By Philip Reed
In May, the Colorado Federal Executive Board’s Executive Committee and the Workforce Development Council announced the winners of this year’s Rocky Mountain Eagle Awards. Five WAPA employees were among the recipients.
Accounting Technician Ashley Armstrong, a veteran of the U.S. Army who has been with WAPA since 2017, won the award for Rookie of the Year.
“I feel honored to have been awarded the Rocky Mountain Eagle Award for Rookie of the Year,” said Armstrong, “but it would not have been possible without all the wonderful people at WAPA who have taught and mentored me over the past 18 months.”
Armstrong received the award for a number of factors, including her enthusiasm, innovation, positive attitude and consistently high work quality. In one specific instance, she identified an opportunity to develop a tracking spreadsheet, which other accounting technicians have begun using to track invoices and ensure timely payments. Armstrong was also nominated for her leadership qualities, willingness to expand her knowledge, charisma and communication skills.
The award for Scientific Project or Achievement of the Year went to a team of four other WAPA employees, consisting of Transmission Siting Permitting Policy Analyst Steve Blazek, Supervisory Environmental Protection Specialist Matt Blevins, Vice President of Natural Resources Shane Kimbrough and Biologist Tim Langer.
The team was recognized for its efforts in successfully petitioning the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the Deseret milkvetch from the Federal List of Endangered and Threatened Species. This was the result of a three-year process, and it marks the first time a federal agency had successfully petitioned to remove an Endangered Species Act-protected species from the list.
The winners received their awards at a ceremony May 8 in Aurora, Colorado.
“Few things make me feel prouder than seeing hardworking WAPA employees celebrated for the incredible work that they do every day,” said Administrator and CEO Mark A. Gabriel. “Thank you for serving like your lights depend on it.”
Note: Reed is a contractor under the Wyandotte Services contract.
Rocky Mountain Eagle award
Last modified on March 8th, 2024