Darryl Cregger named City Employee of the Year

Human Resources - Sept. 21, 2006
Contact: Bill Hill, 747-6800

Senior administrative assistant Darryl Cregger was named the city’s Employee of the Year for 2006 at a ceremony today at LJVM Coliseum. Cregger works in the city’s Vegetation Management Division.

Cregger, 44, was honored for his willingness to do far more than expected in order to save taxpayers’ money and provide needed services. He oversees the city’s contracts with independent mowing companies that help the city maintain parks and the rights of way along city streets. When some contractors backed out, Cregger took on the responsibility of mowing 26 of the 95 cul-de-sacs the city maintains.

Cregger also volunteered to mow the practice and playing fields at Winston Lake Park, and he led the effort to develop a "crew of the month" program in his division.

"I don’t think about job descriptions," Cregger said. "My job is to do what I have to do. I don’t mind doing it." For the cul-de-sacs, "I bought a $150 lawn mower and mowed them every two weeks. For that we saved $400 every two weeks."

In addition to Cregger, four other city employees were honored. Pat Gentry, the administrative secretary for Marketing and Communications, was honored as the finalist for Employee of the Year among employees in office and clerical positions. Police Officer Tammy Taylor was honored among employees in public safety positions. Troy Galloway, a crew coordinator for Vegetation Management, was honored among employees in operations, and Jim Wolfe, the graphic design supervisor for Marketing and Communications, was honored among employees in staff support positions.

The Employee of the Year and the four category winners were chosen by a panel of outside judges.

A recording of the Employee Recognition Program will be shown on WSTV 13 on Friday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 24, at 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Sept. 25, at 4 p.m.

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MEDIA ADVISORY: A photo of Cregger is available from Marketing & Communications. Call 727-2317.