Thread by @wirecrats

Each year, around national public service week, I award a trophy. This is a story about that trophy and of the public servant, after whom, the trophy is named. It’s also a way to recognize the excellent work of many public servants such Evelyne -this year’s winner. #NPSW

The trophy is named after Trong Nguyen. Trong was a senior policy analyst who had most of his career at Health Canada/PHAC before going to work for my friend @AM_Hume at CBSA. Tragically at that time he died along with his two year old daughter Naomi, in a highway accident.

Trong was also my roommate, best man, best friend and I wanted to find a way to honour him. I was a DG at PHAC and as a new agency we were setting up an awards and recognition system. One of these awards was for policy and I thought it should be named after him.

Trong was committed to Public Health with solid academic credentials. He innovated how we approach infectious disease emergencies. The trophy would be lucky to be named after him. I went to an HR committee to make the request and they said NO with no logically coherent reason.

I was quite rattled both from the decision and it was made worse due to the real pain I was feeling at the time. I took it a little personally at first. But then I got over myself, forgave the HR committee, and decided to do something positive about it.

Through this rough period I reflected on what my quiet but rebellious friend would do. Then it came to me. I would buy a trophy 10x the size of the official trophy, name it after my friend, decorate it with his Haiku poetry, and give it to whoever I want!

So every year I award a public servant, who brings their authentic self to work each day through creative thinking, unconventional approaches, and human spirit like my good friend Trong. His wife Peggy always attends. It’s nice. Happy National Public Service Week. #NPSW

Big windows, green trees
My strategic policy
Home away from home

-Trong Nguyen