DWR employees honored

WEST JORDAN — Eighteen Division of Wildlife Resources employees were honored recently for their commitment and dedication to Utah's wildlife.

They received their honors at the division's Annual Awards Dinner. The dinner was held April 9 at Gardner Village.

The prestigious Director's Award, Director's Leadership Award and Director's Outstanding Service Award were among the awards presented.

Employee of the Year

Utah's cold-water anglers have more fish to catch than ever before. Tim Miles' work at making that possible is among the reasons he was selected as the division's Employee of the Year for 2008.

Miles is a resident of Mantua.

Miles' career with the division spans more than 30 years. DWR Director Jim Karpowitz noted the reconstruction of old hatcheries as one of Miles' major accomplishments. Creating new state-of-the-art fish hatcheries has significantly increased fish production in Utah.

"Thanks in large part to you, Utah anglers have a better chance to feel a tug on their line than ever before," Karpowitz said in presenting the award to Miles. "During your watch, reconstruction projects were completed at the Kamas, Fountain Green, Mantua and Whiterocks hatcheries. And reconstruction work at the hatchery in Midway is slated to wrap up this fall."

Karpowitz said Miles has worked hard to prevent disease and aquatic invasive species from entering the state's hatcheries in the future. His work includes development of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point plans for each hatchery, disinfection protocols, water source protection and the construction of hatchery covers.

Karpowitz also mentioned Miles' efforts to raise sensitive and native fish species at the hatcheries. "This work is an important component of future [fish] culture programs in the state," Karpowitz said.

"Tim, it's a pleasure to recognize you as the division's Employee of the Year," Karpowitz said. "Thank you for your exceptional service to the division and your commitment to serve the anglers and citizens of Utah."

Director's Leadership Award

Frank Howe's work at introducing some of Utah's best and brightest college students to the DWR is among the many reasons he was honored with the Director's Leadership Award for 2008.

This award is given annually to the DWR employee who exhibits extraordinary leadership.

A resident of North Logan, Howe serves as the division's university liaison.

In addition to creating an education assistance program for current employees, Howe also serves as a research liaison and adjunct faculty member at Utah State University.

"This role has improved the division's relationships with all of Utah's colleges and universities," Karpowitz said. "It's also allowed you to serve as faculty advisory to several students [who are interested in working for the division], brought together division and academic research that measures wildlife response to habitat treatment, and increased the recruitment of quality employees."

Director's Outstanding Service Award

Rick Larson's service and sacrifice as the supervisor of the Southeastern Region earned him the Director's Outstanding Service Award for 2008.

This is only the third time this award has been given.

A resident of Salt Lake City, Larson spends most of his week living in Price.

"You have shown leadership in several areas, including replacing long-time employees, seeking a permanent resolution for [the situation at] Range Creek and supporting staff in resolving difficult issues, such as the Henry Mountains bison controversy," Karpowitz said.

"In addition, your willingness to continue your responsibilities as the division's liaison with the CUP Mitigation Commission is appreciated. Your experience and ability to build partnerships is invaluable."

Karpowitz noted that Larson's outstanding work as a regional supervisor has been done at great personal sacrifice; his family was not able to move to Price with him. "Living a bachelor's life during the week, and returning home only on weekends, demonstrates your commitment to ensuring the strength of Utah's wildlife and the division's operations in the Southeastern Region."

Noting that this award isn't given every year, Karpowitz said," I wanted to formally recognize the dedicated service you provide to the division and the people of Utah. The division is a better organization because of you."

Additional Director's Office awards

Karpowitz also presented Tyler Thompson with the 2008 Kevin Conway Habitat Conservation Award. Thompson is the division's habitat conservation coordinator.

Legislative Recognition awards were presented to State Senator Jon J. Greiner and representative Stephen E. Sandstrom for the support they've given the DWR in the legislature.

Chuck Stanley from Questar and Mike Weland from the Utah Reclamation and Mitigation Commission were presented Director's Partnership awards for the help their organizations gave the DWR in buying property at Little Hole last year.

Section awards

The following were honored by various DWR sections as that section's outstanding employee for 2008:

Administration—Ron Hodson, Northern Region supervisor

Administrative Services—Sandy Olney, accounting specialist

Aquatics—Paul Burnett, Blue Ribbon fisheries biologist

Conservation Outreach—Mark Hadley, public relations specialist

Fish Culture—Dana Dewey, supervisor of the Whiterocks State Fish Hatchery

Habitat—Jason Vernon, habitat project implementation coordinator

Law Enforcement—Bruce Johnson Jr., conservation officer

Wildlife—Randy Berger, wetlands manager and supervisor of the Public Shooting Grounds and Salt Creek waterfowl management areas

Region awards

The following were honored by their region as that region's outstanding employee for 2008:

Northern—Justin Dolling, wildlife manager

Central—Jerry Schlappi, investigator

Northeastern—Rose Fedelleck, office technician

Southeastern—Patrick Goddard, aquatics biologist

Southern—Chuck Chamberlain, aquatics biologist

Utah Wildlife Board awards

Paul Neimeyer, chairman of the Utah Wildlife Board, also presented two awards from the board.

Tom Aldrich, migratory game bird coordinator for the DWR, received the board's DWR Professional of the Year award. Sportsman Byron Bateman received the board's Conservation Individual of the Year award.