A POPULAR member of the Copeland Council team is celebrating 40 years with the organisation.
Paul Chiesa, 58, started with the council in November 1979 as an assistant in the Technical Planning Services department in its Ginns depot.
Over the past four decades, Paul has worked in the council’s various Whitehaven offices – moving from the Ginns to the former Catherine Street building (now Mansion House Surgery), and latterly to the current Copeland Centre and Market Hall offices.
His current role, Reprographics and Post Assistant, involves Paul coordinating the council’s post and printing requirements.
Paul, from Whitehaven, said: “I have enjoyed my time with the council. I’ve seen a lot of changes – you can’t go through 40 years without seeing some changes – but they’ve all been for the better. The council keeps reinventing itself.”
Paul celebrated his milestone by enjoying a meal in Whitehaven with friends and colleagues from the council.
“It’s been an incredible journey and it’s still continuing. You get ups and downs in life, but at Copeland, a lot of mine have been ups,” he added.
Mike Starkie, Mayor of Copeland, said: “Paul is a popular member of the Copeland team, and carries out a vital role in the behind-the-scenes operations of the council.
“To achieve 40 years in any organisation is an incredible achievement and I’d like to congratulate Paul on an excellent career here at Copeland.”
