GFA Hosts Virtual Employee Appreciation Event
Wednesday, November 18th, GFA’s annual employee appreciation event for the first time, was held virtual.
GFA proudly recognized employees ranging from three to forty years of service, the team shared talents through a GFA’s Got Talent show, and acknowledged deserving recipients for annual awards such as the Unsung Hero award and the President’s Gold Standard of Excellence award.
The event started with a Toast by Tina M. Sbrega, President & CEO “ I wish nothing more than for us all to be able to be together celebrating tonight, but I am happy to be connected virtually, and to have our teams safe and well. 2020 has been nothing short of an unprecedent year, but each and every one of you has stepped up time and time again to bring our members, our team and our communities the uninterrupted, safe, better banking commitment they have come to know – I truly am inspired, and months later am still in awe over the level of support you have had for one another, and for our members and to that, we toast .”
At all ten locations, and the Corporate Headquarters, GFA cheered for their fellow co-workers who shared their talents through GFA’s got talent. A variety of talents were performed such as singing, juggling, crafting, and roller skating. “ It was exciting to see the talents of GFA employees that you may not have known existed otherwise, the virtual chat box had a steady feed of employees cheering other employees on, the team pride within GFA was unmistakable,” said the Parker Street Branch.
Twenty-three employees were recognized with anniversary awards during the employee event. Robert Boucher, Collections Specialist; Alyana Burgess, Better Banking Designer; Christyne Butilier, Executive Assistant; Rebecca Caranci, AVP / Pearson Branch Manager; Jessica Lapointe, Loan Servicing Specialist; Laura McEwan, Member Resource Analyst; Elizabeth Ng, Pearson Assistant Branch Manager; Kimberly Quinn 1st VP / Operations Officer, all celebrated three years of service.
Rochelle Butler, AVP/ Regional Branch Manager; Kaytlynn Dalton, Better Banking Designer; Pamela Genelli, 1st VP/Culture Officer; Michael Joubert, Mortgage Closing Coordinator; Krysta Mallette, AVP / Loan Servicing Manager; Catherine Panek, Network Administrator; Tracy Sasseville, AVP / Rutland Branch Manager; Jessica Thomas, Better Banking Ambassador; Elizabeth Wallace, AVP/ Consumer Lending Manager, all celebrated five years of service.
Raeann LeBlanc, Better Banking Coach; Kelly Ouellet, Member Resource Analyst, celebrated ten years of service.
Jaime Brewer, AVP/ Regional Branch Manager; Sarah Charest, IT Administrator celebrated fifteen years of service.
Debra Leray, Member Resources Analyst, celebrating twenty-five years of service. “You have been an essential part of our journey over the past 25 years at GFA. We are grateful for the dedication and passion you have shown, thank you and congratulations,” said Tina M. Sbrega, President & CEO.
GFA ended the award presentation with a celebration video, starring every GFA employee congratulating Tina M. Sbrega, President & CEO who celebrated forty exceptional years of service.
In addition to recognizing years of service, the highly anticipated award presentation for the 2020 Unsung Hero was announced. GFA’s award criteria is defined as, one who has made or makes a substantive contribution without fanfare and without desire to seek recognition. They go about their job quietly, can always be depended on --- and perhaps is the one that is always going the extra mile for a fellow co-worker, member or the community. Sbrega announced the Unsung Hero Award recipient by stating, “In 2020, a year of uncertainty, one thing that has remained certain is the dedication that the GFA Better Banking Team has for our members, our communities, one another, and this organization as a whole. I am proud to present the 2020 Unsung Hero Award to the entire GFA Better Banking Team”
The final award of the evening was the President’s Gold Standard of Excellence Award. This award is designed to acknowledge and reward the exceptional work and positive impact that the individual has had on the organization, our members and the community. A team member who possess commitment, experience, strong leadership, accountability and is always engaged, responsive, respectful and considered an expert within their area of the organization. Sbrega presented the award stating, “It is my sincere honor and pleasure to award Brian Rumanowski our second recipient of the President’s Gold Standard of Excellence Award. Brian is a staple within the commercial banking team. His enthusiasm, communication and professional demeanor with members and employees always goes above and beyond. He is innovative in his approach, builds trusted relationships in and outside of the organization, effortlessly embraces challenge, and carries the GFA flag proudly”.
GFA continuously strives to find ways to commend those most deserving for their ingenuity and hard work. The President’s Gold Standard of Excellence Award is the newest addition to a robust employee recognition program at the Credit Union. The 2020 Employee event recognized each any every employee within the organization. The event concluded with a message of sincere gratitude and appreciation from the entire GFA Leadership Team.