Recreation Program Superintendent Monica Lileton is the Town of Wake Forest’s 2016 Jon Ray Employee of the Year. Town Manager Kip Padgett made the announcement Friday, Dec. 9, during the town’s annual Employee Christmas Luncheon.
A native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Lileton has worked for Wake Forest since 2014. A 2005 graduate of Garder-Webb University, she was nominated for the award by several co-workers who praised her “innovation,” “outgoing personality,” and “passion for her job.”
Among her accomplishments since arriving in Wake Forest, Lileton is credited with enhancing the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department’s special needs programming which has experienced a 78 percent increase in participation over the past two years.
For her part, Lileton says she was humbled to hear her name announced as this year’s winner. “I was genuinely surprised to win Employee of the Year,” said Lileton. “It makes me feel good that others chose to recognize me for the accomplishments I’ve made while working here. I’m surrounded by such a great team of co-workers and it makes my job enjoyable. I look forward to coming to work each day.”
The Jon Ray Employee of the Year Award is named after former Street Supervisor Jon Ray who passed away in November 2013. Padgett selects the Employee of the Year from nominations submitted by town staff. Submissions must include a written narrative explaining why the nominee is deserving of the award.
Previous Employee of the Year Award recipients include Public Facilities Specialist Joseph Pennington (2015), Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Crew Supervisor Randy Hoyle (2014), Street Supervisor Jon Ray (2013), Senior Code Enforcement Official Tim Edwards (2012), Senior Planner Candace Davis (2011), Construction Worker Lance Pontrelli (2010), Police D.A.R.E. Officer Scott Graham (2009), Assistant Public Works Director John Thrift (2008), Maintenance Worker Gennie Williams (2007), Accounting Services Manager LaVerne Harding (2006), Inspections Administrator J.J. Carr (2005), and Human Resources Director Tammy Moody (2004).
