Fifty employees honored for 678 years of service

By Danielle Frost

Smoke Signals staff writer

Fifty Tribal employees, all hired in the last quarter of their respective year, were honored for a combined 678 years of service to the Grand Ronde Tribe at a Years of Service awards ceremony held Thursday, Dec. 19, during the staff Christmas party at Spirit Mountain Casino.

Health & Wellness Center Business Office Manager Tresa Mercier continued to set the longevity record of employment with the Tribe with 35 years of service.

One other Mercier – Public Works Coordinator John – was honored for reaching his 29^th year of service to the Tribe.

Tribal Council member Steve Bobb Sr. led the invocation and then thanked employees for their collective efforts.

“It’s our time to put the focus on you,” Bobb said. “You are the backbone of this organization. Whether you’ve been here 20 years or 20 days, you are valued.”

Tribal Council Vice Chair Chris Mercier said that Tribal Council members get a lot of the credit, but a majority of that is due to the dedication and hard work of Tribal employees.

“Some of the skills and talents you have I could never learn,” he said. “I speak for all of council when I say I deeply appreciate all of you.”

Other Tribal Council members in attendance included Denise Harvey, Michael Langley, Kathleen George, Jack Giffen Jr., Secretary Jon A. George and Lisa Leno.

Achieving the 24-year mark in employment were Social Services Department Manager Dana Ainam, Facilities Senior Administrative Assistant Daphney Colton, Asset Inventory Specialist Jerry George, Employee Benefits Administrator Tammy Gould, Records Clerk Hollie Mercier and Compensation/HRIS Administrator Candy Scranton.

Ceded Lands Manager Michael Karnosh reached 23 years of service. Rounding out employees reaching or exceeding two decades with the Tribe were Dental Assistant Donnette Spaulding, Cultural Education Specialist Crystal Szczepanski and Tribal Court Judicial Assistant Julie Boekhoff with 22 years of services, and Procurement Department Manager Nathan Rolston with 20 years.

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

19 years: Planning & Grants Development Manager Kim Rogers.

18 years: Home Improvement Coordinator Donald Coon.

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

16 years: High School/Adult Education Chinuk Wawa Teacher Kathy Cole.

15 years: Early Childhood Education Cook Rebecca Goeserich.

14 years: Home Improvement Coordinator Loyal Hamilton, Gaming Commission Compliance Manager Rose Smith and Post Treatment Counselor Christopher Holliday.

13 years: Technology Technician Joe Loomis and Chachalu Museum & Cultural Center Senior Administrative Assistant Tauni McCammon.

12 years: Senior Staff Attorney Jennifer Biesack, Housing Administrative Program Manager Joan Dugger and Community Health Events Coordinator Kandee Little.

11 years: Billings/Auditing Specialist Desiree Allen, Cultural Education Specialist Flicka Lucero and 6-12 Tutor Isaiah Sherwood.

10 years: X-ray Technician Niki Mosley and Swing Shift Housekeeper Levi Liebelt.

8 years: Security Officer Daniel Hyatt, Engineering and Public Works Manager Jesse White, Pharmacy Technician Stephanie Wolfe, Senior Applications Administrator Jose Luna and Maintenance Technician Brent Buckner.

7 years: Maintenance Technician/Groundskeeper Nicholas Kimsey, Pharmacy Technician Cindy Brickell, Secretary/Medical Assistant Jamie Adams and K5 Tutor/Advisor Lead Devin Boekhoff.

6 years: HVAC Technician Daron Pond Jr., Payroll Administrator Michelle Peterson, Groundskeeper Anthony Henry, Youth Education Tutor/Advisor Emily Rawls and Housing Groundskeeper Edward Denhem II.  

5 years: Day Shift Housekeeper Shelly Fox, Medical Assistant Amanda Walker, K5 Tutor/Advisor Santi Atanacio, Community Fund Administrative Assistant Marissa Leno and Chinuk Immersion Preschool Classroom Aide Shantell Ulestad-Salinas.

General Manager David Fullerton announced names while Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez handed out certificates of appreciation and Tribal Council members shook employees’ hands and also dispensed occasional hugs.

Tribal employees were treated to a catered lunch, which included prime rib, salmon, turkey, sage stuffing, mashed potatoes, fresh vegetables, green salad, pasta salad, fruit salad, rolls and several dessert options. Raffles were conducted throughout the event that included gift cards to Best Buy, Target, Walmart, Home Depot, Dutch Bros. and Cabelas, as well as tickets to see the Portland Trail Blazers and Winter Hawks.

The event also included an ugly sweater contest. Winners were Housing Maintenance Technician Anthony Quenelle, Preschool Substitute Teacher Amber Purcell and Youth Prevention Program Coordinator Angey Rideout.

All employees received a holiday bonus check of $200 on Dec. 18 and a water bottle, insulated cup and mug at the event.

Employees recognized during the Years of Service awards received an additional bonus check and those reaching the 10-year mark also received a Tribal Pendleton blanket or extra $100.

After the Years of Service event concluded, employees were granted paid administrative leave for the remainder of the day.