Mary Matthews was named Griffin’s “Strongest Link” award recipient for July.

“She epitomizes what we encourage in Customer Service,” said Griffin Electric Director Bill Bosch.

Rita Bagwell, who nominated Matthews said, “she is the first face that our citizens and customers see. You can come in and see Mary smiling.”

Bagwell said Matthews assists customers needing assistance in most city departments. She has compiled a notebook of frequently asked for numbers of city and county offices and businesses, which she works from and has made copies for everyone in customer service and for each city department.

Bagwell shared an example. “As I was passing her desk, a caller had phoned the city to the phone number for the local movie theater. Mary smiled and said, ‘sure I can give you that number.’ which she had in her notebook, which we refer to ‘Our Bible.’”

Bagwell said, “when you need something you get Mary. When you need to know where Mr. Smith is, you get Mary.”

She said Matthews asked to be trained in Cogsdale, so she could assist customers with their billing questions.

“She thought outside the box,” Bagwell said. “She is the ideal representative as the first person citizens and customers see when they enter our building.”

Bosch presented Matthews with her plaque and June recipient Griffin Water Department’s Philip Beckham, presented her with the symbolic “Strongest Link” chain, which she will be custodian of until a subsequent employee is recognized.

Strongest Link recipients also get an additional paid day off and a gift certificate from a local restaurant. The award is given monthly to a deserving employee who has demonstrated excellent performance and productivity, loyalty, professional pride and other noteworthy accomplishments.