Current Streets Superintendent and recently appointed Interim Public Works Director Tim Bailey is the Town of Wake Forest “2021 Jon Ray Employee of the Year.” Town Manager Kip Padgett made the announcement Friday, Dec. 3, at the Public Works Operations Center.
A Town employee since 2015, Bailey was nominated for the award by several co-workers who praised his pleasant personality, innovative problem-solving, enthusiasm for his work, willingness to offer assistance, and commitment to the community. Prior to presenting Bailey with a plaque recognizing him as this year’s Employee of the Year, Padgett read aloud several comments employees recorded in their nomination narratives.
“Tim Bailey does a wonderful job of exemplifying the Town’s core values,” wrote one person. ”He is pleasant, personable and genuinely cares about his fellow employees and our citizens. His commitment to the town and public service is evident in the way he handles every request – quickly, thoroughly and always with a positive, helpful demeanor. He takes the time to listen to better understand what needs to be done, looks for outside the box solutions (innovative), makes great suggestions, and follows through to ensure that the town can be proud of the results and projects that he works on.”
Another employee wrote: “Tim Bailey is a model employee for the Town of Wake Forest. He not only embodies the core values of the Town, but he cares about people, all people, including employees (from management down), residents, vendors, family and friends and even strangers he may come across while inspecting a streets project.”
Other comments included: “Tim is an absolute champion. He is the first to offer assistance and the last one to leave when helping. Tim is someone who is a leader that brings people together. He carefully listens to the challenges, viewpoints, and solutions of every staff member he is managing and takes into account all viewpoints and possibilities prior to making any decisions. Tim handles every situation with care and integrity. Tim is a wise and experienced individual who offers advice and guidance to any of those seeking it.”
A Zebulon native, Bailey graduated from Zebulon High School in 1989. He admitted to being “very surprised” yet honored to hear his name announced as this year’s winner.
“As Kip was reading the nomination I was thinking the winner could have been several people within the Town,” said Bailey. “He was near the end before I knew it was me that had been chosen. When he said that this person has been known to say ‘I don’t work for Public Works, I work for the Town of Wake Forest,’ I knew he was talking about me.”
Bailey also took a moment to acknowledge his fellow co-workers and the Town of Wake Forest.
“Wake Forest is very dear to me, and I will continue to my best to help out in any way I can,” he said. “I would like to say ‘thank you’ to the team of people I work alongside throughout the Town that makes Wake Forest such a great place to be.”
The Jon Ray Employee of the Year Award is named after former Street Supervisor Jon Ray who passed away in November 2013. Padgett, along with a committee comprised of former employee of the year award winners, 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 Police Sgt. Brandon High (2020), Telecommunications Shift Supervisor Bryan Bloodworth (2019), Athletics & Aquatics Superintendent Edward Austin (2018), Graphics Coordinator Bess Martinson (2017), Recreation Program Superintendent Monica Lileton (2016), 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).
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