Nominee's Name: Erik Hoopes
Nominee's Unit: Shipping & Receiving
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
After my old monitor stopped functioning, I had to get one from office. Erik responded promptly to my emails/requests, and he helped me above and beyond his responsibilities. He got the monitor from my office, and brought it to my car, with out me doing anything! The fact that he is working at campus, while many of us are able to work from home, deserves another recognition.
Nominee's Name: Gwen Lindsey
Nominee's Unit: Other
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Gwen has not only been helping many of us get our Dashboards set up (once or twice a week), but she will also stay on the Zoom call to answer other questions even if unrelated to the Dashboards. She has been a great help and source of information to me as a new RA! Thank you, Gwen, for going above and beyond to help us understand about our Dashboards and so much more!
Nominee's Name: Julie Aquino
Nominee's Unit: Payroll
Criteria: Demonstrates Commitment
Customer Service Example:
Julie has been incredibly helpful as I try to make sense of how UCP calculates OTP and other non-REG payments. (Since I have to split these payments via directros, I need to understand them.) The other great thing is that she responds quickly, even though she types out the explanations in a way that's easy to understand. Thanks Julie!
Nominee's Name: Vickie Braga
Nominee's Unit: Research
Criteria: Team Player
Customer Service Example:
I nominate Vickie Braga for a Staff Salute! She painstakingly worked with the client in tweaking a complex research proposal budget - up to the very end on last minute changes to sponsor budget, UCB cost share, and 3rd party cost share with much of that info being very fluid - right up to the day the proposal was due. She continued to work through the problems and remained calm and collected and available for consulting through it all. She deserves kudos and an acknowledgement for her perseverance in completing the task and supporting that team.
Nominee's Name: Krystle Bartholomew
Nominee's Unit: Human Resources
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Krystle helped me navigate the complex immigration system. She guided me through the process, sent me timely updates regarding the whole visa application process and its timeline. I am grateful for her help in smoothing out this very stressful process.
Nominee's Name: Parijat Sengupta Datta
Nominee's Unit: Human Resources
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
I had to extend my employment and Parijat made the whole process smooth & hassle free. She was prompt in answering all queries and ensured that the processing & approval got done in time. Thank you very much Parijat!
Nominee's Name: Hannah Lee
Nominee's Unit: Research
Criteria: Team Player
Customer Service Example:
Hannah kindly offered, processed, and battled with UCPath to process 18 separate direct retros with multiple lines, which took many, many, MANY hours and processed 4 EDCs for another team member. This took a lot of her time, but saved so much for the rest of her team, and I cannot thank her enough for truly going above and beyond and being such a great team player. She definitely deserves this shout out! Thanks, Hannah! Your team uber appreciates you!
Nominee's Name: Gus Monino
Nominee's Unit: IT
Criteria: Demonstrates Commitment
Customer Service Example:
Gus came to Berkeley twice to meet with me and worked on my laptop issues. He also helped me with various issues remotely. I appreciate all what he does and he deserves a big thank you. I will miss him.
Nominee's Name: Alice Wong
Nominee's Unit: ERSO - Purchasing
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Alice recently aided a senior faculty team submitting a proposal to DOD by creating first a "vendor" account - from which a proposal was supposed to be launched. Even SPO did not have an account with this body (though they're working on that now). Alice stepped right up and took care of business so the proposal could move forward - working closely with the RA leading that effort. Alice is a real team player & for this effort should be acknowledged with a staff salute for going "Above & Beyond."
Nominee's Name: Jennifer Stone
Nominee's Unit: Business & Financial Services
Criteria: Team Player
Customer Service Example:
Jennifer has taken it upon herself to manage the problematic FY20 funding rollover process. She immediately went into action (as she often does) to review and identify the problems. Additionally she developed actions to solve the problematic transactions and communicated with the team so that everyone is aware and on the same page. Jennifer often works behind the scenes to make sure ERSO is functioning well. She deserves a salute for her efforts. Thank you Jennifer!
Nominee's Name: Veronika Blair & Natalie Chen
Nominee's Unit: Research Administration
Criteria: Team Player
Customer Service Example:
I wish to recognize Veronika Blair and Natalie Chen's help with the NSSC recompetition proposal. This was a $25M DOE proposal with 10 sub awards, 12 Co-PI's, and tons of required documents. Both Veronika and Natalie graciously volunteered to help me. Veronika, with her amazing organizational skills, set up a Google drive and tracked the subaward documents, making sure everything required was received by the deadlines, and following up to get revisions if anything was incorrect. Natalie helped me with many tasks such as researching payrates, putting the draft budget in the required budget justification template, completing a table of students per institution, and editing all the current and pendings. This proposal would have been a lot for one RA to handle, so I really appreciate their help. This is a good example of a team working well together to get the job done!
Nominee's Name: Sanchita Pal
Nominee's Unit: RA
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Sanchita has twice in the last two weeks volunteered to help out with work which was in need of completion which were not areas of her responsibility - helping submit a CAREER proposal for a new faculty member with no RA yet - and taking on two PRA duties from another PRA recently promoted to supervisor. In both instances Sanchita immediately stated she would help without hesitation. She is so deserving of a Staff Salute.
Nominee's Name: Damon Hinson
Nominee's Unit: RA
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
I have inherited a PI whose DARPA grant Financial progress report was pending since October. Damon took time out of his busy schedule to call me twice to help me in maneuvering the TFIMS site and also explained all the steps I needed to follow to upload monthly CalAnswers report and the BFS invoices through April. He also checked the award notice and provided me with instructions and the templates that my PI can use for his monthly Technical reports. Damon always goes above and beyond to help out his fellow colleagues!
Nominee's Name: Gus Monino
Nominee's Unit: IT
Criteria: Demonstrates Commitment
Customer Service Example:
Gus' commitment to customer service and supporting ERSO was highlighted during the SIP. There was not a lot of time to prepare for this transition to 100% SIP, especially for staff that have never telecommuted. Gus prepared laptops to be distributed, troubleshooted VPN, remote desktops, and connectivity issues. Without Gus' intervention, there would have been many lost hours of productivity by our Staff. On behalf of the entire ERSO staff, we really appreciate your of hard work and dedication. Thanks Gus!
Nominee's Name: Ken Major
Nominee's Unit: ERSO Receiving
Criteria: Demonstrates Commitment
Customer Service Example:
Ken demonstrates his commitment to ERSO and UC Berkeley everyday - before and since the COVID 19 SIP orders. When I announced I was leaving Cal to move to Minnesota with my family earlier this year, Ken immediately let me know he would see the transition through and support Receiving to ensure it had enough coverage. When SIP orders were issued March 13th and Receiving functions were deemed essential, Ken once again stepped up to say he could be counted on to contribute to the needs of ERSO and UC Berkeley. That is exactly what he has done by processing and delivering all packages and mail on his own for the last several weeks. Additionally, when time permits, Ken has been creating PDFs of all the documents related to assets under ERSO's custody. Ken's efforts provide me with peace of mind regarding packages and he is laying the ground work Receiving's next transition - a reconfiguration of our operation so we can adhere to social distancing requirements prior to campus reopening. These are challenging time for those of us approaching the "less than ideal age range for COVID" and I deeply respect and appreciate Ken's commitment to ERSO!
Nominee's Name: Erik Alexander Hoopes
Nominee's Unit: ERSO Shipping & Receiving
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Since campus deemed us essential staff, Erik has been a contant contributor for ERSO, COE and campus as it relates to packages, BETS inventory tagging, mail and our latest adventure, distributing face coverings to essential staff across campus. We have been working closely with Supply Chain Management, Campus Mail, Building Coordinators, EH&S, UCPD, and the VCR's office. Erik has shined with contributions in zoom meetings, creating Google sheets, developing processes, thinking though logistical issues and showing up everyday to support our effort.
Everyday we take greater risks than the average person since we come to work and encounter more people daily which in turn increases the opportunities for us to catch the virus. Erik has never waived from attending work and excelled in tackling every problem we have encountered. If you have to go into battle, take Erik with you because he is a team player that solves problems, anticipates what comes next and demonstrates his commitment by going above and beyond at each and every opportunity to do so. ERSO Receiving will thrive for years to come under his leadership.
Nominee's Name: Alberto Marcelo
Nominee's Unit: ERSO HR
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
I am nominating Alberto for ALL of the criteria! He is always SUPER helpful and constantly takes the time to explain every situation even when it's just the least bit different than normal, which is almost every case I have. He takes the time to research the problem, discuss with his colleagues, and comes up with several options for me and my faculty to discuss for every HR case even before he has discussed with me. I recently had a rather weird situation with a recall appt for a PI that was being backdated on different records, and it caused a lot of HR and Payroll work, and Alberto was patient and informative about every step of the process. I'm very happy he's a part of ERSO and that I get to work with someone whom embodies the ERSO mission and constantly makes the extra effort and goes the extra mile.
This nomination is long overdue, and he deserves the recognition. You rock, Alberto! Keep up the great work!
Nominee's Name: Gwen Lindsey
Nominee's Unit: ERSO RA
Criteria: Team Player
Customer Service Example:
I am nominating Gwen - as both a both Team Player & Problem Solver! She helped a fellow RA troubleshoot her Excel files to keep Excel from freezing/shutting down and ensuring all the problem files were fixed - with a set of steps. She did this while all RA's & IT staff are telecommuting.
Thank you, Gwen for your help in fixing this complex problem!
Nominee's Name: Erik Hoopes
Nominee's Unit: ERSO (Shipping & Receiving Coordinator)
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Just yesterday, when we got the Shelter in Place order, my group had an important computer server delivered. The people who shipped it sent it to the wrong place. Not only was Erik responsive, and getting the shipment to its delivery address in the midst of all the chaos, when he discovered that the shipper had sent it to completely the wrong end of campus, he immediately offered to take it over to the other place to make it easier for pick up. He was responsive, and way above and beyond the expected level of helpfulness and responsiveness, in the midst of a campus emergency.
Nominee's Name: Rebecca Foster
Nominee's Unit: ERSO-Payroll
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
I salute Rebecca because she took very great care in anticipating the needs of both our clients and ERSO-Payroll staff in managing the (daily) changing circumstances with the Corona virus scare. She not only worked with us as a team to plan ahead, Rebecca also spend a great deal of time to (privately) meet with each team member to assess and address each individual's concerns and needs. She provided a SAFE environment for us to openly discuss our issues. I feel ERSO-Payroll is well prepared to navigate the crisis thanks to Rebecca's astute preparations and compassion.
Nominee's Name: Tom Parsons
Nominee's Unit: ERSO RA
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
I just came back from 353 Cory - Tom has been busy cleaning communal kitchen areas - from sink & countertop to table, chairs, and even the lids on the recycling & trash bins.
This isn't his job - it's really not anybody's job, but I certainly appreciate his doing this for everyone!
Nominee's Name: Joel Spitzer
Nominee's Unit: HR
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Joel took time out of his busy schedule to help me navigate through UCPath --> answering my questions and helping find information.
The solution we came to will help me and others save previous time.
Nominee's Name: Joel Spitzer
Nominee's Unit: HR
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
Proverb: Give an analyst a pay rate, and the analyst can figure out one bit data.
Teach an analyst how to search out pay rates in UCPath-etic, and the analyst can complete more of her work w/o pestering others for pay rates.
Joel took the time to reveal some of the mysteries of UCP. Given who was asking, he even managed to find the patience. Now that is indeed going above and beyond.
Nominee's Name: Angelica Gonzalez
Nominee's Unit: ERSO RA
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
I had a last minute proposal dropped on me just before I was to take some time off for Jury Duty Selection. Angelica was willing to jump in and help with the submission even though she was in the middle of a proposal development/submission herself.
She displayed a level of awesomeness that deserves to be recognized.
Nominee's Name: Sara Rivera
Nominee's Unit: ERSO
Criteria: Demonstrates Commitment
Customer Service Example:
Prompt and attentive help. Thanks!
Nominee's Name: Wendy Kung
Nominee's Unit: Travel and Entertainment
Criteria: Above & Beyond
Customer Service Example:
A student recently submitted two travel expenses for reimbursement. Student informed us he was having financial hardship. I asked T&E to expedite processing, if possible.
Wendy was proactive and assigned the two requests to herself. In addition, she provided guidance and options on how to alleviate the financial burden for future travel. She made it a priority to take care of our student. In less than a week, he was reimbursed for both of his travel expenses.
Thank you Wendy!
Nominee's Name: Farah Pranawahadi
Nominee's Unit: ERSO/RA
Criteria: Team Player
Customer Service Example:
Farah kindly offered to be my back up for proposals while I was out of the country this month. She took care of three proposals, and two of them came as last minute. Farah provided exceptional support and service to my faculty. She deserves a big salute for Team player and Demonstrates commitment.
Nominee's Name: Sara Rivera
Nominee's Unit: Payroll Analyst
Criteria: Problem Solver
Customer Service Example:
I oftentimes have trouble with my time cards and Sara is always available and willing to help me with adjustments I need to make before timecards need to be approved by my supervisor. She is always super helpful and happy to help me with those adjustments!