Building on experience

Noaki Schwartz

NEWPORT BEACH -- For a dozen years, Ellen Formica has toiled away in the

city’s building department, serving customers who often range from

impatient to downright surly.

But Formica, who processes building permits, doesn’t mind. She feels

useful leading people -- in her own gentle way -- through the maze of

city bureaucracy that is necessary even for a minor job of home

remodeling.

It is often a thankless position, so it came as a shock when, Formica

said, she was recognized as the city of Newport Beach’s Employee of the

Year.

“I was amazed and surprised I got it,” she said.

Her co-workers, on the other hand, are the least bit surprised. They say

she amazes them every day with her even-tempered patience. She’s been

described as a dying breed -- the kind of woman who inspired the quaint

Americana of Norman Rockwell paintings.

“She’s as sweet as can be,” said co-worker Susan McCourt.

Formica came to Newport Beach from Santa Ana, where she worked for nearly

two decades. She started out as a records clerk for the police

department.

After eight years, she was transferred to the clerical division, where

she filed and typed letters until one of the directors encouraged her to

look into the building department. So she took some classes and

eventually became a permit technician.

Formica said she came to Newport Beach because she was on an interview

board and was thoroughly impressed by the beach community.

“It’s a very, very busy job,” she said. “You encounter so many different

types of personalities.”