August EOM is Dale Abeln

Anyone who works in building services is hard to fool when it comes to planning an EOM party, since they always know what's going on in their buildings. And, as building service supervisor, Dale Abeln was harder to dupe than most.

But his colleagues are a creative (and sneaky) bunch and Dale didn't have a clue when Steve Marvel and Tim Ritzo led him into PAC conference room C/D on Friday morning – until he caught a glimpse of the crowd waiting inside, that is. Then Steve had to push him through the door.

Ritzo, building services superintendent, explained that he and Dale had been involved in planning some furniture moves and it was "most difficult to get him down here.

"If I had to pick someone who is semi-level, who doesn't get too upset about too many things too often, it would be Dale," said Tim. "This is well-deserved."

Bearing out Tim's description, Dale didn't seem too taken aback by the surprise. "I've been here a long time," he said. "It's been nice working here … though I'll still be glad when I get my time in. Thanks!"

Dale's wife, Linda, and some of their children and grandchildren were also there to help celebrate.

July EOM is Bill Ulery

The staff in Facilities and Services have to be ready for just about anything, so on August 8 when stationary engineer Bill Ulery got a call about water coming out of a light fixture in the PAC restaurant – even though he wasn't sure what he was going to do about it – he grabbed a ladder and headed over to check it out.

Everything in the restaurant was fine; it was just one of the more creative excuses dreamed up to lure an unsuspecting Employee of the Month into his or her party.

This time it was even more unexpected because Bill was EOM for July.

"It just took him this long to get here," quipped Dave Barrows, executive director of Facilities and Services, as he made the official presentation.

"Seriously, though," Dave continued, "when I was thinking what I was going to say about Bill, the one word that came to mind was 'unflappable.' And that applies to all these guys (the engineers). They do their job well, they take their time, and they do what it takes to keep this place running on a shoestring." Then turning to Bill, he asked, "Is there anything you'd like to say?…Speak slowly."

And Bill obliged. "I'd like to thank everybody," he said. "I appreciate it. I like this job. I've been here 27 years. In fact the other night I had a dream where I was in Marine bootcamp, so yeah, I'm happy to be here."

"My worst dream would be that you weren't here," said Dave.

"Let's eat," said Bill.

Bill's wife, Carol, three of their children, and a granddaughter were also in the crowd helping him celebrate.