By Colin Killian, Public Communications Director
Community Development Analyst David Brower was named the City of College Station’s 2024 Employee of the Year in a ceremony before Thursday’s City Council meeting at City Hall. The Executive Leadership Team selected him from 12 employees and teams nominated by their peers.
The City Manager’s Office presented the City Impact Award to Visit College Station’s Casey Barone and the Leadership Award to Police Chief Billy Couch.
Other individual nominees for the award were Will Anderson (Electric), Casey Barone (Economic Development and Tourism), Brian Binford (planning and Development), Jason Borne (Police), Laurie Brown (Parks and Recreation), Matthew Brunson (Fire), Ashley Dorsett (Capital Projects), Michael Privitt (Public Works), Alexander Wade (Water), and Lillian Wells (IT). Also nominated was the Utility Billing System Implementation Team of Jennifer Smith (Utility Customer Service), Christopher Redding (Utility Customer Service), Carol Rodriguez (Utility Customer Service), Jamie Duff (Utility Customer Service), Teryn McGinness (Fiscal Services) and Iroshi Price (IT).
Employee of the Year: David Brower
Brower is in his 17th year with the Community Services Department. In 2024, he saved the City $100,000 in outside fees by creating the Housing Action Plan to address affordable housing despite the sudden departure of two city planners who were initially involved.
“David is one of the kindest and warmest souls you will ever meet, and he purposely goes out of his way to help anyone in need,” Director of Community Services Debbie Eller said. “He is a servant at heart who provides outstanding service and encourages team members to deliver the highest possible customer service through innovation, creativity, and personal accountability.
“David is an outstanding leader whose daily actions prove his deep affection for our community,” Eller added.
Impact Award: Casey Barone
Events Coordinator Casey Barone of Economic Development and Tourism received the City Impact Award for her meaningful and long-lasting impact on the community.
“Casey is incredible at developing relationships and is regarded for her outstanding creativity and initiative,” Chief Development Officer Michael Ostrowski said. “She is especially appreciated for her positive attitude, outstanding work ethic, and impressive coolness under pressure.”
Barone’s diligent leadership and coordination with the local music community led to College Station being designated by the state as a Texas Music Friendly Community. Within a year of certification, College Station was selected to host the inaugural Texas Music Friendly regional meeting.
Extending her influence on the local music scene, she organizes a monthly “Hang Out & Tune In” music event. In 2024, Barone also coordinated Make Music Day and the recording of the Texas Music Scene television program highlighting College Station to millions of viewers statewide.
Leadership Award: Billy Couch
Chief of Police Billy Couch received the City Leadership Award, presented annually to a department director or assistant director who demonstrated outstanding leadership. Recipients are nominated by their peers on the Executive Leadership Team.
Couch has been with the police department since 1997 and has served as chief since 2020.
“Chief Couch has provided consistent, strong leadership through many challenging and high-profile circumstances,” Deputy City Manager Jeff Capps said. “He is an exceptional team player who actively collaborates with other departments and is highly respected by his staff and peers on the City’s Executive Leadership Team. In addition, Chief Couch’s emphasis on succession planning ensures he prepares others for future executive opportunities.”
Couch continuously looks for productive ways to engage and build relationships in our community. In 2024, he initiated Cops and Goblins, a signature event to provide citizens and their families with a safe Halloween alternative while developing positive relationships with police officers.
Couch also provided leadership and support in the City’s collaboration with Texas A&M for last summer’s large-scale events at Kyle Field. Successful events that attract 100,000 visitors or more require extensive planning and logistical work.
Employee awards for years of service were presented in December.
Congratulations to the 2024 award winners for your exemplary service to our organization and the residents of College Station.
About the Blogger
Colin Killian has been with the City of College Station since 2010 after serving 23 years as the associate media relations director for the Texas A&M Athletics Department. He has also worked as a reporter and editor for the Corpus Christi Caller-Times and Lewisville News. A native of Hobbs, N.M., Killian graduated from Texas Tech with a bachelor’s degree in journalism/political science.
If you liked this post, share it with the buttons below!
Leave a Reply