Eden - Emerald Development & Economic Network, INC.

Employee Accolades

2011 Employee of the Year Nisa Butch	For her contributions day to day at the front desk and when frequently called on for special projects, Nisa is richly deserving of the title EDEN Employee of the Year 2011. Whether helping a tenant or landlord, pitching in at EDEN's 20th anniversary even or being a leader of the holiday gift basket program, Nisa can always be counted on to get the job done right with a positive attitude. Nisa continues to impress with her proactive approach to problem. She is pleasant, treats people with respect, doesn’t rattle easily and really takes a leadership role on new projects. She projects a very professional, yet friendly attitude toward the public in her receptionist duties, which is so critical to the agency’s image. For these and a multitude of other reasons, EDEN congratulates Nisa on being Employee of the Year 2011.
Past Employee of the Month Recipients
November 2011 Jen Pfleiderer	Jen consistently puts in long hours; not only with EDEN's subsidy programs, but as an integral member of our Paperless Committee as well. Seldom has she been seen leaving work before 5:30. Jen consistently deals with clients and landlords with patience, professionalism and a genuine desire to achieve a solution to any problem. Her smile, infectious laugh, and pleasant disposition brighten EDEN on a daily basis. Jen was EDEN's 2008 recipient of Employee of the Year and we continue to be prideful of her contribution to our agency and - most importantly - to our community.
October 2011 Melanie Minyard, Theresa Castleberry, and Nisa Butch	Nisa, Melanie, and Theresa continually and energetically provide our agency with professional and diligent customer service. EDEN's recent 20th Anniversary Celebration and the added duties thrust upon them with the demise or our phone system showed how flexible and resilient our front desk staff really are. As the most diversified group in the agency they provide all departments with needed support and enthusiasm. The front desk staff keep us together by maintaining a patience to endure those trying moments. They care about customer service and embrace our mission and vision. Most importantly, they make us smile every day.
July 2011 Terry Bunch	Terry started as working at EDEN as our Maintenance Technician at Edgewood Park and has done a fantastic job in and around the building. He is extremely knowledgeable with whatever issues come up in the building, and handles them quickly. He has a good working relationship with service providers and tenants in the building, which aids in getting issues that arise resolved quickly. Terry provides assistance to other properties as needed, and is always willing to help fellow Maintenance Techs, Custodians and Property Managers. He has especially excelled in the area of landscaping; turning an un-remarkable space into one the tenants and employees are proud of. He shows compassion and determination in dealing with tenants. Terry is a valuable asset to EDEN’s Permanent Supportive Housing Department.
June 2011 Nisa Butch	Nisa’s calm and pleasant personality is conveyed to all; especially while working the front desk as “the face and voice” of EDEN. Her interactions with staff, clients, vendors and service providers shed a very positive light on EDEN and those who work here. Nisa shows care and a willingness to take the extra step to help. She is always anxious to learn and one of the first to volunteer when extra help is needed. Nisa is a dependable employee who takes pride in her work and is very deserving of this award.
May 2011 Amber Smith	Amber took over our HUD multi-family projects a few months ago and has made vast improvements in the short time period. She has developed a rapport with her tenants and created a partnering presence for Property Management. Amber has received positive feedback from our partnering agencies as well. She cares about the tenants but is firm in her commitment to strict guidelines for our HUD buildings. Amber successfully balances the roles needed to be effective in what she does. For a brief time she needed to juggle her rent subsidies and HUD roles; all the while she never complained because she did not want to leave the Programs Department at risk.
April 2011 Laura Gaglione	Laura has been an asset in the development of our Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) and in keeping up with the increasing needs of our community. She is readily accessible when her fellow staff need her. If she does not have the answer to a question she will immediately take the initiative to explore the matter and get results. Laura’s helpful attitude is key in making HPRP rapid indeed. Her services and perseverance have been invaluable during this time of transition within our Fiscal Department. Laura faces assignments and challenges with equal measure of self-confidence and skill. She doesn’t complain and always extends invaluable suggestions. Her fellow staff members find her warm, helpful and fun to work with.
March 2011 Misraim "PoPo" Calderon & Rocco Kemp	Rocco & PoPo spent two weeks at South Pointe Commons helping to correct ongoing issues with the 4th Floor of the building. Often during this time, repairs they made had to be re-done, due to building issues. This meant PoPo and Rocco had to perform the same work in several units and areas repeatedly. Rather than letting the frustration of watching their efforts redoubled get to them, they returned each day with smiles on their faces and pleasant good mornings to staff and residents. When the tenants having the repairs done vented their frustrations, Rocco and PoPo displayed compassion and sensitivity to them. PoPo and Rocco went above and beyond for EDEN and the tenants of South Pointe Commons by patching, repairing, hanging cabinets and painting. With the aid of their professionalism, South Pointe passed the audit.
February 2011 Jennifer Reavis	In Jen’s short time with EDEN, she has accomplished a great deal. Jen developed EDEN's Compliance Calendar, which has become an essential tool for all of our programs. She has been instrumental in the monitoring of files for our subsidy programs and during our HUD buildings audits. Additionally, she has updated our sub- recipient agreements for grants with outside agencies. Jen is always helpful, whether she’s developing new tracking forms or maneuvering through challenging systems to ensure we are on the right page. She shows compassion toward our clients, and is a helpful, positive component of many programs. Jen is one of the first to volunteer when needed, and she’s been a wonderful addition to EDEN.
Employee of the Year 2010 Tony Hood, Sr.	Tony Hood is a true ambassador of EDEN’s mission. Throughout his career, Tony has worked with a challenging population. In the most trying of circumstances he maintains his composure and tenants often comment on the respect he shows them. Our community has a high level of respect for him. Other agencies ask, “How can we get a Tony Hood?” He’s always positive, and will not walk by without a “good morning” and “how you doing?” If the true measure of one’s character is the respect and admiration of those you serve and with whom you work, then there can be no finer “Face of EDEN” than Tony Hood.
2009 Employee of the Year Brian McCoy	Brian McCoy is an unsung hero of EDEN. The expertise and talent he brings to our Property Management is invaluable. Brian’s craftsmanship enhances our properties, providing us with the ability to achieve quality at substantial savings to the agency. As he approaches his fifteenth year with EDEN, Brian now is applying his special talents with the systems and operations at Edgewood Park. He is ever-ready to pitch in when challenges arise anywhere he is needed. Brian is a steady, reliable presence. His attendance is an example to us all. He is truly an asset; and worthy of the honor of EDEN Employee of the Year.
Employee of the Year 2008 Jennifer Pfleiderer	With appreciation and congratulations for Jennifer's service to EDEN and our clients. Her work has contributed significantly to our success over the past year. Her commitment to EDEN, her fellow employees, the community, as well as her enthusiasm and pleasant manner are an inspiration to all of us. Her cooperative and positive spirit and your knowledge of her job make you the perfect choice for Employee of the Year.
Employee of the Year 2007 Edna Wisniewski	For her continual, heartfelt dedication to the mission of EDEN; for exceeding normal expectations of her job in ways too numerous to list; for going above and beyond when she thinks no one is noticing; for the compassion she bestows on tenants; for the support and goodwill she gives all who come her way because helping others is not just a priority for her, but a way of life; for her endeavors to better herself, because we can’t imagine EDEN without her, and never want to. For these reasons and many more, the Management Team of EDEN congratulates Edna on receiving the first Employee of the Year Award.