Success & Service: Groveland Postmaster Powell earns national honor

Norma Powell, U.S. postmaster in Groveland for more than a quarter of century, received the 2015 Postmaster of the Year award earlier this month in Washington, D.C. The honor is bestowed by the National League of Postmasters, an organization formed in 1887.

She was chosen by her peers for her professionalism, long service in the community and involvement in the league’s California branch.

Powell has been on the national board of directors, been the California branch president and held numerous positions within the organization.

Detective year’s top cop in Ripon

Detective Alex Burgos earned Ripon’s police officer of the year honors, as bestowed by the Ripon Chamber of Commerce. He moved to Ripon two years after joining the department in June 2001. Burgos worked his way through the ranks to detective by late 2013. Along the way, he worked bike patrol, quad patrol, became a field training officer, SWAT team member and firearms instructor. He also spearheads business and neighborhood outreach, and instructs groups and businesses on crime prevention.

UC Merced names new engineering dean

Mark Matsumoto is the new dean of UC Merced’s School of Engineering, effective Aug. 1

He comes from Bourns College of Engineering at the University of California, Riverside, where he served as associate dean for research and graduate education, and also as a professor in the department. He’ll replace Erik Rolland, UC Merced professor of management and the interim engineering dean since last summer.

Matsumoto served as a member of the Campus Planning Committee during UC Merced’s formative years, from 2000 to 2003, assisting in the selection of academic majors, the creation of an academic administrative structure and the hiring of senior administrative leadership. He was the interim dean for six months in 2010.

Modesto Toyota donating $50 per car sale to nonprofits

Modesto Toyota, 50 years old this month, is donating $50 per new Toyota or Scion sold, with a different nonprofit benefiting each month. The dealership supports local athletic programs, donations and charity drives, and produces a YouTube series titled Driving Modesto that showcases various people, features and nonprofits in Modesto.

Modesto agent recognized

Mark Buckley of Modesto was recognized by Farmers Insurance as a championship agent, a designation achieved by 3 percent of the company’s agents nationwide. He was chosen for his service to his customers.

This story was originally published July 25, 2015 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Success & Service: Groveland Postmaster Powell earns national honor."