FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2008

DRI names Gerrard Technologist Employee of the Year
Jo Gerrard works in Division of Atmospheric Sciences

Jo Gerrard, left, receives DRI Technologist Employee of the Year award from Chris Maples, Executive Vice President for Research.

RENO - A committee of her peers at the Desert Research Institute has awarded Jo Gerrard in the Division of Atmospheric Sciences, the Technologist Employee of the Year.

“We are very proud of Jo, who is in a very high profile laboratory at DRI that includes handling support to researchers, who are conducting research in China to help preserve one of its national treasures, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses,” said Stephen Wells, DRI President. “Jo not only oversees international travel but also stays on top of reports and makes sure deadlines are met.”

As this year’s winner, Gerrard will receive a reserved parking spot, a $500 gift card of her choice and recognition with her photo displayed in the DRI lobby and her name engraved on a permanent plaque.

Gerrard is part of the Environmental Analysis Facility (EAF) team at DRI. Her duties include assembling and editing reports and publications, interacting with sponsors and other researchers on behalf of the EAF principle investigators, managing busy travel schedules, and maintaining reports and meeting review deadlines.  She is in the process of obtaining her Master’s Degree in English with an emphasis on writing at the University of Nevada, Reno. She is published in a handful of poetry publications and has stories in short fiction collections.

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