Leigh-Anne Krometis,, Dumitru Branisteanu, and Alan Grant.
Congratulations to the September Employee of the Month – Dumitru Branisteanu, field research technician from the Department of Biological Systems Engineering.
Dumitru’s nominator praised his work ethic and attitude saying, “I am excited to nominate Dumitru Branisteanu for the CALS Employee of the Month award. Dumitru’s hard work, laughs, and engineering ‘magic’ have contributed to the success of many research efforts in our department, but he has been particularly instrumental in assisting students and faculty this year on a large interdisciplinary Farm to For effort funded by USDA-NIFA.”
“The field component of this multi-year project was particularly ambitious. Dumitru managed to help us to meet all project deadlines and improve our study design. Most importantly, he was never too busy to slow down and teach the students how to do the work safely and correctly. Working side by side, we managed to get our vegetables in this growing season with barely a bruised knuckle, despite working with heavy equipment.
“Even though his responsibilities on the project primarily pertain to the field work, he makes sure to drop by the lab and check on the students analyzing samples from the site and check out their results, reminding them how ‘cool’ and important their research is to the world. This ‘can do’ team-oriented attitude keeps morale high and everyone motivated and optimistic.”
As the September Employee of the Month, Dumitru received a plaque, gifts from the college, has his photo displayed in the case in Hutcheson Hall, will be featured in an article in Insights and will be eligible to be considered for the 2016-17 Employee of the Year award.
Past winners include:
· August 2016- April Mays, Administrative Assistant from Page County Virginia Cooperative Extension
· July 2016- Chris Ellke, Agricultural Specialist, Southern Piedmont Agricultural Research and Extension Center