By Cassie McClure
Published in the Las Cruces Bulletin 1/8/21
The pandemic has stifled celebrations, but Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) is still celebrating – if only via video this year – its successes and the associates who went above and beyond in a year when that was the most crucial need.
This year’s LCU Customer Service - Above and Beyond went to a team of nine, those who walked into homes throughout the city: LCU Field Services. The team comprised of Jaime Medina, former supervisor who recently moved to a new position; Sergio Flores, interim supervisor, and technicians Jesus Vargas, Sammy Saenz, David Villalobos, Raymond Lucero, David Murillo, Geraldo Villanueva, and Arturo Del Rio.
“With their customer service – in activations, deactivations, and furnace relights – they went to homes donning personal protective equipment where people were exposed to or diagnosed as COVID positive without hesitation, understanding that it’s through them that our customers continue to receive service,” Jose Provencio, LCU deputy director Business Services, said.
The LCU Cost-Effective Savings Solution Award went to the LCU Water Production Supervisor, Ronald Borunda. Ronald saved the department an annual cost of $500,000 on barricades by researching and purchasing equipment and traffic control training for nine associates to be certified - at a cost of approximately $51,000. Their traffic control skills and equipment will be used for residential and smaller streets that is the typical need for LCU.
The LCU Excellence in Innovation award went to Joshua Dominquez, Solid Waste residential heavy equipment operator, for his leadership in the LCU Wellness Walking Path, allowing the project to be done completely in-house.
The 6th Annual LCU Board of Commissioners Award, presented by Chair William Little, went to Veronica Lucio, who helped in Spanish translation in the LCU notification system.
“Devotion to your profession helps fortify a great future for our families,” said LCU Board of Commissioners Vice-Chair Ed Archuleta. “We thank you for the dedication to your job during a difficult and unprecedented time.”
LCU can be reached at 575-528-3500 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. LCU provides services to approximately 100,000 Las Cruces residents and businesses.
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PHOTO 1: LCU Deputy Directors salute associates who went Above and Beyond, Excelled Through Innovation, found Cost-Effective Savings Solutions, or were recognized by the LCU Board of Commissioners.