Human Resources Manager Wanda Miori-North believes that staying the course leads to success over time, an attitude that’s reflected in a career that spans more than three decades.
Miori-North recently received an Employee Service Award recognizing her for 35 years of service to the City of Victoria. Other employees were honored for 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 and 5 years of service.
Q: What do you like most about living in Victoria?
A: I have lived in Victoria County my entire life. The community has changed so much in 35 years. I think most of all, it is small enough to get around quick and easy and still offers most anything you need.
Q: What are some of your favorite things to do?
A: I love to walk or drive through Riverside Park. The beauty and peacefulness are what I enjoy most. Other than that, having my grandchildren by my side is the best (ages 3 years and 5 months).
Q: What do you like most about working for the City of Victoria?
A: We all have a “calling” for serving the public, but I get to serve this same group, assisting them with things that make a difference.
Q: What are you most proud of accomplishing during your time here?
A: I think just “staying the course.” When you stay the course, the accomplishments just happen over time, and it’s the little things that count. My son would totally disagree. He says things don’t happen unless you make them happen. Probably some truth to that. I have always been satisfied with what comes my way.
Q: What is your advice for being happy at work?
A: Always strive to be better than yesterday. Don’t allow the “let-downs” to affect tomorrow.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: That’s a tough one. I’ll eat just about anything. My favorite is Mexican, and my second favorite is seafood.
30 years
Michael Baecker and Jennifer Dailey, Fire Department; Miguel Hernandez and Julian Huerta, Police Department; and Billie Loep, Finance Department
25 years
Joel Gomez, Fire Department
20 years
Martha Garza, Jeff Lehnert and Eline Moya, Police Department, and Ronald Romanowski, Fire Department
15 years
Jeffery Cowan, Ray Gregory, Kevin Lamprecht and Francisco Naranjo, Fire Department; Kelly Faltysek, Library; Justin Garcia, Police Department; Angel Garcia and Michelle Ozuna, Public Works; Ninfa Mejia and Gloria Moreno, Building and Equipment Services; and Wendy Richardson, Environmental Services
10 years
Douglas Chapman, Michael Craig, Clifford Prout, Terry Ramey and Gordon Williams, Public Works; James Collins, Michael Leet, Gregory Ochoa and Justin Schubert, Police Department; William Gerald and Craig Schmidt, Fire Department; Laura Gonzalez, Finance; Thomas Gwosdz, Legal; and George Partida, Environmental Services
5 years
Kristin Khan and Brianna Valenzuela, Library; Kathy Barrientes, Building and Equipment Services; Robert Bayer, Jorge Casias, Joshua Jones, Stephen Kohls, Brandy Marek, Weston Martin, Michael McDaniel, Trevor Montgomery, Nicholas Mosmeyer, Torrance Negron and Lance Rohlack, Fire Department; Cameron Boyd, Shane Collins, Jonathan DeLaRosa, Brian Fulton, Jonathan Houser, Shaun Jackson, Lauren Meaux, Lee Peters, Anthony Ramirez, Melissa Rendon, Ashley Rendon, Daniel Rodriguez, Kellye Sebby, Jose Trejo and Danielle Turner, Police Department; Jorge Bustos Castillo and Senovio Garcia, Parks and Recreation; Juan Chavera, Rene Flores, Virginia Flores, Lorenzo Guerra, Mollie James, Ociel Ontiveros, Paul Rodriguez and Curtis Stange, Public Works; Julie Fulgham, Development Services; Emma Hogan, Environmental Services; Bridgitte Postel, Convention and Visitors Bureau; Steve Solis, Code Enforcement; and Dillon Vyvlecka, Information Technology