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Recognition of various City employees and their accomplishments.
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Summary:
At this time, we want to recognize the outstanding recent professional and personal accomplishments of several City of Deer Park employees:
Kathy Cobb, Records Supervisor, Police Department
Ms. Cobb on May 17, 2024, graduated from the Leadership Command College at the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT). The Leadership Command College is the most comprehensive program offered at LEMIT and is often compared to the FBI National Academy. The nine (9) week program is designed to provide law enforcement executives with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful leadership in a modern law enforcement agency. Targeted for completion over a two-year period, this program consists of three modules held at prestigious universities in Texas, including Texas A&M, Sam Houston State University and Texas Woman's University, which focus on the strengths of each institution.
Nicholas Cook, Water Plant Supervisor, Public Works
In April, Mr. Cook won the W.T. “Doc” Ballard Memorial Meritorious Service Award at the Texas American Water Works Association conference in Ft. Worth. This is the Association’s most prestigious award, and he was selected over others who were nominated as well. It is given to the Association member who has exhibited untiring dedication to the water utilities. Those eligible for nomination have to have at least 20 years of service and active service in the Association.
Greg Grigg, Police Chief, Police Department
Chief Grigg recently was appointed Regional 14 Director for the Texas Police Chiefs Association (TPCA). This distinguished position carries a weight of profound responsibility, as Chief Grigg will be entrusted with the solemn task of presenting financial aid to families who have suffered the unimaginable loss of loved ones - police officers who bravely gave their lives in the line of duty. It's a testament to Chief Grigg's leadership qualities, dedication to service, and unwavering commitment to the well-being of his fellow officers that he has been selected for this vital role.
David Ortiz, Water Plant Operator, Public Works
Mr. Ortiz recently earned his Class A water license, which is the highest licensure given by the State of Texas. He passed a very challenging licensure test, which has a passing rate of less than 20%. Deer Park is blessed to have three (3) operators with a Class A license: Nicholas Cook, Matt Noland, and now David Ortiz. Additionally, Public Works Director David Van Riper also holds a Class A license.
Bill Philibert, Director of Human Resources & Risk Management, Human Resources
For the past eleven (11) years, Mr. Philibert has served on the Board of Trustees of the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS). This is a very prestigious position, as it is an appointment of the Governor of the State of Texas. Last month, the Trustees voted Bill as Board Chair. This is his second time to serve in this capacity. TMRS is a multi-billion dollar retirement system with over 220,000 members.
Dorlee Vargas, Engineering Aid II, Engineering Department
Ms. Vargas began her career with the City as an Engineering Intern, and recently accepted the position of Engineering Aid II in our Engineering Department. She recently graduated from Texas Southern University and earned a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering with a 3.69 GPA, graduating as Magna Cum Laude. At TSU she belonged to chapters American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists (AAEES) and American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), serving as ASCE Secretary her senior year. She was selected Student Fellow by the Transportation Research Board, a division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, a congressionally chartered organization, and led a team of four (4) students through the process of completing a research paper titled, Revisiting Rural Accessibility and Transportation Options. This research was in partnership with NCTCOG, a voluntary association established to assist in regional planning in North Central Texas.
Jacob Zuniga, Assistant Director, Parks & Recreation Department
Earlier this year, Jacob became the 2024 President of the Texas Recreation & Park Society (TRAPS). He was elected the organization’s President-elect in 2023 after serving on its Board of Directors for many years. TRAPS has 2300 members from all throughout the state of Texas. It is a tremendous honor to serve as President of such a reputable organization as TRAPS, and Jacob represents Deer Park exceedingly well in this capacity.
Fiscal/Budgetary Impact:
None.
Recommended action
Please join us in recognizing these individuals.