The memory of Christmas giving may be fading, but two state employees recently had their memories refreshed during an awards ceremony honoring fourth quarter 2009 top employees in the state Children, Youth and Families Department.

Jeanette Martinez and Fred Padilla, in the agency's Office of Child Development, teamed up and took time from their busy pre-Christmas season to make sure a CYFD reimbursement check was sent out on time to a family child-care provider.

The provider was counting on the money to buy gifts and pay for out-of-state travel to visit family at Christmas. Without the effort by Martinez and Padilla, she would not have received the check in time.

In recognition of their spirit of giving, the two were named team of the quarter for the Early Childhood Services Division.

Stephen Suazo, also in Early Childhood Services, was the division's top employee for December (the latest month for which the division has presented awards). Suazo is an eligibility interviewer commended for the "pride he takes in his work, his teamwork and his focus on providing clients with quick and accurate services."

In CYFD's Protective Services Division, investigation supervisor Carol Gonzales earned the monthly award for her willingness to assume additional duties during staff vacancies. Her nominators also praised her "communication skills that help foster cooperation and positive attitudes."

Kathleen Campbell, Alfredo Castillo and Gary Guillén were selected as December's exceptional employees in the Juvenile Justice Services Division. With a passion for teaching, Campbell was singled out for "making a positive difference" in the lives of students at a high school for at-risk youth.

Castillo is a program manager at Carlsbad Reintegration Center, where he has worked for 24 years. His "strong work ethic, professionalism and dedication" have earned the admiration of his peers, who nominated him for the award. And Guillén was spotlighted for assisting co-workers with computer and printer issues while keeping up with his duties as a medical records technician.

Dianna Padilla earned an employee of the quarter award for late 2009 as an "integral" player in the Administrative Services Division's Contract Support Unit. Padilla's contributions include "efficiency and attention to detail, even at the height of contract season," her nominators said.

Sherri Holliefield's job as a project development engineer in the New Mexico Transportation Department means coordinating multiple contractors, state agencies and sections within the DOT so construction projects can be completed on time and within budget.

As if that weren't enough, Holliefield makes the additional effort to review potential cost saving proposals and assist project managers with design questions during construction. She was named employee of the month for January in the agency's Central Office.

If you have news about a public employee, contact Fauntleroy at gussie7@fairpoint.net