Thursday, July 31, 2025

Ohio Industrial Commission Columbus Infrastructure Specialist 2 Named August 2025 Employee of the Month

COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Industrial Commission congratulates Eric Shook on being named as Employee of the Month for August 2025.

“I am honored to nominate Eric Shook for Employee of the Month for his exceptional dedication, initiative, and outstanding work ethic,” Eric's Employee of the Month nomination started. “Recently, Eric stepped into an operator role that was vacant, a position that requires a shift starting at 2 a.m. Without hesitation or complaint, Eric took on this challenging responsibility and went far above and beyond what was expected of him.”

“Not only did Eric seamlessly adapt to the demanding schedule of the 2 a.m. shift, but he also took the initiative to develop comprehensive training material for the role, ensuring that future employees would have the resources needed to succeed,” his nominator continued. “Eric then ran a three-week training program, teaching his colleagues the responsibilities and tasks of the role. This proactive approach created redundancy and backup for the position, ensuring that the team could rely on well-trained staff, even in his absence. Beyond his contributions in the operator role, Eric continued to fulfill his responsibilities with the state, which involved extensive travel to various sites across Ohio.”

“Despite the demanding nature of his schedule, he never complained about the extra workload, and he maintained a positive and enthusiastic attitude throughout. Eric's commitment to the team and willingness to take on extra tasks demonstrates his exceptional work ethic and dedication to ensuring the success of the organization,” Eric's nominator added. “Eric's actions clearly go beyond the expectations of his role. His ability to take on a difficult position without hesitation, his initiative in developing training programs, and his willingness to travel while maintaining his core responsibilities are all testaments to his exceptional character. He not only contributed to the group effort by ensuring a smooth transition during a time of vacancy, but he also fostered a positive and collaborative work environment by providing the necessary tools and training to help his peers succeed.”

“Eric has earned the respect and admiration of his colleagues, and his contributions have had a significant positive impact on the team. His willingness to take on extra responsibilities and go the extra mile sets him apart and makes him an ideal candidate for Employee of the Month,” his nominator concluded.

Shook was nominated by one of his coworkers and chosen for the award by the agency's Employee of the Month Committee.

Eric Shook is an Infrastructure Specialist 2 in Information Technology. His supervisor is Doug Rakocy, Information Technology Manager 1. Eric began his career at the Ohio Industrial Commission in September 1998.