City Pool Repair Worker Named Employee of the Year

The man who maintains the city's mechanical pool equipment was named the City of Mission Viejo's employee of the year Thursday.

Luis Gonzales was described as a "model employee who treats people with grace and respect" in a recent city statement.

Gonzales, who joined the city in 1998, also builds special event props and displays for city events and programs. He is credited with recycling former props for new events, saving taxpayer dollars and helping the environment. His work includes displays at Arts Alive, the Pacific Symphony and Wheelchair Tennis Masters. 

"Luis is always willing to help out and go the extra mile," said his supervisor, Dan Sullivan. "A most recent example is Luis' involvement in the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Behind the scenes, he created the framework for this international event recycling, sawing, cutting, nailing and painting to make the various elements for the event. He accomplished this while maintaining his routine jobs throughout the community."