City Employees Receive Special Awards

Several Southlake employees received special awards this past week for their work in the City and we couldn’t be more proud of them.

Employees with the City’s Parks and Recreation Department were recognized during the Texas Recreation and Park Society (TRAPS) awards luncheon for outstanding contributions to the Parks and Recreation field. Parks Manager Mike Reasoner received the “Parks Professional of the Year” award.

Assistant City Manager Ben Thatcher wrote the nomination for Mr. Reasoner. Thatcher said, “When you’re in Southlake you know it! Thanks to Mike’s attention to detail, and his commitment to excellence. Mike has distinguished himself as a true professional in the parks field.”

The nomination for Reasoner continues, “As a Division Manager, Mike spends a significant amount of his time engaging with the community. He truly understands the expectations of our citizens and goes above and beyond on a daily basis to ensure their needs are being met. Mike will always make accommodations to meet with a resident, athletic association member or a City employee at their request to discuss an issue or solve a problem. I know that he accepts phone calls and responds to email on his personal time just to ensure a customer knows their request has been received and is important to him.  He always handles citizen complaints and compliments with a high degree of professionalism and courtesy. It is his dedication to the customer and their concerns that have made Mike so successful in his position as Parks Manager. Congratulations Mike!”

Miracle Eggstravaganza received the Lone Star Programming Award, recognizing an innovative, first-time recreation program spearheaded by Parks and Rec Program Supervisor Ashley Newhart and Special Events Coordinator Corinne Klitzke.

The City of Southlake saw a need for a special event like this that is completely handicap accessible and designed for children who have disabilities and their families. The Community Services Department presented the idea to the Miracle League of Southlake and partnered with them in the development of this new special event.  Eggstravaganza was held in the completely wheelchair accessible Texas Rangers Miracle League Field in Bicentennial Park. This first-time event was a huge success with more than 400 guests in attendance. Congratulations to Ashley and Corinne for their outstanding work!

Southlake’s Purchasing Manager Tim Slifka, was honored with the Presidential Award from the Texas Public Purchasing Association (TxPPA). TxPPA strives to make public purchasing in Texas the most efficient and effective in the nation. The organization represents the highest ethical standards of conduct in the performance of public and non-profit purchasing.

The TxPPA president selects the award recipient each year based on performance. “We look for someone who goes above their regular responsibilities and provides outstanding leadership. Tim is deserving of this prestigious award. He exemplifies the standards of the TxPPA organization. He is always standing by ready to step up and help whenever and wherever needed,” Kim Gould, 2017 President of TxPPA. Congratulations Tim!

These employees epitomize the Southlake Way. At the City of Southlake, our professionals are the most important resource in our service commitment to our customers. We nurture a progressive environment where challenging, empowered and purposeful work is celebrated. Today we celebrate the accomplishments of these four employees. Congratulations to you all.

Mike Reasoner

Ashley Newhart and Corinne Klitzke

Tim Slifka