Clean & Safe Team members celebrating at Outback Steakhouse
A crowd of very enthusiastic Clean and Safe Team members, administrators, and colleagues gathered for a lunchtime holiday celebration at the Outback Steakhouse in the Downtown Waterfront on a Tuesday afternoon in December. They were there to honor two new Employees of the Quarter — Jenifer Sison and Hollis Sherfield — and to savor the camaraderie that is the hallmark of the teams.
“Jenifer has been with us for six years and literally does everything,” said Sara Payne, Operations Manager for Block by Block, the company contracted by the Downtown Long Beach Alliance (DTLB Alliance) to run the Clean and Safe Teams. “She is always signing up for extra hours. She’s exactly where you need her to be — you don’t even have to ask.”
Jenifer Sison receiving her Employee of the Quarter award
The luncheon was attended by Block by Block Regional Vice President David Aguilar and Operations Supervisor Peter Anagnos, who described Hollis Sherfield as a “dynamite employee. He’s never late, and he’s very attentive. We get quite a few compliments about him from Downtown businesses.”
After partaking in a tasty Outback buffet to start the gathering, attendees were led by DTLB Alliance Economic Development & Policy Manager Stephanie El Tawil in a fun and funny Downtown trivia quiz. Then Sison and Sherfield were announced as Employees of the Quarter, to heartfelt cheers from their co-workers.
Sison, born and raised in Long Beach, attended Cabrillo High School. She lives in Downtown and loves to take Francisca Mia, her seven-year-old daughter, on day-off Downtown excursions. She has been a dedicated full-time member of both the Clean and Safe Teams for six years.
“I love that I can meet and talk with my community, which helps me because I sometimes get anxiety. I meet all kinds of people from many different cultures,” said Sison, who speaks Tagalog, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean.
Hollis Sherfield receiving his Employee of the Quarter award
Award-winner Sherfield has only been with the Safe Team for five months but has already gained a reputation as a dedicated, hard worker. “I love everything about the job — the atmosphere, the people, my fellow employees, and trying to make Downtown streets better and safer for everyone.”
Sherfield is from South Central Los Angeles, where he attended Crenshaw High School. He still lives in L.A., commuting every Thursday through Monday. He described himself as a “people first” person. “I’ve always been team oriented with my family and with sports. On my days off I love spending time relaxing with my Mom, my cousins, and my nephews.”
Sison and Sherfield are the latest to be formally acknowledged for their work roles, which now include navigational assistance for wildfire victims who are recovering and getting a new start in Downtown Long Beach.The recognition doesn’t have to stop there! Feel free to give compliments and encouragement to team members whenever you see them out and about in DTLB!
Clean & Safe Team members celebrating at Outback Steakhouse
Learn more about the Clean & Safe team here.