2023 Employee Service Awards by City of Cedar Rapids

2023

EMPLOYEE SERVICE AWARDS Celebrating service and dedication to the City of Cedar Rapids

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CITY EXECUTIVE TEAM

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

FROM THE MAYOR

5 YEARS OF SERVICE

10 YEARS OF SERVICE

15 YEARS OF SERVICE

20 YEARS OF SERVICE

25 YEARS OF SERVICE

30 YEARS OF SERVICE

35 YEARS OF SERVICE

40 YEARS OF SERVICE

2023 RETIREES

CITY EXECUTIVE TEAM

Jeff Pomeranz

Vanessa Chavez

Alissa Van Sloten

Angie Charipar

City Manager

City Attorney

City Clerk

Assistant City Manager

Amanda Grieder

Kevin Ciabatti

Jennifer Pratt

Bill Micheel

Assistant to the City Manager

Building Services

Community Development

Development Services

Heidi Stiffler

Chief Greg Smith

Rachelle Stewart

Shawn Smith

Interim Finance Director

Fire

Human Resources

Information Technology

Hashim Taylor

Interim Chief Tom Jonker

Bob Hammond

Roy Hesemann

Public Works

Utilities

Parks and Recreation

Police

Phillip Platz Communications Division Manager

FROM THE CITY MANAGER

s we celebrate the 13th annual Employee Service Awards, we congratulate the more than 190 team members who have dedicated their professional lives in service to Cedar Rapids. It is my pleasure to thank each of you for your individual service to our community. This year’s honorees represent 2,725 years of combined service, with anniversaries marking between 5 and 40 years of dedication to the City of Cedar Rapids. I would like to thank each of you for your service and commitment to the City of Cedar Rapids. Together with the City Council, the Executive Team, and leaders in every Department, it is my pleasure to honor all our employees who have reached significant milestones in their career. It is very important to take this opportunity to celebrate the work we do together to build a better community and provide a safe, healthy environment for the next generation. Thank you for all the work you do for your team and the Cedar Rapids community. Sincerely,

Jeff Pomeranz City Manager

FROM THE MAYOR

am thrilled to recognize the many dedicated individuals who have been at the heart of our City’s progress for so many years. Your commitment to Cedar Rapids is truly remarkable. Your dedication is a testament to your passion for our community.

Your efforts have not only shaped the physical landscape of our city. They have touched the lives of countless residents. Your work has created a sense of belonging and unity that is the essence of Cedar Rapids. Through your collective work, we have cultivated an environment where residents feel heard, valued, and connected to one another. Your contributions have a lasting impact, building a community where we can mean it when we say, “Welcome is Our Language.” I extend my sincere gratitude to each one of you for your remarkable service. On behalf of the entire City Council, I would like to thank you for your exceptional work and continued dedication to our community. Sincerely,

Tiffany O’Donnell Mayor

5 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

MANAGER COMMENTS

Garrett Atkinson

Garrett can always be counted on to get the repair done when equipment is down. Garrett always comes with a way to solve the problems encountered in the repair and overhaul area. In his five years at WPC, Garrett has helped improve the quality of maintenance provided to the plant equipment.

WPC Equipment Mechanic Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Claire Baranski Police Officer Police

Gretchen Barske Benefits Program Manager Human Resources

Ben Bisaillon Auto Equipment Mechanic II Fleet Maintenance

Zach Bray Streets Driver Public Works, Streets

Officer Claire Baranski has been involved in community services activities and makes citizen contacts her priority. She is a proactive patrol officer with a team-first attitude. She looks for solutions and wants to help our community, reflected in her additional assignment as a member our Crisis Negotiation Team. I really appreciate Gretchen’s wealth of benefits knowledge and how well she manages the deadlines and regulatory requirements her position demands. She cares immensely about meeting City employees’ needs through our benefits offerings and providers. Thank you, Gretchen, for your efforts in keeping the City’s benefits offerings so great! Ben quickly learned how to operate and maintain various types of vehicles and equipment after starting with the City. Ben joined the Fleet Safety Committee and has been a positive role model for Safety and has shared many process improvements for the division. Thank you for your hard work and dedication, and congratulations on your five-year service award! Zach is a valuable member of the Streets Division. He is counted on for his knowledge, ability to complete construction projects, and skill in snow removal operations. Zach shows pride in work completed and is a great team player. Thank you for your five years of service to the City!

Liz Burke Corridor MPO Program Manager Community Development

Michelle Burke Right-of-Way Coordinator Development Services

Jordan Cannon ADA Project Specialist Facilities

Chris Casciato Solid Waste Abatement Officer Utilities, Solid Waste

In just five years, Liz Burke has moved from Corridor MPO Planner to Manager. She has demonstrated the ability to balance the complexity of working within the City organization and serving the Corridor Metropolitan Planning Commission. To do this, she has cultivated relationships with member jurisdictions and garnered a clear understanding of their goals and objectives. Liz personifies a team player: working collaboratively, encouraging others, and bringing out the best in those around her. One of her most notable talents is remaining focused on achieving the outcome. She takes on emerging challenges and approaches changes beyond her control — such as new regulations — as an opportunity to make improvements. Liz is committed to enhancing the quality of life within the metro area. She is also committed to creating a supportive environment that encourages the professional growth of her City team. Through this dedication, Liz is developing a strong reputation and building confidence in the expertise of the Corridor MPO team. Michelle was previously a Building Permit Technician with the Building Services Department before joining the ROW team in 2021. She demonstrates the willingness to expand her skill set and knowledge into the right-of-way process and is always willing to jump in and help with any tasks to help our team succeed. Thank you, Michelle, for your service! Prior to becoming our ADA Specialist, Jordan held the position of Facilities Maintenance Worker III. Jordan has been in his current position for just over one year. Jordan’s duties include overseeing ADA Construction Projects in the field, assisting in design for new ADA projects, and postconstruction auditing for ADA compliance. In his spare time, Jordan enjoys golf and spending time with his family. Jordan is also the owner of Cannon Auction Service. In 2022, Jordan was the Iowa State Champion Auctioneer! Jordan is a great asset to the City of Cedar Rapids’ ADA compliance efforts and we are glad he is part of our team! Chris is a very efficient employee and has moved up the ranks quickly. Chris started as an extra driver and is now the abatement officer. Chris is a team player and is a great asset to the City.

5 YEARS OF SERVICE

Paul Cavin Police Officer Police

Cortez Davis Firefighter (Shift) Adv EMT Fire

Jake Dearborn Building Maintenance Worker III Facilities Maintenance Services

Scott Deetz Utilities Construction Project Manager Utilities, Water

Officer Paul Cavin is assigned to the patrol unit and works the evening shift. In addition to his daily patrol duties, Officer Cavin is an active member of the Special Response Team. He can also be found helping new recruits during the academy while assisting with Physical Training as an instructor. Officer Cavin is instrumental in training recruits as a Field Training Officer. He can always be found with a positive attitude and a willingness to help others throughout the department no matter the task. His interaction with the public has a positive impact within the community. Cortez brings great energy to the team and people enjoy working with him. He’s always trying to take on additional training and better himself. Recently, he took on the challenge of attaining his Advanced EMT certificate. Cortez is a key organizer of the Fire Bowl, a charity fundraiser. He’s so active in the community, he has difficulty going anywhere without a friend stopping him to visit. It is a pleasure working with Cortez. The City is fortunate to have a talented and dedicated employee like Jake. Jake will accept any project with great enthusiasm, knowledge, and confidence that ensures a positive end result for his customer. From design to finished product Jake does great work! Thank you for all you do, Jake! Five years ago, the Utilities Department was looking to fill the position of Construction Project Manager after our previous Manager, who had served in the position for many years, retired. We were fortunate to have someone with Scott’s background and experience apply for the position. Scott is originally from Cedar Rapids, but after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Civil Engineering, he went to work with the US Army Corps of Engineers. After working for the Corps for decades in numerous positions around the world, Scott retired as the Area Engineer for the New York District Office and wanted to move back home to take care of his aging parents. Now, as he prepares for his upcoming retirement from the City in a few months, he is looking forward to traveling and camping with his wife in their new Airstream camper and watching his daughter follow in his footsteps as she completes her Civil Engineering degree from Iowa State. Thanks for all you do for the City, Scott!

Will Eggert Right of Way Field Technician Public Works, Engineering

Kerry Ellquist WPC Process Operator Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Sue Ernst Human Resources Generalist Human Resources

Jill Fell Police Records Tech Police

Riley Freilinger Firefighter (Shift) Fire

Drew Funke Streets Heavy Equipment Operator Public Works, Streets

Will is a critical member of the Construction team in Engineering. He always has a smile on his face and is willing to help his teammates within Public Works as well as other Departments. His integrity and character have allowed him to build good working relationships with internal and external customers, such as utility companies, contractors, and residents. We look forward to his future achievements with the City of Cedar Rapids for many years to come. Kerry has become a valuable team member since coming to us from Duluth a few years ago. He uses his past experience to help WPC run effectively and provides a new perspective to some of the things we do at WPC. Thanks to Kerry! Sue is the calm in the eye of the storm and has an easygoing personality that employees find comforting. She quickly jumps in to help where needed. Among the many departments Sue supports is Fire and PD. I appreciate her diligence in the scheduling, tracking, scoring, and testing that is required for hiring Police Officers and Firefighters to ensure we meet civil service requirements. Jill has worked various shifts in her time as a Record Tech. She eagerly seeks new opportunities and chances to build her knowledge. Jill also thrives in resolving complex situations and maintaining high levels of communication with her coworkers. She welcomes the chance to assist others and is a huge asset to our entire team! Riley Freilinger serves the City in a wide variety of ways. He is currently assigned to Fire Station 7. Riley is a dependable member of his crew, assisting with the training of new employees and filling the role of acting company officer when needed. He is passionate about his job and a good problem solver. Riley is part of the department’s hazardous material team, urban search and rescue team and a member of the recognition committee. Drew has worked up the ranks on our concrete construction crew in the five years that he’s been at the City. He spends most of his days operating an excavator, working to accomplish street improvements for the community. Drew is a valued member of the Public Works team and we look forward to his future achievements with the City of Cedar Rapids. Thank you, Drew! 9

5 YEARS OF SERVICE

Joe Graves Collection Systems Maintenance Worker II Public Works, Sewer

Marty Green Police Officer Police

Shawn Hagarty Police Officer Police

Kenney Hallam Water Plant Operator I Utilities, Water

Cole Herb Water System Repair Worker I Utilities, Water

Joe was recently promoted within the Sewer division as his knowledge of both sewer maintenance and construction has been valuable to team. He is known for wearing many hats, frequently getting assigned to different tasks and happily learning new skills. He can be counted on to do what’s needed and is fun to work with. Thank you Joe! Officer Marty Green has been serving the citizens of Cedar Rapids for five years. He is currently assigned to the Community Service division, working with the Police Community Action Team. Officer Green is a dedicated and valued member of the Department and is a pleasure to work with. His positive, hardworking attitude is contagious, making those he works with better each day. In addition to his daily duties, he is involved in training new recruits during the police academy. He recently became a field training officer. Officer Green truly makes a difference in our community daily, making it a safer place to live, work, and play. Officer Shawn Hagarty is a very dedicated and street-savvy officer, who was selected as the newest member of the Cedar Rapids Police Department K9 Unit, starting on the road with his dog in May 2022. He is a dedicated officer and focuses on helping others whenever he can. Officer Hagarty has been involved in several major drug cases with his K9 partner Ryder, and in the short time he has been on the unit, he has made himself one of the top producing K9 handlers. Officer Hagarty pays attention to crime trends and gets involved with everything he can, making helping other officers his priority. He has a promising future, and we are looking forward to watching his progress. Prior to starting at the Water Treatment Plant, Kenney spent time in Parks and Facilities. He has been an asset to the City in the roles he has filled during the five years he’s been with the City. The quick wit and great sense of humor that Kenney brings to work every day help to keep team morale high and create a fun atmosphere. Since joining the Utilities Department team a little less than one year ago, Cole has been quick to gain experience repairing water mains, valves, and fire hydrants at all hours of the day. Cole also earned the Iowa DNR Water Distribution Grade Certification! His knowledge of concrete replacement projects also makes him a valuable member to the Water Distribution team, and we are proud of his work accomplishments.

Elysha Holley Patron Services Specialist Library

Ethan Hromidko Water Utility Service Rep II Utilities, Water

Andrea Jilovec Patron Services Specialist Library

Andy Kunde Civil Engineering Construction Inspector Public Works, Engineering

Drew Mathias P&G Maintenance Repair Worker II Parks and Recreation

Heather McNeeley Police Records Supervisor Police

Michael Musil Computer Information Systems Analyst Library

Elysha “Lysh” Holley is a pragmatic thinker with a passion for service. She is compassionate with patrons, even during challenging times, making the library a welcoming place for all. Ethan is very detail oriented and extremely proficient in his role as a Utilities Service Rep II. Ethan meets complex problems with a great attitude and is always willing to help others. He has great knowledge of the water system and is a valued member of the safety team. His leadership and collaboration with others has been a great asset to the Water division. Andrea Jilovec has a green thumb and a wry sense of humor. She cares deeply about serving our community. Andy has made significant contributions to the construction inspection team in his time with the City. He is knowledgeable, thorough, and looks for ways to enhance the services he provides on our capital improvement projects. He does a great job communicating with others at the City; contractors; and the residents and businesses impacted by construction. We are so glad to have him on our team. Thanks for your good work, Andy! Drew has been with the Parks and Recreation Department for three and a half years. He started working for Public Works with the Streets Operation for over a year before finding his home with the Parks and Recreation Department. He is a great asset to the department as he is always willing to step up and find a way to get the job completed effectively and efficiently. He is always open to feedback and looking to improve on his role. The Department is better with him as a part of it. It is always a pleasure to work with Heather. She is extremely knowledgeable and is a valued and important asset to the Police Department. She provides great leadership to the Unit and has accomplished a lot in her 5 years. Heather is always willing to assist and finds a way to accomplish tasks. She has a keen attention to detail and is meticulous in ensuring our data is always accurate. Michael “Mike” Musil has done an excellent job improving technology solutions at the Library over the past 5 years. His knowledge and professionalism with staff are true assets to the Cedar Rapids Public Library.

5 YEARS OF SERVICE

Cheryl Nemmers Police Property Technician Police

Joe Newton WPC Process Operator Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Jon O’Neill WPC Process Operator Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Shane O’Neill Collection Systems Maintenance Worker II Public Works, Sewer

Paul Pestel Veterans Memorial Facilities Director Veterans Memorial Commission

Phillip Platz Communications Division Manager City Manager’s Office

Cheryl recently joined the Property and Evidence division of the Police Department, coming from SAFE CR. Cheryl brings with her experience and knowledge in a multitude of disciplines. Her common sense, logical approach to problem solving, and the ability to positively interact with the public make her an invaluable asset to the Department. Thank you for the continued hard work and dedication! Joe does a good job for WPC. He always does what he thinks is best for WPC and is willing to do whatever needs to be done. Thanks to Joe! Jon came to WPC Operations from our Maintenance crew not long ago. He uses his Maintenance experience to help perform in Operations. He is a valuable part of WPC. Thanks to Jon! Shane is a valued member of the Sewer division. He is a fast learner and has helped implement new practices within the Department. Honesty and quality work are two of Shane’s outstanding qualities that he brings to the team. We are fortunate to have him on our team and look forward to seeing him advance in the coming years. Thank you, Shane! When Paul joined the Veterans Memorial Commission, we knew that his experience from working inside the Veterans Memorial Building on the post-flood 2008 renovation made him a valuable choice. Since then, Paul has proven an effective Facility Director who cares deeply about the historic building and staff. Paul has created a team that works collaboratively to provide high quality work, and he provides a great working environment. The Veterans Memorial Commission appreciates his vast knowledge, open communication, and positive attitude. We look forward to the years ahead, Paul! Thank you for all that you do. Congratulations to Phillip for his five years of service to the City! Phillip brings a high level of expertise and has made a significant impact to the organization and the City of Cedar Rapids. Phillip has a positive attitude and a great sense of fashion! Thank you for all you do, Phillip! We are so fortunate that you chose the City.

Jeff Randall Right-of-Way Permit Technician Development Services

Sam Reiher Police Officer Police

Nicholas Reinert Police Officer Police

Nathan Romig Solid Waste & Recycling Driver/Collector I Utilities, Solid Waste

Austin Rust Streets Driver Public Works, Streets

Jeff has an important piece of our right of way permitting process. Over the past five years he has been a part of over 10,000 right-of-way permits. Jeff does a good job communicating with contractors and citizens, assisting them with navigating the permit process and applications. Thank you for making customer service your top priority each day. Since the start of Officer Sam Reiher’s tenure, he has been a constant performer and proactive officer with exceptional work ethic. He gears his policing towards community service. Officer Reiher was recently awarded the position of Field Training Officer, which he take very seriously. He wants to guide the future development of our Officers. After joining the Police Department, Officer Nicholas Reinert became a member of the Special Response Team, which responds to high-risk situations and executes high-risk risk search warrants. Officer Reinert is a proactive officer and enjoys his job. He always has a positive attitude and is willing to assist other officers. Officer Reinert enjoys interacting with citizens and helping them solve problems. Officer Reinert is an asset to the department and does an excellent job. Nathan has a great sense of humor, does an excellent job, and is very knowledgeable about his job and the functions of the operation. In his five years, Nathan has shown he is a team player and always willing to help his coworkers and go the extra mile. Nathan holds himself to a high standard and is a great asset to our team. Austin started his time at the City as a Public Works Laborer in the Northeast Quadrant. He’s now transitioned to a driver for the concrete construction crew and has done an excellent job driving, sawing, and pouring concrete. Austin is willing to take on new tasks and do whatever is needed to finish a project. We look forward to watching his progression with the City. Thank you, Austin!

5 YEARS OF SERVICE

Kate Schaefer Human Resources Generalist Human Resources

Jakub Schmitz Police Officer Police

Jensen Schneider Library Administrative Clerk Library

Justin Schroeder Utilities Environmental Manager Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Kate started as an HR Specialist and was promoted to HR Generalist after only one year. She has become a strong business partner for the departments she supports. I appreciate Kate’s willingness to take on projects and tasks that are asked of her, some being things she hasn’t done before. She consistently gets them done ahead of schedule and exceeds expectations. Thanks, Kate, for always jumping in to help! Officer Schmitz is assigned to working patrol on the overnight shift. He is a proactive and hardworking officer, that takes pride in his work. He is dedicated to helping out citizens and other officers in anyway that he can. Officer Schmitz was recently selected as an Field Training Officer and will be relied upon to use his knowledge and experience to train new recruits when they begin working the street. Congratulations on your 5 years of service! Jensen Schneider kind and considerate. She has customer service at her core and always goes the extra mile to help both patrons and team members. We are so excited to celebrate Justin Schroeder’s five remarkable years of service with our City. Justin’s journey, from Lab Supervisor to Lab Manager, and now Environmental Manager, has been nothing short of inspiring. His passion for excellence and attention to detail have consistently elevated our standards. As the newly named Environmental Manager, he’s already making huge strides in furthering our sustainability efforts, forging key partnerships, and solving environmental challenges. What truly sets Justin apart is his exceptional teambuilding and leadership skills. He fosters a high-performing culture through kindness and unwavering support, making him a trusted leader and peer. Congratulations, Justin, on five years of outstanding contributions. We’re privileged to have you on our team and excited for the future!

Alison Sharpe Firefighter Fire

Adam Smith Water Utility Service Rep I Utilities, Water

Tyler Smith Police Officer Police

Matt Steege Auto Equipment Mechanic II (Transit) Fleet Maintenance

Tracie Thomas Custodian Facilities

Alison Sharpe has been serving the citizens of Cedar Rapids for five years and works at a variety of the fire stations. Alison uses her skills daily to positively affect our citizens. Alison is a five-year paramedic and an asset to the Department. She leads or assists many different EMS initiatives, committees, and projects. She has been particularly influential in shaping the Department’s response to frequent caller issues and she is responsible for tracking statistics for narcotic overdose patients. Alison certainly uses her skills and abilities to make Cedar Rapids a great place to live and work. Adam started with the Water division as a water meter reader, and he then transferred into the Utilities service rep position. Adam has done a great job taking on the challenge of learning the water system and his service rep role. Adam brings a positive attitude to work each day and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done. He is a valued employee in the Utilities Department. In his first five years as a member of the Cedar Rapids Police Department, Officer Tyler Smith has made a major impact. Officer Smith is well known as a proactive officer, looking to take on crime trends in the areas of narcotics, weapons, stolen vehicles, and wanted subjects. He became a K9 handler in May 2022. With his K9 partner Lara at his side, they have quickly become one of the highest producing K9 teams in the unit. In addition to his K9 duties, Officer Smith is a defensive tactics instructor and a field training officer. He has had an eventful first five years — with the best yet to come. Matt Steege brought experience and knowledge of bus maintenance with him when he joined the City team, making it easy for him to blend into the workgroup and get right to work. Matt can be known to keep things light in the shop, and likes to have fun. He also served on our Fleet Safety Committee, bringing forth items to be reviewed and improvements to made. We appreciate all your hard work, Matt. Congratulations on your five-year award! Tracie always has a smile on her face and tends to bring a positive attitude to those around her! We can count on her to look for the things that sometimes get overlooked, looking for ways to keep the appearance of our facilities up to par. She is a joy to work with! 15

5 YEARS OF SERVICE

Tom Turner Building Maintenance Worker II Veterans Memorial Commission

Shelby Van Weelden Firefighter Fire

Nate Varner Service Worker Transit

Clayton Visek WPC Process Operator Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Derek Wardenburg Streets Driver Public Works, Streets

Chris Watts Solid Waste & Recycling Driver/Collector I Utilities, Solid Waste

Tom has been a truly valuable addition to the Veterans Memorial Commission team, making a positive impact that’s hard to ignore. His attitude and work ethic are outstanding. Tom’s ability to bring out the best in those around him sets him securely in a category of his own. He consistently exceeds the expectations of his position. Tom works with a team that frequently interacts with a diverse group of short-term renters. He has the perfect personality and patience which shine in helping these groups achieve success with their events. Shelby is a go getter Firefighter/Paramedic that has an all-in attitude with a positive approach that is infections to others. Shelby is assigned to Truck 1 at Central. She leans into team work and team cohesion as she understands we are all better working together than separately. Shelby is on the Fire Department Fitness Committee, she does EMS run review quality control checks, she assisted in developing Pit Crew CPR in cooperation with other Department members along with Area Ambulance and the Fire Department medical director. Her high energy and positive vibe helps everyone around her. Keep truck’n, Shelby. Nate’s easy-going personality and willingness to pitch in wherever needed have made him a valued member of our team. His self-reliance and adaptability have been invaluable to our division. Thank you for your contributions over the past 5 years, and here’s to many more working together! Clayton started in WPC Maintenance and moved to Operations not too long ago. He does a good job of applying what he did in the Maintenance Shop to what he does as an Operator. He is an asset to WPC. Thanks to Clayton! Derek is a vital member of the Southwest Quadrant crew. He is one of the best haulers in our organization. Whether he’s hauling asphalt or chips for a seal coat, he’s the driver that everyone asks for. He’s emerging as a leader and is someone that can be counted on to get the job done. Thank you, Derek! Chris is outgoing and will do anything we ask of him. Chris is a team player and can operate any type of equipment we have. He is also willing to train new employees on how to operate the equipment. Chris is a great asset to our department.

Austin Willets Police Officer Police

Mark Young Solid Waste & Recycling Driver/Collector I Utilities, Solid Waste

Officer Austin Willets is a dedicated police officer assigned to MID Watch Patrol. Officer Willets is dedicated to keeping the roads in Cedar Rapids a safe place to drive. He is a top performer of traffic enforcement. Officer Willets is a team player who listens to his commanders and does his part to achieve the Department’s goals. When he is given an assignment, he strives to get results and always provides feedback. In closing, Officer Willets is an engaged employee whose efforts are noticed and appreciated. Mark is an effective and efficient operator. There is no truck or route Mark cannot complete efficiently. He is a team player and always willing to help others.

10 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

MANAGER COMMENTS

Kristi Allen

Kristi, with her dependable nature and ever-positive attitude, has been a key contributor to our team. Her role in training new drivers has played a vital part in our division’s success. We’re fortunate to have Kristi, and we thank her for her 10 years of hard work and support.

Transit Driver Transit

Emmy Boland Payroll Specialist Finance

Allen Brown Auto Equipment Mechanic II (Transit) Fleet Maintenance

During her ten years with the Finance Department, Emmy has worked with many different departments for payroll processing. Everyone who works with her knows she is dependable and trustworthy. Emmy demonstrates We Team Up by working with the payroll team to problem solve issues as they come up. Thank you, Emmy, for your positive attitude and your dedicated work ethic! Allen’s vast knowledge of transit buses has led him to help train new mechanics over the years. He is reliable when others need assistance and keeps safety on the forefront. Thank you and congratulations Allen on making this milestone at the City!

10 YEARS OF SERVICE

Bob Covill Systems Support Administrator Information Technology

Library Shelver Library

In her 10 years as a Shelver at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Chris Davis has been an important part of the Library team. Her work in mentoring new employees and volunteers, plus daily efforts to maintain correct shelving of materials all contribute to a great customer experience.

Patrick Duggan

Patrick Duggan is a smart and fun leader. He brings a lot of creativity and passion to the team.

Chris Davis

Technology Solutions Supervisor Library

Andrew Engelken Firefighter Fire

Alex Foarde Streets Heavy Equipment Operator Public Works, Streets

Bob brings an amazing positivity to work every day. He is consistently willing to jump in to assist users and his Department team members to resolve any issue. Bob does not shy away from a technology challenge and truly enjoys researching and learning something new. He demonstrates a strong commitment to quality work while administering desktop and phone systems. Bob has a unique ability to blend high technical skills with respectful communication to help all understand technical concepts. Bob is a trusted and valued member of the IT Team.

Andrew is becoming a leader in our Department. His lead-by-example style is evident by the level of respect his peers have for him. He has quickly became a very skilled and disciplined firefighter in all of our programs and a true asset to our Department. Thank you, Andrew, for your service. Alex is a valuable member of the Streets Division. He is dedicated to the Northwest Quadrant and spends most of his time working on asphalt construction projects, street maintenance activities, and snow removal operations. Alex is always willing to jump in and do whatever it takes to get the job done. Thanks for your 10 years of service to the City!

Dustin Fordice Firefighter Fire

Danny Franks Senior Systems Support Tech Information Technology

Neil Gerot Firefighter Fire

Lisa Grekoff Customer Service Representative Parks and Recreation, Golf

Dustin does a great job as a Firefighter/EMT and works each day to learn more. Dustin is assigned to Station 8. He recently helped the training division with the latest Rookie Academy. Dustin is also a mentor and leader for our new firefighters. He is fast to share lessons learned, demonstrate the values of the profession, and help others handle and improve themselves and the Department. Dustin has a great amount of skills and assets he brings each day with a positive attitude and demeanor that shows his passion and love for the Cedar Rapids Fire Department that improves everyone around him. Thanks for all you do, Dustin. Danny interacts daily with City employees and is always looking for and implementing new improved processes and technologies while challenging others to do the same. Danny has been instrumental in leading many technology projects and trainings, including various Microsoft 365 Applications. Besides performing technology work, Danny can pull out a comedy routine when needed for a boost in team morale. Danny fills an important role within the Customer Support Team, and his dedication to getting the job done is appreciated. Neil is a great team player and does whatever is needed to help others be successful. He is an excellent fire pump operator and has shared this knowledge with others over the last few years by instructing several rookie classes during the CRFD Academy. Neil provides quality work in a timely fashion. His job knowledge and leadership skills have served him well in recent years, as he’s often been asked to serve in an Acting Captain’s role. Neil is an excellent employee and a great asset to the city. Lisa started her customer service position working from the City Services Center, where she took care of the behind-the-scenes projects needed in the Golf division. She works closely with staff to order office supplies, make signage, track down invoices, take pictures for passes, and so much more. With the opening of Mini Pines, Lisa’s job evolved. She now works out of Twin Pines Clubhouse, adding duties that include scheduling all reservations for the Mini Pines Party Pads and working closely with the events to ensure they run smoothly. Her organization and customer service orientation continue to support the work of the Parks and Recreation Department in an impactful way. 19

10 YEARS OF SERVICE

Amanda Grieder Assistant to the City Manager City Manager’s Office

Alex Haas Police Sergeant Police

Jeremy Holtz Water Utility Service Rep I Utilities, Water

Lucas Kennedy Fire Captain Fire

Monica Kohl Police Records Technician Police

Congratulations, Amanda on your 10-year anniversary with the City! It’s hard to imagine how we got everything accomplished in the CMO without you, and we are all so grateful to have you as part of the team. You have made a meaningful, positive impact City wide. Your contributions are invaluable. Sergeant Alex Haas is an outstanding colleague who provides quality leadership and guidance to officers. He combines his excellent people skills and leadership qualities to provide a highly valued service to the City. Sergeant Haas bears a leadership role with the Special Response Team, tasked with making profound decisions under high degrees of stress while facing unknown risks. He is also a Physical Training and Defensive Tactics Instructor, providing officers with quality instruction in these areas. Jeremy is a valued employee at the Water Service Shop. He has great customer service skills and knowledge of the Water division. Jeremy is always willing to go that extra mile. Jeremy is a great asset to the team, and we thank him for his service. Lucas has excelled in the role of captain. We consistently ask him to train rookie firefighters and he has done so with great success. He headed the CRFD Recognition Committee for several years, is a part of the History Committee, and is an instructor in the Citizen’s Fire Academy. Lucas brings energy, knowledge, kindness, respect, and a dry sense of humor to work every day. He is a true team builder and his coworkers love being around him. It is a pleasure working with Lucas. Monica has worked various shifts as a Record Tech, allowing her to understand the differing workflows. Monica utilizes her strong customer service and communication skills to assist coworkers, citizens, and other department personnel. As a valued member of our team we sometimes refer to Monica as our “cruise director,” as she helps coordinate many holiday and other fun activities for the division.

Zach Kray Streets Heavy Equipment Operator Public Works, Streets

Trish Kropf Assistant City Attorney IV Attorney’s Office

Jeremy LaRoche Firefighter Fire

Jeana Lewie Council Proceedings Specialist Clerk’s Office

Zach is a key member of the Streets crew, dedicated to the Southeast Quadrant. He’s worked his way up, learning from many tenured employees, and now he plays a key role in leading and training newer staff. He has been a great team player and is always willing to help where needed. Thank you, Zach! Trish is a joy to be around, and her presence brings a lot of positivity to the team. She makes every member of the Department feel included and welcome, and she has wholeheartedly embraced our efforts to develop relationships with other departments. Her natural people skills make it easy for others to follow her as a leader. Congratulations on reaching this milestone and thank you for your continued service to the City! Jeremy La Roche has served in a variety of roles. Currently assigned to Fire Station 4, Jeremy is a firefighter/EMT and is a dedicated employee who puts his best effort in each duty day. This fact makes him a very versatile employee. Jeremy is a US Army veteran. As an employee, he offers unique leadership abilities to the Cedar Rapids Fire Department. Jeana’s contributions to the Clerk’s Office over the last 10 years have had a very positive impact on the office and the organization. Her help with automating the agenda management process and providing access to the public to various council proceedings such as resolutions, contracts, agendas, and minutes through Public Access Viewer has been very instrumental in making the office more efficient. Her background in editing has been very beneficial for ensuring that professional and accurate agendas are generated for each council meeting. She provides great customer service and is an excellent team player through her daily work of creating council meeting agendas and processing a wide variety of contracts. This is reflected by the positive comments she receives from coworkers in other departments. Jeana regularly demonstrates the City’s core values of teaming up, finding a way and serving enthusiastically through her work and her interaction with others! We are fortunate to have her as a part of the Clerk’s Office team!

10 YEARS OF SERVICE

Jessica Link Library Volunteer Supervisor Library

Jason Longbine Firefighter Fire

Mike Lough Electric Chief Inspector Building Services

Julio Lujan Police Officer Police

Jessica Link is a compassionate and thoughtful coordinator with excellent attention to detail. Her skills for connecting people and their interests with organizational needs have helped our Library Volunteer Program exceed expectations. It is a pleasure to have Jason as part of our team. Jason has proven himself to be a capable and reliable firefighter in his 10 years with the Department and he is currently on the promotional list for Captain. Jason accepted his current role as acting captain with positivity and performed well in that capacity. Jason is also an active member of the hazardous materials team, swiftwater rescue team, and trench rescue team. He also manages the atmospheric monitoring equipment program. Congrats on hitting the 10-year mark! Mike Lough came to our department from a 20plus year career as an electrician, working in many different environments, including commercial and residential wiring. His vast knowledge of wiring enables Mike to provide excellent customer service and problem solving. He has always been a leader in the Department and has provided excellent customer service in many thousands of inspections. Mike takes a leadership role in defining Department priorities and provides much-needed support to his coworkers. With thousands of households out of power, we relied heavily on his expertise in the response to the 2020 Derecho. Thank you, Mike, we couldn’t do it with out you. Officer Julio Lujan approaches his work with a calm demeanor and is an informal leader on the shift. He is a Field Training Officer, serving to mold the next generation of officers. Officer Lujan is always seen with a smile on his face. When a complicated problem arises, he is likely to be found pitching in to achieve the most positive outcome.

Duncan McCallum Building Services Manager Building Services

Tina McCullough Patron Services Specialist Library

Doug McDonnell Parks & Rec Maintenance Supervisor Parks and Recreation

Duncan started with the City of Cedar Rapids in 2013, originally as a residential plan review member. The position transitioned into a Building and Trades Manager as the need arose to manage the growing permit and construction activity in our community. Prior to starting with the City, Duncan had more than 25 years of experience in the residential construction industry. Today, he manages a highly functioning team that performs an average of 18,000 inspections and issues over 9,000 permits a year. His knowledge of construction and building methods enhances the services our Department provides to our customers and citizens. In addition, he continues to manage a wide range of interdepartmental projects for Building Services, such as the implementation of new permit software for our staff and building code updates. Duncan goes out of his way to makes sure customers understand the code required elements, balancing the safety aspect of their project while at the same time providing excellent customer service to our customers. Thank you for your service. Tina McCullough has been with the library for 10 years, since our re-opening with the new downtown location. She is a toddler whisperer, a technology guru, and someone we are thrilled to have on our library team. Doug has recently taken over as the SE Maintenance Supervisor and has quickly established himself as a high-quality leader. His work on diversity, equity, and inclusion, in addition to the development strategies he has implemented with his team, has been a huge benefit to the Parks and Recreation Department. He has a deep knowledge of his practice and is constantly innovating and improving efficiencies in his area. He is a hard worker and can be relied on to get the job done.

10 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mark McMahon Head Golf Professional Parks and Recreation, Golf

Jessica Musil Senior Administrative Assistant Library

Bruce Payne Police Officer Police

Chris Schulte Fleet Maintenance Administrator Fleet Maintenance

Melanie Schweiss Patron Services Specialist Library

If you stop by the new Ellis Clubhouse and Event Center, Mark is the Head Golf Professional to see. Mark has spent his entire 10 years at Ellis Golf Course, with a year managing both Ellis and Jones Golf Courses. Mark oversees our Outing and Tournament program and works closely with groups to ensure they receive the high level of customer service that has become a staple of the Golf division. Mark is an excellent teacher of the game and has coached many of the top high school golfers in the city. With the opening of the new Event Center at Ellis, Mark’s job has evolved into an event planner as well. He does a great job overseeing the event coordinator to help ensure events run smoothly. Jessica Musil is resourceful, responsive, and determined. She is the queen of “other duties as assigned” and is always willing to try something new! Officer Bruce Payne is always willing to help others. He goes above and beyond taking on additional responsibilities as an FTO and assisting the regional academy, instructing Standardized Field Sobriety Testing. He takes pride in his work and is detail oriented, serving him well in his capacity as a traffic accident investigator. His positive attitude and whit are infectious. Chris started as an intern, then became a Mechanic, gaining maintenance knowledge that led him into the Fleet Maintenance Administrator position he has now. Chris has been a key asset to the Fleet division, overseeing safety in our shops and ensuring training compliance for all fleet employees. He also steps in as Garage Supervisor, leading the day shift mechanics in their daily work and meeting the needs of our customers. Thank you for all your hard work, and congratulations, Chris! Melanie Schweiss always has a smile on her face and a spring in her step. She brings joy to patrons and colleagues alike.

Dave Stender Construction Contract Administrator Utilities, Water

Gary Swartz Traffic Control Maintenance Worker II Public Works, Traffic

Ted Wieland Fire Captain Fire

Tyler Wildeboer Parks & Rec Maintenance Supervisor Parks and Recreation

Dave Stender works in the Water Engineering Construction Management Section. Dave is very knowledgeable of construction standards and procedures, and he researches products for their correct installation. Dave makes technical recommendations to improve the efficiency of the office, and he researches software to efficiently document construction progress. Dave is very organized and knowledgeable of the contract requirements and ensures contractors comply with all contract documents. Dave is excellent at planning in advance and asking questions on how contractors will accomplish work to comply with their contracts. Dave is an excellent asset to the Utilities Engineering Group and to the City. In his 10 years at the City, Gary has been a member of a few different teams. In his current role on the Signs and Markings crew, he works to make sure that our roadways are safe for the traveling public. Thank you Gary! Ted does an outstanding job as a company officer for the Fire Department. He is assigned to Station 8. Ted is engaged each day, positive, works hard, and is growing tremendously in his skills to lead others. He has taught and developed multiple rookies for the Fire Department over their first year. His rookies are ready for the job and career as Ted makes sure they learn exactly what they need to be successful. Ted is positive and engages his crew each shift and helps other company officers with their rookies when training is built and designed to be delivered. I enjoy working with Ted and his crews, as they are always wanting to learn more and have a can-do attitude that shows when you are around Ted and his crew. Thanks for all you do, Captain Ted. Tyler has been an exceptional member of the Parks and Recreation Department, with the Park Operation Team for the last 10 years. The work Tyler has performed as the Supervisor of NW Parks Maintenance has been enjoyed by thousands of citizens, while supporting the work of many others. Tyler is dedicated to his staff, the areas he oversees, and works closely with the rest of the team to ensure the highest quality product is delivered. He is routinely sought out by other staff to consult on projects and difficult tasks.

15 YEARS OF SERVICE

15 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

Ben Bailey Solid Waste & Recycling Driver/Collector II Utilities, Solid Waste

Jason Bennett Water Utility Locator Utilities, Water

Dillon Boenish Police Officer Police

Brooks Burkhart Battalion Chief Fire

Eric Butler Police Officer Police

MANAGER COMMENTS Ben takes great pride in his work and will go above and beyond when needed to complete a task. He brings new ideas to the attention of his supervisors when he sees a need and is always thinking of a better plan. Ben is very knowledgeable about his job and the functions of the equipment. Ben is a great asset to our team. Jason has taken on a new position at the Water Service Shop as a Utilities Locator. This is a new position in the Water division. Jason has a lot of knowledge of the water system and has made it an easy transition. He is always ready to take on a challenge and meet issues head on. Congratulations on 15 years, and thanks to Jason for being a part of the Water team. Officer Boenish has spent many of his 15 years of service working patrol on the overnight shift. Officer Boenish is a compassionate and hardworking officer, and a dedicated member of the Department. He goes above and beyond, and truly enjoys helping citizens and other officers in any way that he can. In addition to Officer Boenish’s patrol duties, he is also a valued member of the Accident Reconstruction Team and serves as a Traffic Investigator. Officer Boenish is a valued member of the Department. Congratulations on 15 years of service! Brooks Burkhart is an outstanding leader in the organization. He works daily to ensure the success of the team, enabling co-workers to bring innovative and thoughtful ideas forward to improve service delivery. He listens to understand and leads with character. Officer Eric Butler is an experienced officer that has spent the majority of his career working the evening shift. Officer Butler has been a valuable member on the Special Response Team for over a decade. He plays a crucial role on the Special Response Team as a sniper and can be found assisting the Department in weapons maintenance as an armorer. Officer Butler can be found during the warmer months actively patrolling the downtown district and bike trails as a Bike Patrol Officer. He strives to make the community a safe place to work and live.

Shawna Carolan Treasury Specialist Finance

Chris Christy Police Officer Police

Kelly Coselman Transit Operations Clerk Transit

Phil Cronbaugh Collection Systems Maintenance Worker III Public Works, Sewer

Blake Crutchley Police Sergeant Police

Shawna is an integral part of the Treasury team. She is dependable and always willing to take on new tasks or assist others for the good of the team and Department. Her years of experience and breadth of knowledge have been indispensable to the team. Officer Chris Christy has become a role model of excellence and dependability. Throughout his career, his roles have included Field Training Officer, Investigator, Firearms instructor, Driving instructor, Clandestine Methamphetamine Lab Certified Technician, and Task Force Officer assigned to the US Marshal’s Northern Iowa Fugitive Task Force. Officer Christy is currently assigned as an investigator on the Mobile Assist Team and team leader of the Special Response Team. He is an asset and valuable team member within the Police Department and the City. During her 15 years with Transit, Kelly has helped thousands of passengers find their way around our great City using the City Bus. Kelly’s job as an operations clerk requires a lot of collaboration. She does a good job at using the resources to get people the information they need on a daily basis. Kelly is a great example of the Organizational Health philosophy of “focusing on results”, as she takes initiative and consistently contributes to the collective success of the Transit team. Phil has spent much of his time operating a sewer cleaning truck during his 15 years with the City. He has become a very skilled operator, often having to deal with issues in the sewer system underground that he can’t see. His expertise is valuable in working through difficult situations and unknown issues. Phil has good knowledge of our 1,300 miles of sanitary and storm sewer pipes and is a great asset to Sewer division. Thank you for 15 years of service to our community! Sergeant Blake Crutchley possesses excellent leadership qualities and is a great resource to officers on the street. Sergeant Crutchley spent many years on the CRPD PCAT team, gaining expertise in the area of gun crimes, violence intervention, and gang investigations. He demonstrates an outstanding commitment to reducing gun violence in our City. Sergeant Crutchley has also provided many hours of vehicle operation training to many officers at the Department. We value his contributions and dedication. 27

15 YEARS OF SERVICE

Dennis Dorothy Recreation Maintenance & Inventory Technician Parks and Recreation

John Dunkelberger Police Sergeant Police

Dustin Elin Utility Process Control Specialist Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Dennis plays an important role, serving as Bender Pool’s maintenance and providing inventory management for the Parks and Recreation Department as a whole. This role is pivotal due to the early opening times at the pool and the changing needs for programming. His customer service, both internal and external, is exemplary. His is outgoing personality makes him a pleasure to have on our team. Dennis shows our values as he goes above and beyond daily to “Find a Way’’ while assisting other operations within our Department when needs arise. Sergeant John Dunkelberger is an excellent leader who is respected and appreciated by officers and commanders alike. He can be relied on to make quality decisions on the street and demonstrate leadership to officers under his supervision. Sergeant Dunkelberger is also a Defensive Tactics instructor, teaching officers invaluable, life-saving skills. His level of integrity and dedication to the Department are greatly appreciated. We are thrilled to take a moment to celebrate Dustin Elin’s remarkable 15 years of service to the City of Cedar Rapids. Dustin has been an invaluable member of our team, contributing his expertise and dedication to our community. He started with the City as a Water Plant Operator, ensuring clean drinking water for our residents. He then became a Water Plant Operations Supervisor, showcasing leadership and teamwork. During a transitional period, he stepped up as Interim Water Plant Operations Manager, ensuring continuity in our vital services. Recognizing his skills, Dustin took on the role of Utilities Process Control Specialist, optimizing operations and enhancing efficiency for both the Water Plants and Water Pollution Control Facility. His commitment to improvement and operational excellence is truly commendable. We honor Dustin’s 15 years of dedication, and we thank him for his contributions to the City. Congratulations, Dustin, on this well-deserved milestone award!

Brandon Feddersen Fire Captain Fire

Adam Galluzzo GIS Engineer Information Technology

Captain Feddersen is a valuable 15-year member of the Department. He is a highly intelligent fire officer and takes special pride in working on Engine 8, one of Cedar Rapids’ busiest companies. He is a student of his craft and is well-versed in all things firefighting. Captain Feddersen is also highly involved in the CRFD Special Operations Program, holding technicianlevel certifications in the disciplines of water rescue and hazardous materials. He is also the CRFD lead coordinator for the ice rescue program, and a veteran public safety diver with the Johnson County Dive Team. He has deployed on multiple occasions throughout the country as a member of the DMAT team, which assists communities with healthcare needs in times of crisis. To hone his skills, he has worked as a Paramedic for Johnson County Ambulance and has worked as a volunteer firefighter for the City of Coralville. Congratulations to Captain Feddersen for 15 years of dedicated service. Congratulations to Adam Galluzzo for 15 years of dedicated service to the City and its citizens. Adam’s passion for GIS and his commitment to our core values is exemplary. Throughout his career, he has developed his skills through training and hard work, and has broadened his GIS administrative knowledge considerably. He began his career with the City as a GIS Analyst immediately after the Flood of 2008 and was very instrumental in aiding the City in all that followed. Adam later earned the title of Senior GIS Analyst, and most recently a promotion to the position of GIS Engineer. Adam epitomizes the concepts of the Ideal Team Player. He is humble, with his extensive GIS knowledge and multiple contributions to our GIS development, he credits the team for its successes. He is hungry, constantly looking for process improvement and for opportunities to hone his skills and support the team and the organization. And he is smart, understanding how to communicate with others, no matter what their level of GIS knowledge may be, to produce a successful outcome. Adam is an integral part of the GIS Team and City. He is a good problem solver, and his level-headed approach to issues during a crisis is exemplary. He performed flawlessly during the 2016 flood, the 2020 Derecho response, and the pandemic, reinforcing his position as a valuable resource and asset to our organization.

15 YEARS OF SERVICE

Jared Gienger Police Officer Police

Cheryl Grieder Customer Service Representative Utilities, Water

Trevor Hanel Library Branch Supervisor Library

Luke Henkle Firefighter Fire

Erin Horst Materials Manager Library

Investigator Gienger has been with the Department for 15 years, where he spent fourteen years in the patrol division. He has been a field training officer, bike patrol officer, precision driving instructor, and certified drone operator. For the past 5 years, Investigator Gienger has been a bomb technician as a part of the Hazardous Device Unit. In September 2022, Investigator Gienger was selected for the position of crime scene investigator, for which he has spent the last year learning and taking on many cases to learn the position. He is extremely diligent and ready to assist all areas of the Department in this role. Cheryl has been a remarkable asset to the Water division during her 15 years of service to the City. Her commitment to our customers has been instrumental to the success of the team. Trevor Hanel has held many positions in his 15 years with the Library. He has served each role with passion and grace. Trevor cares deeply about our community and it shows each day. Luke has been a dedicated member of CRFD for 15 years, working the majority of his career at Central Fire Station on Truck 1, CRFD’s largest aerial apparatus. Luke’s down-to-earth disposition and dry sense of humor make him a joy to be around. On top of being an expert at all things truck work, Luke holds special technician certifications in swift water rescue and boat operations, rope rescue, confined space rescue, and trench rescue. He also plays a crucial role as an SCBA technician — keeping our breathing apparatus prepared to operate effectively in fires keeping our members safe. Thank you to Firefighter Henkle for 15 years of productive service. Erin Horst brings a delightful combination of dedication and humor to her work each day. She is intelligent and thoughtful, always finding a way to better serve our community.

Joy Huber Fleet Services Manager Fleet Maintenance

Zach Jeffries Police Officer Police

Quinn JohnsonMcCormick WPC Process Operator Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Adam Kinnear WPC Maintenance Supervisor Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Amy Kunkle Firefighter Fire

I am delighted to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Joy Huber, Fleet Services Manager, on achieving a remarkable milestone of 15 years with the City of Cedar Rapids. Joy’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to the fleet management team have been commendable throughout her tenure. Her innovative solutions, leadership skills, and tireless efforts have played a significant role in enhancing the efficiency and functionality of the City’s fleet operations. As we celebrate this impressive anniversary, we look forward to the continued growth and success she will bring to the City. Congratulations, Joy, on this outstanding achievement! Officer Zach Jeffries performs solid professional police work on a daily basis. Officer Jeffries approaches each call with a calming nature, working to achieve the best results for each citizen. He is a Field Training Officer who ensures Recruit Officers know how to handle events the right way the first time. Officer Jeffries is a subject matter expert in Iowa on the use of the bicycle as a police tool, teaching classes at CRPD and the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy. His daily positive attitude and motivation to excel are appreciated! Quinn does a good job for the City. He’s willing to do whatever is needed to help with WPC operations. He has an entertaining personality that keeps people in a good mood. Thanks to Quinn!

Adam is always on the move while helping lead his team at WPC. Adam helps his team in keeping equipment powered up and properly controlled, and he keeps the building HVAC working correctly. Adam has had different roles with the WPC Maintenance group and always works to improve the processes at WPC. Adam has seen lots of change in his 15 years at WPC, and he will help to keep future changes positive. Amy brings a lot of talent and enthusiasm to the Fire Marshal’s office. She was promoted to Captain in 2018 and joined the ranks of the Fire Marshal’s office as a fire investigator/fire inspector in 2020. Amy completed the Police Academy in 2022 and has since played an integral part in many high-profile fire investigations. Amy helps lead our investigations team with one of the highest conviction ratings in the country. She is a great employee and an asset to the City. 31

15 YEARS OF SERVICE

Jackie LaGrange Senior Administrative Assistant Police

Dave Lesmeister Mechanical Inspector Building Services

Sarah Lukan Police Officer Police

Mitchell Magill Police Officer Police

Jackie is a huge asset and resource to the Administrative Operations division at the Police Department. She coordinates the majority of activities involving the police application process. Jackie has a plethora of knowledge and is always available to answer any questions that arise. On most occasions, Jackie is the first point of contact with whom new applicants interact. Her positive attitude and demeanor clearly places the Department and City in high regard. Her sense of humor and ability to get along with those she works with makes it a pleasure to have her part of the Administrative Operations division. Dave Lesmeister began his city career with Building Services as a Mechanical Inspector. Dave already had a long career in the mechanical trades and a wealth of knowledge. His knowledge has been invaluable to our customers as they work through installations in many buildings in the city. He is a problem solver and works with customers tirelessly. Dave is an example of the very best customer service that our Department can exhibit. We are proud to have him on our team and look to him as a leader in his field. Thank you for all you do, Dave. Officer Sarah Lukan is a valuable member of day patrol. Her dedication and professionalism is evident in her work on a daily basis. Officer Lukan is excellent at building trust and partnerships with community members. She is known for working cases vigorously and being results driven. Officer Lukan has found success recently processing scenes and developing suspects by pulling viable prints. Great job, Sarah, and congratulations on 15 years with CRPD. Investigator Mitchell Magill is currently assigned to the Narcotics Unit. Prior to this, Investigator Magill worked Patrol, K-9, and on the Mobile Assist Team. In addition to his daily duties, he is certified in Meth Lab cleanup. Investigator Magill is a hardworking, dedicated member of the Department and is always willing to assist other officers.

Caleb Mason Economic Development Manager City Manager’s Office

Ben Matt Civil Engineering Construction Inspector Public Works, Engineering

Tim O’Dell WPC Equipment Mech Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Adrienne Phelps Police Sergeant Police

During his 15-year tenure, Caleb has played a critical role in our city’s growth. He has played a major role in countless projects that have led to record development in our community. Caleb’s work has been crucial, touching everything from attracting new businesses and industries, to supporting our workforce and improving housing opportunities for all. We appreciate his ongoing commitment to our City’s progress and look forward to his continued contributions. Ben is a valuable member of our team with a wealth of knowledge. He is constantly ensuring that our capital projects are successfully completed. Ben often coordinates with others in Public Works to keep projects running smoothly. We really appreciate his dedication to the City. Thank you for 15 years of service! Tim always asks good questions to get to the root cause of mechanical issues, then works to get equipment returned to service. Tim is an essential worker in the Repair and Overhaul area at WPC. Over his 15 years with Sewer Maintenance and WPC Maintenance, he has helped provide reliable services for the City. Sergeant Adrienne Phelps has served the Department with distinction for the last 15 years. She became a Sergeant in 2020 and is currently assigned to the Night Watch in the Patrol Division. During her time with the Department, Adrienne was a proactive patrol officer and, for a short time, assigned to the Mobile Assist Team in the Investigation Division. After being promoted to Sergeant, she has developed into a leader whom officers and citizens can count on. Adrienne is also in charge of the Police Department’s Honor Guard. The Honor Guard is utilized for official ceremonies honoring police officers of City, State and Federal governments. Adrienne is an asset to the Department and will continue to excel at her position.

15 YEARS OF SERVICE

Enrique Sanchez Geospatial Data Specialist II Information Technology

Jake Schulmeister Infrastructure Administrator Information Technology

Rion Schulze Firefighter Fire

Ashleigh Steil Police Officer Police

Congratulations to Enrique Sanchez for 15 years of dedicated service to the City. Enrique started his career as an intern with the Public Works Department, then became a GIS Project Specialist with the IT Department, and most recently became a Geospatial Data Specialist II. Enrique primarily keeps our base map layers up to date. He was instrumental in the migration from computer aided drafting to the ESRI Parcel Fabric data model for the management of our base map layers. He also participates in the management of our emergency service zone data for 911, and has participated in a variety of other tasks, updating mowing maps, bus route maps, etc. Enrique has recently been working on a project to update citywide easement data. He is a valued member of the GIS team and an asset to our Department and organization. Jake is a valuable resource to the IT Department and has tackled many assignments over the last 15 years. Jake works to ensure our IT systems are functioning properly daily and dives in to resolve problems when the unexpected happens. He is actively involved in making improvements to the IT Network Infrastructure which provides benefits to all employees. In his time with the City, Jake has amassed a wealth of knowledge, including the inner workings of our departments, logistics, and how technology is accessed and used by employees. Rion is a seasoned Firefighter/Paramedic that has a positive, work-hard approach that gets the job done right. He works as an Acting Captain, filling in for captains around the city. His passion for the job has grown and he commits himself to helping others. He also sits on the Fire Department Safety Committee and recently assisted in developing a class for the fire department called Safety Standdown, a national safety week challenge to identify unsafe work practices and improve safety and the safety culture in the fire service. Keep up the good work, Rion. Congratulations to Officer Ashleigh Steil for her 15 years of service. She started her career in the Patrol Division and remained there until 2018, when she became the first School Resource Officer at Metro High School. Congratulations on your 15-year milestone.

Chris Strecker Development Services Engineer II Development Services

Dan Thompson Solid Waste & Recycling Driver/Collector II Utilities, Solid Waste

Jeremiah White Police Officer Police

Chris is an important part of the Development Services team, serving as an engineer for the division. Chris not only works externally with developers and companies that are developing and redeveloping in the community, he also collaborates across other City departments with a high degree of professionalism. Chris has worked on many complicated and high-profile developments that are shaping the community. He leverages his technical expertise with his problem-solving skills to produce positive outcomes. Congratulations on your milestone of 15 years of dedicated service to our community. Here’s to 15 more! Dan is a polite individual who takes pride in his work and holds himself accountable. He is a pleasure to work with and runs routes efficiently. Dan completes his assignments each day with enthusiasm and takes care of the equipment to which he is assigned. Dan brings new ideas to our team. Officer Jeremiah White always brings a positive attitude to work. He is able to bring calm to any situation that he encounters. We count on Officer White to handle anything that is thrown his way. His work is always complete, timely, and thorough. He is also a leader and looked up to by many younger officers as an example. Officer White is a valued member of the Department and City and will continue to be throughout his career.

20 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

Steve Charters Head Golf Professional Parks and Recreation, Golf

MANAGER COMMENTS Steve is the Head Golf Professional at Twin Pines and Gardner Golf Courses. Steve is an excellent club fitter; he has built up a huge clientele over the years that come back to him to be fit for new clubs when they are needed. If you are looking for new clubs, Steve is the guy to see! He has been the face of Junior Golf for many years. He continually seeks opportunities to grow programming for golfers of all ages and abilities. Steve does a great job juggling the responsibilities of managing two clubhouses.

20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Matthew Cummings Police Officer Police

Justin Hard Water System MaintenanceRepair Worker II Utilities, Water

Matt Mullen Police Sergeant Police

Kristine Olsen Materials Librarian Library

Michelle Omar Police Lieutenant Police

Investigator Matthew Cummings is assigned as an Investigator on the DEA Drug Task Force. Prior to this, Investigator Cummings worked patrol as a longtime member of the Special Response Team, and Narcotics. He is also a firearms instructor and certified in Meth Lab cleanup. Investigator Cummings is a hardworking, dedicated member of the Department. After getting the opportunity to job shadow at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant over 20 years ago, Justin took the initiative and made a career working with the Department. Justin is an expert at completing and coordinating water main repairs and installations of all difficulties. He ensures water improvements performed safely, in accordance with specifications. We are extremely grateful Justin is on our team and look forward to the great projects he will be a part of. Sergeant Matt Mullen is a 20-year veteran of the Police Department. He has spent time in both the Patrol Division and the Investigative Division. In Patrol, he has been an officer and a Patrol Supervisor. In Investigations, he has been a plain clothes supervisor for the night investigations team. Sergeant Mullen has been an integral member of the Special Response Team and is a trained crisis negotiator. He has also been a commander on the Crisis Negotiation and the Crisis Intervention Teams, serving those citizens who are experiencing a mental or behavioral crisis. He is currently assigned to the Office of the Chief as a Research and Development Commander. Sergeant Mullen is known for his quiet demeanor and his high level of management and supervisory skills. Kristine Olsen is knowledgeable and thorough. Her years of service and expertise are such a great asset to the library and City! Lieutenant Michelle Omar has provided 20 years of excellent service to the community. She has dedicated herself to the Department and gone above and beyond to better the Department and City. Lieutenant Omar is someone who truly cares about her fellow colleagues and citizens in the community. We are fortunate to have Lieutenant Omar as part of our team.

Thaddeus Paisar Police Officer Police

Jeremy Paulsen Police Lieutenant Police

Anthony Schmit Police Sergeant Police

Ryan Simon Housing Inspector Building Services

Investigator Thaddeus Paisar has held numerous positions and roles in his 20 years with the Department, including patrol officer, field training officer, operator and sniper for the special response team, firearms instructor, armorer, bike patrol officer and mechanic, and, for nine years, a school resource officer at Washington High School. In October 2021, Investigator Paisar was selected for the position of crime scene investigator where he has excelled. He is extremely dependable and thorough with his investigations that have led to convictions for serious crimes. Congratulations, Thaddeus, on 20 years with the Department. With his passion, ethics, and dedication to hard work, employees like Lieutenant Jeremy Paulsen set an example for all of us. Congratulations, Lieutenant Paulsen, on your 20 years of service to our Department and City! Keep raising the bar, and have a happy work anniversary. We are very thankful to have you on our team. Sergeant Anthony Schmit serves as the Commander for the Police Community Action and Special Response Teams. Through his leadership, the units with which he works have created a safer community for our residents and visitors through focusing on the reduction of gun violence and the effective response to critical incidents. Prior to his role as a Rental Housing Inspector with the Building Services Department, where he has served since May 2017, Ryan was an Auto Equipment Mechanic in Fleet Services. Ryan is assigned to the Northeast quadrant and has been an integral part of the Rental Housing Inspection Program’s transition from a 5-year regular rental inspection cycle to a 3-year cycle. Ryan was influential in providing perspective and practicality to code revisions as part of the Department’s recent update to the Housing and Property Maintenance Code. Ryan holds himself to high standards and has been a positive influence on new rental housing inspectors, offering insights to resolve complex issues and sharing best practices to achieve code compliance.

20 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mike Torno Dispatcher Police, Joint Communications

Andrew Tran Police Officer Police

Alissa Van Sloten City Clerk Clerk’s Office

Allen Whitaker Police Officer Police

Mike has been a great employee. He is reliable and shows excellent customer service skills both on the radio and telephone. Mike is always willing to help his coworkers when needed. Congratulations on 20 years of service! Congratulations to Officer Andrew Tran for his 20 years of service. Officer Tran started his career in the Patrol Division and remained there until 2018. He served on the Special Response Team (SRT) from 2008 to 2012. He’s also served on the Police Honor Guard Unit and has served as a Field Training Officer training our newest officers. In 2018, Officer Tran was selected to be a School Resource Officer at Jefferson High School. He has since moved to Kennedy High School, where he serves today. Over the last five years he has taken a very active role in creating and updating school emergency plans for all schools in Cedar Rapids. Thank you for your service to the city. Over her two decades of service, Alissa has been instrumental in driving significant improvements for the City. Her efforts to modernize and streamline processes within the Clerk’s Office have enhanced accessibility to public proceedings, licensing, permitting, and public records. Alissa’s dedication and commitment to her roles, spanning from Human Resources, to the Mayor’s Office and, ultimately, as our City Clerk, have been invaluable in advancing our community. Her constant pursuit of excellence embodies the true spirit of a dedicated City Clerk. Investigator Allen Whitaker is assigned to the Narcotics Unit. Prior to this, Investigator Whitaker worked Patrol as a longtime member of the Special Response Team, Mobile Assist Team, and Narcotics. He is also a firearms instructor and certified in Meth Lab cleanup. Investigator Whitaker is a hardworking, dedicated member of the Department.

25 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

MANAGER COMMENTS

Keith Abkes

Keith has worn many hats in the Public Works Department. Starting as a construction inspector, and working his way up to Project Engineer on the Capital Improvements team, Keith has a wealth of experience and knowledge which we all find useful. One of his top career accomplishments is the sidewalk repair program. Keith formed the program, continued to refine it, and eventually handed it off to a new engineer. He continues to be a great resource for everyone involved. He has made a positive impact on the lives of so many people he will never meet. On behalf of all of those people past and present, thank you, Keith!

Project Engineer I Public Works, Engineering

Ryan Abodeely Police Captain Police

Sarah Augustine Administrative Assistant Utilities, Solid Waste

Captain Ryan Abodeely is a 25-year veteran of the Police Department. He has been a patrol officer, police investigator, patrol sergeant, and a patrol shift lieutenant. He was then assigned to the Office of the Chief as the internal affairs/ professional standards lieutenant. He is known for his calm demeanor and thorough investigations, which protected the officers and the City’s interests. Captain Abodeely has been the lead on several investigations and works seamlessly with legal counsel. He was recently promoted to Captain, overseeing the Patrol Division. Captain Abodeely emphasizes community policing and proactive patrol techniques. His leadership sets the standard for his division. Sarah has a wide array of knowledge and expertise within the Solid Waste & Recycling division and City. She is friendly and compassionate to all with whom she engages. Sarah is dedicated to providing quality service to to our residents and division. Her work and friendly demeanor are greatly appreciated.

25 YEARS OF SERVICE

Jessica Barnhart Police Officer Police

Chad Bildstein Golf Course Superintendent Parks and Recreation, Golf

Russ Camp GIS Manager Information Technology

Graham Campshure Police Sergeant Police

Congratulations to Officer Jessica Barnhart for her 25 years of service. She started her career in the Patrol Division and worked on the Hazardous Device Unit (Bomb Squad) from 2007–2020. Her current assignment is at Polk Alternative School as a School Resource Officer, where she has performed in the role since 2014. Officer Barnhart continues to have a huge heart for the students that come and go from this school. Thank you for making a difference in students’ lives. Chad is continually seeking innovative ways to make Ellis Golf Course better. When a task is available, Chad takes on the challenge to ensure it is completed completely and correctly. Chad started with the City as an Assistant Superintendent at Twin Pines Golf Course before moving to Jones Golf Course, where he became the Golf Course Superintendent. Chad has a knack for growing turf, and with the flooding at Jones Golf Course, his skills were called upon numerous times. Since moving to Ellis Golf Course, he has supported the work of making Ellis a premier municipal golf course in the State of Iowa. Russ is an accomplished Geographical Information Manager and valued member of the IT Manager Team. Russ is the true founder of GIS at the City, initiating and contributing efforts for over 35 years. He has been instrumental in building the GIS onion layers which are able to extend out to City applications and provide needed mapping data. He has played a key role in the Emergency Operations Center as part of the City’s Incident Command starting with the 2008 Flood. Russ and his IT GIS Team were able to submit data into FEMA after the 2020 Derecho, impressing the Federal agency for the data’s accuracy and timeliness. He has an organic passion for GIS, with an ability to share knowledge with team members while continuing to advocate the use of GIS tools to leadership and employees. It is well known that if you have a meeting with Russ to discuss GIS, you might as well double the time because of the GIS knowledge he will share. Sergeant Graham Campshure serves as the Traffic Unit Commander, where he leads the Traffic Accident Investigation Unit. Sergeant Campshure has embraced the use of technology to make the streets of Cedar Rapids safer for the motoring public and pedestrians navigating through our community.

John Cover Traffic Signal Techician II Public Works, Traffic

Rob Davis Flood Control System Manager Public Works, Engineering

Cody Estling Police Captain Police

Thank you, John, for your 25 years of service. From his start as a dogcatcher, to his work with the water department, and now his experience with signs and signals, John has seen a lot. His ample experience pays off as he often notices and fixes problems that other might not see. John’s work includes locating underground traffic signal conduits, responding to traffic signal emergencies day or night, and completing projects and preventative maintenance. His work is much appreciated. Rob’s impact on the City has been profound. He is solution-driven and his creativity and imagination can be seen across the community. For the last several years, he has been leading the development of the Flood Control System. Now that construction is underway or complete on over 30% of the system, the community is beginning to witness the exciting improvements he’s been an integral force in achieving. Rob is good-natured and always focused on positive results for the residents and businesses that call Cedar Rapids home. Thank you for all the work you do for this community and for your dedicated service for 25 years! Captain Cody Estling is a 25-year veteran of the Police Department, where he has been a patrol officer, police investigator, patrol sergeant, investigative commander, patrol shift lieutenant and criminal investigations division commander as a lieutenant. Since being promoted to Captain, he has directed the Community Services Division, the Patrol Division and currently the Investigative Division. Captain Estling is a polygraph examiner, and a graduate of both the FBI National Academy and the Senior Management Institute for Policing from Boston University. Captain Estling is a leader who has improved the Department and its personnel through the years. He leads by example and encourages continuous development of skills and relationships. His leadership of investigations is outstanding and his commitment to the Police Department and City is exceptional.

25 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mark Freeze Enterprise Application Solution Manager Information Technology

Penelope Frischkorn Patron Services Specialist Library

Roy Grapes Streets Heavy Equipment Operator Public Works, Streets

Todd Henderson Firefighter Fire

Jeff Herbert Police Sergeant Police

Mark began his City tenure supporting technology systems within the Finance Department. In 2008, he joined the newly centralized IT Department, greatly increasing the team’s technology and analytical skill set. Mark is known as a master problem solver. While he solves complex problems, Mark remains calm and engaging, respecting everyone’s input. He is always available any time for a team member needing assistance. Mark currently manages the Enterprise Application Solutions Team, delivering and supporting numerous application systems to City departments and associated agencies, including 24/7 critical applications. Mark is a valuable technology team member and true asset to the City. Penelope “Penny” Frischkorn brings care and thoughtful attention to her work. She is dedicated to her coworkers and always willing to lend a helping hand. Roy is currently a member of our Mowing/Weed Crew. In his 25-year career, Roy has seen many winter storms and natural disasters. He has a lot of knowledge of all the areas of our community that the City maintains and has helped many new staff members learn how to perform proper maintenance of those areas. Congratulations on 25 years! Todd has embraced the role as a driver/operator and enjoys sharing his knowledge and skills with newer firefighters. As an active member of his neighborhood and the greater community, Todd is also a great ambassador for our Department. He comes to work with a contagious, great attitude every day. He takes pride in maintaining his apparatus and is very meticulous and detailed oriented. Thank you, Todd, for your service. During Sergeant Jeff Herbert’s 25 years with the Police Department, he has held many different roles, including patrol officer, field training officer, special response team operator and team leader, bike patrol officer, firearms instructor, and investigator. Promoted to sergeant in 2017, he has excelled as a front line supervisor in the patrol division since. Due to his quality supervisory skills, he was recently awarded the position of Sergeant of the Mobile Assist Team (MAT), a plain-clothes investigative unit within the Criminal Investigative Division. Congratulations, Jeff, on 25 years with the Department.

Randy Jernigan Police Officer Police

Nathan Juilfs Police Lieutenant Police

Justin Kaczinski Police Officer Police

Matt Kuchenbaker Lead Water Meter Reader Utilities, Water

Scott Kullander Traffic Control Maintenance Worker II Public Works, Traffic

Officer Randy Jernigan has been with the Police Department for 25 years and currently works in the Criminal Investigations division. He is assigned as a Task Force Officer with the Federal Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms. Officer Jernigan works closely with the United States Attorney’s Office helping prosecute violent gun offenses in Cedar Rapids and across the Midwest. He is a great asset to have and has built a strong relationship between the CRPD, ATF, and USAO. Lieutenant Nathan Juilfs joined the Department in 1998 and has provided 25 years of excellent service to the community. He has always been hard-working, knowledgeable, and proactive as an officer and as a supervisor. He has been willing to take on any task given to him. We are fortunate to have Lieutenant Juilfs as part of our team. Officer Justin Kaczinski is a seasoned and very experienced officer who can function independently. He has taken over the role of liaison with the Eastern Iowa Honor Flight for the Department and has done a great job with it. He is a dedicated and well-rounded officer, which makes him a valuable asset to the Department and City. Matt has done a great job taking on his role as the Lead Water Meter Reader. Matt is a great employee who has served with dedication. He has taken on the challenges of new technology and adapting to different reading routes. Thank you to Matt for his commitment to the Water division. Scott has been a member of multiple teams during his time with the City, spending most of his time within the Sewer Division and now with the Traffic division. He is a vital member of the small crew that ensures traffic signs and pavement markings are kept up. Scott works every day to make sure that his fellow coworkers and the traveling public are safe. Congratulations on 25 years!

25 YEARS OF SERVICE

Carl Lantermans Code Enforcement Officer Building Services

Corey McGuire Urban Forester III Parks and Recreation, Forestry

Marc Michael Firefighter Fire

Before taking on the role of Code Enforcement Officer with the Building Services Department, Carl was a a Lead Technician with Fleet Services before becoming a Nuisance Abatement Officer (now called Code Enforcement Officer) in February 2017. He is assigned to the Southeast quadrant for enforcement of the Housing & Property Maintenance Code, specifically focusing on owner-occupied and commercial properties with violations. Carl became the first code enforcement officer to earn the Certified Code Enforcement Officer certification from the American Association of Code Enforcement, a testament to his professionalism. Carl is a leader within the organization, coordinating nuisance abatements, assisting with rental housing inspections, and mentoring new code enforcement officers. Corey is a reliable member of Forestry. Able to work independently and with little supervision, Corey consistently performs at a high level and completes any task assigned, putting constructive criticism and new training expectations into place quickly. Corey’s skills make him valuable to other departments as well. He routinely teams up to help other groups complete tasks outside of standard work. Congratulations on 25 years of service, Corey! Marc is a veteran firefighter of 25 years, currently assigned to Station 3. Prior to that, Marc spent many years as the subject matter expert operating on Rescue 1. He played a large role in implementing new techniques and equipment to improve our specialized rescue response. He is a hard-working firefighter who will accept any task given and will always do his best to accomplish the mission. Marc is a steady hand who is always observing and is relied upon as a driver/operator. He is an asset to our shift and organization. Marc is a pleasure to work with and is an excellent teammate in any environment. Congratulations, Marc, on 25 years at CRFD!

Jesse Moore Police Officer Police

Scott Northland Dispatcher Police, Joint Communications

Brad Seifert Water Plant Operator IV Utilities, Water

Richard Takes Auto Equipment Mechanic II Fleet Maintenance

Angie Thiher Joint Communications Center Supervisor Police, Joint Communications

Chris Weiland Custodian Facilities Maintenance Services

Officer Jesse Moore is a highly dependable and experienced officer that can be counted on to handle any call for service with little or no supervision necessary. He takes pride in his work and is always willing to help other officers and citizens. For these reasons, he is a valuable asset to the Department and City. Scott is a highly reliable and dependable employee. He is willing to help his team by working a tremendous amount of overtime as well as answering, or helping ascertain the answer to, any questions that arise. Scott is very professional and respectful on his phone calls. Joint Communications is lucky to have him on our team for 25 years. Congratulations! Brad demonstrates a strong commitment to his team and to serving his community every day. He shows up with a positive attitude and always puts in his best efforts. His diligence and knowledge of the water treatment systems make him a positive role model and mentor for some of the less tenured plant staff. Brad is always willing to lend a hand and is looked upon with high regard by his peers and leaders. In his 25 years with the City, Richard has fixed anything from small engine equipment to Fire Apparatus. He is a hard worker and supports our internal customers when there are plow events and Solid Waste overtime needs. Richard will step in to help others on jobs and is willing to lend a hand. Thank you Richard, and congratulations on your 25-year service award! Angie Thiher has been a member of the Joint Communications Agency since 1997 and has played a significant role in its development and success over the years. She has held a variety of positions in the Department, including senior dispatcher, trainer, union steward, and chief union steward. Angie was recently promoted to shift supervisor and continues to demonstrate her ability to lead others with her positive attitude and work ethic. She is a great credit to herself, the Department, and City. We are lucky to have Chris on our team! He has been a great example for others to follow. Chris is great at keeping his assigned area in good order and is on top of things needing repair. We can always count on Chris! He is a joy to work with.

30 YEARS OF SERVICE

30 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

MANAGER COMMENTS

Brad DeBrower

Congratulations to Brad on his 30 years of dedicated service to the City! It is evident that he has made a significant impact by embodying the City’s core values and developing leaders in the Transit division. Thank you, Brad, for all you do for the City and our community! You truly have made a lasting difference.

Transit Manager Transit

Julie Macauley Customer Support Manager Information Technology

Vance McKinnon Assistant Fire Chief/ Fire Marshal Fire

In her 30-year career with the City, Julie has held several positions, from administrative assistant, to customer support division manager, and as interim IT director for more than five years. Julie leads with a calm reassurance and expertise that has helped lead IT and the City through the technological and communications challenges of the pandemic and 2020 Derecho. She is a valued and trusted leader in the organization and member of the IT management team. Julie has helped build a team-first culture, focused on finding solutions through teamwork and collaboration, recognizing contributions from everyone, and partnering with the Department and customers. Julie strives for continual service improvement and exemplifies our core values. Vance has served the Fire Department in a variety of capacities during his career, including shift operations and the Fire Marshal’s Office. Vance currently serves as the City Fire Marshal, which requires him to understand and interpret life safety code and apply it to best protect the public and our firefighters in the event of a fire in commercial or industrial occupancies in the City. This is a daunting task that requires him to interact with developers, contractors, and trade associations. Vance is adept at navigating among these and other entities to ensure public safety in new and existing construction. He is a mentor to those who work with him and under his supervision and his passion for fire and life safety is infectious. His knowledge and leadership is appreciated and his work makes Cedar Rapids a safer city, now and into the future.

Mark Newcomb Transit Driver Transit

Kelly Riley Transit Data Coordinator Transit

David Roe Golf Operations Superintendent Parks and Recreation, Golf

Mark, our longest-serving Transit driver, has been a steadfast and self-reliant member of our team for an impressive 30 years. His dedication and reliability have been a cornerstone of our Department, and we’re truly grateful for his enduring commitment. Kelly is a devoted and dependable employee that has dedicated over 30 years to the City. Kelly is respected by her coworkers and she provides considerable institutional knowledge regarding the operations of the Transit division. David has made remarkable contributions during his tenure as the Golf Superintendent. He transitioned into a PGA Golf Professional and served as an interim Golf Superintendent for approximately four years before officially taking on the role of Golf Operations Superintendent. David’s influence extends beyond the greens, as he played a pivotal role in the construction of the Ellis Event Center and introduced Twin Pines Mini Golf to the City. David’s dedication to enhancing the golfing experience is evident through his support for Junior Golf growth alongside Pros Mark McMahon and Steve Charters. David’s leadership is characterized by trust in his staff, who are empowered to beautify the courses. David has also organized numerous tournaments, including the recent Patriot Golf Tournament, to benefit veterans through the “Folds of Honor” program. His impact extends to establishing strong golf leagues, fostering community engagement, and nurturing a cohesive team that excels in communication and creative problem-solving, all while contributing to the Department’s revenue. David’s tenure stands as a testament to his dedication and invaluable contributions to the City’s golfing community for over 30 years. Congratulations on 30 years of service to the City of Cedar Rapids, David!

35 YEARS OF SERVICE

35 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

MANAGER COMMENTS

Jeff Bennett

Jeff has worked for the Public Works Department for 32 years and the Parks Department for 3 years. He has served in a variety of roles, most of which have involved asphalt, concrete, snow plowing, and mowing. Jeff has been a valuable employee, with a great attitude and significant knowledge. We’re looking forward to working with Jeff as he finishes out his career with the City of Cedar Rapids. Congratulations on 35 years!

Streets Driver Public Works, Streets

Shannon Day Administrative Assistant Building Services

Jeff Franks Solid Waste & Recycling Supervisor Utilities, Solid Waste

Shannon Day is an Administrative Assistant with the Building Services Department and is assigned to the Rental Housing Inspection Program area. She began her career with the City in 1988, working the midnight shift as a Police Department Records Technician. Shannon then transferred to the Building Services Department in September 1998. She has worked for 10 managers in the Rental Housing Inspection program over the past 24 years. By conservate estimates, Shannon has processed over 6,000 rental property registrations and over 2,200 rental business training participants. Within the past year, Shannon coordinated an online rental business training program, which resulted in 170 rental property owners or managers successfully completing their required training. Shannon fields dozens of phone calls regarding landlord and tenant issues, while managing rental property deletion and change forms, and housing inspection payments. Jeff is the longest tenured employee within the Solid Waste & Recycling division. He has seen the multitude of changes in our solid waste collection services over the years. From when we picked up everything (including a Volkswagen Beetle), to the inception of our recycling program, to our current collection vehicles and technology in our trucks. Jeff has vast knowledge within our division and the solid waste industry. He was recently promoted to Solid Waste & Recycling supervisor, and he has done an amazing job stepping right in and providing great customer service and expertise to our City and customers.

Don Gandy Streets Heavy Equipment Operator Public Works, Streets

Brian Gibson Battalion Chief Fire

Dan Lubben Fire Captain Fire

Don has worn many hats while with the City. He is currently a vital part of the Mowing/ Weed Crew, helping to keep our right-of-way looking good. He’s also been a quality operator on the concrete construction crew and spent some time dedicated to working in one of the quadrants. After a great 35-year career, Don is planning to retire at the end of September. Congratulations, Don, and thank you for your service to our community! Brian Gibson’s impact on the organization cannot be understated. In 35 years, Brian has answered thousands of calls, mentored and learned from hundreds of coworkers, and led procurement of the current Fire Department fleet. He has taught all of us how to discuss complex topics and build solid relationships. Our City is safer and a better place to work because of Brian’s work. Dan exhibits a diligent work mindset and is customer oriented; he is always available to answer questions for the businesses he works with. Dan is a team player and can always be counted on to step up and help fellow employees when they need an extra hand. Dan helps make the Fire Marshal’s Office a great entity — and a fun place to work!

40 YEARS OF SERVICE EMPLOYEE

MANAGER COMMENTS

Nancy Geiger

Nancy Geiger has been a part of the library team for 40 years — across three buildings! She is an amazing example of library service, caring for all of the patrons as well as all of our items. She is an integral part of our team and we are so proud to have her.

Public Service Librarian Library

2023 RETIREMENTS

EMPLOYEE

DEPARTMENT

YEARS of SERVICE

Nathan Chesmore

Fleet Maintenance

Titof Aquice

Information Technology

Owen Emanuel

Veterans Memorial Commission

Jeff Scherf

Parks and Recreation

Tim McLaud

Fleet Maintenance

Daniel Lahr

Police 32

Mary McGuire

Library 10

Scott Saylor

Fire 35

Kevin McIntyre

Public Works, Streets

Bonnie Brewer

Utilities, Water

Rick Beadle

Fleet Maintenance

Penny Lahr

Police 37

Rita Rasmussen

Development Services, Right-of-Way

Gail Stark

Transit 19

Mark Jones

Utilities, Solid Waste

Ron Dewitt

Police 28

Randy Hook

Fire 32

Wayne Jerman

Police 10

Rodney Schulte

Police 23

Laura May

Police 28

Michael Kuntz

Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Chris Schmid

Fire 30

22 26

EMPLOYEE

DEPARTMENT

YEARS of SERVICE

Jeffrey Visek

Utilities, Water Pollution Control

Jessica Harden

Police 15

Leslie Thumma

Police 32

Curtis Hopper

Fire 27

Rory Smith

Public Works, Streets

Perry Perez

Fire 42

Melia Tatman

Library 25

Terry Kuehl

Utilities, Water

Ernest Merriweather

Police

Jeffrey Hembera

Fire 30

Darrell Cannon

Utilities, Water

Brad Arenz

Transit 9

Don Gandy

Public Works, Streets

Brent Long

Police 33

Joseph Sherbon

Fleet Maintenance

Yvonne Aubrey

Risk Management

James Gugeler

Facilities Maintenance Services

37 35