Washington Square Park

The Daily Plant : Wednesday, June 4, 2003

CONGRATULATIONS EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH

The following individuals were awarded Employee of the Month for April.

Han S. Lee is the Capital Projects Employee of the Month. Han is a Construction Project Manager in Queens and has been with Parks since February 17, 1997. A graduate of Cooper Union Engineering School, Han monitors a wide variety of Parks & Recreation contracts and helps ensure that contractors follow specifications accurately. His contracts have run the gamut, including skate parks, comfort stations, soccer fields, and playgrounds. He is currently spearheading the Ederle Comfort Station and Pavilion, and the Flushing Meadow Soccer fields. Highly motivated and skilled, Han is serious about his work and detailed in his approach. He is in every way a team player. Han was nominated by Queens Team Leader Angelyn Chandler.

Catherine Urquiola is Management’s Employee of the Month. Catherine is a Job Assistance Center (JAC) job developer in the Queens office and has been with Parks since September 17, 2001. Without any prior job development experience, Catherine has grown to become JAC’s "Star Job Developer." Catherine performs a variety of duties including running workshops, preparing resumes, organizing recruitment days with major New York City employers, and assisting participants with housing and childcare issues. Catherine has helped place over 100 participants in full-time jobs, more than any other JAC developer. For her immense success in a challenging and critical position, Catherine was nominated by Director of JAC Nora Ferguson.

Troy E. Porter is an Operations Employee of the Month. Troy is an APSW at the West 79^th Street Boat Basin and has been with Parks & Recreation since May 22, 1985. As the Marina Crew Chief, Troy supervises a crew of four who are responsible for the repair and maintenance of the floating docks and infrastructure at the marina. Using his nautical experience, Troy helped develop new designs for the construction of floating docks which can withstand the difficult Hudson River conditions. This spring, he also helped set up our first ever dedicated kayak launch at the Boat Basin, helping to enhance our recreational boating program. Strong, skilled and friendly, Troy has played a key role in turning around conditions at 79^th Street, and his efforts will be even more important as we begin our new season. Troy was nominated by Chief of Operations Keith Kerman and Dockmaster Greg Smith.

Angel Casablanca is an Operations Employee of the Month. Angel is an Associate Park Service Worker and Crew Chief at Washington Square Park in District 2 of Manhattan, and has been with Parks & Recreation since December 12, 1988. Angel started as a City Parks Worker in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens, before being promoted. In Manhattan, Angel has excelled as a Crew Chief, packer operator, and summer Supervisor Parks Management Operations for pools at Dry Dock, Hamilton Fish, and Sheltering Arms. Angel closely monitors, trains and supports his full time and workfare staff. Recently, when a senior CPW was badly injured in Boston, Angel visited her at a Boston hospital and assisted her family during this difficult time. His attentiveness has paid off for Parks. District 2 has achieved near 99% ratings both in cleanliness and overall. For his many contributions to Manhattan, Angel was nominated by Parks & Recreation Manager Christian Paro.

Diane E. Hendrickson is Public Programs’ Employee of the Month. Diane is a Recreation Specialist at Morningside Recreation Center and has been with Parks & Recreation since November 17, 1986. Diane organizes a number of fun, exciting, and educational programs for youths. For the past three years, Morningside has had the second highest attendance for the Summer Fun program citywide. Thanks to Diane’s initiative, the children of Morningside participated in the 2002 International Toy Parade, which circled Madison Square Park and ended at the International Toy Center. Diane also involves the children in the Alley Pond Outdoor Adventure Program in Queens, which includes canoeing, animal identification, and overnight campouts. Diane creates safe and positive environments for Manhattan kids, and is a stalwart of Parks Recreation. She was nominated by Chief of Manhattan Recreation Chris Clouden.

"It is not the strength but the duration of great sentiments that makes great men."

(1844-1900)