The Employee of the Quarter and Year Program is established to recognize outstanding Orange County Water District (OCWD) employees and to acknowledge their contributions to OCWD. The program hopes to encourage quality work, process or continuous improvement, teamwork, savings, customer service, and a high level of dedication. The program recognizes that OCWD employees are the source of our strength, reputation and innovation.

Jimmy Pennella, Maintenance Technician II

Jimmy Pennella's normal duties would be to maintain and repair facilities and equipment on the Fountain Valley campus in support of the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). Over a six-month period, Jimmy's responsibilities were expanded to working in the auto shop until a mechanic could be hired to replace a vacated position. His actions have provided a positive transition for the District following the retirement of former Auto Mechanic Ted O'Rourke.

Jimmy, who has nine years of service with OCWD, took the initiative to do a major overhaul of the auto shop. Having extensive auto shop experience, he was able to use an organized approach to clean work stations and revamp the layout of the area. He sought out the assistance of the warehouse staff to discard outdated items and parts, created updated forms that coincide with the Maximo Maintenance Management system, established new vendor contacts to correspond with the Orange County Sanitation District's, and put extra time into modifying the equipment list to better suit OCWD's needs following the GWRS Initial Expansion. Jimmy was able to get many of the obsolete parts restocked with quality new parts that saved money for the District. Additionally, his improvements increased productivity and safety.

Jimmy is especially efficient and effective in his ideas and trouble-shooting skills, all of which are greatly appreciated as OCWD transitions this position and shop to a new staff member. Jimmy is actively teaching the new Auto Mechanic about the equipment and diagnostic systems. In no time, he will turn over the shop while remaining available for questions.

Congratulations Jimmy!