78 employees honored for years of service

Seventy-eight Tribal employees were recognized for a combined 875 years of service to the Grand Ronde Tribe during an employee recognition event held Thursday, June 12, in the Community Center.
Most notably, Health and Wellness Business Office Manager Tresa Mercier reached her 29th anniversary of working for the Tribe. She started working for the Tribe on Oct. 1, 1984.
The years of service recognition event honored employees who reached employment anniversaries of five years or more during the last quarter of 2013 and the first quarter of 2014.
Tribal Council Chairman Reyn Leno thanked employees for the work they do for the general membership.
"The membership really appreciates what staff does for them although they might not come up and say it," Leno said.
Acting General Manager Chris Leno also thanked staff members for taking on extra assignments as the Tribe works to fill two high-level governmental vacancies - general manager and finance officer.
Tribal Council members who attended the recognition event included Vice Chair Jack Giffen Jr., Ed Pearsall and Jon A. George, who gave the invocation. Tribal Council members June Sherer and Denise Harvey, who were unable to attend, sent e-mails to staff before the event, thanking them for their efforts.
"I am so thankful that we have such dedicated and loyal employees working in our organization," Sherer said. "Please know that all of your hard work does not go unnoticed."
"(I) would like you all to know that I appreciate all that you do," Harvey said.
Three employees who reached their 10-year anniversaries received more than a bonus check - they were gifted a Tribal Pendleton blanket.
Employees who attended the event were treated to strawberry shortcake and strawberry lemonade.
Senior Human Resources Generalist Steve O'Harra was the master of ceremonies during the event.
Employees honored were:
Five years: Lawrence Schwabe, Kari Culp, Shelby Wren, Amanda Mercier, Flicka Lucero, Angela Renteria and Desiree Allen.
Six years: Rachel Clark, Michelle Alaimo, Tyrell Soderberg, Michele Volz, Bart Bryant, Timothy George, Rosie Salvidas, Arnoldo Moralez, Brian Krehbiel, Misty Thorsgard, Joan Dugger, Jennifer Biesack and Susan Wright.
Seven years: Eleanor Ashman, Tauni McCammon and Joe Loomis.
Eight years: Debra Nolen, Leslie Riggs, George Neujahr, Toni Mercier, Michelle Sweeney, Jessica Cruickshank, John Genera Jr., Loyal Hamilton and Rose Smith.
Nine years: Darin Riggs, Nancy Renfrow, Brandy Bishop, Rebecca Goeserich and Shawn Bobb.
10 years: Lisa Archuleta, Donna Todd and Kathy Cole.
11 years: Kevin Campbell, Stephanie Grim, Joshua Clift, Jake McKnight and Willie Mercier.
12 years: Kerrina Mishler, Travis Stewart, Sandra Bobb, Charlean White and Donald Coon.
13 years: Chris Bailey, Tyson Mercier, Kim Rogers, Michelle Manso, Jill Hafliger and Nathan Rolston.
14 years: David DeHart, Connie Wyngarden and Crystal Szczepanski.
15 years: Tammy Garrison and Lillian Engel.
16 years: Sunni Ulestad and Donnette Spaulding.
17 years: Jan Looking Wolf Reibach, Jody Jerger and Mike Karnosh.
18 years: Daniel Ham, Julia Papen, Dana Ainam, Hollie Mercier and Jerry George.
19 years: Kim Mueller and Wendell Olson.
20 years: Penny DeLoe.
23 years: Marion Mercier, Karan Scharf and John Mercier.
29 years: Tresa Mercier.