OCSEA's Sandy Trout recognized for quality contributions to ODOT, State of Ohio

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Team Up ODOT event's 10th Anniversary celebrated

May 9, 2008 - In addition to the traditional awards that have been presented to ODOT employees over the last decade, a new category was created this time and presented to a person who isn't even an agency employee.

And, without ever hearing her name, all who know and love the last award recipient knew exactly who Deputy Director Rachel Livengood was describing at the 2008 awards ceremony.

Sandy Trout, an OCSEA Administrative Assistant, was awarded a "special" TOP Award at Team Up ODOT on Thursday, May 8. The Total ODOT Performance (TOP) Awards are determined by a joint labor-management effort to review and score the applications.

Trout, who co-chairs the Ohio Quality Network and the Union Quality Network, has been instrumental in coordinating Team Up ODOT and many educational and training opportunities, including the Pathways to Excellence events.

The remarks below were delivered at the Team Up event by Livengood who is the ODOT Deputy Director of Quality and Human Resources. Livengood has worked closely with Trout on the quality front since the days of the Ohio Office of Quality, created under the Voinovich Administration.

 PREPARED REMARKS 

This year, the Team Up ODOT Committee would like to present a special TOP Award to a very special person. 

This is the tenth anniversary of Team Up ODOT and this person has worked tirelessly to make sure the event is always carried out as planned. 

Because this person doesn’t work for ODOT, this person is not eligible to be nominated for the official TOP Awards, but could have been a winner in every category over the years.

External customer service:  This individual has gone out of their way to understand ODOT’s needs and work to fulfill them.

Always positive and upbeat, this person is willing to go an extra ten miles to fulfill all customer expectations.

Internal customer service:  This individual is a go-to person for internal customers, providing encouragement and understanding, especially during stressful times.

Everyone knows that when this person says they will do something, it will get done.

Communication award:  This person maintains communication with many people from many state agencies, utilizing a variety of methods to accomplish this, including a quality newsletter, bulletin board items, phone calls and emails.

Process Improvement:  During the past decade, this individual has served with the Team Up ODOT Committee, guiding the team in ways that have helped improve the process over the years.  

At this point, it runs like a well-oiled machine, with improvements made each year.

Employee Mentoring:  This person has served as a mentor for all of us who have been involved with the quality and efficiency initiative in state government over the past several years. 

This individual has been instrumental in keeping quality and process improvement alive in state government, even when it was a struggle to do so, by co-chairing the Ohio Quality Network and the Union Quality Network and setting up many educational and training opportunities including the Pathways to Excellence events.

Humanitarian:  This individual feeds us when we are hungry and nourishes our spirits when giving up seems easier.

Compassion for others is a quality we should all strive for.

Now that days are lean in state government, this person finds the money necessary to keep the event going.

Impact:  This person defines the term “quality advocate”—someone who has shown commitment to quality government that runs efficiently and is accountable to its citizens.  Without working for state government, this individual has had a huge impact on state employees and the way they do their jobs.

MVP:  Without a doubt, we consider OCSEA Administrative Assistant Sandy Trout to be our most valuable player. Her dedication, support and hands-on approach to getting things done have helped make this event successful over the years.  With love and deep appreciation, this special TOP award is presented to Sandy Trout.

See Related

Photo Album of 2008 Team Up ODOT

FULL STORY - Union, management celebrate Team Up ODOT's 10th Anniversary

Opening remarks of Eddie L. Parks, OCSEA President

Ohio Department of Transportation

OCSEA / ODOT Assembly Officers

OCSEA / ODOT Toolbox

About the Ohio Quality Network