The executive director of court services for the northern region was among those acknowledged with a Premier's Innovation and Excellence Award on Tuesday.
Chris Nickerson earned the accolade in the leadership category primarily for merging court services, Service BC and social development operations into a single front counter in Valemount and Mackenzie.
Nickerson was nominated for the award by Rob Wood, the Ministry of Attorney General assistant deputy minister for court services.
Thanks to a "soft-spoken, understated" leadership style, Wood said Nickerson has been able to complete projects in "weeks and months" that often take "months and years."
B.C. Sheriff Services executive director Dave Moedel described Nickerson as approachable and someone who listens.
"Chris has steadily increased in his responsibility and at each level, he's done a fantastic job," Moedel said.
Nickerson has held the post for three years after running an ambulance service.
"The role of the leader, I think, is to rally the team," Nickerson said. "You have to work hard, keep the momentum going and stay focussed on what the ultimate goal is."
In all, five Premier's awards were given out to provincial government employees across northern B.C. A short video of Nickerson and why he won the award. Check it out at http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/article/20110426/PRINCEGEORGE0113/304269974/-1/princegeorge0113/nickerson-wins-premier-39-s-award&template=videoArt
