Our Rotary Club’s annual recognition of the City’s public service employees has become a tradition. This year’s honorees are great examples of those in our community who also focus on service much as we do. Here are the honorees:
Captain Eric Nagao distinguished himself as the fire department candidate – voted in by his colleagues as “Firefighter of the Year.” The captain expressed his thanks by recognizing the merit of his fellow first responders. Many of the men and women in the department “were equally deserving of receiving this award.” Presenter Chief Dan Caldwell gave a long list of reasons why Captain Nagao was singled out for the honor. Among them was his “ability to instill excellent training skills in new recruits, improve response time in the field, and the spirit and work ethic” he has brought to the department for the past 18 years.
Jesus Ocampo was selected by the Department of Transportation as their 2024 honoree. He was considered very young at age 19 for a position requiring complex mechanical skills, just out of L.A. Trade Tech in 2008. After 16 years, Mr. Ocampo is the “Superintendent of Vehicle Maintenance.” He now oversees 47 mechanics and seven supervisors responsible for the safety and security of the transit systems that serve a total of nine million commuters, visitors, and emergency responders using the city’s system. He has made important contributions, such as converting the city to energy-efficient transportation and improving the HVAC systems. He thanked those “who gave him a chance,” and his wife, who can Year” with the Santa Monica Police Department. He attributed his ability to remain a committed enforcer of public safety by regarding the profession as “one of the highest callings.” The many advances Sergeant Zendejas made, he says, wouldn’t have been possible without training under exceptional role models in the department.
Now, with 24 years of service, Sergeant Zendejas trains younger officers in a more complicated world. He stresses to “never forget we’re here to serve the community” by remaining “professional and courageous” whether in the field dispersing a beach party or addressing an increasing wave of violent crimes.
Lisa Anderson accepted a senior administrative assistant position, thinking it was a short-term job with the Santa Monica-Malibu United School District in 1994. Instead, it turned into a 30-year career where she is recognized as an “exceptional administrator” by both students and educators. She created projects that ranged from implementing changes for departments to function better, to launching programs that promoted the excellence of teachers, including 1,200 retirees.
She became “an integral part of the team, helping to shape the schools’ early years,” said Superintendent Antonio Shelton, Ph.D., who presented the award. “She has devoted three decades to the betterment of our schools and the lives of countless students and staff.”
Administrators who presented the awards were Eric O’Connor, the Big Blue Bus; SMFD Fire Chief Matthew Hallock; Dr. Antonio Shelton, SMMUSD; and SMPD Deputy Chief Darrick Jacob.
It is always fun to meet the members of the honorees’ families and their fellow workers.
Rotary Club members Donna Byrd and Joe Metoyer have done an outstanding job coordinating this event for the past several years.
By Robyn Dugid
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