COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager’s Office

 

DATE:

March 6, 2003

   

BOARD MEETING DATE:

March 25, 2003

 

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

   

FROM:

John Maltbie, County Manager

   

SUBJECT:

Employee of the Month for March 2003

 
 

Recommendation

Honor Val Vaillancourt as Employee of the Month for March 2003 and authorize the President of the Board to sign the commendation.

 

Background

The Employee of the Month program was established in December 1984 to recognize and honor County employees who consistently demonstrate an outstanding level of performance.

Our Employee of the Month for March 2003 is Val Vaillancourt, Electrician in the Public Works Department.

 

Discussion

Val Vaillancourt is the epitome of the strong, silent type who does a really outstanding job:  he asks good questions to clarify vagueness, brings genuine expertise to bear on the actual business problem, suggests important changes that make a real difference, and always delivers quality work.

A prominent example:  ISD has been downsizing the electrical and air conditioning units in the County Data Center for improved reliability and major energy savings.  Extensive electrical re-wiring was an essential component.  The project stretched in stages over four years yet required 100% support for all computer equipment at all times.  Val provided the very specialized expertise for the applicable National Electrical Code provisions that govern data centers, tailoring the details of the project to our very specific local situations while maintaining conformance to Code.  He suggested changes that simplified ongoing maintenance and increased energy savings.  Many tasks had to be done after hours or on weekends and Val was always there and guiding the electrical aspects of the project.  Most important - it all works!

Val also supports other ISD functions including both general office electrical and support for data networking and telephone equipment at most campuses.  The County and its departments benefit every month from his understanding of the unique electrical requirements of technology equipment and the governing safety and Electrical Codes.  Frequently Val is called on to research unusual situations, and he does so by going to the source, the actual Code language rather than more commonly available summaries.

The County has many skilled technicians in many knowledge areas.  Val is extraordinary in the way he goes beyond normal standards to understand the core business problem to be solved.  He does this with quiet persistence and patience, but without taking a lot of time.  His interpersonal skills are outstanding and working with Val is always a pleasure.  Such high skills make him especially effective in sorting through and recommending superior solutions to electrical wiring and power issues.  And his calm "bedside manner" begets confidence that he will take care of all the details properly after the plan is agreed.

Our County is fortunate to have Val Vaillancourt as one of its outstanding employees.

Vision Alignment

This item keeps the commitment of responsive, effective and collaborative government through goal number 21: County employees understand, support and integrate the County vision and goals into their delivery of services.