City Manager Louis A. DePasquale and other city officials honored the recipients of the 2018 Outstanding City Employee Award and winner of the Brian Murphy award during a special ceremony on May 11. The annual employee award recognizes a select number of employees for superior performance, positive attitude, hard work and dedication to public service.
Photos: (top right): City Officials and recipients of the 2018 Outstanding City Employee Award.
(Below): Retired Cambridge City Manager Richard C. Rossi, recipient of the Brian Murphy Award, and Kate Champion Murphy, wife of the late Brian Murphy, at the award ceremony.
Congratulations to our 2018 Outstanding City Employees:
- Keplin Allwaters, Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department;
- Melinda Camara, Fiscal Manager, Fire Department;
- Louis Cherubino, Jr., Police Sergeant, Police Department;
- Sandra Christie, Principal Clerk, City Clerk’s Office;
- Keith Fay, Danehy Park Site Supervisor, Human Services Department;
- Michelle Godfrey, Site Director/Center for Families, Human Services Department;
- Muna Kangsen, Program & Event Coordinator, Library;
- Jennifer Lawrence, Sustainability/Associate Planner, Community Development Dept.
- James Rebello, Water System Maintenance Dispatcher, Water Department
- Rainier Rosado, Parking Control Supervisor, Traffic, Parking & Transportation Dept.
- Tracy Rose-Tynes, Clinical Manager School Health Services, Public Health Dept.
- Charles Sullivan, Executive Director, Historical Commission
- Patricia Tuccinardi, Executive Assistant, Community Development Dept.
The City Manager also presented an award in honor of the late Brian Murphy. Brian served as a Cambridge City Councillor from 2002-2009 and as Assistant City Manager for Community Development from 2011 until his death on February 2, 2015. Brian, whether he knew it or not, was an important mentor to many in this city, and to honor Brian, former City Manager Richard C. Rossi established the annual Brian Murphy Award.
“Although Brian left us too soon, Brian’s legacy and his positive impact on our City will live on through the leadership, friendship, and vision he imparted on us all,” said City Manager DePasquale.
This year’s awardee has demonstrated many of the core values that we admired in Brian:
- a practical problem-solving approach;
- great collaboration skills;
- a passion for engaging the community;
- a love of the city and its residents, and
- a willingness to engage in open and friendly discussions.
The 2018 Brian Murphy Award was presented to retired former City Manager Richard C. Rossi. Over his 45 years of service to the city, Richard C. Rossi played a key role in shaping the City of Cambridge. Prior to becoming City Manager in 2013, Rossi served as the Deputy City Manager, a position he held for more than 32 years. During his tenure with the city, Rossi focused on building a core leadership team and creating bold initiatives focused on sustainability efforts, affordable housing, economic development, fiscal management and strengthening Cambridge’s ongoing commitment to our diverse population. Rossi’s work continues to play a major role in Cambridge being one of the best cities in which to live, work, innovate, and play.
As City Manager and Deputy City Manager, Rossi’s leadership in the City of Cambridge was marked by a strong commitment to delivering high quality services and responsiveness to residents, neighborhoods and businesses.
In addition to focusing on leading the City, Rossi also focused on fostering regional problem-solving efforts that benefited not only Cambridge, but also surrounding communities. He was an active member of the Metropolitan Mayor’s Coalition.
While serving as Deputy City Manager, Rossi oversaw all the City’s major public construction projects. This work included open space projects, public schools, municipal buildings, and utility construction, and a lot of meaningful and spirited community dialog.
“These examples just scratch the surface of the contributions that Rich has made to the City,” DePasquale said. “Rich, you and Brian shared a vision, a passion for public service, and a deep commitment to your staff and families. Thank you for your decades of work and your dedication to the City of Cambridge.”