Billy Woodruff named Parish employee of the year

St. Charles Parish honored 93 employees for both attendance and service during its 30th annual Civil Service Awards Training Program held May 10 at The River Room.

William "Billy" Woodruff, an equipment operator with the St. Charles Parish Public Works Department, was named outstanding employee of the year.

Woodruff, of Luling, is a 27-year employee of St. Charles Parish government. He was originally employed by the St. Charles Parish Sewer District, which in 1985 consolidated with parish government. Woodruff stayed with Wastewater for three years and then transferred to Public Works, where he is now the top-level equipment operator.

St. Charles Parish Personnel Director Sandra Zimmer said Woodruff has been a benefit to fellow parish employees from the beginning.

"He has always been involved in employee issues, and he’s known as a go-to person for his fellow co-workers," Zimmer said. "(Woodruff) was very active in helping write the Civil Service System into the parish’s home rule charter."

A committee made up of appointed and civil service employees from various departments chose Woodruff from a field of nominees. This year’s committee included Renee Agurcia, Roland Breaux, Robert Champagne, Grant Dussom, Danielle Honor, Benjamin Ratcliff and Ruby Tonglet.