Texas A&M Forest Service honors personnel
Texas A&M Forest Service held the agency’s annual personnel meeting on Nov. 13 in Tyler. Statewide agency employees gathered to recognize the past year’s agency accomplishments and employee achievements, including East Texas.
“Our agency has had a successful year of overcoming many challenges,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service Director. “This year’s personnel meeting was a great day to reflect on our growth, improvements and employee success.”
During the meeting, Davis spoke on agency highlights from the year including giving over $20 million through the Rural VFD Assistance Program, over $38 million through the Community Wildfire Protection grant and over $16 million to landowners and communities to improve natural resources.
“I am respectful of our past and excited about our future,” he said. “With the help of the Texas Legislature and our employees’ adaptability, we stand ready to conserve and protect Texas.”
During the meeting, agency leadership recognized 78 employees for five years or more of service including: Kirk Risinger, Radio Communications Specialist IV in Hudson for 25 years of service; Bryan Young, Resource Specialist V in Lufkin for 25 years of service; Michael Dunivan, Area Operations Chief in San Antonio for 30 years of service; Joel Hambright, Regional Operations Chief in Huntsville for 30 years of service; and Ricky Holbrook, Fire Coordinator V in Livingston for 35 years of service.
Employees who consistently deliver excellent service above-and-beyond regular job duties were presented with Director’s Awards, including those in East Texas.
Jason Ellis, District Forester IV in Jacksonville, received the D.A. “Andy” Anderson Information and Education Award. The service said Ellis works tirelessly to provide sound educational experiences to visitors of the Fairchild State Forest. He teaches FFA and 4-H members and students from Stephen F. Austin State University and Texas A&M University.
Michelle Moore, Staff Forester II in Lufkin, received the Director’s Award for Technical Forestry. Moore leads the agency’s Electronic Land Management Records program which supports field staff. She is also the Project Director for Texas Climate Smart Initiative’s Forest Commodity Team.
Matthew Moore, Resource Specialist IV in Palestine, received the Charles Krenek Award for Resource Specialist. The service says Moore is dedicated to servicing his district, the agency and all of Texas through wildfire response to assisting landowners. He has a wealth of knowledge and serves on the Employee Advisory Council; is an instructor for chainsaw, ATV/UTV and forklift operations; and is a member of the hand crew.
The Director’s Award for Team Effort – Best Interdivisional Project was awarded to a group who has elevated the Civil Air Patrol Partnership, increasing aerial fire detection and forest management. This team is comprised of Mike Sills, Staff Forester IV in Dallas; Buster Robinson, Incident Aviation Operations Officer in Palestine; James Russell, Regional Coordinator in Nacogdoches; Billy Whitworth, Area Operations Chief in Nacogdoches; and Courtney Blevins, Staff Forester V in Fort Worth.
Texas A&M Forest Service and the Civil Air Patrol have a Memorandum of Understanding to assist with aerial fire detection. This partnership helped this group facilitate Wildland Fire Behavior training for Civil Air Patrol pilots and observers.
Texas A&M Forest Service said it is proud to recognize agency accomplishments and employee achievements while looking forward to the future and the coming year of service.
Local banks named best to work for
Multiple local banks were named on the Best Banks to Work For list by American Banker.
To recognize and celebrate the banks that foster the most supportive and thriving work environments, the Best Banks to Work For program evaluates institutions based on their workplace cultures and employee experiences. This comprehensive assessment not only highlights the best practices in banking but also emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where employees can thrive and excel.
According to American Banker, an average of 90% of employees at the winning banks believe the senior leaders at their banks live the core values of the organization and that their employer treats them like a person, not a number. An average of 86% of employees at winning banks said they receive as much ongoing training as they need, and an average of 89% of employees said their banks have created an environment in which they can do their best work.
Announced on Nov. 12, the full list of the 2024 Best Banks to Work For is featured at www.americanbanker.com. Among those selected are Broadstreet Bank, Texas Bank & Trust, and Southside Bank.
“The Best Banks to Work For represent institutions helping employees achieve their goals,” said Chana Schoenberger, editor-in-chief of American Banker. “These banks recognize how important it is for their staffers to be happy about the work they do and the environment in which they spend their days.”
Determining the Best Banks to Work For involved a two-step process. The first was evaluating each participating bank’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics, according to American Banker. This process was worth approximately 25% of the total evaluation. The second consisted of employee surveys aimed at assessing the experiences and attitudes of individual employees concerning their workplace. This part of the process was worth approximately 75% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the final ranking.
To be considered for participation, banks had to have at least 50 employees working in the U.S. and have been in business for a minimum of one year. Best Companies Group managed the registration and survey process and also analyzed the data to determine the final ranking.
For more information on the Best Banks to Work For program, visit www.BestBankstoWorkfor.com.
Broadstreet Bank
Mineola — Broadstreet Bank, formerly known as Mineola Community Bank, was recognized as one of American Banker’s “Best Banks to Work For” for 2024. Ranked 59th among 90 banks nationwide to receive this prestigious honor, Broadstreet Bank is one of nine banks on the list headquartered in Texas.
According to CEO Jason Sobel, the recognition reflects Broadstreet Bank’s focus on clear communication and professional development.
“Our main priority is customer service, so we take every opportunity to give our team the tools and training they need to meet our clients’ needs,” he said. “We want our employees well-informed and fully equipped so they can find answers quicker and respond confidently to challenges.”
Sobel said the Broadstreet Bank team has adapted to waves of technological and regulatory changes over the years. Sobel added he is proud of the way they think proactively about how to maintain their focus on the people they are serving.
“Our bank is uniquely positioned to serve clients who demand cutting-edge banking technology, while maintaining our deep roots and living our community values in East Texas,” he said.
Executive administrative assistant Chaska Caraway recently left another bank to join the team after taking notice of the workplace culture at Broadstreet Bank.
“The bank has been around for more than 90 years because they are doing something right,” she said. “It’s not just about being able to provide personal and business banking services, it’s also about the people who work there loving what they do and the people they serve.”
To learn more, visit broadstreet.bank.
Texas Bank and Trust
Texas Bank and Trust was named one of the 2024 Best Banks to Work For by American Banker, which partnered with Best Companies Group to identify banks that excel at creating positive and supportive workplaces for employees.
This year, 90 banks nationwide earned a spot in the ranking of Best Banks to Work For, based on an anonymous employee survey and a thorough review of the benefits and perks offered. Ranked 47th, TBT was one of nine Texas banks selected for the prestigious recognition.
For more information, visit www.texasbankandtrust.com.
Southside Bank
According to the American Banker website, relationships have been a major focus this year at Southside Bank, which launched a ‘relationship culture’ program through which employees from across the bank can share strategies on how to form and develop relationships, grow their social circles and thus bring new business to the company.
“While relationship building may seem like something reserved for the ‘front line’ or sales staff, at Southside we believe sales is part of everyone’s job,” President and CEO Lee Gibson said. “One way this can be done is to ensure everyone knows the power they have within their circle of influence.”
Ranked 54th on the list, Southside Bank hosts a monthly live forum to share ideas and it shares recorded videos featuring other team members on how they have successfully built relationships.
For more information about Southside Bank, visit www.southside.com.
Breckenridge appoints Perkins as president
The Board of Directors of Breckenridge Village announced the appointment of Melissa Perkins President of Breckenridge Village effective Nov. 1. Previously holding the title of executive director, the new title granted by the board of directors reflects the board’s recognition of Perkins’ exceptional leadership and expanded responsibilities leading Breckenridge Village.
“Melissa has worked vigorously to strengthen the mission of Breckenridge Village, and the board has high confidence in her ability to continue to expand services not only in Tyler but to other parts of Texas,” said Kevin C. Dinnin, Board Chairman.
“From my first day at Breckenridge Village, it has been my goal to support and empower the individuals who call this community their own,” Perkins said. “With this appointment, I am eager to move forward with improving and growing Breckenridge Village to continue providing care and expanding opportunities for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in East Texas and beyond.”
With her leadership, the nonprofit said it is confident it will continue to advance its important and vital mission for years to come.
Three nonprofits receive Altra awards
Altra Federal Credit Union named three Tyler-based nonprofits in its annual Best Life Community Awards.
For the Silent received $5,000 for Employee Choice award, which is selected by popular vote by Altra employees. PAVE East Texas (formerly Literacy Council of Tyler) and Bethesda Health Clinic were the recipients of $2,500 each for the Community Assistance Awards, which are determined by a panel of judges consisting of members from Altra’s Community Engagement, Advocacy and DEI committees.
Five Altra employees will be rewarded based upon volunteerism with a $1,500 donation on their behalf to a nonprofit organization of their choice.
Tyler is one of four core markets of Altra, with other locations in Tennessee, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
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