Michael Bilbrey joined Citrus College in 1984 as a student employee, and is now being recognized as an unsung hero for his contributions.
Bilbrey was the glue that held Citrus together when the school went remote and into a wave of uncertainty throughout the pandemic. His work ethic and dedication did not go unnoticed. His title as the bookstore services supervisor extended beyond taking care of the Owl Bookshop.
Enterprise Services Manager, Eric Magallon, who has known Bilbrey since the 2nd grade, said “Michael cares about his job and others. He strives to do the best job possible and will work as hard as possible until the job is done.”
Bilbrey has worked with ASCC, California School Employees Association, California Public Employees’ Retirement System, students, faculty and staff in more ways than one.
While students were scrambling to find classes and other college related information, Bilbrey was happy to help in any way he could, Transportation and Warehouse Coordinator and CSEA President Jorge Cortez said.
Cortez said Bilbrey won the Unsung Hero Award because he “has been up top with CSEA…He has been on governing boards, he’s gone all the way up to Sacramento and he’s been very involved with our union”
Cortez said throughout COVID-19, Bilbrey and his department kept the school afloat. While the campus was closed, he helped the purchasing department by scheduling trucks and taking in all the shipments.
Cortez said the usual process of nominating people for the Unsung Hero Award includes the board coming together and listing a few possible nominees along with reasons as to why they should win.
“This year, I brought up Michael Bilbrey and it was hands down…they were like, that’s perfect. We were all in agreeance, so it was an easy one to do,” Cortez said.
On the CSEA nomination form, Coretz said Bilbrey had gone above and beyond when accommodating all departments and assisting students “all while keeping his fellow classified CSEA safe and informed of any changes to COVID-19 protocols.”
Before the pandemic, the Unsung Hero Award was given at a hotel banquet to properly recognize the nominee, but due to social distancing restrictions, it was held via Zoom.
A regional CSEA representative presented Bilbrey his award, but Coretz went to greater lengths to ensure he was properly recognized.
He said he honored Bilbrey’s accomplishment again at CSEA’s chapter meeting on Zoom, and again in a monthly staff email.
Board of Trustees President Patricia Rasmussen and then Superintendent/President Geraldine Perri sent out an email April 14, recognizing Bilbrey of his accomplishments, hard work and dedication seen throughout the last year.
“We celebrated him as best we could,” said Coretz.
Magallon said Bilbrey was nominated for the ABCD award and will receive it in November.
Citrus is currently liquidating the Owl Bookshop and outsourcing its operations, Cortez said.
“It kind of sucks because I presented him the award and my next conversation was…we need to find something else for you now,” Cortez said.
The district is still deciding on a book vendor and where Bilbrey would best fit.
Bilbrey was emailed multiple times between Aug. 11 and Sept. 3 and did not respond to interview requests.
