University Library Nortwesem Unversity 870 Campus Dive Evanston, 60208 ‘NORTHWESTERN February 12, 2014 RE: 2014 NU :mployee of the Year Nomination John Brdecka Maudell Gaines NU Human Relations 720 University Place #21 Evanston, Illinois 60208 Dear Maudell: ‘This letter supports the nomination of the above-referenced nominee for Northwestern University 2014 Employee of the Year. T’ve known John for many years and have always known him to be a man of good humor and hard work. As someone responsible for overseeing an extensive physical plant John is contact everyday with staff an all levels and he is liked and respected by all. T's not unusual to see him in a high level meeting poring over blueprints one minute, then pushing a dolly full of furniture down the hallway the next. He’s a person who gets things done. And done well. John is always pleasant and easy going but at the same is able to get results. I enjoy working through ideas with John because he very quickly grasps the big concept of what we're trying to do and translates that into a facilities plan. He ‘was instrumental in tracking down exactly the right furniture for an upcoming enhancement to Mudd Library. This project will now come in well under budget because of John’s work. One area in particular that I'd like to mention involves John’s service to the Branch Libraries that I oversee. We often get overlooked because we're not in the same building with everyone else. This is never the case with John. He makes every effort to make sure we're getting the same service and support that main library units receive and he’s one of the few library staff who regularly visits the branch libraries. 1 think John deserves this award for three main reasons, his astonishing productivity, his creative and thoughtful approach to problems, and genuine warmth and good humor. Scott Garton Head, Branch & Off-Campus Services Northwestern University Library