City of Tualatin Procurement & Contracts Analyst Richard Contreras was named the City of Tualatin 2024 Employee of the Year by City Manager Sherilyn Lombos at last month’s City Council meeting.
The City’s very own “contract whisperer” has been with the City of Tualatin since August 2022, working in the legal services department as the City’s first procurement and contracts analyst.
“Richard has cut through extra layers of bureaucracy while providing excellent customer service to all throughout the City,” says Lombos.
Contreras was awarded $350, eight hours of paid leave, a proclamation, his name and picture on the Employee of the Year wall of fame and the roving trophy, which he will keep for the year.
“It’s an honor to have been selected. I am very appreciative of my co-workers,” Contreras says, “I think a lot of us are motivated by how great a city this is.”
Managing contracts has been something that the City has been looking to improve, and since hiring Contreras, the City’s contract process has become more efficient.
“What used to be a drawn-out, confusing and complicated process for the organization is now a simple, turn-key solution,” Councilour Valerie Pratt said, “Richard is not just an employee; he’s the City of Tualatin’s very own ‘Contract Whisperer.’”
To be eligible for the Employee of the Year, the employee in question must regularly work at least 32 hours a week, have worked a full prior year, and be in good employment standing.
The award is meant to recognize front-line, non-management employees who their co-workers nominate. The committee that decides the Employee of the Year comprises the last two Employee of the Year award winners, two supervisors and members of the EEK! (Employee Engagement Krew).
Contreras says that his hard work is motivated by the hard work and dedication of those in the community.
“I go out into the city a lot, I frequent businesses here, I see a lot of hard-working people working to make this a great city,” Contreras says, “It motivates staff, I think I speak for a lot of staff to provide the best services we can and I am happy to play a small part in that.”
Conteras’ can-do attitude, warm smile and creative approach to handling contracts have made him the salt and light of the City, saving everyone time, money and stress.
Mayor Frank Bubenik, during the City Council meeting, commented, “I think back to the presentations you gave on streamlining the procurement process for the City. You were very professional in your presentation, you took care of all the questions, and you are making us a lot more efficient.”
