By Cassie McClure
Published in Las Cruces Bulletin 12.24.21
“Our annual awards are a time to celebrate a trait that our employees share at all levels, resiliency,” said Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) Director Delilah Walsh. “It made the selection of the awards hard, especially since everyone in our department goes above and beyond for our customers.”
Customer Service - Above & Beyond Award: LCU Engineer Cesar Madrid
Cesar provides excellent customer service exemplary patience beyond his everyday duties to internal and external customers. I always get great feedback from all. If he is tasked with something out of the ordinary, he moves quickly to provide the outcome. Nominated by Deputy Director Technical Support Carl Clark
Customer Service - Above & Beyond Award: LCU Customer Service Supervisor Chase Johnson and LCU Billing & Receivables Supervisor Steve Valdez
Chase and Steve kept uninterrupted business services on-line for essential utility services (including billing and utility bill assistance) with remote work assignments and balancing the wellbeing of their staff was a major accomplishment during the pandemic. They worked through the preparation and flood of calls to assist customers at the same high professional level as before the onset of the pandemic. A job well done. Nominated by LCU Deputy Director Business Services Jose Provencio
Cost-Effective Savings Solution Award: LCU Training Safety Coordinators Jeff Griffith & Case Van Dyke, and LCU Gas Systems Inspector Supervisor Ramiro Pereyra
This team developed and directed the complete remake of the City of Las Cruces (City) Operator Qualification (OQ) Program from a Computer Based Training (CBT) to a Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). This new implementation ensures that anybody working in the gas system, including outside contractors, are trained and qualified per the Gas Utility procedures and helps to maintain the safety and consistency of the system and staff. Nominated by LCU Deputy Director Gas Lucio Garcia
Excellence through Innovation Award: LCU Business System Analyst Jeff Dillard
The City is using Utilities as the Beta department for implementing ExecuTime across all City departments, which will save staff time and resources. Even through all the bugs and challenges we've experienced with ExecuTime, Jeff has remained positive and provides 1:1 support if needed to employee and managers. Nominated by LCU Senior Office Manager Alma Ruiz
LCU Board Cash Award: LCU Water Production Operator Jacob Cabrales
Jacob has skillfully and cheerfully filled two positions in Water Production that came open at the same time, alongside supporting the entire Water Line of Business during the transition. Nominated by LCU Interim Deputy Director Water Ronald Borunda
LCU Customer Central can be reached at 575-541-2111 from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. LCU provides clean, safe, and reliable services to Las Cruces residents and businesses. Learn more at: las-cruces.org/180/Utilities For emergencies, call Dispatch at 526-0500.
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PHOTO 1: LCU Engineer Cesar Madrid and LCU Director Delilah Walsh
PHOTO 2: LCU Customer Service Supervisor Chase Johnson, LCU Deputy Director Jose Provencio, LCU Billing & Receivables Supervisor Steve Valdez
PHOTO 3: LCU Training Safety Coordinators Jeff Griffith and Case Van Dyke, LCU Gas Systems Inspector Supervisor Ramiro Pereyra, and LCU Gas Services Supervisor Pete Duran
PHOTO 4: LCU Business System Analyst Jeff Dillard and LCU Senior Office Manager Alma Ruiz
PHOTO 5: LCU Interim Deputy Director Water Ronald Borunda, LCU Water Production Operator Jacob Cabrales, LCU Board Commissioners Ed Archuleta and William Little