June Bravo
Congratulations to Officer Patrick Abercia, Police, District Chief Thomas Dowdy, Fire, and Denise Adams, Library, who were selected as Bravo Award winners for excellent work and contributions to the community. Mayor Bill White and Councilwomen Ada Edwards and Toni Lawrence recognized them June 27. For more information, visit www.houstontx.gov.
Honored heroism
After Fire Capt. Tony Reed and Engineer Operator Michael Gibson helped pull firefighters to safety from a house fire in February 2005, Firehouse Magazine named them to its top heroism awards in April. Also, the Independent Insurance Agents of Houston recognized them in January, and they received the HFD medal of valor.
A night of Lone Stars
City Savvy was named best public relations newsletter in the state at the Houston Press Club’s annual Lone Star Awards banquet in June. Benefits Pulse took third place. Both newsletters are written by Dave Schafer and John Perry and designed by publications manager Leslie Denton-Roach.
Also at the Lone Star Awards, Schafer was named runner-up for PR Communicator of the Year. Perry was second runner-up. And the Human Resources Web site earned third place for PR Web site content.
GRB goes well beyond the conventional
The George R. Brown Convention Center was nominated for 2006 Convention Center of the Year by Event Solutions magazine. The GRB was cited for its relief efforts after hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The winner will be announced in late July.
“The Survivor,” the daily newsletter published by the GRB’s Anna Hawley, Pete Radowick and Shane Hughes during hurricane relief operations, won a Tami Award as the best “special publication” in the state from the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers.
Humbly noted heroic efforts
At the Humble Area Chamber of Commerce’s Peace Officers of the Year Luncheon, Aviation officers Joseph Matas and Gary Booker received awards for retrieving more than $55,000 in airport property. In 2005, HAS and the Federal Aviation Administration reported the theft of landscaping equipment. Matas and Booker located the equipment in the Bryan College Station area two months later.
Rotary talk
Wendy Teas Heger, Building Services, talked about department initiatives, the selection process, and capital projects during a presentation to the Rotary Club in May.
Copping awards
Officer Erik ter Meulen was named officer of the year by the Houston Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Also, officers Gregory P. Countie and Heidi Jean Ruiz received the 2005 Law Enforcement Achievement Award from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education.
Outstanding research
Hafeez Rehman, Health epidemiologist specialist, won the Texas Public Health Association’s Outstanding Research Project Award. His project examined the association between Internet chat room visits and high-risk sexual practices by gay men. Judging was weighted most heavily on research that translated into contributions to public health.
The city’s newest celebrity
Flora Garcia was interviewed by Channel 57 for her outstanding work and recent Bravo Award. The piece aired in an Azteca America segment dedicated to successful Hispanics working in the United States.
100 Club honors 11
The 100 Club honored six police officers and five firefighters during its Heroes Awards. Recognized from HPD were: Lt. Carlton Brown, Sgts. Patricia Graham and Antonio Garcia Jr., and officers Dennis Domagas and Jesus Cantu, officers of the year; and Lt. Robert Cain, lifetime achievement. Firefighters of the year were: Michael Gibson, Tony Reed, District Chief Richard Cole, David Ward, and Capt. Leonard Higgins.
