Debbie Gelineau (formerly Debbie Morrison) was named the 2015 City Employee of the Year. Photo by Mac Trammell.
Debbie Gelineau, the director of community relations for the City of Bartlett, was voted by Bartlett Express readers as the 2015 City Employee of the Year.
Gelineau has been employed as a staff member of Mayor Keith McDonald for 20 years. She first exhibited her leadership talents by becoming the president of the Parent Teacher Association at Oak Elementary, where she caught the eye of another leader, who persuaded her into working for the city office.
Gelineau also helped with the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center (BPACC) as well as the Bartlett Rec Center (BRC).
Her job as director of community relations focuses on five special events, the Christmas Play, Bartlett Festival, Veteran’s Day Ceremony (her favorite), the Fourth of July and the Children’s Fish and Rodeo, all of which she oversees.
Gelineau says she normally works behind the scenes to make sure these events run smoothly.
She joked that she doesn’t know how she received enough votes to become City Employee of the Year since her work is not in public view.
In addition to the five special events, Gelineau works with the press, especially when the mayor needs something with the media. She also mans the city’s social media platforms and said she does whatever she can to help promote the city.
Gelineau recently remarried, has two grown sons, three grandsons and another grandchild on the way. She said that she loves her job and the people she works with, she and thanked those who voted for her as City Employee of the Year.