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Friends,
Our focus this year on getting back to the basics begins with the dedication and professionalism of our City of Little Rock workforce. Our 2,500 team members lead the way in serving our residents and creating a safer, stronger City.
We recognized the entire City of Little Rock team with employee appreciation activities and events throughout Employee Appreciation Month in May, highlighted by the presentation of our annual Employee of the Year awards. Every single team member deserves recognition for the important work they do on behalf of our residents and guests. Our Employee of the Year winner, finalists and nominees all go above and beyond in their public service, demonstrating daily the core values we share as a team and as a community.
The 2025 Mahlon A. Martin City of Little Rock Employee of the Year is Denaro Cook, an equipment operator in the solid waste division of the City's Public Works Department.
Denaro has worked as a sanitation truck driver for six years, where he has demonstrated exemplary work performance and is always efficient and professional. According to Grant Cox, assistant director of the Public Works Department, he is praised by residents for his diligence, which reinforces the City's reputation for excellence.
"He has transformed his life and now serves as an inspiring example of resilience and hard work," said Grant, who nominated Denaro for the Employee of the Year award.
Denaro participated in the City's Re-Entry Program after serving 18 years in prison. Denaro noted that the City of Little Rock provided him an opportunity that other employers would not, and that he believes "there is no change without a chance."
His community impact goes beyond his work at the City, though. He serves as a mentor for youth, and he organizes talent programs within the City. He is reliable and accountable, with a strong work ethic that demonstrates servant leadership.
Denaro was among three finalists for the Employee of the Year award. Other finalists were Marcus Montgomery from the Department of Community Programs and Christopher King of the Information Technology Department.
Marcus, the Community Violence Intervention Manager, has worked for the City about two years. He oversees a 16-member team that works inside schools and within the community to reduce violence. Part of that responsibility is through programming and activities, which increased more than 50 percent over a year. He led creation of the Youth Development Initiative, empowering high school students with essential life skills and conflict resolution strategies.
Christopher serves as senior network coordinator, and he has been employed with the City since 2001. A key member of our IT team who is crucial to day-to-day operations, he helped manage an internal transition to a new email platform. At the same time, he consistently drives his department to greater efficiencies and effectiveness, with some of his contributions helping to save money. Proactive in everything he does, he has streamlined workflows to boost overall productivity.
Congratulations to Denaro, Marcus and Christopher, and to all our team members who personify our core values and make Little Rock a better place to live, work and play. We appreciate you!
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