JOHN GONZALEZ NAMED EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR BEFORE SHIPPING OVERSEAS FOR MILITARY DUTY

05.13.2002 -- John Gonzalez, maintenance supervisor at Wortham Theater Center, has been named the 2002 Employee of the Year by the City of Houston's Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department. Gonzalez was recognized Friday in outdoor ceremonies at Jones Plaza.

Gonzalez, however, won't have much time to celebrate the award. Gonzales is a sergeant in the U.S. Army reserves and today he ships out for a nine-month tour of duty in southwestern Asia. After completing his original three-year hitch in the Army, he has been an active reservist for four years.

"We are all incredibly proud of John Gonzalez," said Dawn Ullrich, director of the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department. "John has been with our department for only one year, but has quickly earned the widespread respect of his co-workers. Wortham Center remains a beautiful civic treasure thanks to the day-to-day efforts of outstanding employees like John Gonzalez.

"Our entire department will be with John in spirit as he serves our country overseas. He is a very capable young man and an inspiration to us all," Ullrich said.

Gonzalez, 24, is a native Houstonian who graduated from Lamar High School. He and his wife, Nidia, have two children, Aaron, 5, and Caylee, 1.

Six other employees were recipients of the department's Team Player Awards: Brenda Bazan, Juan Gonzalez, Essie Landry, Larry Larson, Kenneth Mann and Linda Rodriguez.