HOISINGTON — Superior Essex of Hoisington announces the latest recipient of the STAR Employee Recognition Award.

Gary Reif, machinist, was named the 2nd Quarter 2011 STAR Employee and will be treated to a luncheon in his honor, a customized gift pack, a plaque, and STAR Employee parking privileges.

The Superior Essex STAR Recognition Award Program is designed to quarterly recognize STAR employees (Superior Teamwork Attitude and Results) for their outstanding teamwork, service, attitude, performance, and commitment to achieving the plant’s goals. One award is given quarterly to an outstanding employee, and the selection is based on peer nominations.

Reif has worked at Superior Essex since April 1998. He consistently demonstrates all of the qualities expected of a ‘STAR’ employee such as above-average work quality, a positive attitude, assisting other employees, exceeding expectations, strong work ethic, dedication and dependability. His peer nominations read, "Gary will always stop what he is doing to help you or answer any of your questions. He saves this plant a lot of downtime with his knowledge and skills. Gary never has a negative attitude toward anything. Gary is a great person to work around. He is willing to show you the correct way to do something if he notices you doing it wrong or if you ask for help. Gary is a picture of patience, dedication, and reliability. His dedication to excellence is seen in the quality and craftsmanship of the parts he fabricates. Patience is always present as he teaches his co-workers how to use the shop equipment and re-teaches them when they forget. He stays late and comes in early if needed."

Reif was humbled to be the recipient of the award. He acknowledged the great team of people he works with and his supervisors and managers for providing him with the necessary tools to do his job and their willingness to listen to his improvement ideas.

Mike Klepper, plant manager, said, "We appreciate all of the good work that Gary does for the Hoisington plant. His participation on the Safety Committee is an example of his volunteerism, and he is always willing to stay late or come in early when there is a demand. He has a positive attitude, a special talent, and is a dependable and loyal employee that we can always count on. He is very deserving to be this quarter’s STAR employee."