Employees honored during meeting
Almost 200 GRF employees attended the first ever all-staff meeting and employee appreciation lunch in Clubhouse 4 on Oct. 20. GRF Executive Director Jessica Sedgwick welcomed everyone and expressed her appreciation to GRF staffers for their hard work and consistent striving to do the best job possible. She also thanked the GRF Board for supporting the all-staff event.
After a program on department accomplishments in 2023, employee awards were bestowed.
Years of service recognitions started with one year and culminated in the Legend award for 50 years of service given to Service Maintenance Director Ruben Gonzalez.
The GRF Purchasing Department won the best GRF department award in recognition of excellence and teamwork that demonstrates exceptional performance. The small-but-mighty Purchasing Department includes Warehouse Manager Ruben Sandoval, and staff Daniel Ayala, Justin Miyamoto and Rosendo Falcon.
Jorge Valencia, Service Maintenance carpenter, was recognized as Employee of the Year. This is a prestigious honor presented to
Ruben Gonzalez was awarded for 50 years of service to the Golden Rain Foundation. He celebrated the moment with his daughters Karina (l), Elizabeth (r) and granddaughter Zara.
Ruth Osborn a person who consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication and performance throughout the year, including an unwavering ability to inspire and motivate colleagues.
Individual service awards were distributed as follows:
• Tick Tok Award for exceptional time management: Debbie Kim, Communications Customer Service Specialist, and Kim Ngo, General Accountant.
• Duct Tape Award for remarkable ability to unravel challenges: Felix Rac, Service Maintenance Carpenter.
• Keeping It Real for consistent ability to keep meetings running: Tia Makakaufaki, Executive Coordinator.
• Problem Solver for solving the most challenging problems: Alicia Rubio-Villalovos, Facilities Administrative Assistant.
• Behind the Scenes for tirelessly working in the background to produce seamless programming and event coordination: Tommy Fileto, Recreation Manager
• Unsung Hero for making a difference with acts kindness and support: Larry Norlander, Security Services Manager.
• Helping Hand for offering wholehearted assistance to others: Pam Camfield, Security Services Watch Commander.
• Resilience Award for exceptional strength, adaptability and perseverance in the face of adversity, challenges and obstacles: Ripa Barua, Mutual Administration Senior Portfolio Specialist.
• All Day Every Day for consistent excellence and precision day in and day out: Sora Kim-Lee, Finance Manager.
• Rising Star for demonstrating significant talent and accomplishments in a short time, and potential for future success in her career: Emma DiMaggio, Communications Manager.
• Shining Star for excellence in performance, leadership and innovation: Andrew Delaney, IT Technician.
Employee of the Year Jorge Valencia, Service Maintenance
