Lydia C. Verdillo, a Senior Financial Analyst in the Vinton Finance Department, has been named as the town’s first Employee of the Year.

She was recognized at the Employee Holiday Luncheon in December and at the Town Council meeting on January 17.

This is a new award established by the town in November 2016 to honor exemplary employees. The recipient is nominated by co-workers and selected by a committee. A plaque inscribed with Verdillo’s name, and those who follow in subsequent years, is maintained on display at the Municipal Building.

Verdillo began her career with the Town of Vinton 10 years ago as an accounting technician. Currently, she handles accounts payable, payroll, reconciliation, and analysis.

She has a long history of hard work and dedication not just in Vinton, but throughout her life.

Verdillo was born in the Philippines where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, graduating magna cum laude, and another degree in Commerce, with a major in Accounting, receiving the gold aca

demic excellence award.  Upon graduation, she successfully passed the CPA Board Examination.

Verdillo worked for 23 years at the United States Clark Air Base in the Philippines, the biggest U.S. Air Force Base in the Pacific at that time.

For the last five years before the Air Force Base was closed due to a volcanic eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, she served as the Administrative Officer of the Officers’ Open Mess in charge of preparation of the budget and daily Profit and Loss Estimates, personnel administration, procurement, inventory, and cashiering. In this position, she earned the prestigious Meritorious Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Award for being the Outstanding Officers’ Open Mess Supervisor by the Pacific Air Force, headquartered in Hawaii. While working full time at Clark Air Base, she also taught accounting subjects at night.

After Clark AB was closed due to the Mt. Pinatubo eruption, Verdillo worked as a Community Development Officer for three years and as the Dean of the College of Business Administration for one year before she and her family came to the United States.

Verdillo said she and her family were given a special immigrant visa by the United States government to come to the United Sates due to her many sustained superior performance (SSP) and outstanding employee awards while working at the Air Force Base.

Her first job in the United States was a clerk typist in a small business in Salem where she was promoted to Accounting Manager after six months.

She is presently the Treasurer of the Philippine-American Association of the Roanoke Valley (PAARV) and has always been active in its activities.

Verdillo says that she is thankful and grateful to the US Air Force for helping to develop her into the kind of employee she is now.

She expresses that her Employee of the Year Award would not have been realized without the support of her supervisor, Finance Director Anne Cantrell, the initiative of Town Manager Barry Thompson, who started this employee recognition program and with whom she has worked for 10 years, and all the employees who have always supported her.

Verdillo says that she believes that she has “to do my best always, and God will do the rest.”

In presenting her to Town Council for this recognition, Human Resources Director Donna Collins read a list of comments from Verdillo’s co-workers, which clearly demonstrate why she deserved and received the award. They include:

• The work commitment shown by her performance and reliability is exceptional.
• Has an excellent attitude and commitment towards her job.
• Has amazing interpersonal skills.
• Is always kind and positive in her interactions.
• Is well liked by other employees.
• Goes above and beyond the requirements of the job to assist internal and external customers with a high degree of customer service.
• Has the sweetest disposition.
• Is loyal.
• Is punctual and volunteers to take on tasks to help others.
• Empowers other staff members through her actions and words and her understanding of the town processes.
• Is a caring member of the team, always with a birthday cake in supply, and in the recipient’s preferred flavor.
• Is a great example of a behind-the-scenes worker who keeps operations running smoothly.
• Is an expert on town policy and procedures and is often the town’s first line of defense to keep us in compliance.
• Has the highest degree of integrity in all aspects of her job and expects nothing less of the rest of the staff.
• Whether in the office or at an event, Lydia always is professional and represents the town well.
• It would easily take two positions to replace her knowledge, skills, and high work ethic.