Customs claims employee of the year
(L-R): Financial Secretary Kenneth Jefferson, Premier Alden McLaughlin, Governor Helen Kilpatrick, Employee of the Year Gidget Powell, Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, Collector of Customs Charles Clifford and Chief Officer Gloria McField-Nixon
(CNS): Assistant Collector of Customs Gidget Powell, who has served in the same department for 26 of her 29 years in government service, has been named Employee of the Year for 2014-15.
Deputy Governor Franz Manderson, who selected Powell from among the 12 employees of the month over that period, presented her with the award at a ceremony hosted by Governor Helen Kilpatrick last week at Government House.
Acknowledging his difficult task, Manderson congratulated all the nominees for being superb role models for the entire civil service. “All of you are winners and have made us extremely proud. I thank you for all you have done, and continue to do, in serving the community,” Manderson said.
The deputy governor introduced the Employee of the Year award to encourage every staff member to go the extra mile in providing service. Now in its fourth year, the scheme continues to support his stated vision to “create a dynamic, modern, professional and respected civil service that supports good governance, serves the community and positively contributes to the economic and social development of the Cayman Islands”.
Gloria McField-Nixon, chief officer in the Portfolio of the Civil Service, noted that this year, the deputy governor faced a particularly tough task because of “a remarkable set of nominees for whom excellence is the norm”. She added that Powell “exemplifies an extremely high work ethic and strives to lead by example”.
In making his choice, Manderson looked at individuals’ annual performance assessments, their impact upon the workplace, notably the cooperation, confidence, respect and optimism they embed within their workplace as well as convey to their clients.
Powell was selected Government’s third Employee of the Year for being named “most professional, proficient, knowledgeable, courteous and compassionate”.
Nearly three decades ago, she applied nine times to Customs before being accepted, which strengthened her resolve to strive each day to prove herself worthy of the job.
Powell has also extended to her colleagues and her team members the same commitment that she provides to the department’s customers and clients. She ensures that the lines of communication with her fellow workers remain open, and encourages them to deal similarly with their clients and colleagues.
Powell said she thoroughly enjoys her job and pledged to continue doing her best. “I’m elated, overwhelmed and honoured at receiving the award,” she said, thanking all involved in the nomination process, notably the Customs management team for their support and guidance. She also thanked her training manager, fellow assistants, and senior and junior staff “because we are a team”.
Category: Civil Service
