10
MARCH 15, 2017
S moke S ignals
Employees honored for combined 549 years of service
By Dean Rhodes
Smoke Signals editor
Member Services Manager Penny
DeLoe led a contingent of seven
Tribal employees who have reached
the 20 year or more mark in service
to the Tribe during the first-quarter
Employee Service Awards break-
fast held on Thursday, March 9, in
the Tribal gym.
The first-quarter awards honored
employees reaching their anniver-
sary date in January, February or
March. Employees who were hired
five years ago or longer received
bonus checks and other awards.
Forty-seven employees were
honored for a combined 549 years
of service to the Tribe.
DeLoe notched her 23rd year of
employment with the Tribe while
Records Administrator Kim Muel-
ler and A/V Network Technician
Wendell Olson both reached their
22nd anniversaries.
Elders Activity Assistant Daniel
Ham and Gaming Commission
Licensing Manager Julia Papen
reached the 21-year mark while
Lands Department Manager Jan
Reibach and Assistant Controller
Jody Jerger both were hired in the
first quarter of 1996.
Tribal Council Secretary Jon A.
George blessed the breakfast and
Tribal Council Chairman Reyn
Leno welcomed a large turnout of
employees to the awards ceremony.
“I want to acknowledge all of our
staff who work very hard for us,”
Leno said before pointing out the
Tribe’s Maintenance staff for the
work they did to get the new Grand
Ronde Police Station ready to open.
“I want to thank all of you for all
of the hard work you do. The work
we do, we’re here for the member-
ship. I think you do a great job of
providing for our government and
our membership.”
Leno also briefed employees on
how the Grand Ronde Tribe has
prepared for the imminent open-
ing of the Cowlitz casino 15 miles
north of the Portland-Vancouver
metropolitan area.
“I think council has done a great
job with the work of staff to help us
make that preparation,” Leno said.
Bookkeeper Debra Nolen and
Domestic Violence Relief Ad-
vocate Carmen Mercier.
9 years: Construction Su-
pervisor Bart Bryant, Equip-
ment Operator Timothy
George, Day Shift Housekeep-
er Rosie Saldivas, Smoke Sig-
nals Photographer Michelle
Alaimo, Gaming Commission
Compliance Analyst Tyrell
Soderberg, Natural Resourc-
es Senior Administrative
Assistant Michele Volz and
Employee Relations Senior
Administrator Nick LaBonte.
8 years: Hydrosystem Com-
pliance Specialist Lawrence
Schwabe.
7 years: Adult Foster Care
Administrative Assistant Can-
di Buswell, Swing Shift Lead
Housekeeper Joseph Grammer,
Rental Housing Coordinator
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
Leon Ramos and Early Child-
Employment Program Manager Michael Herrin, right, shakes hands with Tribal
hood Education Instructional
Council member Chris Mercier as he is recognized for his six years of service to the
Assistant Lindsay Ramer.
Tribe during the first-quarter Employee Service Awards breakfast held in the Tribal
6 years: 477/Employment
gym on Thursday, March 9. Also in line to congratulate employees are Tribal Council
& Training Specialist Khani
members Tonya Gleason-Shepek, left, and Brenda Tuomi, third from left, Tribal
Schultz, Early Head Start
Council Secretary Jon A. George, fourth from left, and Tribal Council Chairman Reyn
Teacher Melissa Phillips,
Employment Program Man-
Leno.
ager Michael Herrin, Dental
Garrison.
Assistant Shelby Hoyt and Dental
“I think we are well-prepared.”
17 years: Compensation/HRIS
Hygienist Erin Muchmore.
He said the recent $13 million
Specialist
Becky
Mode
and
Tribal
5 years: Youth Prevention Co-
renovation of Spirit Mountain Ca-
Career
Development
Manager
Da-
ordinator Cristina Lara, Chinuk
sino is already paying dividends as
vid DeHart.
Wawa Assistant Halona Butler,
the casino made more money over
16 years: Facilities Manager
Housing Maintenance Technician
the last two weekends than it usu-
Tyson Mercier and Cultural Protec-
Gary LaChance Jr., Housing Main-
ally does on New Year’s Eve.
tion Specialist Christopher Bailey.
tenance Technician Robert Wiggs,
Other Tribal Council members
15 years: Legal Assistant Kerri-
Historic Preservation Manager
who attended and congratulated
na
Mishler
and
Cultural
Resources
Briece Edwards and Accounts Pay-
employees were Tonya Gleason-She-
Interpretive
Coordinator
Travis
able Supervisor Tammy Chavez.
pek, Chris Mercier and Brenda
Stewart.
Employees were served a breakfast
Tuomi. Tribal Council member
14 years: Post-Secondary Educa-
consisting of scrambled eggs, biscuits
Kathleen George also attended.
tion Program Coordinator Joshua
and gravy, sausage, yogurt, fruit and
Cultural Resources Department
Clift and Nutrition Lead Cook
juices and coffee by members of the
Manager David Harrelson also
Kevin Campbell.
Human Resources Department.
spoke to attendees about Grand
13
years:
Portland
Office
Trib-
After the awards, General Man-
Ronde history, including why the
al Services Representative Lisa
ager David Fullerton and Hu-
Tribe is named after a geographi-
Archuleta.
man Resources Director Patrick
cal location and not one of the five
12 years: Staff Accountant Nan-
Dempsey raffled off door prizes that
major Tribes of the confederation.
cy Renfrow.
included an iPod Nano, emergency
Other employees honored were:
11 years: Education Department
roadside skit and Vizio 43-inch
19 years: Health & Wellness
Manager
Leslie
Riggs,
Cultural
TV, as well as six sets of tickets
Center Payment Processing Spe-
Resources
Administrative
Assis-
to a Portland Trail Blazers game
cialist Sunni Ulestad.
tant Toni Mercier, K5 Tutor/Ad-
and numerous gas and coffee gift
18 years: Social Services Ad-
viser George Neujahr, Full-Charge
cards. 
ministrative Assistant Tammy