Melbourne City Employees are Saluted for Their Service
Six employees are to be honored with the City Manager’s ‘Service Is Our Business’ Award, an annual salute to those who make a special effort to serve the public and improve municipal operations. Each was nominated by fellow employees and then selected by City department directors. They are to receive the awards during a ceremony in December.
City Manager Jack Schluckebier said the honored employees exemplify the City’s ‘Service is Our Business’ slogan. “The award indicates that each of these individuals makes an extra effort to serve the public, and they also support their co-workers in maintaining a high level of municipal services for the Melbourne community.”
The responsibilities of the individuals receiving the awards reflect the diverse work assignments in the municipal organization.
Mike Brink has served the City for 18 years, beginning work as an electrician and advancing through several utilities assignments on his way to becoming the water and sewer operations superintendent. He has held that management post since promotion from the assistant superintendent's position in 2007. Brink now oversees operations that include maintenance and repairs to critical public works infrastructure. "He goes out of his way to help all of the customers and fellow employees who come to him with a problem," his nominator writes. "Mike is an understanding and caring person who puts 110% into everything he does."
Linda Drake has completed 10 years of City service, beginning as an accountant and earning two promotions to become the financial reporting administrator. Her job includes ongoing analysis of the accounting system as well as long-term projects. With duties that include preparing financial documentation for FEMA reimbursements, Drake is cited as a resource person "for co-workers who need assistance with learning the City accounting practices and the history of the finance operations for all facets of government accounting." She is an honors graduate of Florida International University.
Chris Mavis, a senior recreation supervisor who joined the City in 2006, is credited with successfully encouraging people of all ages to enjoy tennis. "Chris has shown outstanding service to the City in running the tennis facilities at Fee Avenue and at Jimmy Moore Park," a nominator says. Mavis was commended for overseeing improvements in operations and facilities, for his rapport with players, and for his efforts in organizing clinics, leagues, and tournaments. Mavis earned a degree in recreation and park management from Penn State University.
Jim Nickelson was nominated by three fellow employees who commended his quiet, steady work pattern in maintenance of City facilities. One nominator points out that "Jim's excellent customer service, attention to detail, and his willingness to go above and beyond what is asked of him makes him the perfect candidate for this honor." Nickelson, who is a carpenter in the Facilities Maintenance Division, has completed extensive training as a locksmith with expertise in electronic systems. He has earned two promotions since joining the City in 1999.
John Prescott was cited by two co-workers for the key role he plays in operations of the City's Information Technology Division. They pointed to accomplishments ranging from coordination of major computer system projects to his ongoing encouragement of a team effort among employees. "He gives everything a high level of his attention whatever the assigned task, be it a minor or major project, or something that pops up out of nowhere," one nominator said. Prescott joined the City in 2004. He was commended for determining how cost savings could be achieved as he handled such projects as movement of a data center to the new City Hall building and implementation of a new telephone system.
Sean Riordan, a police sergeant who joined the Melbourne Police Department in 1987, heads a traffic enforcement unit credited with reducing accidents by 20% during a period of 18 months. Riordan is cited for his leadership in targeting traffic enforcement activities to locations where the most crashes had been recorded. "This reduction in accidents has saved the citizens of our City thousands of dollars in property damage and untold pain and suffering," his nominator writes. The sergeant was also saluted for providing information about traffic law to the public and for assisting internally as a representative of the police union.
CONTACT: Mike Moore, Public Information Officer
321/953-6282 - cityhall@melbourneflorida.org