University of Hawaiʻi employees nominated for the 2004 Governor's Awards for Distinguished State Service

The University of Hawaiʻi has selected its employee and employee team to be nominated for the 2004 Governor‘s Awards for Distinguished State Service. They will compete with employees from other government agencies for statewide honors to be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, October 8, at the State Capitol.

Richard L. Chock, Research Support — Facilities Manager, Kewalo Marine Laboratory (KML), Pacific Biomedical Research Center, was nominated for Employee of the Year. The Windward Community College operations and maintenance team of Xavier "Frank" Chang, James McCumber, Freddie Gamayo and Isaac "Pono" Chang, of the Windward Community College was nominated for the Team Excellence Award of Merit.

Richard L. Chock was selected to represent UH as Employee of the Year for his dedication and service to KML. As Research Support working for the Pacific Biomedical Research Center (PBRC) he serves as the Facilities Manager for the Kewalo Marine Laboratory (KML). Nominators cited Chock‘s skill in repairing a wide array of scientific equipment and for his talent for designing and fabricating — often times from scratch — custom scientific equipment needed by KML researchers. During his tenure, Chock‘s skills in repairing both the laboratory structure and inventing and developing research equipment has saved the University and individual researchers many tens of thousands of dollars. In addition, nominators say, he works beyond his job description in maintaining the facility and saves the lab a great deal of money by undertaking tasks and duties on his own rather than contracting the jobs out. He is often trusted by the Director to conduct tours of the facility for visiting dignitaries ranging from visiting scientists and university officials to the Governor. His peers "feel honestly that the KML could not function as it currently does without his services, as he is one of the best ambassador‘s the lab could have."

Chock was earlier recognized for the high quality of his work with the UH Manoa Chancellor‘s Award for Outstanding Service.

The Windward Community College operations and maintenance team of Xavier Chang, James McCumber, Freddie Gamayo and Isaac Chang was nominated for the ability to maintain Windward Community College‘s 40 acres of building and grounds with limited manpower resources. They have done this through innovation and efficiency, according to nominators. "The team‘s work ethic has been outstanding; the team works as a cohesive unit, understands the workplace environment, maintains high morale, and supports one another like a family," they say.

The State seeks nominations for the annual Governor‘s Awards for Distinguished State Service each year. They are part of the State‘s employee recognition and incentive program administered by the Department of Human Resources Development to honor executive branch employees who exemplify the highest standards of public service and dedication to serving the people of Hawaiʻi.