10 JULY 15, 2017 S moke S ignals Employees honored for 959 years of service Intake Specialist Donna Johnson and Family Ser- vices Coordinator Audra Seventy-five employees Sherwood. were honored on Thursday, 11 years: Housing Main- July 13, for a combined tenance Technician Randy 959 years of service to the Bean, Gaming Commis- Grand Ronde Tribe during sion IT Network Ana- a lunchtime barbecue picnic lyst Tanner Fish, Health held in the Tribal gym. Information Technician A record 14 employees Leanna Norwood, Silvi- were honored for serving culture/Fire Protection 20 or more years, led by Technician Jeremy Ojua, Lead Groundskeeper Gregg Post Treatment Counselor Leno, who hit the 29-year Chris Holliday, Adult Fos- mark. ter Care Caregiver Anna Other employees who Huston and Early Head have reached or surpassed Start Home-Based Visitor two decades of Tribal ser- Shelley Clift. vice included Housing De- 10 years: Adult Foster partment Maintenance Care Caregiver Carmen Coordinator Lonnie Leno, Parren and Gaming Com- 27 years; Adult Education Photo by Michelle Alaimo mission Licensing Manag- Coordinator Tracy Biery and Lead Groundskeeper Gregg Leno shakes hands with Tribal Council Secretary Jon A. George er Tisha Gleason. General Manager’s Office as he is recognized for his 29 years of service to the Tribe during the second quarter service 9 years: Gaming Com- Administrative Assistant mission Executive Direc- Barbara Branson, 26 years; awards held in the Tribal gym on Thursday, July 13. Other Tribal Council members present were tor Michael Boyce, Chinuk Member Services Benefits Denis Harvey, left, Chris Mercier, third from left, Tonya Gleason-Shepek, second from right, and Language Program Man- Administrator Liz Leno, 25 Chairman Reyn Leno. ager Ali Holsclaw, Home years; Dental Director Eric Ownership Coordinator Victo- Tribe as “weathered the storm” bach gave the invocation before Webster, 22 years; Human Re- ria Jones, Senior Records Clerk regarding the April opening of the employees were served hot dogs, sources Specialist Cindy Mitchell, Dalette Remington-Nash, Spirit Cowlitz casino in southwestern hamburgers, potato and pasta Vocational Rehabilitation Case- Mountain Community Fund Di- Washington. salad, watermelon, and cookies worker Dodie McKenzie, Youth rector Mychal Cherry and Gaming “On behalf of the council and on and brownies for lunch. Prevention Supervisor Lisa Leno Commission Background Investi- behalf of myself and my 21 years Tribal Council Chairman Reyn and Fish and Wildlife Program gator Nicholas Bailey. here, you guys have done a great Leno said that he appreciates the Manager Kelly Dirksen, 21 years; 8 years: Adult Foster Care job for me,” Leno said. Tribe’s staff, especially when he and Tribal Court Administrator Caregiver Ardyth Hoffer-Halli- Other Tribal Council members is in Washington, D.C., testifying Angela Fasana, Tribal Council cola, Certified Medical Assistant who attended were Secretary Jon before Congress and needs infor- Senior Administrative Assis- Dana Seagrove and Head Start A. George and Tribal Council mation quickly. tant Lauri Smith, Information Teacher/Education Coordinator members Tonya Gleason-Shepek, “We’ve come a long way, but Systems Operations Manager Kristina Jaquith. Chris Mercier and Denise Harvey. we’ve come a long way because we William Kephart and Health Pro- 7 years: Wildlife Biologist Lind- Cultural Resources Department have a great staff,” Leno said. “We motion Specialist Darlene Aaron, say Belonga, Senior Forester Zach Manager David Harrelson gave a hear that a lot. You guys proba- 20 years. Haas, Realty Specialist Teresa bly don’t get to hear it a lot, but brief cultural sharing presenta- The ceremony honored employ- Brocksen, Dentist Erin Lange, definitely your council and your tion, explaining that “ch” means ees hired in the second quarter of Lead Maintenance Technician leadership and your directors do.” “place of something” in Kalapuy- the year between April and June. Andrew Freeman, Health Pro- Leno added that he thinks the an, so that when employees see a Tribal Lands Manager Jan Rei- motion Specialist Tammy Leno name like Chemeketa (the orig- and Adult Foster Care Caregiver inal name for Salem), it has a Ginger Whitman. meaning. 6 years: Swing Shift House- Employees honored were: keeper Nathan Mueller, Rent- 19 years: Human Resources al Housing Assistant Michele Training Specialist Vickie Her- Plummer. Behavioral Health nandez, Housing Department Director Jan Kaschmitter, Sil- Manager Shonn Leno, Senior viculture/Fire Supervisor Jim Staff Attorney Deneen Aubertin Pinder, Youth Programs Assistant Keller, Gaming Commission Ex- Shannon Stanton and K5 Tutor ecutive Assistant Kathy Doane Adviser Tiffany Mercier. and Children & Family Services 5 years: Vocational Rehabili- Supervisor Kristi Petite. tation Administrative Assistant 18 years: Publications Produc- Rhonda Leno, Youth Education tion Specialist Justin Phillips and Program Manager Tim Barry, Purchased/Referred Care Super- Dental Secretary Carrie Brooks, visor Melody Baker. Public Affairs Administrative As- 17 years: Swing Shift House- sistant Chelsea Clark, Chinuk Im- keeping Supervisor Ben Bishop. mersion Teacher Justine Colton, 16 years: General Manager Gaming Commission Receptionist David Fullerton, Natural Resourc- Kristina Summers, Early Child- es Department Secretary Mary hood Education Program Assis- Leith and Staff Accountant Amy tant Denaee Towner, K-5 Tutor/ Gallant. Adviser Kyla McCallister and 15 years: Procurement Man- Budget Manager DeAnne Norton. ager Larry Leith, Vocational Employees received bonus Rehabilitation/477 Trainee Chris checks and those reaching the Martin and Early Childhood In- 10-year mark in service had the structional Assistant Roxanne option of receiving a Tribal Pend- Moniz. leton blanket or an extra $100 in 14 years: Applications Adminis- their bonus check. trator Candice Olsen, Silviculture The service awards included and Fire Protection Manager Col- a caricaturist and balloon artist by Drake and Gaming Inspector and ended with the raffling off of Kary Turner. prizes that included a drone, ro- 13 years: Senior Human Re- bot vacuum cleaner, HP notebook sources Generalist Steve O’Harra, computer and additional adminis- Staff Accountant Laura Mercier, Ad created by George Valdez trative time.  Children and Family Services By Dean Rhodes Smoke Signals editor