Debbie Jozwiak, the University of Houston-Victoria general accounting manager, is recognized by UHV President Phil Castille as the university’s 2011 Employee of the Year.

The University of Houston-Victoria 2011 Employee of the year is the general accounting manager for the university, it was announced on Tuesday.

Debbie Jozwiak received the top honor at the university’s annual Employee Recognition Luncheon. University employees gathered to recognize those celebrating employment anniversaries at UHV and to honor other employees for their hard work.

“I like my job at UHV because of the challenges that a university environment provides,” Jozwiak said after the luncheon. “Very seldom is it repetitive.”

A second Employee Recognition Luncheon will take place at the University of Houston Sugar Land Campus on Feb. 21 for those UHV employees who work at that teaching center or the UH System at Cinco Ranch.

Jozwiak was voted the Employee of the Year by other UHV staff members from an e-mail ballot listing each 2011 UHV Employee of the Month. In addition to Jozwiak, others listed on the ballot were:

• Juan Diego Martinez, student services generalist, Student Life & Services
• Lou Ellen Callarman, library associate, Victoria College/UHV Library
• Eric Chacon, Web developer, Information Technology
• Miles Harrison, LAN administrator, Information Technology
• Melody Vecera, creative services manager, Marketing
• Ana Laura Pineda, admission and records analyst,
• Admissions & Records Mary Borden, online support technician,
• School of Business Administration
• Nikki Wilmoth, administrative assistant, School of Nursing
• Yvonne Garcia, international student specialist, Admissions & Records
• Karen Pantel, benefits and HRMS manager, Human Resources
• Melissa Jersild, coordinator of student recruitment, School of Business Administration

Jozwiak began work at UHV in 1993 as an accounts payable supervisor in the Finance Department. She also was a senior accountant, the accounts payable manager and the general accounting manager before starting her current job.

“When a special project or difficult situation arises, Debbie can always be counted on to not only take on the task in a professional manner but also to approach it enthusiastically as a challenge and an opportunity to learn something new,” UHV Comptroller Val Walden said after the luncheon. “Debbie is an inspiration to everyone she works with and is a tremendous asset to the university.” 

In recognition of Jozwiak’s achievement as the 2011 Employee of the Year, she received a $500 check, a UHV T-shirt and a plaque. Her name also was engraved on the Employee of the Year plaque displayed in UHV University West.

UHV also recognized employees who have worked for five, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years at the university. Each employee’s name, title and department are listed below:

Five Years

• Andrew Baerg, associate professor, School of Arts & Sciences
• Eric Chacon, Web developer, Information Technology
• Linda Dune, assistant professor, School of Nursing
• Amy Hatmaker, career services specialist, Career Services
• Joe Humphreys, director, Small Business Development Center
• Darren Keesee, online support technician, School of Arts & Sciences
• Keri Lambeth, head softball coach, Athletics
• Juan Diego Martinez, student services generalist, Student Life & Services
• Denise Neill, assistant professor, School of Nursing
• Vivian Nowazek, assistant clinical professor, School of Nursing
• Nancy Penry, training and development coordinator, Training & Development
• Terry Puhl, head baseball coach, Athletics
• Amanda Reid, Internet technician, Information Technology
• David Reyes, student services evening assistant, Student Life & Services
• Stephanie Solansky, assistant professor, School of Business Administration
• Melody Vecera, creative services manager, Marketing

10 Years

• Vera Adamchik, associate professor, School of Business Administration
• Linda Bagwell, payroll assistant, Human Resources
• Harry Bashaw, Internet technician, Marketing
• Robin Cadle, director of stewardship and planned giving, University Advancement
• Dyana Cochrum, administrative assistant, School of Education & Human Development
• Elizabeth Corte, senior administrative secretary, Information Technology
• Mary Densman, SBDC assistant, Small Business Development Center
• Jianjun “John” Du, associate professor, School of Business Administration
• David “Randy” Fingers, groundskeeper, Facilities Services
• Ida Flores, custodian II, Facilities Services
• Emily Harrison, student advising coordinator, School of Business Administration
• Angela Hartmann, research administrator, Research Development
• Kristy Hennessey, marketing and recruitment coordinator, School of Business Administration
• Beverley Hoerig, instructional designer, Provost’s Office
• Yong-Gyo Lee, associate professor, School of Business Administration
• John Meade, senior maintenance technician, Facilities Services
• Sandy Mendez, senior secretary, School of Business Administration
• Tracey Moore-Sweeney, grant facilitator, University Advancement
• Karen Pantel, benefits and HRMS manager, Human Resources
• Darlene Pullin, budget director, Budget Office
• Nagarajan Ramamoorthy, professor, School of Business Administration
• Cheryl Robbins, senior secretary, Business Services
• Linda Urbish, accounting specialist, Finance & Business Services

15 Years

• Joseph Ben-Ur, professor, School of Business Administration
• Michael Guion, library media technician, VC/UHV Library  
• Sandra Heinhold, director of student retention and academic success, Academic & Career Services 
• Jane Mims, assistant dean, School of Business Administration  
• Catherine Perz, an associate professor in the School of Arts & Sciences
• Tammy Whatley, senior coordinator of student recruitment, School of Nursing

20 Years

• Estella de los Santos, associate professor, School of Education & Human Development
• Massoud Metghalchi, professor, School of Business Administration
• Barba Patton, associate professor, School of Education & Human Development
• Kathy Walton, executive administrative assistant, President’s Office

25 Years

• Horace “Bud” Fairlamb, professor, School of Arts & Sciences
• Chari Norgard, associate vice president, Student Affairs 

30 Years

• Dan Jaeckle, English professor, School of Arts & Sciences
• Jo Ann Spears, library associate, VC/UHV Library 

35 Years

• Hal Smith, professor, School of Arts &  Sciences