Three longtime East Windsor Township employees have been named Employee of the Year for 2019 by Mayor Janice S. Mironov and the East Windsor Township Council.
Finance Director Laurie Finger; Department of Public Works custodian and laborer Jose Jaramillo; and Randi Gruntzel, the secretary to the chief of police, were given mayoral proclamations in recognition of their work.
They join a long list of Employees of the Year that includes Deputy Municipal Clerk Allison Quigley, driver/laborer Guillermo Lopez and Police Officer Joseph Zucchero, who were named 2018 Employees of the Year.
Finger, who joined East Windsor in 2015, oversees financial matters for the township. She is involved in preparing the annual municipal budget and evaluates the township’s overall financial conditions.
The mayoral proclamation stated that Finger has been an “invaluable resource” to the township as a result of her extensive experience and knowledge, and her ability to think creatively “outside of the box” to resolve issues.
“(Finger) exemplifies what it means to be a public servant with her willingness to assist all around her with the highest level of consideration and professionalism, often stopping what she was doing to help others,” the proclamation stated.
Jaramillo has worked for the Department of Public Works since 2008. He began as a seasonal worker and was promoted to full-time custodian in 2009.
“Jose Jaramillo is highly regarded by his colleagues for his diligent and professional work ethic, positive attitude, sense of humor, dependability and demonstrated willingness to go out of his way to assist his fellow co-workers whenever needed without hesitation,” Mironov said in the proclamation.
Jaramillo’s commitment and integrity “have contributed to a positive work environment, and he has dedicated over 11 years of outstanding service to East Windsor Township, truly earning him this recognition,” it stated.
Gruntzel, who has served as the secretary to the police chief since 2007, provides residents with information and assists the chief and the entire East Windsor Township Police Department whenever issues or concerns are raised, the mayor said.
“”Immediately upon her hiring, Randi Gruntzel distinguished herself among her peers as highly professional with an outstanding positive attitude and kind demeanor. She always remains professional under the most trying of circumstances, embodies patience in difficult situations and demonstrates compassion to everyone she encounters,” Mironov said in the proclamation.
Gruntzel is always willing to help out when her fellow employees are overwhelmed, Mironov said. Her ability to “jump into any assignment regardless of the task, and her strong dedication to provide the very best service to the township, the police department and residents” has earned her the highest regard by her peers, the mayor said.