FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Becky Montoya, 720-962-7110, montoya@wapa.gov

Lakewood resident to receive Western's highest honor

LAKEWOOD, Colo.-- Lakewood resident Gale Meuret will receive Western Area Power Administration's Exceptional Service Award from Administrator Mike Hacskaylo in a ceremony July 11. The ESA is Western's highest award.

A Human Resources Specialist, Meuret joined Western in November 1983 as a position classification specialist after working several years for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as a personnel management specialist trainee. He is being recognized for his continued dedication to Western's human resource issues.

Despite a hectic work schedule, Meuret devotes considerable time to church activities and helping senior citizens. He checks on his senior citizen neighbors and makes sure their lawns get mowed and their sidewalks shoveled. Meuret is a high-altitude, long-distance runner who participates in charity marathon and track events. He actively participates in his children's sports and school events and enjoys trail running, snowshoe racing, downhill and cross-country skiing.

Meuret and his wife, Judith, and their two teenaged children live in Lakewood, Colo. Judith also works for Western.

Western Exceptional Award recipients:

• Are recognized as experts in their fields.
• Consistently go above and beyond what is normally expected on a long-term basis.
• Perform additional assignments such as participation on committees or task forces.
• Involve themselves in outside activities that reflect favorably on Western.
• Help accomplish the goals of Western's Strategic Plan.
• Have been Western employees for more than five years.

Anyone interested in attending the award ceremony for Meuret should call Becky Montoya at 720-962-7110.

Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western states.