The Utah Public Employees’ Association (UPEA) is proud to participate in the Public Employee Salute Program. The idea for the program began in 1999 when a past UPEA executive director noticed that KSL Radio had a special segment to recognize Utah teachers. The segment is commonly known as the “Teacher Feature.” However, there was no feature recognizing Utah’s public employees. The following year, the UPEA and Mountain America Credit Union Public Employee Salute program began.
The following individuals have been nominated and recognized with the Public Employee Salute for their hard work for the state of Utah.
September 2020
Stacy McGovern
Stacy McGovern is an outstanding employee at the Department of Motor Vehicles. A local citizen recognized her for dedicating nearly three months to trying to resolve registration paperwork. She was a true professional who was patient and polite while trying to resolve the problem. The citizen thanked McGovern for helping get a new business started.
Cameron Wright
Cameron Wright is a correctional case manager at the Central Utah Correctional Facility. He is recognized for going above and beyond in his job, doing so with a positive attitude. His leadership is admired, and his excitement to come to work each day encouraging. He is eager to assist new staff and does his best to make a difference.
Mahal Roesser
Mahal Roesser is an administrative assistant with the Department of Workforce Services. She willingly takes on special assignments and does not hesitate to ask how she can help. She is known for her organizational skills and has helped streamline work for her coworkers. Mahal is the epitome of a public servant, believing in the service the department provides to the community.
Brigham City Connection Team
The Brigham City Connection Team is recognized for going above and beyond during the pandemic. The team has guided many individuals through the intricacies of filing for unemployment and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The team works tirelessly to find answers and make processes as smooth as possible. The Brigham City office is not the only one that has stepped up during this time; every office in the state is working hard to keep customers safe and information available. Thank you to the public employees for all their hard work!
October 2020
Olga Sanchez
Olga Sanchez, a therapist supervisor, works for the Department of Human Services Division of Juvenile Services. She is fantastic at her job and goes above and beyond. She is recognized for taking care of her staff, taking on extra duties when they need assistance. Sanchez is a great supervisor!
Rene Meza
Rene Meza is an unemployment adjudicator for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. She has spent more than 20 years in public service and treats customers with dignity and respect. Meza is a great source of knowledge for coworkers and the community.
Destri Gray
Destri Gray, a Child Protective Services worker for the Utah Department of Child and Family Services, is recognized for her huge heart. Her priority is children’s safety. Gray fights to keep children home with their parents and does everything she can to help parents. Thank you for your service to Utah’s families.
Linda Bright
Linda Bright is a senior assistant caseworker Government Records Access and Management Act specialist with the Division of Children and Family Services. She is kind, hardworking, and will stop to help anyone out. Bright is reliable and is recognized for being a great coworker and friend. She does not get enough credit for everything she does.
November 2020
Dr. Angela Dunn
Dr. Angela Dunn, the Utah Department of Health’s state epidemiologist since 2018, is thanked by Utah’s public employees and community for her continued dedication to Utahn’s health. Her knowledge and insights have led the way for public health response discussions. She has devoted her resources to helping Utah navigate the pandemic and continues to educate the public. Thank you, Dr. Dunn, for making Utah proud.
Gary Edwards
Gary Edwards, director of Salt Lake County Health Department since 2005, always manages to ensure he is fair, balanced, and uses data and reason in his decision-making rather than emotion despite pressure from federal, state, and local agencies. He is truly one of the sincerely nicest people you could ever meet, and his genuine love for public health, his employees, and the people who live and work in Salt Lake County is inspiring and contagious.
Paul Crosbie
Paul Crosbie, an environmental scientist at the Salt Lake County Health Department, has been an asset during the pandemic. He contributes his knowledge and work ethic to contact tracing, restaurant exposure, and quarantine/isolation shelters. Crosbie is admired by coworkers for his dedication to public health and to the residents of Salt Lake County.
Rusty Lundberg
Rusty Lundberg has been a public servant for 35 years. Throughout his career, Lundberg has taken on many assignments and had numerous accomplishments. He is retiring next month following his work as the deputy director of Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control. Thank you, Rusty, for your active engagement and dedication to ensure Utah’s policy voice is heard.