The City of Southlake’s 2026 Employee Performance Integrity Award honors employees who do the right thing, even when no one is watching, and few embody that better than this year’s recipients, Heavy Equipment Operator Jerome Aldridge and Public Works Technician Nikolas Ramirez.
During the last winter storm that hit Southlake, after a long overnight shift, Jerome and Nikolas were heading back to their hotel when they saw a car lose control and smash into a brick sign. Without hesitation, the two pulled over and, together, reached the driver and brought her to safety.
“It means a lot to be recognized, but I think any of us on the crew would’ve stopped to help out. That’s just the kind of mindset that we try to bring to everything we do, on or off the clock,” said Jerome.
In their roles with the Public Works Department, Jerome and Nikolas each play a critical part in keeping Southlake’s infrastructure running. Jerome operates large equipment, including backhoes, graders, and dump trucks, for street maintenance and to support water and sewer line repairs. Nikolas keeps things running smoothly behind the scenes through daily maintenance, repairs, and field support, the kind of steady, reliable work that often goes unnoticed but keeps the city functioning. When harsh winter storms roll through Texas, both are part of the crew that responds to severe weather to keep our roads safe and functioning, rain or shine, even in snow, and they are crew members residents can always count on.
“Our crew just gets it done. Whatever the city needs, we show up and take care of it, and I’m proud to be a part of that,” said Nikolas.
Whether they’re on the job, keeping Southlake running smoothly, or stepping up at an unexpected moment when a resident needs help, Jerome Aldridge and Nikolas Ramirez show what integrity looks like, not just on award day, but every day they show up for our city.
