MCSO PIO Awarded GJ Chamber Of Commerce Recognition
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| Sheriff Matt Lewis presenting Heather Benjamin with YPN Award. |
Mesa County, Colo. -- During the Friday night Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce banquet, a video was shown of our own Public Information Officer/Communication Manager being presented with the 2014 Young Professional of the Year award. Heather Benjamin was out of town on January 30, and wasn't able to be at the banquet in person.
So, the sub-committee of the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce got creative and surprised Heather at the Sheriff's Office about a week prior, with the award. Joe Burtard, Lori Mizushima, Alyssa Hampson and Bridgett Gutierrez, all Young Professionals Network of Mesa County Board Members, joined in the surprise awarding along with Mesa County Sheriff Matt Lewis and many of Heather's co-workers.
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| Heather Benjamin surrounded by YPN members after being award the 2014 YPN Member of the Year. |
“It is obvious to us that Heather is not only a woman passionate about her career, her community and her family, but she is also an inspiration to young professional women and a future leader in the Grand Valley,” Joseph Burtard, YPN Board Member, said.
Sheriff Matt Lewis, added, "It is no surprise to us that Heather won this award and she is very deserving of it."
YPN peer nomination are accepted throughout the year and chosen in December, by committee. The criteria includes making a positive impact on our community, being an active Young Professionals member and representing young professionals in a positive manner.
Joseph Butard, read the following about why Heather was chosen as the 2014 winner of this award..."YPN chose to recognize Heather for a multitude of reasons. Heather is the type of young professional who not only excels in her work, but takes additional time to participate in local service organizations such as JIC/JIS, professional organizations, such as Mesa County Communications Officer Association and YPN as well as volunteer. Heather has been the voice of our community during national media coverage, offered unconditional support to families in crisis, been pulled away from her home and family at 3 a.m. to provide guidance and direction in critical situations and developed communications protocols for media sources and the general public."
The 2013 YPN of the Year was Evan Walton, of FCI Constructors, Inc. and the 2012 YPN of the Year was Joseph Burtard, of Ute Water Conservancy District. For more information about the Young Professionals Network of Mesa County, visit their website.
'Thank you YPN, the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce and my peers for choosing me among the many wonderful, hardworking young professionals in Mesa County," Heather said. "This truly is an honor to be recognized and listed among such great local leaders, as well as bestowed this award from the Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce."
