As Electrician III at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center at Clay Center, Jesse Sharp is in high demand because of his work ethic, dependability and knowledge. Sharp, an IANR first quarter 2014 Outstanding Employee Award recipient, sets and calibrates air handling systems in every building; wires new alarms and alarm boxes; troubleshoots existing alarms tied to the phone system; and has even volunteered for security detail and snow removal.
Sharp arrives 20-30 minutes early every day, keeps current in new products, and has acquired numerous specialty licenses and training certificates. An exceptional electrician, Sharp finds out “why” something failed in addition to repairing years-old problems.
Supporters say that Sharp keeps “things safe and done correctly … he takes no shortcuts and shirks no tasks,” and “Everything he does is by the book.” When he studies a new job, he researches the product, its use and expectations. He is very professional and neat; he ensures his tools and equipment are always in order, and that all crew members understand his installations. Additional comments are: “Jesse is a key cog in how the maintenance department at MARC operates;” and “I have not seen a problem that he could not overcome.”
Sharp has been in this position since November 2011, having joined MARC in January 2009.
Award recipients receive cash awards and certificates. Application materials for these and other IANR awards are at ianr.unl.edu/staff-awards.