DAQ Names Employee, Team of the Year for 2004

The Division of Air Quality recently held its sixth Employee Recognition Awards ceremony, with DENR Secretary Bill Ross bestowing the honors. Patrick Butler of the Raleigh Regional Office was named the 2004 DAQ Employee of the Year. The Real Time Air Monitoring Data Team was named the 2004 DAQ Team of the Year.

Butler, compliance supervisor for the Raleigh region, was recognized for motivating his staff to exceed its inspection goals. Under his leadership, the regional office surpassed its 2004 inspection goal by 16 percent and the previous year's goal by 35 percent. This accomplishment was remarkable because Patrick had to assume the role of acting regional supervisor while the supervisor was on extended medical leave for three months. Patrick also served on the DAQ Open Burning Outreach Team, the Compliance Work Group, and the DENR Pay Dispute Board.

The Real Time Air Monitoring Data Team included Wayne Cornelius, Hoke Kimball and Joette Steger of the Ambient Air Monitoring Section and George Halsey and Doug Love of Information Technology Services. This team worked hard to establish access to real-time air monitoring data through the DAQ Web site. The format they developed includes a map of the state that users can click on to obtain real-time data at continuous monitors across North Carolina. The availability of this data on-line allows the public to access air quality data and plan their daily activities accordingly, which is particularly important for children, people with respiratory problems and those who exercise outdoors. This accomplishment is a valuable contribution to DAQ's public outreach and education efforts.

Other nominees for DAQ Employee of the Year included Mike Abraczinskas, Angela Bell, Wayne Cornelius, Larry Goodwin, Eric Hudson, Frank King, Sally McKinney, Eugene Mesley, Ruchi Singhal, Joette Steger, and Vickie Woods. Other nominees for the Team of the Year included the Early Action Compact/ State Implementation Plan Development Team, the Mooresville Regional Office Air Quality Monitoring Staff, the Open Burning Task Force, and the Stationary Source Compliance Branch Enforcement Staff.

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