1997 Bemis Award Presentation

Presenter: Anita Ford

Thank you, Harry.

Once again, I have the pleasure of presenting the nominees for and the recipient of the Stephen E. Bemis award and it really is a pleasure!

This year, there are three nominees: Paul Kaiser, Cleve Jacobs and Doris Morgan Maye.

I congratulate all three of you. To be nominated for this award is an honor.

Paul Kaiser was nominated by WRIPAC. Paul clearly and continuously demonstrates the three admirable qualities for which Steve's memory is honored by this award:

Paul's dedication to fairness and merit has never wavered. He especially demonstrated this recently while the State of New York reengineered their human resources functions.

Paul is always on the cutting edge and has made an impact on the field through the development of such innovative practical assessment contributions as

Computerized Testing Programs
Use of Latent Imaging in Personnel Selection
Machine Scorable T & Es
Video Testing
Alternate Approaches to In-Basket Tests
Assessing Readiness for Supervision

Paul continuously serves his fellow professionals in countless ways. Currently, he is ably leading IPMAAC into the next century. Through his leadership, MAPAC is once again a strong viable consortia. He shares his research and innovations throughout the country at conferences, meetings and workshops. Most of all, Paul is always available to graciously and calmly answer any question or provide assistance to a frantic peer or to mentor a novice.

The second nominee for the 1997 Stephen Bemis Award is Cleve Jacobs who is a Personnel Analyst with the City of Chula Vista, California. Cleve was nominated by Mary Thigpen, a Senior Personnel Analyst with the City of Chula Vista.

Cleve's commitment to merit is evidenced by his accomplishments in replacing a fire fighter selection system which was based on nepotism with one that is based on fairness. Additionally, he found avenues to successfully open an employment system that was previously closed to minorities and women.

Cleve's contributions to the field include programs that

Develop qualified minority applicants
Provide local students with knowledge and support needed to become firefighters
Utilize a fire fighter test battery which he wrote which is free from adverse impact

Mr. Jacob's accomplishments with his fire fighter recruitment and selection process has become a model for many cities throughout San Diego County. He generously helps them to implement similar programs.

The third nominee for the 1997 Stephen E. Bemis Memorial Award is Doris Morgan Maye who was nominated by IPMAAC and PTC, Metropolitan Washington. This charming southern lady's career spans over 25 years with the Georgia State Merit System.

Throughout her career, Doris has exhibited a clear and constant commitment to merit, fairness, ethics, affirmative action and professionalism.

Doris' unique combination of outstanding managerial skills, excellent technical knowledge, friendly personal style, genuine modesty and concern for real issues have enabled her to develop numerous practical methods that are of value to a wide range of organizations.

Finally, there are few who can match Doris' record of service to her peers and to new professionals.

A few highlights of Doris Maye's career are:

The foundation and leadership of The Southern Regional Test Development Center shortly after the publication of the Uniform Guidelines. The Center was comprised of representatives from six southern States who jointly developed five different forms of an accounting test. Doris used this vehicle to train participants in job analysis, test development, validation methods and regulatory concerns.
Her efforts in the highly successful collaborative test development and validation program with the Dept. of Justice. Her work so impressed the Dept. of Justice that they released The State of Georgia from a consent decree.
The tireless effective leadership and contributions that Doris has provided to The Atlanta Society of Applied Psychology, The Southeastern Personnel Assessment Consortium (of which Doris is a founder), IPMA, Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter, IPMA and IPMAAC. She has served as IPMAAC's President; has served two terms on the Board and has headed or served on every committee and is currently IPMAAC's representative on the IPMA Board.
The impressive list of professional articles that Doris has written and papers that she has presented is three single spaced pages long.
The numerous training sessions on job analysis, Test Development and Validation, Exam Planning and Employment of the Disabled that Doris has presented throughout the country.
Her work as a member of the Georgia Gain Core Team which developed one of the few successful pay for performance plans
Her current contributions to IPMA's Committee on the revision of the APA Standards for Education and Psychological Testing.

And now without further ado, it is my pleasure to announce and congratulate the well deserved recipient of the 1997 Stephen E.Bemis Award for Outstanding Achievement in Personnel Administration, my friend, Doris Maye.