2013 Service Awards Banquet

Sharon and I went to the 2013 SHSS Service Awards Banquet at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Sacramento. I missed last year's event, but I am not sure why. I may have been at Spring Training.

They did something very different this year. They showed a video of the longest tenure employees talking about themselves and their time at Sutter Health. Although she was not there, Judy Oliver got a 40 year service award and was the last of the videos.

We finished the evening visiting with the Gainsley's.

2011 Service Awards Banquet

Sharon and I went to the 2011 SHSS Service Awards Banquet at the Sheraton Grand in downtown Sacramento. Last year for the first time, they did the oddest thing; they changed the policy so that unless you were receiving an award you could not bring a guest. I went by myself. They reversed the policy this year so I was able to bring Sharon.

Each group was assigned to a specific table of set of tables. Technical Services had three tables. As part of the program, I had the responsibility of going around, talking to seven employees who work in my service line and thanking them for their service. One of my employees--Teddy Michel--got a 40 year service award!

The CIO served as the master of ceremonies for the event. We finished the evening visiting with the Gainsley's.

2010 Service Awards Banquet

I attended the 2010 SHSS Service Awards Banquet at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sacramento.  We missed last year due to Rosemary's funeral.  Sharon has typically gone with me in the past.  For the first time this year, they changed the policy so that unless you were receiving an award you could not bring a guest; very odd...

For the first time, they assigned each group to a specific table of set of tables.  Technical Services had three tables.  As part of the program, I had the responsibility of going around, talking to about a dozen employees who work in my service line and thanking them for their service.

I enjoyed wandering around and talking to the honorees.  I actually ran out of time and had to rush through the last one.  As part of my management rounding process, I have been sitting and talking a random Technical Services employee about once a week for an hour.  I am going to add all of the honorees to the schedule.

2008 Service Awards Banquet

I attended the 2008 SHSS Service Awards Banquet at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Sacramento. With Sharon out of town, I parked Jack for the night with one of his classmates and got a room at the Hyatt. I sat with the Gainsley's and the Sleigh's at dinner. As part of the program, I got up and presented four 20 year service awards [Gasper, Jugoz, Lemire and Payton].

Afterwards, Kevin, Donna, Rudy, Liz, Lew and I adjourned to the bar. By the time I got back to my room, it was almost 1:00 a.m.

Walking from my hotel room to the registration desk at the beginning of the evening, I had the oddest experience. I found myself walking behind a group of people that I have known for more than 25 years and worked with in a previous life. For a moment, I found myself confused about what meeting I was going to!

It turned out that the Sacramento Valley Farm Credit Annual Meeting was in the ballroom next to our awards banquet. Sacramento Valley Farm Credit was a client of Sharon's for a number of years after she left the bank and we had attended the annual meeting on a couple of occasions. I stopped briefly and said hello to Randy Patane and Gary Olsen and their wives. I thought I might try and catch up with them later in the evening, but never got the chance.

2007 Service Awards Banquet

With Jack going with a classmate on a cub scout outing to the National Weather Service and staying overnight, Sharon and I went to the Sutter Health Support Services 2007 Service Awards Banquet at the Grand Sheraton. As part of the program, I got up and presented two 20 year service awards [Kennedy and Worley].

We sat with the Gainsley's at dinner. After the awards program was over, we adjourned to the lounge with the Gainsley's and the Mirsepassi's. Faye Mirsepassi worked with Sharon and I years ago at the bank. Her husband works in the finance department at Sutter.

2006 Service Awards Banquet

Sharon and I went to the Sutter Health Support Services 2006 Service Awards Banquet at the Grand Sheraton. As part of the program, I got up and presented one service award for 15 years of service [Gregson].

We sat with the Gainsley's and the Larkin's during dinner. After the awards program was over, the three couples adjourned to the lounge. We had a great evening; it was almost midnight by the time we got home.

2005 Service Awards Banquet

Leaving Jack with his cousins, Sharon and I went to the Sutter Health Support Services Annual Service Awards Banquet at the Grand Sheraton. They changed the format slightly from previous years. In the past, all of the service awards were presented by Senior Vice Presidents. This year, they decided to broaden the presenters. As a result, I got up and presented two services awards: one for 15 years of service [Rudnicki] and another for 30 years [Prather].