When you attend a Miami Lakes event, Kristina Labossiere is often the emcee, a gig she has pulled off for nearly six years.
“Whenever they need a voice, I’m there,” said Labossiere, 31, the Miami Lakes Leisure Services Manager.
Town Manager Edward Pidermann and Labossiere’s colleagues think so highly of her work that they named her the 2020 Town Employee of the Year.
Labossiere said she was shocked when Pidermann made the announcement on Oct. 21 during the Mayor’s State of the Town address.
Her family was there to surprise her and to celebrate her success.
Pidermann said Labossiere is a team player, always at the front of the line when the call for volunteers is sounded.
“She has demonstrated these very important qualities over the past year,” Pidermann said. “She has a larger-than-life personality and epitomizes the mentality of the glass is always half full.”
Labossiere lives in Tamarac.
She has served as mistress of ceremonies at the Miami Lakes Food & Wine Festival and as town representative at the Veterans Day Parade and Easter Egg Hunt. This year she went in full makeup and costume for the Halloween Spooktacular.
She also oversees recreation programs at four community centers, manages vendor contracts and helps the Youth Activities Task Force plan its events.
Labossiere aspires to become a parks and recreation director, “when the opportunity is available,” she said.
Until then, she’s enjoying the town’s top honor.
A committee of seven town employees nominated three candidates and Pidermann chose her.
“I was honored that my colleagues thought I deserved a prestigious award,” said Labossiere.
Labossiere earned a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Nova Southeastern University in 2012 and is a certified parks and recreation professional.
Labossiere said she previously enjoyed a similar job at the St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort. A friend told her about the Miami Lakes job and during the interview, “I knew this is where I wanted to be,” she said.
Labossiere said she has grown closer to her 45 colleagues -- town hall staff members and contracted employees -- over the years.
“We’re like a family working closely together for the residents,” she said.
And she enjoys the small-town aspect of Miami Lakes.
“When you see people and they know who you are, that’s a good feeling,” Labossiere said.