Introduced by Vice President, David Walker, the speakers of the day were "Unsung Heroes",
Annika Gunning and Jessica Alford.
The effects of Ms. Annika Gunning's planning and contracting
efforts over the past eight months extend far beyond this department
and City Hall, and will benefit city and county communities for years
to come. Annika has expertly managed and continues to lead the very
successful development of the city's Comprehensive Plan (Plan CC)
and the Downtown Area Plan that will guide the city for the next 20 years.
She took on the seemingly impossible challenge of updating the city's
comprehensive plan that was completed in 1985. A true professional,
Annika has displayed the ability to work with a diverse array of interest
groups, committees, and citizens given numerous briefs, attending public
open house meetings and workshops, many after working hours, to develop
a very challenging and complex comprehensive plan. She personally reviews
every zoning case and many times present the case to the Planning Commission
and or the City Council. Her research on complex zoning cases is methodical,
always providing sound planning recommendations and code interpretation.
Able to see the big pictures, she has exhibited excellence in management skills,
(Above, images of Annika Gunning.
Photo Courtesy: Gary Blum, DDS, MS)
handling difficult project and zoning issues by working through solutions with her staff, developers and engineers.
As a result of her personal actions, she has made an ever lasting impact for the City and is strongly recommended
for this award.
Anikka stated that was surprised to have been selected for the award, "It is quite and honor".
The second Unsung Hero, Jessica Alford professionally works with
and has earned the respect of developers, consultants, owners and
government agencies and the public in the management of commercial
projects from the beginning through the process of issuing a building
permit. She exemplifies excellent project management qualities, work
ethic, technical knowledge, professionalism and the willingness to always
look for the best solutions fo the customer during the construction process
She has successfully managed nearly 100 projects through the Development
Services process by organizing early assistance meetings, coordinating
inspections, trouble-shooting problems, and ultimately ensuring customer
projects receive a certificate of Occupancy. In addition, she has worked on
several zoning cases and presented them to the Planning Commission. With
the increase of the department's presence in the public, she volunteered to
manage the department's media program, coordinating media interview for the
department and acting as the Public Information Officer for media requests.
(Above: Images of Jessica Alford.
Photo Courtesy: Gary Blum, DDS, MS)
She received high praise from Mr. Geoff Simpson, the owner of Kaplan Acquisitions, to the Mayor for their outstanding experience
they received from Development Service and specifically from Ms. Alford on the 324 unit apartment complex they submitted and
are developing. She works seamlessly in the background handling numerous issues tso Development services can efficiently operate.
Ms. Alford is a dedicated employee and genuine team-player committed to customer service, the betterment of the City and is strongly
recommended for this award.
Alford remarked that she is, "humbled and honored" to have been selected for the Unsong Heroes award.
(Above, image of city officials with Unsong Heroes Annika Gunning and Jessica Alford.
Photo Courtesy: Gary Blum, DDS, MS)
Also introduced by David Walker, and present to support the Unsung Heroes were, Mark Van Vleck, the Executive Director of
Utilities for the City of Corpus Christi; Wes Pearson, Assistant City Manager and Dan Grimsbo, Director of Development
Services at the City of Corpus Christi.
Vleck, who supervises over 600 employees was thankful to The Rotary club for recognizing his employees with the Unsung
Heroes Award.
