NEVADA CITY, Calif. July 17, 2018 – Nevada County Supervisors presented the 2017 Employee Recognition Awards for the following categories: Employee of the Year, Supervisor of the Year, Innovative Employee of the Year, Above and Beyond Employee of the Year, Multiplier Employee of the Year, Collaborative Employee or Team of the Year, and Rookie of the Year.

Employee of the Year Nominees

Angie Coffey – Probation Department
Karen Heggarty – Department of Social Services
Jo Paden – Environmental Health Department
Micah Pierce – Public Defender’s Office
Georgeana Pilcher – Treasurer Tax Collector’s Office
Jeremy Vance – Probation Department
Tim Walz – Public Works-Solid Waste Division

This year’s Employee of the Year exemplifies the values that the County supports: customer service, integrity, compassion, and dedication. This employee goes out of the way to help a fearful, anxious customer understand information which is sometimes difficult to hear. This employee has a deep understanding of the nature of the job which makes customers feel assured that they are getting good service from the County. A long-time employee who has consistently displayed these characteristics, this year’s Employee of the Year is Georgeana Pilcher, Supervising Accounting Assistant from the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s Office.

Supervisor of the Year Nominees

Kristin Plante – Department of Social Services
Michael Sipe – Probation Department
Andrew Trygg – Sheriff’s Office
Robin Van Valkenburgh – Public Works – Transit Services Div
Debra Wilson – Public Health – WIC
Stacy Zachary – Sheriff’s Office

This year’s Supervisor of the Year winner spearheaded the evolution of the team that is supervised into a task-based team which means the team was made more efficient and modern. This year’s winner worked with each employee to master their roles while being supportive, warm and inviting. This year’s winner enhanced the team’s connection with one another which reduced workload stress and increased productivity. This year’s Supervisor of the Year is Kristin Plante from Social Services.

Multiplier Employee of the Year Nominees

Kristin Plante – Social Services Department
James Edwards – Building Department
Christina Ritner – District Attorney’s Office
Jeff Thorsby – Clerk of the Boards Office
Brad Torres – Public Works – Sanitation Division

This year’s Multiplier Award of the Year adds a level of expertise and enthusiasm to each of the projects the winner tackles each day. This person’s motto is “One Team, One Dream,” and this motto is lived out in such a way as to benefit all those that come in contact with it. Our winner interacts with a large variety of community representatives and County employees which means the positive effect of our winner’s expertise and enthusiasm is multiplied to a host of people. Jeff Thorsby from the Clerk of the Board Office is the Multiplier Award of the Year winner.

Innovative Employee of the Year Nominees

Scotty Borror – Public Works – Fleet Services
Cheryl Gonzales – Department of Social Services – CPS
Joshua Pack – Public Works – Engineering Division

This year’s Innovative Employee of the Year successfully oversaw the implementation of the “Ask Nevada County” online citizen service request system to track and monitor service requests for a key operational area of the County. The “Ask Nevada County” system includes a free mobile app for users to access via smartphones. The system later branched out to provide customers a host of other services. The result is improved community relations between the County and its citizens. This year’s Innovative Employee of the Year winner is Josh Pack from Public Works.

Above and Beyond Employee of the Year Nominees

John Beckett – Probation Department
Hope Claar – Probation Department
Frank Cook – Probation – Juvenile Hall
Angela Costa – CDA Fiscal
Shauneen DeSchaine – Treasurer Tax Collector’s Office
Kevin Gunning – Information and General Services
Lucas Kannall – CDA – Code Compliance
Janeane Martin – Planning Department
Chad McBride – Public Works – Sanitation Division
Amy Moon – Probation Department
Joseph Ortiz – Information and General Services
Jeff Petersen – Behavioral Health Department
Sean Scales – Sheriff’s Office
Pat Schoellerman – Information and General Services

This year’s Above and Beyond Employee of the Year exemplifies over the top customer service. When asked to be of service, this employee stopped what this employee was doing and researched the product that was needed by the customer. This employee not only provided the names and product numbers of what would work in the office, but the employee provided cost of labor estimates for the various parts of the project. This employee makes each customer feel as though their needs are more important than anything else. The customer’s success is this employee’s greatest satisfaction. This year’s award winner is Kevin Gunning from Information and General Services.

Rookie of the Year Nominees

Sadie Caldas – Planning Department
Aaron Carver – Probation – Juvenile Hall
Brandon Tripp – Sheriff’s Office
Ruby De Quiroz – Department of Social Services – CPS
Linnea Johnston – Department of Social Services – APS
Matthew Kellegrew – Public Defender’s Office
Mike Parker – Information and General Services
Wendy Schaake – Assessor’s Office
Linda Valente – Probation Department
Cory Woods – Probation Department
Taylor Wolfe – County Executive Office

This year’s Rookie of the Year winner started in 2017. This person has been instrumental in the launching of the county’s new website and elevating the County’s presence on social media including Facebook, Twitter and Next door. This employee has been credited with increasing County transparency and disseminating critical and timely information during emergencies. This year’s Rookie of the Year is Taylor Wolfe from the CEO’s Office.

Collaborative Individual or Team Of The Year Nominees

The Environmental Health Dream Team – Gadget Gurus Implementation of Acela and ECR software and Tools!

  • Claire Chapple – Environmental Health Department
  • Catrie Levenson – Environmental Health Department
  • Jo Paden – Environmental Health Department
  • Ali Clark – Environmental Health Department
  • Trinity Proctor – Environmental Health Department
  • Tim Swillinger – Environmental Health Department

The Atmospheric River Storm Response Team

  • Chad McBride – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • James Zerbel – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Jerry Hensley – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Brad Rist – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Michael Toller – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Derrik Logan – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Clint Piper – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Kip Fredrickson – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Tony Larios – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Garrett Ryder – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Elvis Pratt – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Tony Ciafardoni – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Joshua Shaw – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Anthony Will – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Jsyin Bramner – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Sean Dominquez – Public Works – Sanitation Division
  • Patrick Maloney – Public Works – Sanitation Division

The Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Pilot Program

  • Jeff Goldman – Probation Department
  • Mike Sypnicki – Probation-Juvenile Hall
  • Jim Amaral – Probation Department
  • Rod Kahele – Probation-Juvenile Hall
  • Frank Cook – Probation-Juvenile Hall
  • Kristina Guevel – Probation-Juvenile Hall
  • Cory Woods – Probation-Juvenile Hall
  • Cliff Newell – District Attorney’s Office
  • Keri Klein – Public Defender’s Office

The Onboarding Team

  • Brandi McManus – Human Resources Department
  • Tami Martinson – Human Resources Department
  • Susan Kadera – Human Resources Department
  • Nancy Haffey – Human Resources Department
  • Paul Segel – Human Resources Department
  • Polly Paulus – Human Resources Department
  • Ashleigh Kitt – Health & Human Services Agency – Admin. Division
  • Brenda Austin – Community Development Agency – Admin. Division
  • Jennifer Montierth – Health & Human Services Agency – Admin. Division
  • Trina Woodward – Sheriff’s Office – Personnel Unit
  • Denise Harben – District Attorney’s Office
  • Angie Coffey – Probation Department

The Excellent Customer and Service Efficiency Team

  • Robin Van Valkenburgh – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Nancy Peckham – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Monty Wright – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • William Prechter – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Billie Lewis – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Daniel Gomez – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Kelly Sanders – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Chris Bingham – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Charles Proberts – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Sandy Bigley – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Rick Callais – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Amber Adembs – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Fret Fielder – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Dennis Carksen – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Jack Crew – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Tammy Gray – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Rich Heintz – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Jim Landrum – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Steve Long – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Keith Marcussen – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Sheryl Rivera – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Peter Stein – Public Works – Transit Services Division
  • Liz Nielsen – Public Works – Transit Services Division

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Team from Child Support

  • Mechelle Morgan – Department of Child Support Services
  • Sharon Hicks – Department of Child Support Services
  • Rene Quimby – Department of Child Support Services
  • Jennifer Jones – Department of Child Support Services

The Permit Processing Efficiency Leader

Stacy Manning – CDA – Building Department

The Capital Improvement and Emergency Repair Projects Team

  • Josh Pack – Public Works – Engineering Division
  • Patrick Perkins – Public Works – Engineering Division
  • Jessica Hankins – Public Works – Engineering Division
  • Marc Mikan – Public Works – Engineering Division
  • David Borchert (retired) – Public Works – Engineering Division

The Foster Care Expedient & Effective Team

  • Matt Preszler
  • Curtis McMullan – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Cindy Morgan – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Robert Heirendt – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Michelle Cowie – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Hayley Elrod – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Rob Ferrer – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Tasha Loudon – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Darren Hamberlin – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Ana Rivera – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Chris Mausolff – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Karlie Youngblood – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Simone Weit – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Katie Ianni – Behavioral Health Department – Children’s Services
  • Deidre Day – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Sherri Armstrong – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Cara Carvalho – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Faye Hignight – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Laura Charter – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Robyn Kleinhans- Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Teri Polcene – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Jammie McCourtney – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Shannon Hammond – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Jessica Griffin – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Jessica Wilson – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Kathryn Kestler – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Beatriz Martinez – Department of Social Services – CPS
  • Nicholas Ready – Department of Social Services – CPS

The Access Team – Behind the Scenes

  • Erin Connolly – Behavioral Health Department
  • Katherine Walden – Behavioral Health Department
  • Melanie Fikse – Behavioral Health Department
  • Leslie Bauman – Behavioral Health Department

The Behavioral Health Nursing Team

  • Jessica Ferrer – Behavioral Health Department
  • Casey Davey – Behavioral Health Department

The Post Office has a slogan that says, “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”. This year’s Collaborative Individual or Team winner demonstrated the same can-do attitude. All staff pulled together in circumstances that were less than pleasant to make sure that our water systems didn’t back up or overflow. Weather conditions threatened to flood the County with wastewater overflow. Thanks to this team’s efforts, none of that happened! This year’s winning team is the Atmospheric River Storm Response team from the Nevada County Sanitation District Number 1.