TEMPLE TERRACE — Once a department struggling with morale and teamwork, the city’s finance division has been transformed.
For that, the city said thank you to finance operations manager Jamie Deve, who played a major role in that transformation and was honored Oct. 21 as the city’s first Employee of the Year.
“It is hard to pinpoint just one thing because she does so many things,” said City Finance Director Jim Ingram.
Deve, a Tampa Bay Tech and University of South Florida graduate with a degree in economics, was chosen from the group of Employees of the Month honored during the past year. Winners are chosen by their peers rather than management.
Deve’s peers in her department have enjoyed greater productivity and a more satisfying workplace thanks to her determined direction.
“She’s a ball of energy with a ton of good ideas, and when she sees something needs to be done, she jumps in and does it,” said Mayor Andy Ross, who said Deve helped turn around a department in need of a reboot.
Deve said it was all about changing the culture. She said the previous department was more individually focused, but new employees who were more intent on team-building, were brought in two years ago.
“I think that is the biggest dynamic that has changed here,” Deve said. “We used to feel like we were walking on eggshells around here. No one really kind of got along. Now we have a group that puts the city first.”
Deve wears several different hats in the city’s finance department. She has streamlined a variety of financial processes and procedures, handles payroll and is responsible for managing FEMA grant reimbursements.
Almost no nickel of city money passes across her desk without her oversight.
“One thing that stands out is her work with all city staff to document time and other costs related to Hurricane Milton (and other storms) to maximize the city’s reimbursement from FEMA,” Ingram said. He also praised her passion for public service, teamwork, and integrity.
“The finance team is thrilled to see that her love and commitment to the city has been recognized beyond our borders.”
Deve said was surprised by the award, especially since, with just one month to go, she had yet to earn an Employee of the Month designation.
Last week, one member of her team, Assistant Finance Director Jennifer Newman, “pranced” around the office telling everyone she had a secret, Deve said.
Ingram came up to her and told her she was not selected as employee of the month, and apologized.
“Because you are the Employee of the Year,” he said, smiling.
“He likes to joke around,” Deve said, laughing.
Tears flowed when Ingram broke the news and again at last week’s City Council meeting, when she was officially presented the award by Ross.
Her family — husband Schneider and sons Malachi, a Tampa firefighter, and Anthony, 5 — were on hand, and her entire department gave her a rousing ovation.
She thanked her husband for sacrificing his job as a firefighter-paramedic for something that allows him to be home and on kid duty more often.
“Thank you for being there so that I can be here,” she said at the council meeting. “When I get pulled away to work, he knows what it is to be a public servant, and he stepped back and allowed me to be a public servant now, so that I can shine.”
And like every good leader, Deve was quick to credit her department.
“Our team is so amazing right now and supportive,” she said. “And I love working with them. I’m always here with them; even on my days off. I’m calling in to check on them. They’re just so wonderful, and being a part of their team is really what makes this so rewarding.”