The Immokalee Water & Sewer District held the annual meeting at the I-Tech College and during the meeting, the Board of Commissioners held Election of Officers, and also recognized the 2016 Employee of the Year. It is with great pleasure that we introduce to you the Immokalee Water & Sewer District - 2016 Employee of the Year - Mrs. Norma Garcia. Mrs. Garcia earned the employee of the year because of her hard work and educational achievements all year and the District is very proud to have her as the 2016 Employee of the Year. Norma Garcia was hired in July 2004 to work in the Administration Department, as a Clerk/Secretary. She currently holds the title of Human Resource Specialist. In that position, she maintains personnel files, processes District payroll and prepares reports. She handles insurance paperwork, and coordinates employee drug tests. She prepares accounts payable checks and tax payments. She organizes and assists with various special events, programs and meetings. She makes preparations for and attends Board meetings, prepares agendas and board packets. She prepares and disseminates required meeting advertisements, takes, transcribes and distributes meeting minutes and maintains Commissioner files. During the 2016 fiscal year, Mrs. Garcia received a certificate of achievement in “Human Resource Management” and “Mastering Organizational Effectiveness” through Villanova University. She attended a Florida Professional Human Resource Association conference. She organized and attended “Brain Training,” “Improving Relationships,” “Leadership & Team Building” seminars. She attended Webinars on “Wage & Hour laws”, “Workforce Time and Attendance”, “Recruiting”, “American Disabilities Act”, “Telecommuting”, “Systemic Violence & Employer Preparedness.” She received points for attending the Immokalee Chamber of Commerce Meetings, MSTU Meetings, as well as Little League Board Meetings and an MPO meeting. She also helped with decorating the IWSD Float in the 2015 Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade. Over the last year Norma Garcia has been very busy dealing the all of the extra paperwork associated with tremendous records requests. Norma is a dedicated employee who is very passionate about her job. She makes sure that payroll is always completed no matter what. She has even been known to come while she is sick, or on vacation. She is also very involved in the community, serving on various boards. “With all that she has been doing at work over the last year, as her direct supervisor, I am not sure how she found time to do anything at home,” said Eva Deyo. Norma won the Employee of the Year by achieving the highest number of Employee of the Month points during the year; 325.75 points from October 2015 through September 2016. In addition to her educational achievements, she also received points for not using vacation or sick time, and for being on time. During the last year Mrs. Garcia received the Employee of the Month Award for May, July and August 2016. In recognition of her outstanding achievements in being named 2016 Employee of the Year, Mrs. Norma Garcia will receive 16 hours off with pay, an Immokalee Water & Sewer District shirt, a check for $100 and an award from the Immokalee Water & Sewer District, along with congratulations and heartfelt appreciation for a job well done. The present officers of the board were reelected and they are, Joseph Brister(Chairman), Anne Goodnight(Vice Chair), Bonnie Keene(Secretary), Fred N. Thomas Jr.(Treasurer).