City of Cincinnati - Testimonials

“ We will continuously earn the trust and respect of Cincinnati citizens and City employees through the excellent delivery of personnel services.”

As we continue to move in that direction, some of our internal and external customers weigh in on how we’re doing:

From: Phillips, Bonnie
Sent: Wednesday, August 05, 2009 11:32 AM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: Lisa Auciello
Hi Bo – wanted to send you a note to tell you how much I appreciate Lisa Auciello and the fact that she had already anticipated our needs and offered us help before I even had a chance to ask.

From: Springs, Margo
Sent: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 1:17 PM
To: Jackson, Arnell
Cc: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: Kudo's to your Staff
Arnell, I need to stop and take a moment to compliment you on how well you “handle yourself” in complex HR situations. You have allowed yourself, “with what I know is an extremely busy schedule” to get involved in our process, “stay the course” and diplomatically keep the RCC HR Team on track, minimize personnel conflicts, and with a smile give “a no”. I truly was impressed with how you handled yourself in the meeting with Milton as we plan to move forward strategically with the RCC. You manage to stay very very calm – and I have enjoyed growing into that as a new leader in the organization.
Just felt the need to stop and say “thank-you.”
Margo
RCC Director

TO: Hilary Bohannon, Director of Human Resources
FROM: Carmelita Jenkins, Public Services, Human Resources
COPIES:
Regina Hopple, Andrew B. Glenn, Arnell Jackson, Lisa Berning, Kimberly Nixon,
Esther L. Patton
SUBJECT:COMMENDATION - REGINA HOPPLE
This memo is to express my sincere appreciation for the assistance demonstrated by Ms.
Regina Hopple to the staff of Public Services, Human Resources (HR) with issues relating to
CHRIS entries.
Last year, the department centralized four HR sections as a result of a reduction of the work
force. In addition to the reorganization, early retirements and additional personnel changes,
the majority of the new Human Resource staff inherited unfamiliar assignments and
temporarily relied heavily on the expertise of Ms. JoAnn Lenzer. With her pending
retirement, staff was extremely anxious regarding the approved processes and procedures
for CHRIS entries. However, their apprehensions were needless; Ms. Hopple has proven to
be extremely knowledgeable and supportive by explaining the logic, policies and procedures
to substantiate CHRIS entries.
As you know, CHRIS entries often involves accurate interpretation of union contracts, CSC
rules and regulations, Administrative Regulations and City Policies and Procedures before
data entry occurs. Per my staff, Ms. Hopple quickly responds to issues and actively seeks
out answers when questions are posed. She patiently explains the CHRIS procedures and
instructs staff on reference materials which ensures that they are consistently in compliance.
While several staff members have limited contact with Ms. Hopple, those who frequently
interact with her give rave commentaries and extol her contributions to the organization. In
the past, she and I briefly spoke at HR Liaison meetings; however, after meeting with her
individually, I better understand their praise. Ms. Hopple appears dedicated, sincere,
forthright, and open to suggestions, concerns and ideas. That is commendable as she goes
the extra miles.
Public Services' HR remains committed to all the employees within the department, the
citizens of Cincinnati and the Greater Cincinnati areas. Ms. Hopple has been an asset to
the City of Cincinnati, as her professional support assists us in achieving our goals to
perform efficiently, accurately, and effectively as possible.
JUN 5 PM12:24

May 12, 2009
Good afternoon Bo, I would also like to recognize to the attention and diplomacy applied by Ms. Brenda Dixon in employee relations regarding a Grievance.
Ms. Dixon provided consultation to the employee as well as AFSCME union representatives. Ms. Dixon also apprised me of the developments involving the Grievance. The Hearing was mediated by Ms. Dixon at the satisfaction of union representative, management and myself.
Ms. Dixon is the consummate professional exercising a demeanor and organizational sensitivity that you have expressed you wish to take place customer service wise for city human relations.

From: Wagner, Nancy
Sent: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 8:59 AM
To: Berning, Lisa
Cc: Morton, Kathleen
Subject: Great Customer Service
Lisa,
I just wanted to tell you about the great customer service that was given by Kathleen Morton. I was submitting a million dollar grant yesterday when I discovered I needed a job description. Kathleen took my call a few minutes before five yesterday. She was extremely helpful in obtaining the information I needed. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciated Kathleen’s help.
Nancy
Nancy Wagner
Grants Administrator
Cincinnati Police Department
513-352-2958

From: Frey, Diana
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 1:46 PM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: HR Newsletter

Bo
Just a quick note of appreciation and commendation on the great job you and your staff do on the monthly HR newsletter. It was a great idea to put the Departmental updates in this month and was a great read for me. It looks good and certainly reflects the professionals behind the product.
Good job, as always!
Di

I want all of you to know that HR (all of us) are a little part of this as we support and help with these employee communications with reality info. Thanks to you all for supporting Venyke’s efforts and thanks to Venyke.

Hilary Bohannon
Human Resources Director
City of Cincinnati
805 Central Avenue, Suite 200
Phone: 513.352.2400
Fax: 513.352.5223

From: Malcom, Gloria
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 8:45 AM
To: Payton, Venyke
Subject: Kudos!

This is another great article (as always) and well worth reading. You all are doing a great job and should be commended for a job well done.

Gloria A. Malcom
Administrative Specialist
Wastewater Collection
352-4243
889-9416 cell

Don McNea Fire School, Inc.
P.O. Box 312 . Sharon Center OH 44274
1-800-989-FIRE . FAX 1-440-572-5971
March 6, 2009
Mr. Hilary Bohannon, Director
Human Resources
City of Cincinnati
805 Central Avenue
Cent. II, Suite 200
Cincinnati OR 45202
Dear Mr. Bohannon:

We recently submitted an Open Public Record Request concerning your
upcoming Firefighter Examination. We wanted to take this opportunity to express
our appreciation to LaWanda Johnson, Computer Programmer Analyst, who
handled this request. She always displayed the utmost professionalism and was
very prompt in her correspondence with us. Ms. Johnson went over and above to
make sure we got the requested information in a timely fashion and in a format
easily accessible to us.

LaWanda Johnson is an outstanding credit to your office and the City of
Cincinnati. I hope you will express our thanks to her in whatever way you deem
appropriate.

Sincerely,
BvUvf-~
Brent Collins, President
Don McNea Fire School
cc: LaWanda Johnson

From: Bohannon, Hilary
Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2009 10:40 AM
To: 'Mark Benner'
Subject: RE: Communications Specialists posting in the PRSA Job Bank

From: Mark Benner [mailto:mbenner@campbell-ewald.com]
Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 7:29 PM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: Communications Specialists posting in the PRSA Job Bank

I discovered your position in the PRSA job bank, and while I have no interest in applying for this opening, I wanted to tell you how impressed I was with the description and application instructions. My immediate impression was very positive and if I were 40 years younger and back in Southern Indiana, I’m sure I would be tempted to throw my hat in the ring. Best wishes.

Mark O. Benner
SVP, Corporate Communications Director
Campbell-Ewald
30400 Van Dyke, Warren, MI 48093
586.558.6281 Cell: 586.943.4508

From: Meadors, Darla
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 4:00 PM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Cc: Jackson, Arnell
Subject: Online Applications - Good Job!

I just wanted to commend your staff for getting the online application process up and running. We are getting these applications in a much more timely manner and killing a lot less trees in the process! This also makes for more efficiency on our end when forwarding the applications to the interview teams.

One more thing....I like the new format for the job announcements clarifying there are 3 ways to apply....kudos to whoever redesigned that!

Darla Meadors/Business Services
Greater Cincinnati Water Works
591-7966
591-6519 (fax)

From: Geisel, Gerry
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2008 7:49 AM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: RE: November HR news brief

I found the information useful and interesting. The news brief is a worthwhile and professional-looking effort.

From: Cohen, Stephanni

Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 3:41 PM

To: Bohannon, Hilary

Cc: Payton, Venyke

Subject: RE: HR Newsletter one pager

Bo & Venyke,

I wanted to personally say how nice your e-newsletters are – and express a note of thanks.

There is nothing more important than communication, and this candid information about the up-coming budget challenges, in addition to the commitment on behalf of the City’s HR Department, is much appreciated.

Thanks, Stephanni

Stephanni J. Cohen

p 513.352.1617 | c 513.324.0114

805 Central Ave. | Suite 800 | Cincinnati, OH 45202

www.cincyrec.org

_________________________________________________________

-----Original Message-----
From: Bohannon, Hilary
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 2:52 PM
To: #CIN.City Mailing List
Subject: FW: HR Newsletter one pager

This issue has two extremely important topics for all employees. Thanks for your attention.

From: Horne, Julie
To: Payton, Venyke;
cc: Bohannon, Hilary;
Subject: Great Job - thanks for providing via link!
Date: Wednesday, October 01, 2008 9:40:58 AM
_________________________________________________________

Best issue, yet!From: Holman, Bonnie
Sent: Thursday, September 18, 2008 9:24 AM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: Thank You to HR Employee
Mr. Bohannon,

I called the main Human Resources phone number late yesterday afternoon to
get some information that I needed for a report. I had the good fortune to speak
with Lynda Jordan. I told Lynda what information that I needed and asked her if
she was the person that handled that duty. She said that it was not her job but
she would be happy to get the information and email it to me. She sent the
information to me later in the day.

I wanted you to know that Lynda was friendly, helpful and went above and
beyond to provide great customer service.

Thank you,
Bonnie Holman
Bonnie Holman
Administrative Specialist
Department of City Planning
City of Cincinnati
Two Centennial Plaza
805 Central Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45202
5133524888

___________________________________________________________________

DING DING DING DING, BELLLS AND WHISTLESSSSSSSSSS,

another one of our Hr folks doing good.

Thank you Lisa.

From: Chester, Dwendolyn
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 9:46 AM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Cc: Auciello, Lisa
Subject: Lisa Auciello!

I just wanted to drop you a line letting you know what a gem you have in Lisa Auciello. Lisa helped the Department facilitate our All Staff Meeting and also our Sr. Staff Retreat on June 13th. She was absolutely fabulous and detailed! I appreciate the extra mile she went to be creative and add the small touches that demonstrated how she tailored to our specific needs. Both the full staff and Sr. staff have given only positive feedback to the exercises we participated in under Lisa's guidance.

Thank you for hiring Lisa and for allowing us to access her tremendous skillset for our needs.

Dwendolyn I. Chester
Deputy Director, Department of Community Development
City of Cincinnati, Centennial II, Suite 700
805 Central Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Phone: 513.352.4881
Fax: 513.352.6257
Email: dwendolyn.chester@cincinnati-oh.gov

From: Berning, Lisa
Sent: Thursday, June 26, 2008 8:54 AM
To: Payton, Venyke
Cc: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: FW: Congratulations

From: Sanders, Debra
Sent: Thursday, March 06, 2008 9:55 AM
To: Parrish, Debra
Subject: RE: tim kellard, service area coordinator
Mrs. Parrish I feel that you are sincere and honest about your position; I have so much respect for you.
When I request information and get it back in a timely matter, it helps my investigations.

We got another one for the “WALL OF FAME”. I received a letter from a person praising Katie’s customer service and going the extra to help. Thank you Katie!

From: Pittinger, Mike
Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2008 7:03 PM
To: Parrish, Debra
Subject: Thanks
Hi, Deb-

I just wanted to drop a quick note to say “thank-you” for your efforts in our meeting this morning. It is certainly a difficult process, but I thought that you did an excellent job of objectively probing the issue to understand the root causes.

On a personal note, I would certainly appreciate any feedback and/or constructive criticism that you can give me on my part in today’s meeting, and my overall part in this situation. We can only hope to learn from these types of situations to avoid repeating history…

Michael Pittinger, P.E.
Wastewater Collection Superintendent
Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati
225 W. Galbraith Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45215
513-352-4201 Office
513-352-4910 Fax
mike.pittinger@cincinnati-oh.gov

_________________________________________________________

DingDingDingDingDing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We got a “Thank You” card from an applicant for LaWanda”s outstanding customer service and care!!!!!!!!!!! Yeayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
Way to go LaWanda!

From: Jackson, Arnell
Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2008 6:07 PM
To: Bohannon, Hilary
Subject: Kudos to Sheila

Just wanted to let you know that Sheila Reed was scheduled for jury duty (Grand Jury) where she would have needed to report everyday for six hours, but instead, Sheila opted to reschedule her jury duty until September because of the heavy work load on her desk and the fact that Stephanie White (our transfer Clerk Typist 3) started in our office on March 10th and Shelia wanted to be available to help her get a sound foundation in the training of her new duties.

Kudos to Sheila for being a team player and we appreciate your dedication to the Human Resources team!

From: Scott, Darlissa
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2008 2:16 PM
To: Johnson, LaWanda
Cc: Jackson, Arnell
Subject: Appreciation
Importance: High

Has anyone ever just made your day? Well, I would like to share with you how, not just anyone, but a very important person in your department made mine. My supervisor gave me an assignment to complete. I needed Central H.R.’s assistance to complete it. I sensed resistance and a half-hearted effort from the first person I contacted to help me. I was advised to send my request via email. I did and was responded to quickly, but what I got back was not what I needed.

I contacted Sheila Reed and explained to her my dilemma. She kindly suggested I forward my request to her attention. She not only responded quickly to my needs, but she was also careful and thorough. I thanked her and let her know how her efficient, helpful and pleasant demeanor helped my day run more smoothly. I am taking the time now to let you know too how much I appreciate Sheila Reed. Thank you for your time.

Respectfully,
Lissa Scott
Clerk Typist 3
Department of Public Services
Neighborhood Operations Division
(513) 357-2641

From: Jones, Tammy
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 7:42 AM
To: McDonnell, Ursula
Subject: Lisa Auciello
Hi Ursula,

I just wanted to let you know that I was it the Customer Service last week with Lisa Auciello. I have to say it was one of the best classes I have taken in a long time. She did a GREAT job and kept things interesting and kept us active, it was a lot of fun and we were able to actually learn something that we can take back to the work place and apply to our jobs. She was awesome and everyone really liked her. She is a great addition to our family.

-----Original Message-----
From: Bohannon, Hilary
Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 10:02 AM
To: #PERSONNEL STAFF
Subject: Katie Johnson