Satisfied Employees Celebrate 50 Years of Service Excellence in Dallas/Fort Worth

Berkeys Plumbing, A/C, & Electrical, the Texas-based home service leader, was proudly named among the esteemed Top Workplaces in Dallas-Fort Worth for 2024 by The Dallas Morning News and Medium Giant. The honor is predicated on an extensive employee survey that celebrates excellence in areas such as company leadership, compensation, training, workplace flexibility, diversity, and more.

“At Berkeys Plumbing, A/C, & Electrical, we are proud to be among the esteemed group of 2024 Top Workplaces D-FW winners,” said Bubba Thurman, President at Berkeys. “It’s amazing to work alongside people who make Berkeys a Top Place to Work every day. The satisfaction of our employees is a pillar for why we have been trusted by our customers and community for 50 years and counting.”

Since 1975, Berkeys has remained committed to providing top-tier plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services in North Texas. "I am deeply grateful for the dedication, hard work, and level of care from our employees that have enabled us to thrive and excel in this industry for five decades. This anniversary milestone reflects the trust and loyalty of thousands of valued customers and the dedication of the Berkeys outstanding team, past and present,” said Thurman.

In 2024, the 16th year for the Top Workplaces awards in D-FW, a record-breaking number of nearly 6,900 deserving companies were nominated and more than 127,000 employees were surveyed.

“Anyone in Human Resources will tell you that employees are any company’s greatest asset, said Dana Thomas, Director of HR, IT & Employee Services at Berkeys. “This award reflects that their dedication and hard work met with appreciation has positively impacted the quality and longevity of our organization. “

A Legacy of Excellence

Throughout the past five decades, Berkeys and its employees have stood by its founding principles, which include:

• Exceptional Customer Service: Offering prompt, professional, and friendly service that consistently exceeds expectations.
• Quality Craftsmanship: Delivering reliable and efficient solutions for all home comfort needs.
• Community Involvement: Actively supporting local organizations and initiatives to enhance the well-being of our neighbors.

Reliable and Comprehensive Services and Expertise

Berkeys stands out as a trusted provider of home services and has earned many awards and accreditation in its five decades including: Best in DFW People's Choice Award, the Consumer Choice Award, Southlake Style's Best of Award, Living Magazine's Best of Award, and Southlake Journal's Best of the Best Award. For multiple years, the company has been named one of Dallas Morning News' Top 100 Places to Work DFW and is accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 1997, underscoring a longstanding commitment to trustworthy business practices by achieving an A+ BBB rating, reflecting reliability and integrity.

Looking Ahead

As Berkeys celebrates this significant milestone, the company reaffirms its dedication to the principles that have defined its success. “We are excited to continue serving our customers with the same expertise and passion for excellence that has brought us to this point,” Thurman added. We know that our legacy of service excellence, accolades, and accreditation reinforces Berkeys’ position as a reliable choice for homeowners for many years to come.”

About Berkeys Plumbing, A/C, & Electrical

Texas-based Berkeys has been providing quality plumbing, electrical, air conditioning, and heating services to homeowners in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex since 1975. The company sells America’s top-rated brands of plumbing, AC repair, electrical, and heating equipment known for high efficiency, reliability, and serviceability; and it services all brands and makes of plumbing and air conditioning equipment. All Berkeys plumbers have passed rigorous state plumbing examinations and are licensed by the State of Texas; they understand the complexity of state plumbing codes all the way down to local requirements. Berkeys maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has led the field in area newspapers’ readers’ favorite polls. Berkeys is part of the Wrench Group, a national leader operating in 25 markets across 14 states to provide home repair, replacement and maintenance services specializing in heating, ventilation and air conditioning,

Editors: Please post in all the communities. Thank you.

Students, faculty, and staff kicked off Texas A&M University College of Dentistry’s 120^th anniversary celebration with a Sip and Celebrate party on Jan. 22. They sipped coffee and hot chocolate and ate churros.

The college opened Oct. 3, 1905, as State Dental College with 40 dental students. Total enrollment for 2024-25 is 580 dental students, graduate students, and dental hygiene students.

Sheraton Dallas presents a Valentine’s Day evening to remember on Friday, February 14, with an expertly crafted, four-course dinner at Open Palette. Enjoy a romantic evening with live music by talented violinists, creating the perfect ambiance for your celebration. To make the night even more special, Open Palette is delighted to offer a complimentary bottle of Brut per couple as a toast to your love.

The dinner is $194 per couple. Reservations for February 14, 2025, are available now on OpenTable.

VALENTINE’S DAY MENU

Amuse-Bouche (choose one)

• Crab Cake Bite. Delicately seared with chipotle tartar sauce.

• Spanish Iberico Ham Bruschetta. Toasted artisan bread topped with tomato relish.

• Roasted Vegetable Puff Pastry. Flaky pastry filled with smoked ricotta and roasted peppers. 

Appetizer (choose one) 

• Mexico City Shrimp Cocktail. Succulent shrimp in a tangy cocktail sauce with avocado, corn chips, and micro cilantro.

• Burrata Salad. Creamy burrata paired with cantaloupe chutney, caramelized pear, pecan nuts, arugula, and crisp crostini.

Entree (choose one)

• Braised Wayuu Short Rib. Tender boneless short rib served with potato pavé, smoked carrots, roasted broccolini, and a rich beef jus.

• Lobster Pappardelle. House-made pappardelle pasta with sautéed local mushrooms, fresh spinach, succulent lobster, and a luxurious cream sauce.

Dessert

• Opera Cake with Raspberry Gel. Coffee-soaked sponge cake with mocha French buttercream and chocolate ganache.

Beverage

• Complimentary bottle of Brut per couple

Sheraton Dallas Hotel is located in Downtown Dallas at 400 North Olive Street, Dallas, Texas 75201.

The 2024 Texas A&M University College of Dentistry's recent staff awards ceremony honored employees who not only work hard, but who are also dedicated to the school’s mission. Those winning awards included Jo Spears and Mary Jo Rodriguez in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, Staff Team Award; Carmina Castro and Claudia Monsivais, Staff Excellence Award; and Michael Derdeyn, New Employee Award. Continue reading to learn more about each award winner and the characteristics that make them stand out in the workplace.

Staff Team Award – Jo Spears and Mary Jo Rodriguez, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry

Jo Spears and Mary Jo Rodriguez work in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, the largest department at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. They recently worked together to assist more than 70 faculty members during the annual evaluation process, inputting data, scheduling one-on-one meetings with the department head and providing completed evaluations to individual faculty and to faculty affairs. They also worked together to assist in the hiring or increase in full-time employment for more than 20 faculty members and assisted in hiring multiple staff members. They provided extensive assistance for the Linda Niessen Lectureship and worked to ensure the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry is true to its mission of providing world-class education to first- through fourth-year students, as well as graduate students in both AEGD and prosthodontics.

Staff Excellence Award – Carmina Castro, Director of Instructional Design and Support Services, Office of Academic Affairs

Carmina Castro is a team player and provides exceptional service to all faculty/students. She received unanimous praise from the faculty for her efforts to work through issues with Canvas and ExamSoft, as well as helping build quizzes and exams, not only during business hours, but also after-hours and on weekends. Carmina understands that departments are understaffed in regard to administrative support and faculty, and she is always there to help. Carmina’s efficiency, attitude and follow-through are exemplary, creating a positive student experience.

Staff Excellence Award – Claudia Monsivais, Dental Assistant, Endodontics

Claudia Monsivais is a highly dedicated and exceptionally skilled dental assistant in our graduate endodontics clinic. Claudia is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, greatly enhancing our ability to provide comprehensive care to a diverse patient population. She is known for her remarkable adaptability, proactive approach to problem-solving and commitment to excellence in patient care and clinic operations. One of her most remarkable contributions has been her exceptional management of the clinic scheduling, which she took on following recent changes with front desk operations. She ensures all residents are consistently busy in the clinic, optimizing their productivity and the number of cases they complete. Her ability to balance and prioritize the needs of both the clinic and the residents has resulted in a more streamlined and productive environment. Her positive attitude, reliability and ability to handle any situations with grace make her an invaluable asset to the graduate endodontic clinic.

New Employee Award – Michael Derdeyn, Lead Patient Services Associate, Clinical Affairs

Michael Derdeyn, upon hire, immediately demonstrated exceptional dedication to learning and quickly gained competence in both electronic health records, patient financial matters and scheduling patients in three very different clinical programs. He exemplifies professionalism and leadership skills beyond his current position and the ability to work successfully with patients, teammates and clinic leadership. As a result, Michael was promoted to lead PSA within months of his hire date and continues to excel and effectively embrace the mission of improving patient and customer service. Program leadership, staff and patients have all relayed their appreciation for Michael’s efforts, his critical thinking and collaborative efforts toward patient and program needs. Michael has proved he represents all six Aggie Core Values: respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service.

The 2024 Texas A&M University College of Dentistry's recent staff awards ceremony honored employees who not only work hard, but who are also dedicated to the school’s mission. Those winning awards included Jo Spears and Mary Jo Rodriguez in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, Staff Team Award; Carmina Castro and Claudia Monsivais, Staff Excellence Award; and Michael Derdeyn, New Employee Award. Continue reading to learn more about each award winner and the characteristics that make them stand out in the workplace.

Staff Team Award – Jo Spears and Mary Jo Rodriguez, Department of Comprehensive Dentistry

Jo Spears and Mary Jo Rodriguez work in the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry, the largest department at Texas A&M College of Dentistry. They recently worked together to assist more than 70 faculty members during the annual evaluation process, inputting data, scheduling one-on-one meetings with the department head and providing completed evaluations to individual faculty and to faculty affairs. They also worked together to assist in the hiring or increase in full-time employment for more than 20 faculty members and assisted in hiring multiple staff members. They provided extensive assistance for the Linda Niessen Lectureship and worked to ensure the Department of Comprehensive Dentistry is true to its mission of providing world-class education to first- through fourth-year students, as well as graduate students in both AEGD and prosthodontics.

Staff Excellence Award – Carmina Castro, Director of Instructional Design and Support Services, Office of Academic Affairs

Carmina Castro is a team player and provides exceptional service to all faculty/students. She received unanimous praise from the faculty for her efforts to work through issues with Canvas and ExamSoft, as well as helping build quizzes and exams, not only during business hours, but also after-hours and on weekends. Carmina understands that departments are understaffed in regard to administrative support and faculty, and she is always there to help. Carmina’s efficiency, attitude and follow-through are exemplary, creating a positive student experience.

Staff Excellence Award – Claudia Monsivais, Dental Assistant, Endodontics

Claudia Monsivais is a highly dedicated and exceptionally skilled dental assistant in our graduate endodontics clinic. Claudia is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish, greatly enhancing our ability to provide comprehensive care to a diverse patient population. She is known for her remarkable adaptability, proactive approach to problem-solving and commitment to excellence in patient care and clinic operations. One of her most remarkable contributions has been her exceptional management of the clinic scheduling, which she took on following recent changes with front desk operations. She ensures all residents are consistently busy in the clinic, optimizing their productivity and the number of cases they complete. Her ability to balance and prioritize the needs of both the clinic and the residents has resulted in a more streamlined and productive environment. Her positive attitude, reliability and ability to handle any situations with grace make her an invaluable asset to the graduate endodontic clinic.

New Employee Award – Michael Derdeyn, Lead Patient Services Associate, Clinical Affairs

Michael Derdeyn, upon hire, immediately demonstrated exceptional dedication to learning and quickly gained competence in both electronic health records, patient financial matters and scheduling patients in three very different clinical programs. He exemplifies professionalism and leadership skills beyond his current position and the ability to work successfully with patients, teammates and clinic leadership. As a result, Michael was promoted to lead PSA within months of his hire date and continues to excel and effectively embrace the mission of improving patient and customer service. Program leadership, staff and patients have all relayed their appreciation for Michael’s efforts, his critical thinking and collaborative efforts toward patient and program needs. Michael has proved he represents all six Aggie Core Values: respect, excellence, leadership, loyalty, integrity and selfless service.