Billy Cruz, City of Yelm custodian, goes above and beyond with his work — just ask Public Works Director Cody Colt or Mayor Joe DePinto.
During a Yelm City Council meeting Tuesday, Jan. 14, Cruz was named the City of Yelm’s 2024 Employee of the Year and honored for his hard work.
During the meeting, Colt said the honor highlights Cruz’s commitment to outstanding service, dedication and positive impact. He and the City of Yelm were proud to name Cruz 2024’s Employee of the Year, stating that he is an exemplary representative of what makes Yelm great.
“This year, the City of Yelm is honored to recognize Billy Cruz as the Employee of the Year. Billy has consistently demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to excellence, innovation and community service, making a significant impact on our city and its residents,” Colt said. “Billy can be found at every event, working in the background, providing the cleanest parks and facilities you will ever come across. He consistently is the first to volunteer for overtime or to be at the head of any event. When not working, Billy enjoys hunting and hanging out with his wife and kids.”
According to Colt, Cruz began his role as a custodian for the City of Yelm in February 2023 and has shown remarkable dedication to his role. Colt said his proactive approach, attention to detail and willingness to go above and beyond has set the standard for all employees in Yelm.
“Whether tackling complex projects or assisting colleagues, Billy exemplifies the values of teamwork, integrity and professionalism. Billy is also known for his positive attitude and approachability. His genuine care for his colleagues and the citizens of Yelm is evident in every interaction,” Colt said. “We are grateful for his continued contributions.”
DePinto said the City of Yelm’s management team meets with all of the department heads in search of employees who have exceeded expectations throughout the calendar year. Each department head provides DePinto with a list, and eventually the choice is made after great consideration.
“I think Billy was pretty unanimous. It was a unanimous decision through all of our department heads that he was the Employee of the Year for 2024. In years past, we’ve talked about it. There’s usually a few that we narrow down to before making a decision,” DePinto said. “This year, I think Billy was a real easy choice for us because of his exemplary work and his good attitude. He’s willing to help out in areas that aren’t necessarily his responsibility. He’s willing to go the extra mile to ensure that things get done right.
“He always has a great attitude when he’s walking around and doing his job,” DePinto continued. “He does his job really well, and he does it with a smile on his face. I’m not doing him justice here, but Billy is a really great guy. He’s very special for us.”
