Star Performer Awards are given to those who exemplify the University Services values of stewardship, integrity, and respect.
In addition, Star Performers generally exhibit the following:
- Exceed Expectations—Star Performers go above and beyond the call of duty of their day-to-day tasks. They pay attention to details, seek solutions to problems, and provide a high level of commitment in their duties.
- Customer Service—Star Performers take the time to understand the needs of the students, staff, and visitors to the University and to meet their needs consistently and effectively.
- Initiative—Star Performers find innovative ways to save time, money, or other resources, either through new ideas or new ways to do ongoing tasks. They often act to solve a problem before it becomes a larger issue.
- Reliability—Star Performers demonstrate a consistency in getting the job done right, on time, the first time. Star Performers don’t let their customers, or their coworkers, down.
Nominations are now open for the annual University Services Star Performer Awards. Submit your nomination by Friday, November 3. Star Performer Awards are presented to University Services employees and teams of employees who have provided exceptional service to the University of Minnesota over the past year. All members of the University community are invited to submit nominations. The award recipients will be honored at a University Services event in December and receive a personalized Star Performer plaque.
Roger Christen
Construction Laborer
U Construction
Blake Hagberg
Finance Professional
Finance and Systems
Daniel Hansmann
Carpenter Foreman
Facilities Management
Matt Hefty
Facilities Support Manager
Housing and Residential Life
Francisco Iglesias
Catalog Administrator
U Market Services
Sarah Jones
Administrative Manager
Energy Management
Cody Jorgenson
Stores Specialist
University Bookstores
Sysouk Khambounmy
Graphic Designer
Printing Services
Emily Marin
Landcare Operations Supervisor
Facilities Management
Candelario Moralez
Building and Grounds Supervisor
Facilities Management
Peter Muoghalu
Delivery Service Driver
U Market Services
Carly Petersen
Senior Planner
Planning, Space, and Real Estate
Bill Rinehart
Team Manager
Facilities Management
Emily Roland
Project Manager
Capital Project Management
Emily Stewart
Electrician Forewoman
Facilities Management
Whitney Taha Frakes
Leadership and Talent Consultant
University Services Human Resources
Natnael Tecleab
Senior Buildings and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Kassaye Teklu
Attendant
M Food Co
Conference and Event Services Team
Katie Olson-Williams, Anne Ozbun, Michael Sanders
West Bank Districtwide Buildings and Grounds Project Crew
Tsegaye Bedane, Michael Bigelbach, Adem Omar, Evan Savat
Digital Printing and Finishing Production Team
Tim Barber, Ted Schefelbein, Brandelynn Spurbeck, Gerald Wagner
The Star Performer awards program did not accept nominations in 2022.
Recognizing the incredible effort, ingenuity, and creativity that all U Services employees demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, U Services leaders recognized the contributions of all employees during the past year.
Star Performer awards were not given in June 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Star Performer awards were not given in December 2019 as the program transitioned to the summer leadership forum.
Amanda Aspenson
Design Project Manager
Capital Project Management
Bill Crosby
Gardener
Facilities Management
Greg Evenson
HVAC Mechanic
Facilities Management
Tobias Fimpel
GIS Developer
Finance and Systems
Ann Hawes
Building Operations Supervisor
Housing and Residential Life
Gao Lee
Executive Accounts Specialist
Auxiliary Services
Jodi Ogilvie
Chemical Hygiene Officer
University Health and Safety
Jason Printz
Sergeant
Public Safety
KaLisha Scott
Cook
M Dining
Tim Taylor
Delivery Service Driver
U Market Services
David Wevley
Building and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Custodian Team in Pediatrics and Ob/Gyn
Zeba Amini, Fantu Gode, Getu Kurkura, Melaku Yahsu
Fairview Hospital Addition PDR Team
Brian Brosnan, Cindy Harper, Julie Taylor
Printing Services Team
Tonia Chamberlain, Tom Lucas, Joe Sobota, Gerald Wagner
Rochester MGear Store Management and Staff Team
Misk Al Zahidy, Jesse Ball, Conrad Cruz, Neekal Goetzfridt, Hannah Niska, Maha Siddiqui, Travis Stensrud, Mango Yang
Waste Recovery and Recycling Team
Michael Berrymon, Chris Monson
Kerry Almen
Pipefitter
Facilities Management
Marie Berndt
Stores Specialist
U Market Services
Steve Blodgett
Gardener
Landcare
Kimberley Clausen
Buildings and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Paul Drews
Team Manager
Facilities Management
Tom Feiro
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
University Health and Safety
Dillon Fried
Events Manager
Parking and Transportation Services
Kidane Gebremeskel
Senior Buildings and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Diane Kleinman
Business Analyst
Project Management Office
Nazir Mohamed
Cook
M Dining
Mark Peterson
Estimator / Job Planner
Printing Services
Tammy Sanchez
Food Service Worker
M Dining
Anna Sitek
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
University Health and Safety
Robert Spector
Auto Technician
Parking and Transportation Services
John Steyer
Interim Senior Project Manager
U Construction
Julee Taylor
Project Manager
Capital Planning and Project Management
Environmental Health and Safety Regulated Materials Team
Brett Alstad, Calvin Cole, Robbie Eiker, Brian Fulweiler, David Johnson, Gary Johnston, Adam Krajicek, Seth Miller, Jon Poling, Ann Postera, Dave Shepard, Jon Wentworth
HS-104 Buildings and Grounds Team
Zeineba Ayele, Brikti Haile, Natnael Tecleab, Asegedech Weldgebriel
Radius and Keeler Master Lease Planning and Implementation Team
Lauren Adamski, Grant Anderson, Michele Brusegard, Joe Ceaser, Mannix Clark, Tiffany Clemens, Daniel Elliott, Kristie Feist, Jill Froehlich, Nick Goffard, Tim Hoaglund, Rich Jacobs, Erling Kurtti, Mari Maack-Magnusson, Mariah Marx, Chris Meyer, Rachael Mills, Becky Mohn, Doug Pham, Donna Pietsch, Jake Schwarzinger, Susan Stubblefield, Jenni Sullivan, Clark Thomas, Juan Wilson
UMPD Beat Cops
Joshua Betts, Mark McElroy
Suad Atilade
Building and Grounds Worker / Day Police
Facilities Management
Jim Bossert
Eastcliff Team Manager
Facilities Management
Chris Herbst
Facilities Supervisor
Coy Hillstead
Human Resources Consultant
University Services Human Resources
Jann Jarvis
Printing Consultant
Printing Services
Tamika Jones
Senior Cashier
University Dining Services
Holly Ketz
Plumber
Facilities Management
Jim Kyle
Buyer and Manager
University Bookstores
Megan Lopez
Chief of Staff
Capital Planning and Project Management
Zee Odda
Senior Building and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Katie Rauchwarter
Payroll Lead
Auxiliary Services Administration
Krista Reuter
Emergency Management Coordinator
Emergency Management
Dave Rosendahl
Bindery Supervisor
Printing Services
Chris Zabinski
Cook
University Dining Services
Bookstores Grad Garb Team
Martha Hoppe, Azyhadee Salazar, Betsy Christians, Sarah Teachout
Aquatic Center Team
Paul Krueger, Emily Robin-Abbott, Andrew Madsen, Anne Wagner, Steve Peterson, William Geiger, Richard Olson, Terry MacNeil, Jeff Schmidt, Dale Swanson, Steve Harrity
Hazmat Team
Troy Blanchard, Gregory Ostendorf, Joey Jensen
Active Shooter Response Presentation Team
Troy Buhta, Jim Nystrom, Tom Bohrer, Matt Quast, Aaron Churness, Shawn Jackson, Todd Haugaard
Mannix Clark
Associate Director
Housing and Residential Life
Ann Durushia
HR Consultant
University Services Human Resources
Senay Emnetu
Senior Buildings and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Cindy Harper
Senior Planner
Capital Planning and Project Management
Sam Hilde
Office Support Assistant
University Bookstore Warehouse
Brian Johnson
Foreman
University Construction
Peter Kastler
Assistant Program Manager
Student Security Monitor Program
Ngoc Hai Kimmel
Building and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Terry MacNeil
Facilities Supervisor
Facilities Management
Yilun Xu
Transportation Engineer
Parking and Transportation Services
CPPM Website Team
John Vilandre, Eric Stern, Tom Hale
Gopher Ordnance Works Hazard Assessment Team
Julie Beauvais, Brian Brosnan, Mike Buck, Calvin Cole, Janet Dalgleish, Sabine Fritz, Brian Fulwiler, Greg Hansen, Joe Klancher, Mike Maurer, Bill Polta, Kay Sargent, Paul Serafini, Larry Thompson
Health Sciences Maintenance Team
Dave Altonen, Tony Bilderback, Scott Dewitt , Gary Foster, John Goettl , Dennis Gordien, Tim Glander , Charlie Hecht , Mike Kane, Mike Krenz , Kevin Lau , Nic Manthey, Shawn Mohler , James Yobbie
Managing Change Team
Bryce Armstrong, Neil Carlson, Ann Jacklitch, Laura Lott, Michael Martin, Ann Postera, Kay Sargent, Paul Schoenecker, Anna Sitek, Robin Tobias, Stephen Vickery, Tricia Van Ee Molbert
ULSCA Conference Team
Gina Flak, Leah Isbell
Trevor Dickie
Project Manager
Capital Planning and Project Management
Wondu Galata
Senior Buildings and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Bayan Gobana
Senior Buildings and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Lonetta Hanson
Program Associate
Parking and Transportation Services
Jonathan Luna-Lopez
Senior Laborer
U Market Services
Yosief Manna
Senior Buildings and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Laverne Marty
Senior Food Services Worker
University Dining Services
Shannon McGoffin
Professional Development Manager
University of Minnesota Police Department
RJ Olson
General Foreman
University Construction
Pam Oslund
Finance Manager
Fleet Services
Sue Ward
Administrative Specialist
University Construction
Building Access Team
Mustafe Artan, Hailey Brown, Andrew Chan, David Christopher, Karen Haakonson, Marcus Hulmer, Bill Kanfield, Brian Ketchum, Chad Krinke, Jeff Lessard, Brian McDonald , Kathleen Meyer, Ryan Mullaney, Jeff Nietz, Simon Norman, Frank Palewicz, Steve Peterson, Paige Rohman, Gail Wagner, Linda Weingarten, Justin Yarrington, Marilyn Zenzen
U Card Photo Upload Team
Justine Knutson, Paul Wilson
UMPD Coordinated Response Team
Todd Haugaard, Mike Welsh, Philip Lombardi, Jim Nystrom
Variable Data Team
Randy Lindorfer, Chris Lahren
Sherri Boone
Space Coordinator
Capital Planning and Project Management
Michelle Connor
Copy Center Equipment Operator
Printing Services
Leah Isbell
Program/Project Specialist
Auxiliary Services
Paul Kelsey
Buildings and Grounds Custodian
Facilities Management
Amy Lang
Cook
Fresh Food Company
Geoff Maciejewski
Sergeant
University of Minnesota Police Department
Becca Mathis
Administrative Assistant
U Construction
Haley Moritz
Utility Accountant
U Services Finance
Connie Schmidt
Payroll Specialist
Housing and Residential Life
Bill Stone
Pipefitter
Facilities Management
EHS Hazardous Materials Specialists
Ann Postera, Seth Miller
OHR Donhowe Renovation Team
Anika Carlsted, Richard Cartier
U Market Customer Support Team
Vicki Mincer, Karla Erickson, Betty Finger, Mollie Dunlap, Sarah Bourassa
UMPD Traffic Enforcement Team
Ruth Davenport, Elijah Kollie, Ryan Ross, Roxanne Wilebski
Bjorn Anderson
Senior Buildings and Grounds Custodian
Facilities Management
Don Berndt
Delivery Service Driver
University Stores
Brian Hill
Systems Analyst
University Services Information Services
Enyish Kinde
Senior Food Service Worker
University Dining Services
Kevin McCourt
Business Manager
Capital Planning and Project Management
Gerawork Mengistu
Senior Building and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management
Masoud Mohsenian
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Facilities Management Waste Management
Chad Schmidt
Landscape Architect
Facilities Management Landcare
Mike Sheils
Senior Building Recommissioning Engineer
Facilities Management Energy Management
Kevin Sullivan
Buyer
University Services Purchasing
Becky Techequi
Junior Cashier
University Dining Services
Steve Vickery
Business Analyst
University Health and Safety
Printing Services Production Schedule Team
Dave Hoel, Mark Masica, Nancy Huspeck
West Bank First Shift Carlson and Hansen Building and Grounds Team
Hana Guche, Arnold Johnson, Paul Kelsey, Shawn Thompsen, Larry Van Grootheest, Matt Welter
Workforce Director Implementation Team
David Christopher, Katie Kitzerow, Mike Marotteck, Dawn McVay, Erik Stenemann
Dora Baker
MIS Assistant
University Dining Services
Jennifer Borgert
Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Environmental Health and Safety
Terri Comp Vargas
Senior Food Service Worker
University Dining Service
Bob Fischer
Mechanic
Facilities Management
Kate Garsombke
Emergency Management Coordinator
Department of Emergency Management
Mike Marotteck
Info Tech Specialist
University Services Finance
Adam McNeilis
Systems Support Analyst
Department of Information Technology
Glenn Snyder
Carpenter
Facilities Management
Matt Stringfellow
Senior Project Manager
Capital Planning and Project Management
Mary Thurn
Analyst
Auxiliary Services Information Systems
Jane Zimmerman
Senior Office Supervisor
University of Minnesota Police Department
Bookstore Operations Team
Louis Allgeyer, Julie Cook, Austin Dufault, Jan Fritsche, Martha Hoppe, Ryan Kirker, Chris Larson, Andy Munsch, Radu Poliac, Julia Prokop, Katie Rauchwarter, Nancy Silver, Laura Southwick, Jesse Stahl, Nancy Vezner
Department of Central Security Locksmith Services Team
Mark Courneya, Ryan Mullaney, Paul Stonestrom, Cassie Williams
Facilities Management Custodial Pillar II Project Team
Jerry Busse, Terry Cook, Rick Friebe, Mike Garza , Janet Heller, Ron Mapston, Tom McArdle, Kelly Richardson, Bill Rinehart, Denise Thomas, Greg Williams
Dana Donatucci
Facilities Support Supervisor
Facilities Management Central Services
Wayne Howell
Building and Grounds Worker
Facilities Management East Bank District
Elise LaFortune
Food Service Worker
University Dining Services
Pete Nickel
Project Manager II
Capital Planning and Project Management
Lynne Olson
Human Resources Specialist
University Services Human Resources
Curt Stone
Facilities Team Manager
Facilities Management North West District
Susan Stubblefield
Assistant Director
Housing and Residential Life
Mark Gelbmann and Mike Reeves
Delivery Service Drivers
University Dining Services
Bob Cavin
University Dining Services
Christopher Clark
Facilities Management
Mahjoub Labyad
Environmental Health and Safety
Doug Lauer
Facilities Management Landcare
Michelle Prytz
University Services Finance
Michael Seberg
University Services Information Services
Bob Swoverland
Printing Services
Denise Thomas
Facilities Management
Doug Finely, Scott Montgomery, William Palmer
Information Tech Professionals
Auxiliary Services
Won Choih
University Dining Services
Janet Dalgleish
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Julie Gfrerer
University of Minnesota Police Department
Nirmal Jain
Facilities Management
Syshouk Khambounmy
Printing Services
Jim Larson
Facilities Management
Ryan Mullaney
Department of Central Security
Jennifer Pierson
Energy Management – Facilities Management
Tom Ritzer
Facilities Management Landcare
Cornado Relopez and Mike Baudette
Buildings and Grounds Workers
Facilities Management
Gopher Gold Project Team
Chris Ryan – Auxiliary Services
Heather Powell – U Card Office
Ted Sander – University Dining Services
Ouissem Ayari
University Dining Services
Roberta Berg
University Bookstores
Dennis Evenson
Auxiliary Services
Dan Farrar
University of Minnesota Police Department Student Monitor Program
Joe Jameson
Capital Planning and Project Management
Dick Rewey
Printing Services
Aaron Strozinsky
Project Management Office
Senay Weldelassie
Facilities Management
Building Automation Technical Team
Dan Bellows, Mark Peterson, Brad Jacobson, Jeff Pickering
Conferences and Event Services Implementation Team
Housing and Residential Life: Kim Araya, Mary Cottingham, Jill Froehlich, Kristi Lang, Keri Leroux, Jason Marchiafava, Melissa Pederson, Donna Pietsch, Sang Slagel, Connie Thompson
Parking and Transportation Services: Jeff Bouley, Victoria Nelson
University Dining Services: Leslie Bowman, Derrell Demming, Karen Devet
Hersi Abdi
Facilities Management
Moses Atilade
Facilities Management
Wayne Durst
Facilities Management
Randy Lindorfer
Printing Services
Ron Mikel
Facilities Management
Chris Nault
Facilities Management
The Enterprise Financial System Workgroup Leadership Team
Tom Quinn, Wayne Tauber, Shari Zeise
Karen Collins
Facilities Management
Brikti Haile
Facilities Management
Leon Mott
University Dining Services
Kirk Richardson
Facilities Management
Facilities Management Zone 5 Electrician Team
Doug Collins, Curt Mattila, Darrell Bergum
Grant Anderson and Anthony Bettendorf
Housing and Residential Life
Housing and Residential Life HOMES Team
Mannix Clark, Jill Froehlich, Erin Reicks, Erling Kurtti, Donna Pietsch, Doug Pham, Joe Ceasar, Tom White
Tony Bittner
Fleet Services
Patti Cleland
Facilities Management
Verlin Harmon
Facilities Management
Greg Hayes
Department of Emergency Management
Bill Knobel
Facilities Management
Ruthann Manlet
Facilities Management
University of Minnesota Police Department
Greg Archer
University Health and Safety
Jeff Bouley
Parking and Transportation Services
Constantina "Tina" Byers
Facilities Mangement
John Ensley
University Dining Services
Yvonne Johnson
Facilities Management
Mike Nagel
Facilities Management
Greg Priester
Facilities Management
Bob Swoverland
Printing Services
Central Security Team
Mark Courneya, Steve Frisk, Brian McDonald, June Ursel, Gail Wagner
Karen Boberg
Printing Services
Mannix Clark
Housing and Residential Life
Ann Durushia
University Services Human Resources
Almaz Ferissa
Facilities Management
Donald A. Hau
Facilities Management
Eric Kruse
Mike Marotteck
Facilities Management
Theresa Robinson
Auxiliary Services
Auxiliary Services and University Housing / Dining Services
Greg Casura and Calvin Cole
Environmental Health and Safety
Pam Beader
Interim Associate Vice President of FM
Cheryl Coryea
FM Director of Finance, Accounting, Purchasing and Information Services
Phil McDonald
Chief of Staff
DEHS Director Fay Thompson and University Police Captain Steve Johnson
Facilities Management Landcare
Housing and Residential Life
Printing Services, Auxiliary Services IS, Addressing and Mailing and Campus Mail
University Bookstores
Mark Cox
Campus Health and Safety
Campus Mail
FM Waste Management
Judson Freed
Emergency Management
Parking and Transportation Services
The Office of Equipment Services
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Facilities Management Landcare Operations
Parking and Transportation Services
Printing Services
U Stores