Berzon, Bridge, Pivonka, and Wong Win Outstanding Staff Awards

Berkeley-Haas honored four staff members with 2011-12 Outstanding Staff Awards at an appreciation lunch April 20. Kirsten Berzon, Jenn Bridge, Mike Pivonka, and June Wong were each honored for exemplifying a Haas Defining Principle in their work. They were selected from 54 nominations.

Faculty Assistant June Wong, who has worked at Haas since 1966, was touted by one faculty member who simply said, “I cannot imagine a more deserving person for the Haas Outstanding Staff Award.” The sentiment was shared by other faculty, who claim they could not function without her Confidence Without Attitude. Colleagues note, She conducts her work with ease, is always thinking ahead and, incredibly, never, ever makes mistakes.” 

Bridge, director of recruiting career services, is known for routinely asking such questions as, “How can we think bigger? Work more effectively?” Not only that, says supervisor Lisa Feldman, executive director of MBA Career Management, “She answers them.” “Question the Status Quo is Jenn’s middle name," says Feldman. "She continuously demonstrates this in every aspect of her work.”


Jenn Bridge (far left) with other MBA Career Management staff: Tamera Garlock and Jocelyn Newman (sitting l. to r.); Rich Wong, Virginia Martin, Gina Ney, and Betsy Worth (standing l. to r.).

Colleagues say that no one on staff has a more intimate knowledge of the Haas campus than Mike Pivonka, associate director of Enterprise Computing and Service Management (ECSM), winner in the Students Always category. Pivonka's supervisor, Haas Chief Technology Officer Zane Cooper, says this knowledge has been instrumental in the successful completion of physical plant improvements and IT infrastructure enhancements over the years.


Dean Rich Lyons, Mike Pivonka of Enterprise Computing & Service Management, and COO Jennifer Chizuk.

Lester Center Program Manager Kirsten Berzon (right) embodies the principle Beyond Yourself, according to Andre Marquis, the center’s executive director. “She is always selflessly looking to make what we do in our office better and to build the very best and meaningful institution she can.” Colleagues note that she makes the same sacrifices in supporting the advancement of social justice and is an inspiration.

Both Dean Rich Lyons and Chief Operating Officer and Senior Assistant Dean Jennifer Chizuk noted the challenges of the past few years and of this year, in particular. “We will continue to be tested,” Chizuk said. “But I know that no matter what life throws at us, we will succeed—because of the respect this community has for each other, the humanity we show at all times, and the fact that we really support one another.

In recognition of their service, all staff received a watch by Modify Watches─a successful startup led by Haas alumni Aaron Schwartz and Gary Coover, MBA 10, and Liz Callahan, MBA 11─sporting a custom design for Haas that includes the four Defining Principles emblazoned on the back.

 

Faculty Assistant June Wong
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