Happenings
Division 54 Honors High Performers
Coach of the Quarter
Chris Fields
Known for being knowledgeable and open minded, accounting manager Chris Fields is the Coach of the Quarter. He is trusted by his staff to find agreeable and reasonable solutions because of his ability to be objective. His approach to managing his teams begins with acknowledging the needs of individual team members and working with each associate to ensure they have a clear path to realize their goals. Through his guidance and leadership, he has established clear audit procedures, resulting in no significant audit findings in several years across the lines of business his area serves.
Associate of the Month – January
Sujata Sunthankar
As the January Associate of the Month, Sujata Sunthankar is being recognized for her outstanding dedication to quality, accuracy and teamwork. Her meticulous attention to detail ensures that both internal and external customers receive top-tier service. By taking ownership of uploading smaller invoices into the database, she not only ensures data accuracy and reduces the risk of rejections but also enables her teammates to focus on more complex tasks. After working only one year as an accountant IV in the Cost Accounting Department, Sujata has already taken on additional responsibilities that directly contribute to the department’s financial accuracy and success. Her proactive communication, eagerness to learn and genuine care for her colleagues foster a collaborative and supportive work environment, making her a valued team player.
Associate of the Month – February
Yajaira Strait
Yajaira Strait, an accounting technician II, has been named the February Associate of the Month for her ability to communicate clearly and work effectively under challenging circumstances. In late 2024, external forces caused her workload to temporarily more than double. Yajaira increased her efforts and worked diligently and collaborated with colleagues who were “downstream” in the workflow to alert them of the increase, which ensured all work was completed efficiently and accurately.
Associate of the Month – March
Juanita Glover
The March Associate of the Month is Juanita Glover, an accountant III in the Accounts Payable Department, because she is responsive, efficient and a great communicator. Her extensive experience and continuous learning make her a trusted mentor and trainer, while her attention to detail helps the department consistently exceed expectations. Juanita is a proactive problem solver, contributing significantly to process improvement initiatives. She fosters a culture of teamwork, knowledge sharing and adaptability, often stepping in during staff absences and prioritizing urgent tasks to maintain seamless operations. Her strategic mindset and unwavering support make her an invaluable team member.
Process Improvement of the Quarter
Creation of Level of Effort Pricing Template
Team members: Tiffany Johnston, Jeannine Pierce, Jennifer Ross and Kelly Sago
Prior to the creation of the Q1 Process Improvement of the Quarter, calculating the level of effort (LOE) for a National Provider Enrollment West Region Contract project required collaboration between the proposal team and the change management team. The proposal team had to review the files, do the math to estimate the cost and then send it to the change management team.
To simplify the process, the team created a tool called the LOE pricing template. The change management team can use it to calculate the LOE cost for a project. They do not need help from the proposal team. This tool quickly produces accurate cost estimates and saves time and reduces work for both the proposal team and the change management team.
Team of the Quarter
General Ledger Team
Team Members: Anne Hill, De’Andrea Johnson-Pringle, Encarnita Marcella and Stacey Ray
The General Ledger team has been named the Team of the Quarter because they have made several noteworthy contributions. During the 2024 year-end process, they supported the corporate tax office and external auditors by providing accurate financial data and detailed analysis. They also improved several processes that included automating data entry and updating how revenue is tracked for taxes. The enhancements delivered time savings and improved quality. Their efforts helped the company pass its audit with no issues, and they fostered a positive, open-work environment where everyone’s ideas are valued. In the first quarter of 2025, the General Ledger team met all their goals and worked hard to complete financial reports on time, even under pressure.
