VALDOSTA, GA – Valdosta Mayor John Gayle and Utilities Director Henry Hicks honored Feretz Berrian, James Brown and Ronnie Lancaster as the June 2014 Employees of the Month at the June 5 City Council meeting. The three men received framed certificates, checks for $200 each, and their names appear on a plaque that is displayed inside of City Hall.

With a combined total of 55 years of service to the city’s Utilities Department, Berrian— sewer systems supervisor, Brown— crew leader, and Lancaster—utility locate technician, are dedicated men who work extremely well together.

During the recent Good Friday holiday weekend, the Valdosta area was inundated with over four inches of rain. The impact of inflow and infiltration of stormwater into the wastewater collection system caused manhole overflows in several areas of the city. In addition to decisively handling the demanding tasks associated with each overflow, Feretz, Brown and Lancaster expertly navigated through numerous other challenges, which included downed trees and a lift station power outage.

The three men remained steadfast in responding to each challenge, diligently working around the clock on Friday and Saturday to ensure citizens’ calls were swiftly addressed. Feretz, Brown, and Lancaster also sacrificed valuable time away from their own families on Easter Sunday to minimize the impact caused by these events.

The City of Valdosta applauds Feretz Berrian, James Brown and Ronnie Lancaster for their unwavering dedication to the City of Valdosta and for being selected as the 2014 June Employees of the Month.

Source: City of Valdosta