January 20, 2012 –
Sam Mitchell (PBPN) was named the 2011 Employee of the Year and Employee of the Quarter at the All-Employee Meeting held this morning at the Bingo Hall. He is the head of the building/maintenance department and has been working in that department since 2009. Before that, he worked in the Early Childhood Education Center as a childcare worker for ten years. In his spare time, Sam attends college at Friends University and enjoys creating art. Most notable among his artworks are logos that he created for the PBPN Gathering and PB Construction company.
After the announcement of his win as Employee of the Quarter, Sam pointed out and credited members of his staff who were in the audience. They are Matthew Littleaxe, Derek Otero, and Burton Jones. In the photo’s background is Donna Valdivia-Wofford, Director of Human Resources.
Employees listen to updates and plans for 2012 at the meeting.
Liana Onnen, General Manager, thanked employees for their hard work last year and spoke about plans for the coming year.
Tribal Council gave out awards for years of service at the meeting. From left to right (back to camera and receiving one of the awards) is Russell Kern, Housing Department,Tribal Council members Steve Ortiz, Joyce Guerrero, and Jim Potter, and Shanna Smith who works in the Human Resources Department.
Chief of Police Mike Boswell (right) passed out certificates of appreciation for departments and individuals who assisted with the Christmas Adopt a Family Gift Drive. Above, Boswell shakes hands with Daniel Goombi who is on the Family Violence Prevention Program staff and was instrumental in helping with the gift-drive efforts.
Employees listen to Goombi and Kent Miller, who is with the Tribal Victims Assistance Program, talk about the issue of stalking. January is National Stalking Awareness Month. The Family Violence Prevention Program is housed in the Social Services wing at the Health Center and the Tribal Victims Assistance Program is housed at the Tribal Police Department.
Chairman Steve Ortiz spoke at the meeting and gave an update of what Tribal Council has been working on. He also provided a financial forecast concerning federal funding for 2012-2013 and casino expectations.
Eddie Joe Mitchell (left) and Chris DeCoteau won door prizes at the meeting and look ready to meet winter.