Extension Presents Annual Superior Service Awards

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System held its annual awards luncheon Dec. 7 at the 4-H Youth Development Center in Columbiana. Extension Director Dr. Gaines Smith and Dr. Virginia Caples, 1890 Administrator, Alabama A&M University, presented the 2007 Superior Service Awards.

The Superior Service Awards included individual and team awards. Individual award recipients received a certificate and a $500 stipend. The team award recipients received certificates and shared a $500 stipend.

Tammy Belcher, a 4-H agent assistant in Jefferson County, received a Superior Service Agent Assistant/Program Assistant Award for her exemplary work in meeting the challenges of 4-H and youth development in the largest county in the state with efficiency, professionalism and confidence.

Janice Hall, a regional Extension agent for Food Safety, Preservation and Preparation in the Southwest Region 2, received a Superior Service County/Regional Extension Agent Award for her dedication to successfully educating, encouraging and influencing consumers throughout her region in the area of food safety.

Tommy Futral, county Extension coordinator for Tallapoosa County, also received a Superior Service Award in the County/Regional Extension Agent category in recognition of his outstanding accomplishments as a county Extension agent in home grounds, gardens and home pests and forestry, wildlife and natural resource management.

A Superior Service Award for Organizational Support was presented to William Rusty Presley, an information technology specialist IV, for his vision and dedicated support to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in developing and providing video conferencing services that play a vital role in fulfilling Extension’s vision.

Bernice B. Wilson, Extension urban resource management specialist at Alabama A&M University and Theresa Jones, a regional Extension agent, received a Superior Service Team Award in recognition of building and conducting invigorating and captivating estate planning programs to new and nontraditional audiences in Alabama.

A Superior Service Office Support – State/District/Area Award went to Earnestine C. Jones, executive support assistant II, for being a valuable team member of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. With her get-the-job-done attitude, Jones sets a positive example for coworkers to model. Earnestine exemplifies the term “superior service” and is one employee who is deserving of this award.

Fronda R. Bridgmon, an administrative support associate II in Jefferson County, was presented a Superior Service Office Support – County Award for her outstanding work, professionalism and efficiency in meeting the challenges of serving the largest Extension office in the state.

The Superior Service Distinguished Career Award went to Sondra Jean Weese, an Extension specialist and professor at Auburn University. This award was given to her for being a dedicated leader who has generously supported food safety programs across Alabama. Her character and leadership exemplify strength, integrity and teamwork for those she leads.

Stephanie Woodyard, an Extension specialist, received an Superior Service Specialist/Educator Award for excellence in providing supervision, leadership and educational programs for county EFNEP in Region 4, as well as across the state.

J. Thomas Chesnutt, an Extension tourism specialist, also was presented a Superior Service Specialist/Educator Award for initiating and providing strong leadership to Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Sustainable Tourism Program, which has positively affected economic development and strong stewardship for the environment in Alabama.

A Superior Service Team Award also went to Kajuandra Harris-Huntley, a human nutrition, diet and health Extension specialist; Mary Lucile Jordan, county Extension coordinator, Etowah Couny; Denise Legvold, 4-H and youth development regional Extension agent for Fayette, Marion and Lamar counties; Ruth Sarro, 4-H and youth development regional Extension agent for Calhoun and Cleburne counties; Cheryl Vasse, a human, nutrition, diet and health regional Extension agent, region 3; and Joann Wissinger, a 4-H and youth development regional Extension agent for Jefferson and Walker counties; in appreciation for the Just Move Alabama team’s commitment to helping Alabama’s youth stay fit and eat smart.

The following Length of Service Awards were presented:

35 years – Glory Torbert, Administrative Support Associate, Communications

20 years -- Anne Mims Adrian, manager, Information Technology, Auburn University
Jonathan C. Davis, manager, Information Technology, Auburn University
Jean Hall Dwyer, Extension specialist, Alabama A&M University
Sandra C. Steverson, administrative support associate II, Chilton County
Gregory N. Whitis, aquaculturist, Alabama Fish Farm Center,

10 years --
Deborah Barker, specialist II, Contracts and Grants, Administrative Services, Auburn University
Mary J. Beck, administrative support associate II, Greene County
Tammy M. Belcher, agent assistant, 4-H, Jefferson County
Jan M. Canada, administrative support specialist III, Human Resources, Auburn University
Donnie Love Cook, urban specialist, Food Safety, Perservation and Preparation and Human Nutrition, Diet and Health, Alabama A&M University
Judith E. Dansby, agent assistant I, Nutrition Education Program, Henry County
William T. East Jr., regional Extension agent, commercial horticulture, Clay County
Jacqueline B. Duff, administrative support associate II, Pickens County
John Hartley, specialist IV, Information Technology, Auburn University
James D. Jones Jr., county Extension coordinator, Henry County
Rosalie M. Lane, urban specialist, Community Resource Management, Alabama A&M University
Katanga A. Mants, county Extension coordinator, Lowndes County
Andrea C. Musso, executive support specialist II, Administration, Auburn University
Mary E. Rogers, agent assistant I, NEP, Lamar County
Demetrius Scott, agent assistant I, NEP, Cherokee County
M. Kent Stanford, regional Extension agent, St. Clair County
Ethen M. Stanley, administrative support associate, Monroe County

Civil Service Length of Service Awards were presented to the following personnel:

35 years –
Elaine W. Cole, county Extension coordinator, Cullman County
James O. Donald, Extension specialist/professor, Poultry, Auburn University

30 years –
Evelyn F. Crayton, Extension assistant director, Family Programs
Julie A. Dutton, county Extension coordinator, Morgan County
Mark H. Hall, specialist, Agriculture Programs
James L. Novak, Extension specialist/professor, Agriculture Economics, Auburn University
Joan R. Weaver, county Extension coordinator, Fayette County

Special recognition was given to personnel receiving extramural funding awards and grants and contracts on and off campus and new and continued funding. Jeff Bastuscheck, administrator II, Outreach Programs and Stacey Bozeman, director of Financial Services presented the following awards:

On-campus new funding awards went to Ken Tilt, specialist, professor, Horticulture, Auburn University; and Eve Brantley, administrator III, Outreach Programs, Forestry, Wildlife and Natural Resources Management

On-campus continuation of funding awards – Susan H. Roberts, administrator I, Outreach Program and Patricia W. Smith, regional Extension agent, Family and Consumer Sciences Administration, Auburn University; and Jim Hairston, Extension specialist/professor, Agronomy, Auburn University.

Off-campus new funding awards went to Richard Petcher, regional Extension agent, Agronomic Crops, Washington County; Mark Hall, specialist, Agricultural Programs; Shannon Norwood, county Extension agent II, Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center; and Lee Ann Clark, county Extension coordinator, St. Clair County.

Off-campus continuation funding awards went to Katrina Mitchell, county Extension agent II, 4-H and Youth Development, Elmore County; Sharon Gilbert, regional Extension agent, Butler County; Sam Wiggins, county Extension coordinator, Pickens County; Jimmy Smitherman, county Extension coordinator, Montgomery County; and Brenda Jackson Henson, agent assistant, 4-H and Youth Development, Montgomery County.

The 2007 Superior Service Awards committee members are Evelyn F. Crayton, chair; Shannon Andress, Elaine Cole, Julio E. Correa, Lelia Downing, Chris McClendon, Ray Rice, Linda Robinson, Denise Shirley and Darrell Rankins. The 2007 Superior Service Awards program committee members were Suanne Gilbert, Richard Hambley, Andrea Musso and Blaine Thompson.

Posted by dreynold at December 10, 2007 11:19 AM | TrackBack