Several Meridian area residents were recently honored by Executive Director Mark Henry of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security with a service award pin given in recognition of their achievements and dedicated service to the people of Mississippi.

    The employees have served 10 or more years in various roles at the Meridian WIN Job Center. They were awarded 10, 20 and 30-year service pins.

    Job Center staff receiving 10-year service pins were Nellie Satcher, branch director; Sandra Thedford, security aide; and Jack Younger, employment interviewer.

    Staff members receiving 20-year service pins were Greg Boggan, field representative; Brian Bosarge, Customer Operations supervisor; Karen Granger, appeals judge; Karyn Heard and Shirley Gaines, employment interviewers.

    Receiving pins for 30-plus years of service were staffers Betty Lohrer, security aide, and Albert Shields, employment interviewer.

    Verna Stringfellow, with more than four decades of service to the Meridian community, currently serves as an employment supervisor and received a 30-year service pin.

    “We want to show our appreciation to these employees who work hard every day to help Mississippians get jobs in these challenging economic times,” Henry said.

    Through 55 WIN Job Centers, two call centers, and the department’s website, MDES provides convenient, one-stop services to businesses looking for skilled qualified workers and to people looking for good jobs.  

    The agency also assists individuals with job training so that they will be better prepared for work. In addition, the department pays unemployment compensation to Mississippians who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

    For more information about MDES services, visit www.mdes.ms.gov or call 1-888-844-3577.