King retires after 30 years with the City of Copperas Cove

By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press

The city of Copperas Cove recognized long-time employee Mike King upon his retirement after serving the city for 30 years. 
King served as the superintendent of the Fleet Services Department and officially retired on Jan. 28. He began his employment with the city on January 27, 1992 as a mechanic in the Fleet Services Department. He was later promoted to Supervisor of the department in September of 2010, and most recently was reclassified to the position of Superintendent in October of 2020, where he served until his retirement. 
With his 30 years of experience, King has become an expert in his field, and he possesses “exception interpersonal skills and significant institutional knowledge,” according to City Manager Ryan Haverlah. 
King has been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, or “ASE Certified”, which includes Medium/Heavy Truck Specialty Areas and Refrigerant Recovery and Recycling. His experience paired with these certifications has led to increased operational efficiency, as well as provided King with the knowledge and tools to develop his team with a focus on both present and future succession, Haverlah said. 
Within his long career, King has received special commendations from both the Copperas Cove Fire and Police Departments for his assistance in providing specialized fabrication work, not only providing for cost-savings in the thousands of dollars but also demonstrating great unity within the city.  He was also nominated and received the prestigious “Unity Award” in 2013 for going above and beyond expectations by assisting the Parks and Recreation Department on a concrete project at the Hills of Cove Golf Course. 
“Many of the City’s various departments have routinely expressed appreciation for Mike’s ability to deal with situation which arose in a courteous and friendly manner,” Haverlah said. 
King’s supervisor once commented on an evaluation that “Mr. King has always been a team-player that maintains positive relationships with members of the Public Works Department, as well as all City Department and employees as a whole,” according to Haverlah. 
“Mike has been an exemplary employee for the past 30 years, a friend to many, and his presence will be missed by those who have worked with him and those who have not worked with him,” Haverlah said. “His presence will be missed because they rely on Mike’s service and his institutional knowledge and his teamwork attitude that he brought to the entire Fleet Department.” 
As is tradition with the city for retiring employees, King received a framed piece of artwork, a gift card and a commemorative coin from Mayor Dan Yancey.