In-plant Manager Honored as District's Employee of the Year
Kerry Mehle
When Kerry Mehle was selected as Moorpark College's Classified Employee of the Year, the graphic communications technician at the Moorpark, Calif.-college was deeply honored — and shocked.
"This came as a complete surprise," admits the 26-year Moorpark College veteren. "Although I am well known around our campus, I never thought I’d be honored like this."
But the school was not through honoring him. Since Moorpark College is part of the Ventura County Community College District (VCCCD), which includes Oxnard College and Ventura College, this honor put Mehle in the running for the district-wide VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year award.
"I really didn’t expect to get it," Mehle says. "Being a one-person shop, I don’t have time to visit the other colleges in our district, so although many know of me, they don’t really know me. They see the results of what I produce for them, but other than a name, they don’t necessarily know who is doing the work."
He was wrong. His reputation had preceded him.
At a Board of Trustees meeting last year, Mehle was named the 2016 VCCCD Classified Employee of the Year. In honoring him, the Chancellor's Newsletter noted, "He provides beautiful printed materials for the college and departments all over the district. Mehle regularly works miracles to finish projects within deadlines and budgets, delivering with cordiality and a smile."
This, Mehle admits, was an inherited trait.
"I must give credit for my work ethic to my dad," he says. "He always told me that if you’re going to do something, do it right, and 'go the extra mile.' I’ve always followed his advice. As far as my cheerfulness, God has blessed me with a career I love, and a great place to come to work. Although I may have bad days now and then, I try not to let them affect my interaction with the college community. I just really enjoy what I do. And I realize that people notice that and appreciate a good, cheerful attitude."
Mehle has a long history with Moorpark College. He was the first Associate of Arts degree recipient from Moorpark’s graphics program in 1971. Then he taught print production there for nine years, left for 11 years to start run his own commercial shop, and returned to the in-plant in 1991.
In his role as graphic communications technician, Mehle serves as an unofficial "mentor" to multimedia and design students and provides student internship opportunities in the print shop.
"It’s very gratifying to hear of former students, with whom I have worked, move on to bigger and better things," he says.
The Chancellor's Newsletter also commended him for serving in leadership positions at his church, for helping organize cancer research fundraisers and for using his own money and vacation time to help with Hurricane Katrina clean-up and rebuilding.
As a long-time in-plant manager, Mehle is proud of what this award says about how much the college values his operation.
"Because of this award, I know as a matter of fact that I’m respected and valued not only on the Moorpark campus, but throughout the district," he says. "Often, we may not be in the limelight, but our customers know who we are and appreciate what we do."
Bob has served as editor of In-plant Impressions since October of 1994. Prior to that he served for three years as managing editor of Printing Impressions, a commercial printing publication. Mr. Neubauer is very active in the U.S. in-plant industry. He attends all the major in-plant conferences and has visited more than 180 in-plant operations around the world. He has given presentations to numerous in-plant groups in the U.S., Canada and Australia, including the Association of College and University Printers and the In-plant Printing and Mailing Association. He also coordinates the annual In-Print contest, co-sponsored by IPMA and In-plant Impressions.
