OCEA Honors its Workplace Leaders at the Steward Awards

Dear OCEA member,

OCEA honored its workplace leaders at the annual Steward Awards Ceremony held virtually Thursday night from OCEA headquarters. OCEA's Stewards are the backbone of the union and those we honor this year each deserve the thanks of the community for faithfully performing their duties in the midst of a public health crisis.

There are four categories of awards this year recognizing Stewards from County agencies and Superior Court; Cities and Special Districts; those serving on the OCEA Board of Directors and the Frank Eley Award for Outstanding Board Service - the highest recognition OCEA confers to its members.

You can watch the ceremony by clicking here. The event includes OCEA President Lezlee Neebe's State of the Union Address and a report from General Manager Charles Barfield.

Here are the 2020 Steward Award winners from Cities and Special Districts:

Elia Renteria – Anaheim Municipal Employees Association; Tracy Nolan – Anaheim Municipal Employees Association;Kyle Oldoerp and Allyson Maddy – Irvine City Employees Association; Tim Davis and Monica Espinoza – Fountain Valley General Employees Association; Robert Gonzalez – Costa Mesa City Employees Association; Ryan Bohr – Costa Mesa City Employees Association; Dave Henry and Michelle Boyd - Orange County Water District; Joe Avila - Orange Municipal Employees Association; Ian Timmons – Fullerton Municipal Employees Federation; Vanessa Roddy - City of Seal Beach; Tony Gaetano – Santa Margarita Water District Employees Association; and Kavin Parikh – OC Fire Authority.

Here are the 2020 Steward Award winners from County agencies and Superior Court: 
Deborah Townes and Rhena Carusillo – Health Care Agency; Christina Thompkins – Social Services Agency; Michael Garcia - CEO/OCIT/OC Public Works; Sara DeSmet – Health Care Agency; Walter Muneton - Health Care Agency; Greg Fuller – Health Care Agency; Monica Ortega – OC Public Works; Anthony Carrillo – OC Public Works; Angela Perez – Social Services Agency; Leslie Gallant – OC Sheriff’s Department; Jennifer Morgan – OC Superior Court; and Mary Reynolds – OC Superior Court.

Here are the 2020 Steward Award winners from the OCEA Board of Directors:
Michael Mestas – Social Services Agency; Henry Leber - OC Sheriff’s Department; Sami Soto – OC Fire Authority; and Patty Hernandez – OC Probation Department.

And, the Frank Eley Award for Outstanding Board Service goes to OCEA President Lezlee Neebe on the occasion of her 25th Anniversary on the Board and in recognition of her contributions throughout 2020.

OCEA's workplace leaders are the foundation of our strength. There are plenty of flexible volunteer opportunities that allow you to get involved at your own pace. You can be a part of the great leadership Stewards bring to the workplace. 

Congratulations to all of our Stewards! Hopefully next year, we can all attend this wonderful event in person.

In Solidarity,

Charles Barfield
OCEA General Manager

Publication Date: December 16, 2020