15 years: Home Improvement Coordinator Donald Coon.

14 years: Police Chief Jake McKnight and Web Designer Willie Mercier.

13 years: High School Adult Education Chinuk Wawa Teacher Kathy Cole and Employee Relations Specialist Eva Simmons.

12 years: Early Head Start Home-Based Visitor Shawn Bobb and Early Childhood Education Cook Rebecca Goeserich.

11 years: Early Head Start Teacher Jessica Cruickshank, Child Abuse Investigator John Genera, Home Improvement Coordinator Loyal Hamilton and Gaming Commission Compliance Manager Rose Smith.

10 years: Technology Technician Joe Loomis and Purchased/Referred Care Specialist Tauni McCammon.

9 years: Senior Staff Attorney Jennifer Biesack, Cultural Education Specialist Brian Krehbiel, Housing Administrative Program Manager Joan Dugger and Wellness Driver Arnoldo Moralez.

8 years: Billings/Auditing Specialist Desireee Allen, Cultural Education Specialist Flicka Lucero, Pharmacy Clerk Isaiah Sherwood and Foster Care Coodinator Amanda Mercier.

7 years: X-ray Technician Niki Mosley.

6 years: TERO Secretary Keri Kimsey and Chinuk Wawa Teacher Jeff Mercier.

5 years: Security Officer Daniel Hyatt, Engineering and Public Works Manager Jesse White and Pharmacy Technician Stephanie Wolfe.

Tribal employees were served breakfast and after the awards were handed out a raffle was conducted that included door prizes and awards of additional administrative time.

All employees recognized received a bonus check and those reaching the 10-year mark also received a Tribal Pendleton blanket.

Editor’s note: This story was written in advance of the event to meet Smoke Signals printing deadlines.