- Annual award recognizes outstanding employee

COLUMBUS: Karen Ritchey was recognized May 31 as American Municipal Power’s (AMP) 2013 “AMP DNA Award” recipient. Ritchey is manager of communications programs, and has been with the Columbus-based organization since 2005.

Marc Gerken, AMP president/CEO initiated the annual award in 2008 to recognize an employee who advances AMP’s vision and mission as established through its strategic planning process. AMP’s vision is “To be public power’s leader in wholesale energy supply,” and its mission is “To develop, manage and supply diverse, competitively priced, reliable wholesale energy to public power through strategic partnerships and member-focused relationships.”

To accomplish its vision and mission, AMP employees must believe in, and demonstrate, the core values of the organization: cooperation, integrity, innovation, action-oriented, effective communication and member focused. These values serve as the organization’s “DNA” and are a critical foundation to its ability to succeed and serve member communities. As such, Gerken believed it appropriate to establish a program that would recognize employees who best demonstrate the values/DNA of AMP as a way to highlight to both its staff and members the importance of the key organizational criteria it strives to meet.

Gerken asked the staff to nominate their fellow employees for the award. They were asked to provide not just a name, but the reasons why their nomination should receive the award.

Ritchey came to AMP with a great deal of professional experience having previously worked as a Public Relations Specialist for the Central Ohio Transit Authority. “Karen received multiple nominations from across AMP’s departments,” Gerken said. “She is dependable, efficient and always tries to lift the spirits of those around her. AMP and our members benefit greatly from her dedication and professionalism.”

Ritchey resides in Hilliard, Ohio.

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