Outstanding Customer Service Awards

Fourth Quarter 2016 Award Recipients

The individual who nominated Tom wrote:

“During the Planning of the M23.1k event, we called upon maintenance quite often for borrowing countless items like barriers, a generator, cords and other items. Not only did Tom help prepare these items for use, but after the event was over he was here to lend a hand. Certainly, Tom had many day-today duties that called him. That did not stop him from helping unload two U-Haul Trucks filled with supplies, and take over several loads of trash. All with a smile and a positive attitude.”

Number of Years Employed by Ottawa County:

11

The thing I like most about working for Ottawa County is:

I like the wide variety of challenges I can face every day and the fellow employee’s I work with and for.

The hardest thing I have ever done:

With the many different challenges my job and life give, it’s hard to pin it down to one thing.

You would be surprised to learn that:

Superhero’s aren’t real.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would you pick and why?

Mark Twain, I think his down to earth way of observing life and many different experiences would make for a great dinner.

If you had to spend all of your vacations for the rest of your life in the same place, where would you go and why?

Hawaii.

If you could travel back in time to any certain era or event, when/where would you pick and why?

I love aviation and space so I think the space age of the late 50’s early 60’s.

The individual who nominated Jessica wrote:

“Jessica is the plan review specialist for the food division of Environmental Health (she works with restaurant operators in opening and remodeling). She went to a new facility yesterday for their pre-opening inspection. There were several difficulties associated with the new operations for this facility regarding submitting necessary material in a timely manner, reluctance to work with our office on requirements, and a call to complain about these requirements and their perception of the process being in some way arbitrary or unfair. Jessica behaved with complete professionalism. She was unfailingly polite, even when some comments were made that were derogatory to her, the plan review process, and to Environmental Health procedures in general. She worked with the operators to identify operational issues, some necessary core corrections, and even suggestions on how to improve efficiency of operations and methods of saving money during operations. In fact, the operator gave her a hug when the plan review inspection was finished and approval given to operate! I am an inspector myself and have been inspecting for a number of years. Seldom do I see staff handle an unpleasant experience as well as Jessica did.”

Number of Years Employed by Ottawa County:

In March, it will be 4 years that I have worked for Ottawa County.

The thing I like most about working for Ottawa County is:

My co-workers, including administration are social, knowledgeable, and caring. I am also thankful that I have the freedom and flexibility to provide an opinion as well as face various obstacles and challenges that allows for personal growth and gain knowledge. Working in environmental health, no two days are the same.

The hardest thing I have ever done:

My senior year of college I was trying to find the balance between an internship at the Medical Examiner’s office, maintaining a 4.0, being a resident assistant for my apartment, and providing tours of my college campus. All of this required commitment and time management, and trying to find the time to have a social life. I don’t regret it.

You would be surprised to learn that:

I had this crazy idea my freshman year of college to travel to Ireland by myself. This is surprising considering I was quite shy growing up. One of the best trips of my life.

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would you pick and why?

My grandpa and grandma Voglewede. My grandpa passed away during my freshman year of college and my grandma this past October. I am very close with my family and I would really enjoy to have one last conversation with them both, they were inseparable.

If you had to spend all of your vacations for the rest of your life in the same place, where would you go and why?

A place where it is fall year round. In reality, I would be completely happy in traveling throughout central Europe. Good food and amazing architecture and history.

If you could travel back in time to any certain era or event, when/where would you pick and why?

The 11 times the Detroit Red Wings won the Stanley Cup. I would also like to go back to the 50’s to learn how to swing dance.