Employee Newsletter

Sun Metro extends a warm welcome this week to Karen Walton as she comes on board as Assistant Director of Safety. Walton comes to the Southwest after serving for six years as Executive Director at Mat-Su Community Transit in Alaska. Walton has an extensive background in safety and security training after serving as Master at Arms in the Navy for 12 years. Ms. Walton will implement individualized safety training to every employee. Her vision is to create a climate and culture based on safety and security principles.

Walton is excited to join Sun Metro. She will further training in all aspects of the organization by putting safety in the forefront. Also, she will implement a new safety training library that provides personnel with instruction, coupled with ongoing testing that ensures daily execution of best safety practices.

Walton received an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Alaska. "We're thrilled to welcome a person of her caliber and look forward to working together to incorporate safety as a lifestyle at Sun Metro." - Tim Omick, Sun Metro Director

Recognizing Excellence: Mario Garcia

Mario Garcia of the General Services Department is not your average employee. Working sometimes day and night to help tackle difficult building maintenance issues is only scratching the surface of what Garcia and his fellow staff do to help other City employees -- citywide. Below is a recent message, sharing just what a fantastic job Garcia has done for the City:

When I came on board as the Regional Branch Manager at the Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch Library, one of the first City employees to reach out and offer help was Mario Garcia. Our then Business and Finance Manager, suggested that I contact Mario when we began experiencing major leaks in our building. Mario was always willing to help anyway he could including the first time we had a hard rain and experienced more than 20+ leaks all at once, I called him at the same time I called the contractor and he arrived first with plastic sheeting to protect the books and computers here at the branch--and this was a Friday afternoon late. I have never asked for help but what Mario has been here or directed me to help. Many times in the beginning, we had false alarms with the security system and anytime of the day or night, he was usually here first or handled it himself and then let me know. Mario is always cheerful, professional and a good listener. This is so valuable in building maintenance where other city employees are in fact your customers. He supervises a great staff which he manages and follows up with always. His employee, Sergio, has been here many times with our HVAC system or Evelio with the roof and each time his staff notify me of what the status is of the job when they are finished. Mario always follows up where necessary. His support to me and my staff has been most valuable!

I decided I needed to finally put this in writing since I am hopeful that we have finally after two years, gotten the building's various issues addressed. I am very grateful for Mario and his staff's constant support and assistance. I know I can take him at his word. In thirty-two years of working in libraries, I have never had the privilege of working with someone I could count on like Mario. I consider him an exemplary employee!

Cheryl Bernero, Regional Branch Manager
Dorris Van Doren Regional Branch Library

Garcia will be celebrating 30 years of service at the end of this month.

Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) Director Elected to Serve on National Arts Federation Committee

Yolanda Alameda, Director for the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) has been elected as a new member for the executive committee for the United States Urban Arts Federation (USUAF).

Ms. Alameda is responsible for the city's three public museums: El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Museum of Archaeology and El Paso Museum of History; as well as a public art program, funding programs, city-wide performance and gallery programs and the development of collaborative marketing initiatives to enhance cultural tourism opportunities for the City of El Paso.

The United States Urban Arts Federation (USUAF) is an alliance of the directors of arts agencies in the nation's 50 largest cities. USUAF members meet twice a year in conjunction with Americans for the Arts events to discuss urban arts policy and funding. "Their work and cultural leadership will help guide the USUAF in addressing social, educational, and economic development issues through the arts," Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts.

Prior to beginning her position with the City of El Paso, Yolanda served as Assistant Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs for the City of Dallas.

Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) Employee Selected for Fellowship

Ben Fyffe, Arts & Education Program Specialist for the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) has been selected for a week-long Wallace Foundation Fellowship to be served at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

A legacy of Readers' Digest founders Dewitt and Lila Acheson Wallace, the Wallace Foundation is one of the largest in the United States in terms of assets and is committed to both expanding education leadership and public participation in arts and culture. Mr. Fyffe will explore the use of Latino art and public programming to engage non-traditional audiences and is one of only four Texas arts professionals selected.

Supervisory Academy Graduates – February

Congratulations to all graduates of the February Supervisory Academy!

Uvaldo Corral	Airport
Esther Roth	Development Services
Esther Roth	Development Services
Michael Cortez	Economic Development
Lisa Riley	Economic Development
Consuela Castaneda	Environmental Services
Rodolfo Valles	Environmental Services
Ramon Montes	EPWU
Raquel Alarcon	Financial Services
Elizabeth Briones	Financial Services
Martha R. Moreno	General Services
Irma Facio	Library
Gabriela Flores	Library
Diana Leyva	Library
Irene Mendoza	Library
Jennifer Ortega	Library
Irma Trevizo	Library
Rosa Ayala	Parks & Rec
Mike Hon	Parks & Rec
Sylvia Marquez	Parks & Rec
Rosario Flores	Police
Janet Keller	Police
Esperanza Garcia	Sun Metro

Two City Parks and Recreation Employees Recently Honored
At Park Board Meeting

The City of El Paso Parks and Recreation Department honored Cody Rios and Luis Maldonado Tuesday, March 6th at the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board monthly meeting.

The two employees were selected to be honored for their customer relations innovativeness. Rios is a Recreation leader at the San Juan Community Center while Maldonado serves in the same capacity at the Eastwood Community Center.

"We are very happy to honor Mr. Rios and Mr. Maldonado for their commitment to the general Public," said Joe Rodriguez, recreation services manager for the department.