Quotes, Notes & A n ecdotes

A Monthly Employee Newsletter Published by the Department of Administration July 2006 · Vol. 13, Issue 7

Employee of the Month Tech's Debbie Pendleberry Projects a Cooperative Spirit

DEBBIE PENDLEBERRY, levels, such as Office Suite, loves to garden, spend a Microsoft Office Master Adobe, Novell GroupWise and time with her dogs and Instructor for the Technology Exchange/Outlook. driving (harness/cart) Learning Center of the Office According to one of ponies. Debbie's also an of Technology, has been Debbie's co-workers, "She is avid antique shopper! selected as the department’s always cheerful and a Please join Debbie's Employee of the Month for pleasure to work with." friends and co-workers July. Another co-worker added, at a special ceremony in An eight-year employee of "Debbie has a great attitude her honor on Friday, July state government, Debbie and is always willing and 7, at 11 a.m. at the instructs classes at the ready to help out." Office of Technology's Technology Learning Center. In her spare time, Debbie Davis Square office DEBBIE PENDLEBERRY She provides instruction in enjoys working on her small building in downtown Char- July Employee various applications at all farm in Jackson County. She leston. of the Month

Our Summer Interns Offer an Excellent Sneak Peek Return on the Department’s Investment INSIDE... Since 1989, the Governor’s Internship Program has been plac- degree. “Tim joined our office ® Building 7 Snack ing eligible college students in summer internships. last year and, fortunately, is Bar Gets Facelift The program runs through the summer lasting nine to 13 back with us again this year,” / Adds Healthy weeks with the internships matching the student’s interests with said Cabinet Secretary Rob Choices to Menu the needs of private businesses, state agencies, and nonprofit Ferguson. “With his ability to ® Learn More organizations. This summer, our department hired seven interns tackle projects with speed and About our to work in various divisions. accuracy, Tim is a true profes- Summer Interns Tim Abraham returns from last year to sional and will be successful work in the Cabinet Secretary's Office. A se- in any path he chooses to ® Personnel nior with a double major in political science take.” Division Offers its and multi-disciplinary studies at West Virginia Ryan Cox First DVD to University, Abraham performs a variety of is another Employees tasks, ranging from research, responding to intern from ® Emergency inquiries, writing documents and letters, han- last year re- Evaluation Plan dling special projects and job-shadowing Sec- turning to Modernized retary Rob Ferguson. “I enjoy being part of a team that is really the Purchas- ® New Employee trying to run state government the right way and in the most ing Division. Award efficient way for West Virginia.,” said Abraham. After gradua- Due to his high level perfor- Introduced tion, he plans to attend law school and attain a joint J.D./M.P.A Continued on Page 3 July 2006 Quotes, Notes & Anecdotes Page 1 Building 7 Snack Bar Gets Facelift and Adds Healthy Choices to Menu

In hopes of pen, Greene has been work- wide contract. We didn’t have providing a ing in conjunction with Virgie to spend much time getting nicer atmo- Underwood, the owner/man- things started,” he said. sphere for em- ager of Virgie’s Tasty Treats in Plans indicate the floor will ployees and to Building 7, and Nidia Hender- be in black and white with yel- better utilize its son with the Public Employ- low-painted walls. Red chairs space, the ees Insurance Agency on the have been ordered to add a Executive Assis- Cabinet Secretary’s office has choice of healthier snacks. crisp accent against new yel- tant Cedric organized a facelift for Build- Capitol Business Interiors low table tops. Other excit- Greene works ing 7’s snack bar. “We want to was brought in to offer their ing features that have been with Capitol create a pleasant atmosphere expertise in design and decor. added are two television sets Business Interi- for employees to come eat. So, Greene said Senior Account that will be hung from the ceil- ors representa- we’re sprucing up the place, Executive and Designer Gary ing offering 24-hour news tive Gary Myers bringing in some additional Myers has been great to work coverage as well as weather on the layout with. He also expressed re- updates. and design of choices of healthier foods and Building Seven’s adding a couple of TVs and lief at how easy it is to go to Greene stressed the fact snack bar. more appropriate furniture,” the statewide vendor list, that there will be no remote Executive Assistant Cedric choose a vendor and get controls available. No plans Greene said. started. “That’s the great have been made to perform To help make all this hap- thing about having a state- Continued on Page 5 Aviation’s Debbie Rayburn Wins Songwriters' Contest

Debbie Rayburn, a secretary at the Avia- hard life due to the choices he tion Division, could hardly believe her ears had made that weren’t pleas- as her name was called as the winner of ing to his family," she said. "He the Dottie Rambo Songwriters’ contest. was living in a homeless shel- After all, it was the first song she had ever ter celebrating his birthday with written and there were many seasoned complete strangers and songwriters participating. longed to be with his family." The contest, sponsored by Dignity Hos- She said she awoke in the pice, a 501(c) nonprofit organization, in- middle of the night with him vited individuals to submit a song and on her mind. "I kept thinking attend a songwriters' seminar taught by how that could have been me. legendary gospel singer/songwriter All it would have taken was Dottie Rambo. Rambo's songs have been one wrong choice, to be in- sung by such artists as Elvis Presley, Dolly volved with the wrong people, Debbie Rayburn, Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Cash, Whitney Houston, Vince and down the wrong path,” a secretary for Gill, Dottie West, Pat Boone, and countless others. she added. the Aviation “I submitted a CD of me singing my song, then went to the Rayburn said some people Division, proudly seminar,” said Rayburn. “Rambo gave participants pointers on look down upon those who displays a CD she how to write songs and how to get their song out to someone are less fortunate. She said she recorded which hopes her song will encour- includes her that may be interested in recording it." winning song After Rayburn’s song, “It Could Have Been Me,” was chosen, age people to think more com- entitled, “It she and her group, Justified, were allowed to open for Rambo passionately. Money raised Could Have Been the following night at the Coalfield Jamboree in front of 700 during these events were do- Me.” people. As winner, Rayburn will also be given an opportunity to nated to Hospice services for pitch her song to Daywind Records in Nashville. residents of Logan, Mingo, “I’m not an avid songwriter, but I saw a guy on TV who was Lincoln, Boone and Wayne down on his luck. It was his birthday and he had been living a counties. Page 2 Quotes, Notes & Anecdotes July 2006 Summer Interns pervisor Compliance Officer Michael Harmon. “Hopefully, Department Continued from Page 1 by the time he leaves, he will be able to take some real world Hosts Exchange experience back to the classroom, which will be beneficial Students from UK mance, he was requested to re- to him and his classmates.” turn to assist with the technical Daniel Kanner of Charleston has also services initiatives of the division. returned to work for the Finance Divi- Cox is a senior at West Virginia sion. He is a junior majoring in Econom- University, majoring in biomet- ics at West Virginia University. Kanner rics and electrical engineering. has been assigned to work on the docu- “When it comes to interns, we ment imaging project for the 1099 Unit have gotten a good return on which includes filing and preparing our investment with Ryan,” said documentation of the imaged records his supervisor, Technical Ser- for archive. He also acts as their mail runner and reception- Graham Spencer vices Manager Dan Miller. “He ist as needed. “Daniel is wonderful,” said his supervisor Joan United Kingdom retained everything we trained Chapman. “He is very pleasant to work with and has a great The Cabinet Secre- him to do last summer. Now work ethic.” Kanner said he has enjoyed his summer work tary’s Office recently wel- he is handling even more com- experience. While he is not sure of his plans after gradua- comed students from the plicated tasks--things you tion, he said he would like to remain here locally and work United Kingdom, Janet would never expect an intern in his field of economics. Hammond and Graham to be able to do. He’s proof that Raymie White, the “new kid on the Spencer. training can be a good invest- block” so to speak, has never interned with Hammond was inter- ment.” Ryan is from the Big the state, but, has already received his un- ested in learning about Chimney area and says he has dergraduate degree in Political Science accessible housing as well been very pleased with his from Marshall University. He is currently as disability issues. She summer experience. attending West Virginia University College has been working toward Joey Griffith is originally from of Law and says he is still open to the type gaining accessible hous- Huntington of law he wants to practice after gradua- ing in her community in and is work- tion. White is spending his summer internship with the Eth- England. Hammond was ing on his ics Commission working on two long-term research projects, assigned to ADA Coordi- Masters de- both of which should result in improving the information nator Penny Hall. “I was gree in Health available on the Commission’s website. As issues arise on a pleased to learn that En- Care Admi- daily basis, White will also be working on some short-term gland has a law similar to nistration at research projects for the Commission’s attorneys. “This will the ADA we passed just the Marshall University Gradu- give him a real world experience in helping to solve legal five years ago. I enjoyed ate School. His summer intern- problems while improving our ability to respond to each in- the experience,” she said. ship is spent working with the quiry in a timely manner,” said Executive Director Lew Brewer. Graham Spencer ex- Public Employees Insurance White comes to us from Clendenin. pressed interest in how Agency (PEIA). The Office of Technology has hired two interns: Luke public services are man- One of his duties involves Steadman and Brian Dunbar. Since they began their in- aged in our state as well performing a preliminary as- ternship in late June, their pictures and biographical data as the general work of sessment of PEIA's information could not be included in this article. local government officers. privacy practices. Griffith’s as- For the past 16 years, over 1,200 talented students have Assigned to Executive As- signment will help PEIA get an participated in rewarding internship experiences. Eligibility sistant Cedric Greene, outsider’s perspective of its pro- requirements for the Program include: (1) being a student he visited a local office viders and assisting in prepar- in a West Virginia college or university or a West Virginia within the Department of ing for an audit. He said his resident attending an accredited college or university else- Health and Human Ser- summer internship has been where; (2) completing at least one year of study at an ac- vices and the Bureau of interesting and he is learning credited college or university by June of the year they want Senior Services. a great deal. He plans to to intern; and (3) having a cumulative college-university GPA “We had a great day graduate next May after which of 3.0 or greater. and walked away smart- he hopes to work in the hospi- If you know of an organization or a student who may be er about how we provide tal industry. “There is so much interested in participating in this program next year, direct services to infants, chil- to absorb during the short time them to the West Virginia Governor’s Internship Program’s dren, adults and senior Joey will be here," said his su- website at www.wvgip.org. adults,” said Greene.

July 2006 Quotes, Notes & Anecdotes Page 3 Resulting in Convenience and Cost Efficiency Division of Personnel's Employee Relations Section Offers its First DVD Training to State Employees

As training needs for state employees be- compliant. Completion rates come more diverse, anxiety levels regard- will be archived by DOP staff. ing training requirements are increasing. As an extra precaution, a fa- As a result, the Division of Personnel’s Em- cilitator makes sure the infor- ployee Relations Section, in partnership with mation is given should an the Treasurer’s Office, pioneered A Drug- audit be initiated. and Alcohol-Free Workplace digital train- The interface of the DVD ing program for new managers and su- training video is simple to use pervisors for all state agencies. with an opening screen that With employees stationed in remote lo- gives the viewer the option to cations throughout the state, technology see two modules and a review is a key step toward letting the state’s accessible by using a stan- Former Division 30,000 staffers coordinate their own training in a bid to quickly dard remote control. Select- of Personnel Drug and efficiently gain compliance with Division of Personnel (DOP- ing the “View Program” op- and Alcohol-Free P18) requirements. tion from the opening screen Workplace Coor- The Employee Relations Section realized a need for all state takes the user where the de- dinator Jean-Paul Moreau (r) and agencies to get information to their managers and supervisors sired type of subtitle is se- Assistant Direc- quickly and with the lowest investment, says Jean-Paul Moreau, lected. Under facilitator con- tor of Employee who served as Employee Relations' Drug and Alcohol-Free Work- trol, selecting the subtitle then Relations Jim place Coordinator until he recently accepted a training posi- takes viewers to a screen Wells (l) discuss tion with the United Nations. He led a team from the Treasurer’s where groups of sub-chap- the new DVD digi- tal training en- Office IT Department in the development of this new initiative. ters are selectable from a list. titled, "A Drug “Virtually every major organization in America is considering or DOP’s former Acting Divi- and Alcohol-Free has implemented some kind of employee-directed self-paced sion Director Max Farley said Workplace for online or digital training tool for its employees learning needs,” he believed this digital ap- new managers he said. proach is a move toward cre- and supervisors." The DVD, hosted and designed by Moreau, is produced like ating a strong training pres- Quotes, Notes a fast paced television news program. It integrates a variety of ence for the agency state- & Anecdotes different adult learning methodologies like video narration along wide, while waiting for their is published with full screen PowerPoint text, role playing using real life sce- system to develop secure per- by the West Virginia narios and interactive exercises to test worker understanding of formance monitoring capa- Department of the material. Along with a participant workbook, this technol- bilities for its e-learning. Administration ogy is expected to be deployed statewide and allows “just in Assistant Director of Em- time” training to operate while DOP is in the process of devel- ployee Relations Jim Wells oping online or web-blended technologies for all its employees. explained, “The DVD is actu- Joe Manchin III The DVD also ensures that all state agencies remain policy- ally more than what was be- Governor ing done in the classroom. Robert W. Accessible Employee Information Rather than testing policy Ferguson Jr. paragraph by paragraph, it’s Cabinet Secretary Questions relating to employee information can be an- more situational testing. We Diane Holley swered quickly on the Department’s website under, “Depart- intend to mass produce this Communication ment of Administration Employee Information” on the left DVD to make it available for Director/Editor panel of our main page.After accessing this page, you will small groups with a facilita- find information on employee news, a current organizational tor or individuals, as needed, Special Thanks chart, a letter of intent and expectations to employees from to work through this pro- Betsy Chapman Cabinet Secretary Rob Ferguson, the “Man/Woman in the gram.” Debbie Harrison Arena Award,” as well as the Employee Handbook. The di- For more information on this Kaye Parks rect link is http://www.state.wv.us/scripts/admin/ DVD course, contact Jim Wells Sandy Singleton dspDOAEmployeeInfo.cfm. Check it out! at 558-3950, ext. 253. Page 4 Quotes, Notes & Anecdotes July 2006 Emergency Evacuation Plan Modernized

The Department of Admin- well as their responsibilities; ® notifying the proper au- istration, in conjunction with ® instructing new employ- thorities once their floor has the Division of Protective Ser- ees/occupants of evacuation been cleared. vices, has been modernizing procedures; The plan, which is ex- an evacuation plan for the ® ensuring that all individu- pected to be operational by Capitol Complex in case of an als needing assistance in late summer, will be main- emergency. evacuating the building as- tained by the General Ser- Executive Assistant Cedric semble in a designated loca- vices Division. Green, along with Protective tion. It is the responsibility of “This modernized plan Services Acting Director Jay a person requiring assistance will work in conjunction with Smithers and Lt. Mike Mace, to immediately notify the fire the design and installation first began devising the plan captain on the floor on which of a campus-wide intercom collectively this past April. Unit they work of such a need; emergency notification and Floor Captains have been ® maintaining a current list- fire alarm upgrade system chosen by their respective di- ing of all occupants of their which will be migrated into visions who will be responsible respective floor, as well as a the current campus-wide for: list of individuals who need electronic doorlock system. ® the safe, orderly and super- assistance in evacuating; It will be monitored 24/7 vised evacuation of employ- ® recruiting individuals to as- through the Division of Pro- ees whenever emergency sist in performing duties as tective Services Command evacuation becomes neces- the situation dictates; Center,” Smithers said. sary; ® coordinating activities with More information will be ® ensuring that all occupants floor captains, assistants and made available within the of respective floors are aware Emergency Responsible Co- upcoming months and of evacuation procedures as ordinator as needed; and, shared with our employees.

Snack Bar what they eat,” said PEIA's Continued from Page 2 Public Information Officer David Bailey. ”We looked any renovations behind the around our offices and saw counter, just the area where there weren’t enough good employees or visitors congre- choices to be had on the gate. Capitol Complex. We have The snack bar itself has been very pleased with the been owned and operated teamwork of those who have under Virgie’s Tasty Treats pitched in to help revamp the since July 1, 2004. “I am very vendateria. We think that the pleased with the changes new look and the new vend- they’re making,” said Under- ing options will help in mak- wood. “This place has need- ing the right food choice easier ed it for a long time and I am for state employees.” looking forward to giving my In addition to enhancing this area for the employees, Pictured beside the customers better service.” Greene stressed the importance of correcting a safety is- new high-end machines is Virgie Some of the newer selections sue surrounding a solid wood door that leads to the De- Underwood, owner/ to be offered include peanuts/ partment of Education in the snack bar area. A person manager of Vergie’s cashews, low fat pudding, entering the area is unaware of the activity on the other Tasty Treats in jello and lean pockets. side of the door. He explained that plans are underway to Building 7. The “PEIA has done several replace the wooden door with glass and have it open from machines will en- able Underwood to wellness campaigns de- the inside. offer a wider selec- signed to help our members The project is to be fully complete before the end of the tion of healthy make better decisions about summer. snacks. July 2006 Quotes, Notes & Anecdotes Page 5 A New Employee Welcome!...to the employees who recently joined our department: ADMINISTRA Award Announced Raquel Baker, Julia Bullard and Jennifer Sharp (all of Person- nel); Gary Riffle and Torrence Smith (both of CPRB); and Lewis Withrow (General Services). ¢ The Man/ Woman in Best Wishes…to those employees who resigned from our de- the Arena partment: Tenicia Butler (BRIM); Ashlee Hunt and Phillip Pow- ers (both of CPRB); and Charles Schmidt (Office of Technology). Cabinet Secretary Congrats!...to Lisa Trump of CPRB, who was promoted from a Rob Ferguson is pleased to intro- Retirement Advisor to an Administrative Services Manager I. duce a new semi-annual recogni- tion called “The Man/Woman in PEOPLE TALK the Arena” award, targeting em- Got News?...Let us know what's going on with you and your fam- ployees who demonstrate the fol- ily. Contact Diane Holley, Editor, at (304) 558-0661 with infor-

lowing characteristics: mation to share with the department's employees. TIVE NO TIVE Bold and Daring Leadership: Independence Day…Celebrate our country’s independence on This employee demonstrates lead- July 4. This day is an official holiday for state employees. ership which extends beyond the Vacation Plans?...If you have experienced or are planning a unique call of duty; who has achieved vacation this summer and would like to share with us the details, unique positive benefits for the bet- email Debbie Harrison at [email protected]. terment of the department and the state of West Virginia. Status quo is In Sadness...The department regretfully announces the unexpected not in the vocabulary of this indi- passing of Mark Erb, a pilot of the Aviation Division. Our thoughts vidual, for he/she continues to seek are extended to his family and his numerous friends of state gov- innovative ways to improve the ser- ernment who will miss him. TES vices to our taxpayers. Extraordinary Moral Cour- HAPPY BIRTHDAY...in July age: This employee strives to make a difference by firmly standing for 1 Jeff Bird ...... Technology 17 Jacqueline West ...... Ethics James Bridges ...... Gen. Srvcs. 18 Sue Lore ...... Technology his/her beliefs. His/her philosophy Patty Johns ...... Finance Mary Jane Arvon ...... CPRB on the job is to do the right thing in Mike Riggs ...... Technology 19 Donovan Hendricks ... Finance 3 David Oliverio ...... Gen. Srvcs. 21 Heather Atkins Public Defender the right way, for the right reasons. Kathy Young ...... CPRB Lee Ann Halstead ...... PEIA To accomplish this mission, this in- 5 Priscilla Bickley ...... PEIA Dawn Mahan ...... CPRB Lora Reese ...... Finance Stacey Shamblin ...... CHIP dividual takes risks of failing or hav- Kristi Short ...... Technology 22 Earl Guthrie ...... Gen. Srvcs. ing others not quickly conform with Paula Van Horn ...... CPRB Rita Withrow ...... Purchasing Roger Williams ...... Technology the ideas. It is their perseverance Debbie Anderson ...... Personnel 23 Judie Barnes ...... Technology Tony Easley ...... Gen. Srvcs. John Gibson ...... Technology to their belief that makes this indi- Mike Michaelson ... Gen. Srvcs. 8 Michael Belcher ...... Technology Cricket Powell Grievance Board vidual stand out among their peers. Robert Norvell ...... Technology Brian Pratt ...... Technology President Theodore Roosevelt first 9 Martha Belcher ...... Finance 24 Lori Bailey ...... BRIM Joseph Savors ...... Technology Lori Byus ...... Technology offered his “Man in the Arena” 10 Theresa King ...... CPRB Yvonne Wilhelm ..... Personnel speech in 1910, stating “It is not 11 Crystal Cunningham ...... PEIA 26 Jesse Erby ...... Gen. Srvcs. Penney Hall ...... Sec. Office Delores Huffman .... Personnel the critic who counts, not the man Kevin Kinder ...... Technology Kim Long ...... PEIA who points out how the strongman Candy Moore ...... CPRB 27 Joyce Kinder ...... Technology Bryan Ramsdell ...... Technology Sue McMinn ...... BRIM stumbled, or where the doer of Larry Ward ...... Aviation Denise Russe ...... Technology deeds could have done better. This 12 Roger Bailey ...... Gen. Srvcs. Mario Torres ...... Finance credit belongs to the man who is Jim Fisher ...... Gen. Srvcs. Emily Washington . Technology Tina Holmes ...... Technology 28 Tom Marchio ...... PEIA actually in the arena….” John Johnston ...... Purchasing Barbara Randolph ...... PEIA Jack Pullen ...... Technology Ray Richardson ..... Technology Recipients will be announced Ken Smith ...... Gen. Srvcs. 29 Krista Ferrell ...... Purchasing twice each year, in July and Janu- 15 Mable Jones ...... Finance Tammy Haynes ..... Technology 16 Tonya DeVontenno ...... CPRB Theresa Kline ...... CPRB ary, based on the established cri- Terasa Miller ...... CPRB Mick Olah ...... Technology teria and information available at Margo Perkins ...... PEIA Danny Sizemore .... Gen. Srvcs. 17 Romona Allen ...... CHIP Roberta Wagner .... Purchasing www.state.wv.us/scripts/admin/ Bob Kilpatrick ...... Finance Barry Williams ...... Gen. Srvcs. arena.pdf. Nominations are Philip Skeen ...... PEIA 30 Denise Spatafore ... Grievance strongly encouraged for this award. Stanley Stewart ...... Gen. Srvcs. 31 David Mason ...... BRIM

Page 6 Quotes, Notes & Anecdotes July 2006