Naz Sabripour is flanked by GRBCC director Dawn Ullrich and general manager Luther Villagomez after receiving Employee of the Year honors.

HOUSTON, Texas (July 19, 2004) – Nazila Sabripour, whose flawless handling of numerous events at the George R. Brown Convention Center has routinely received praise from international meeting planners, has been named the 2004 Employee of the Year for the City of Houston's Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department.

As an event coordinator, Sabripour works closely with show management to ensure that conventions, conferences, trade shows and social galas flow smoothly. She was instrumental in the success of the John Hancock All-Star FanFest earlier this month and the NFL Experience in January, among dozens of other events throughout the year.

“Naz has been a vital asset to our operations since the day she started here,” said Dawn Ullrich, director of the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department, which oversees the George R. Brown Convention Center, Jones Hall, Wortham Center and a host of other municipal properties. “She’s a real go-getter and our clients just love her. Naz is an outstanding employee and most deserving of this recognition.”

Sabripour, 26, has been a member of the convention center team since 2000. A native of Tehran, Iran, she is a graduate of Clear Creek High School and later earned a marketing degree from the University of Houston. She is the daughter of Iraj and Mahnaz Sabripour of League City, Texas.

Sabripour was recognized in ceremonies held recently at Jones Hall. Two of her co-workers at the downtown convention center, fellow event coordinator Nathan Tollett and custodian leader Maria Escobar, were recognized as two of the department's six Team Player recipients.

Other department employees honored as Team Players were administrative assistant Linda Hunter, custodian leader Elodia Martinez, financial analyst Lisa Smith and senior secretary Pamela Stephens.

Contact:

Pete Radowick
713-853-8077
peter.radowick@cityofhouston.net