Edward Riley Black named September Employee of the Month

Valdosta Mayor John Gayle honored Edward Riley Black as the September 2018 Employee of the Month at the September 6, City Council meeting. Black received a framed certificate, a check for $200, and his name appears on a plaque displayed in City Hall.

Edward Riley Black began his employment with the City of Valdosta in February of 2016 as an Auto Service Worker in the Motor Pool Division of the Public Works Department. He then moved to the Utilities Department and served as a Utility Maintenance Helper in December of 2016. In July of 2018, he was promoted to Lift Station Operator with Central Maintenance.

Black distinguished himself recently while filling in as Maintenance Supervisor when the Guest Water Treatment Plant Supervisor resigned his position. He volunteered to move from the Mud Creek facility to ensure vital preventative maintenance tasks and corrective equipment repairs were accomplished in a timely manner. Black also worked on a daily preventative equipment inspections and reduced a backlog of 90 work orders to 30 in two weeks. This included water well and detox blower oil changes and equipment maintenance of the ozone generator and hypochlorite generator system. Another example of Black's excellence includes implementing an on-site heat exchanger back flush process and eliminating the need to ship 300 lb. ozone cooling system heat exchangers to Texas for cleaning and refurbishing. These actions combined saved the City of Valdosta nearly $16,000 and eliminated four to six hours of equipment downtime. Black's hard work, integrity and team spirit have been demonstrated repeatedly while working at both Wastewater Plants and leading to his selection and promotion to Lift Station Operator. He will now fill one of the two vitally essential positions in the Central Maintenance Division.

His actions on these occasions demonstrate excellence, dedication and commitment to preserving the resources of the City. The City of Valdosta applauds Black for being named the September 2018 Employee of the Month.