West Texas Centers recognizes outstanding employees

BIG SPRING The West Texas Centers for MHMR held its annual employee recognition ceremony March 7 at First United Methodist Church in Big Spring.

Trustees honored were: Ben Lockhart, board chairman; Giles Dalby, vice chairman; Winkler County judge Bonnie Leck, board secretary/treasurer; Jim Barron, Yoakum County Judge; Upton County Judge Vikki Bradley; Dallas Brewer; Donald C. Creager; Nolan County Judge Tim Fambrough; and Borden County Judge Van L. York.

Creager was recognized for 10 years of exemplary service on the board before announcing the Center's Employee of the Year.
The Employee of the Year was chosen from 70 nominees recommended by the more than 350 West Texas Center employees and supervisors, which was narrowed to 12 finalists.

Janie Rainwater of Brownfield was named the Center's Employee of the Year. Rainwater serves as the North Region area supervisor for mental retardation. She is based in Brownfield. She was one of 12 exemplary employees nominated for Employee of the Year.

The other exemplary employees were: Cookie VanZandt, Runnels County; Amber Tarver, Howard County; Debbie Lindsey, Sweetwater; Doris Johnson, Howard County; Barbara Covington, Ward County; Vickie Carson, Howard County; Minnie Gonzalez, Howard County; Sharon Billingsley, Howard County; Norma Mendoza, Reeves County; Shawn Hill, Howard County; and Norma Leach, Nolan County.

Longtime West Texas Center employee Jim Campbell, who recently retired was honored for his outstanding service and dedication to the center.

Employees receiving longevity awards were: Loretta Mathews, Cheryl Poitevint and Shelley Smith, all for 25 years of service; Suzanne Chapman, Roy Marquez, Diane Szabo and Joann Thompson, 20 years; Shirley Fleming, Larry Frizzell, Judy Guelker, Flora Viera and Sherry Stevenson, 15 years; Shannon Ashford, Kathy Fininen, Judy Garza, Sylvia Gomez, Diane Herrera, Dian Jones, Alice Miranda, Joann Paredez, Janie Rainwater, Mary Sims, Kim Slate and Gail Wells, 10 years.

Five year awards: Williams Arey, Vickie Carson, Amelia Cortez, Dara Dickerson, Amy Johnson, Gloria Lujan, Leonor Ortega, Jeanne Overman, Mary Phelps, Veneta Ramsey, Elaine Ryden, Mary Salcido, Patricia Sisk, Theresa Smith, and Pamela Toland.
Two-year awards: Mike Alfano, Debbie Blair, Bev Bucklew, Alyse Carey, Isela Carrasco, Ashley Casbeer, Irma Chavez, Stacey Cheuvront, Barbara Covington, Irma Garcia, Odelia Garcia, Amy Gleaton, Koeisha Loudermill, Sarah Olguin, Norma Perez, Angela Perkins, Debra Posey, Ben Ramon, Carmen Roach, Catrina Salazar, Amber Tarver and Marybel Tovar.

All attendees were presented with a keychain with a puzzle medallion and a pen.

West Texas Centers offers mental health and mental retardation services for 23 West Texas counties.