Reynolds Lake Oconee is pleased to recognize recipients of the annual Employee Awards for their integrity, exceptional quality, and commitment to the company in 2019.
“The core of Reynolds Lake Oconee is the hard-working and extraordinary employees who live out our core values and standards each day,” says Rabun Neal, President of Reynolds Lake Oconee. “These awards are our chance to recognize those people for their service.”
Chris Jarrette, a National Tavern Bartender, was awarded the title of Employee of the Year, while Susan Ladner, Vice President Controller, was recognized as Leader of the Year. Debbie Balicki was honored as Salesperson of the Year for Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties, LLC. Theresa Smith, Reynolds Owners Association (ROA), and Josh Herb, Tennis and Recreation, each received the 2019 “Helping Hand” Award.
Chris Jarrette joined the Food and Beverage team at Reynolds in 2011, having previously worked as a line cook at Applebees. As a bartender, Jarrette now enjoys putting a smile on Members’ faces while serving up their favorite drinks.
In his free time, Jarrette enjoys singing, dancing, playing video games, and watching his favorite childhood cartoons. Having spent his childhood serving the community alongside his mother, Marilyn, and sister, Alysia, Jarrette is also a dedicated volunteer with One Love Outreach.
“I just want to say thank you,” says Jarrette. “These have been the best years of my life and I look forward to many more. I am blessed beyond words and so appreciative and thankful for everything that I’ve accomplished. I’ll continue to do my best and make Reynolds proud.”
Susan Ladner has worked in the golf and country club industry for 15 years. At Reynolds, she oversees accounting operations and enjoys the ample opportunities to learn, grow, and be a part of a meaningful community.
“The best part of working at Reynolds is the people,” says Ladner. “It is wonderful to work with a group of people continuously striving to exceed expectations and deliver exceptional quality in all that we do.”
In her spare time, Ladner enjoys being the number-one fan of her daughter, Shelby, in all of her sports and activities.
For the third year in a row, Debbie Balicki was recognized as the Salesperson of the Year for Reynolds Lake Oconee Properties, LLC for 2019. Truly dedicated, Balicki is celebrating over 21 years with the Reynolds real estate team and has been an Active Life Member of the Lake Country Board of Realtors Million Dollar Club and a past recipient of the Eagle Award acknowledging more than 15 consecutive years of million-dollar-plus sales.
“It is an honor to be recognized among these remarkable employees,” says Balicki. “Their contributions to this amazing community have helped create the lifestyle that has not only become the cornerstone of my career but the place my husband, Tom, and I are proud to call home.”
Josh Herb and Theresa Smith each received the “Helping Hand” Award for 2019.
Herb spent 5 years serving as a full time missionary in Hungary and South Africa through Operation Mobilization before joining the Reynolds Tennis and Recreation team, where he keeps the tennis courts in pristine condition.
“The best part of my job is that my boss, Scott Cowdrey, trusts me to get the job done,” says Herb. “He gives me a general idea of what he wants, and then allows me to take care of the specifics.”
Herb volunteers as an assistant coach with the Morgan County High School Rugby Club, and enjoys giving his time and talents to serve the community and share the love of God with all.
Before coming to Reynolds, Theresa Smith worked for BioSperix Ltd. in Parish, New York, in the Quality Control Department testing chambers and controllers to the mini clean cell therapy machines. Now in ROA, she enjoys serving the Reynolds community in new ways each day, from assisting with gate transponders to answering general questions.
“The best thing about Reynolds is that everyone here is treated like family,” says Smith. “My ROA department coworkers are a family-oriented team, and we live and laugh together.”
Smith also serves as a volunteer and farm manager at Hopes Castways Equine Rescue. She is inspired to dedicate her time to the organization by seeing abused and starved horses brought back to health and happiness.
