Levi Allen named top employee for 2018
(CNS Local Life): Levi Allen, a manager in the Public Works Department (PWD), has been awarded Employee of the Year honours in a ceremony held Thursday, 21 March, in the Harquail Theatre. Allen was the only candidate in the civil service nominated in the category “Talent Development”.
In accepting the award, the acting senior manager in the PWD’s Organisational Development and Operational Support, said, “I am thankful to the Lord that it was His will. There are so many worthy candidates also in the running, which is a testament to the excellent team within the Government.
“The civil service has been doing great things for the community for many years. I am appreciative for senior leaders taking the time to celebrate our achievements,” he added in a government press release.
Noting that his success is based on teamwork, he said, “The programmes I work on are examples of the civil service coming together across departments to ‘Make Lives Better’.”
The Talent Development category was selected not only as a result of his day-to-day role with the department but also due to his leadership of PWD’s Construction Trades Apprenticeship Programme, the press release said.
Through this programme, young Caymanians are receiving technical training and professional qualifications to embark on careers in the public and private sectors. Allen also designed the programme to benefit PWD employees by empowering them to serve as the trainers and mentors, the release stated, adding that the initiative provides a “critical talent pipeline to the local construction industry”.
The award ceremony featured the 12 Employee of the Month recipients for 2018, from whom the overall winner was chosen. Deputy Governor Franz Manderson told the finalists: “Just by making it to this event, it is clear that you are all already winners. Regardless of tonight’s outcome, I encourage you to continue to serve as role models who inspire others.”
Governor Martyn Roper officially opened the ceremony, telling those gathered, “It has been noted that this evening is equivalent to the Oscars for the civil service.” He also praised the deputy governor for being an inspiring leader, saying, “We can all learn so much from his positive, can-do, solution- and customer-focused approach.”
The governor then thanked the civil service, telling them, “Every individual has an impact, whether on their teams or externally.”
Auxiliary Constable Fabian O’Connor, who is perhaps more widely known as “The Dancing Policeman”, also attended as one of the 33 additional recipients of the Chief Officer’s Choice Award in 2018. As part of the evening’s programme, he received further acknowledgement in a surprise presentation by Portfolio of the Civil Service (POCS) Chief Officer Gloria McField-Nixon, who presented him with a new “Creating Moments of Magic” award.
Explaining the background to this award, she said that on 18 March, a couple on a cruise spontaneously decided to get married in the Cayman Islands. They encountered AC O’Connor on the waterfront, who found a justice of the peace and a marriage officer and then stood in as best man. McField-Nixon said AC O’Connor went above and beyond the call of duty to provide an unforgettable experience for the couple.
After those awards were handed out, each of the 12 finalists were introduced by their chief officer, department head or manager, with short videos shown of the nominees describing in their own words what they do to make the lives of those they serve better, the release said.
McField-Nixon then announced Allen as the Employee of the Year. She said Allen’s nomination form “really summed everything up, nominating him for Pursuing Excellence in Talent Development and recognising him as ‘The Best and Mostest’ and ‘Most determined to do more’, stated the press release.
Category: Civil Service, Local News
