Honolulu Mayor Names Employee of the Year and Manager of the Year
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced the 2020 Employee of the Year and the 2020 Manager of the Year for the City and County of Honolulu.
Bryan S. Phillips, of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department, was named the Employee of the Year, and Honolulu Zoo Director Linda M. Santos, of the Department of Enterprise Services, was named Manager of the Year.
“Our extremely dedicated managers and employees have worked tirelessly throughout this pandemic to make sure the residents of O‘ahu are able to take advantage of all core city services. From picking up our opala, to keeping our water running, these hard working professionals are the reason all of us have been able to continue to live here throughout this extremely difficult time. They don’t receive nearly enough credit, and I’m so proud to be the Mayor of this city, and to work with the men and women of the City and County of Honolulu.”
The announcement was made on Oct. 30, as part of the 2020 Mayor’s Awards Program held for the first time as an online event with nominees, their guests, department directors, city councilmembers and Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
Honolulu Emergency Services Department Water Safety Officer Bryan Phillips is regarded as the Ocean Safety Division’s “go to” person. His professionalism, compassion and knowledge impressed outside agencies. In addition to his duties that often places him in dangerous rescue situations, he teaches young people ocean safety skills and life-saving techniques through the Junior Lifeguard Program. On accepting the award, Phillips mentioned that he started as a junior lifeguard and that experience inspired him to become a Water Safety Officer.
As the City Manager of the Year, Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos worked closely with city departments, Honolulu City Council, neighborhood boards, and community groups to coordinate responsibilities, staffing, funding and facility improvement needs. Through her leadership, dedication and ability to bring staff and city agencies together, she established the foundation that led to the zoo’s accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Receiving the prestigious Valor Award was Ocean Safety Officer Andrew B. Logreco, who risked his life rescuing a professional surfer in dangerous conditions at Pipeline and the Ocean Safety Kaena Point team for rescues in a massive surf.
The Exceptional Achievement Award went to Shaun H. Martin, of the Prosecuting Attorney Department, who used the penal summons process to handle three times the normal caseload. Thalia B.P. Murphy was named the Outstanding Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for exceptional service on behalf of our vulnerable population.
The Citizens’ Selection Committee, which selects the winners, consisted of Stacia Baek, strategic account manager at HMSA; Jen Toba-Davilla, director of interior architecture and design at InForm Design, and Noreen Reimel, external affairs manager at Hawaii Energy.
