2019 Circle of Excellence Award Winners

No one goes into public service to become Instagram famous. They do it because they have a passion for making our communities better, stronger, and healthier.  During National Public Service Recognition Week, we honor all our employees for their service to the families and businesses in Hamilton County. In particular, we highlight our 2019 Circle of Excellence Award Winners- county employees who are nominated by their peers for going above and beyond.

Team Impact Award goes to the  “Take Back Your Home Project” 


Team Impact Award goes to the “Take Back Your Home Project”

Pictured: Joy Landry, John Nelson, Susan Schumacher, Michelle Balz, and Brad Johnson.

The “Take Back Your Home” program is a concept developed by three county departments to reduce household hazardous waste. The team worked collaboratively to identify critical needs of the program and strategies to raise awareness among Hamilton County residents, including reducing their use of chemicals, educating on proper disposal options, providing alternative recipes for common household cleaners, as well as easy-to-follow video recipes for chemical-free products to use in homes, gardens, and yards. The team partnered with the Regional Storm Water Collaborative to expand the program regionally to include similar agencies in Warren, Butler, Clermont, and Brown Counties in Ohio, and with Kentucky Sanitation District No. 1 and the Northern Kentucky Household Hazardous Waste Collection in Boone, Campbell, and Kenton Counties in Kentucky.

County Hero Award goes to…. 
Probation Officer Shannon Thompson with Adult Probation

Probation Officer Shannon Thompson accepts the County Hero Award

 

Probation Officer Shannon Thompson has been with the CHANGE Court since its inception in March 2014, helping set up the structure of the specialty docket that specializes in the needs of those charged in sex trafficking and prostitution-related offenses. Shannon provided insight and input into every weekly treatment team meeting—even when she was off work, she called in. Shannon firmly and literally escorts CHANGE Court participants through every step, whether moving from jail-based treatment to a residential facility, or shopping for apartments or cars. Shannon has made herself available to the participants 24/7. When a participant received a call that her brother, a war veteran, had committed suicide, Shannon was the first person the participant called. When another participant contacted Shannon because they had relapsed, Shannon ensured the participant made their way to a safe location. Shannon also started a CHANGE Court necklace/beads reward system- using her own money-  to celebrate participants’ Recovery milestones. Judge Heather Russel nominated Shannon Thompson for this award, calling her “the toughest P.O. that a probationer will ever love!”

 

Rookie of the Year Award Winner Mary Sticklen, Business Specialist with Environmental Services 

Rookie of the Year Award Winner Mary Sticklen of Environmental Services accepts award from Commissioners

 

Mary joined the Department of Environmental Services in December 2017, and has already demonstrated outstanding performance on the programs she manages. One of Mary’s central responsibilities is to provide technical assistance to Hamilton County Businesses in an effort to reduce their waste and increase recycling. During 2018, Mary assisted 78 businesses, reaching over 4,000 employees. This is a 200% increase in businesses assisted over the previous year. Thank you Mary for injecting creativity, initiative, and enthusiasm in your role as Business Specialist for Hamilton County Recycling and Soil Waste District and thank you for being our Rookie of the Year!


Outstanding Service Award Winner… Brandy Scott-Herrmann, Team Leader, with Ohio MeansJobs  / Jobs and Family Services

Brandy Scott-Herrmann accepts the Outstanding Service Award from Commissioners Denise Driehaus (left) and Commissioner Stephanie Summerow Dumas (right)

Brandy has guided and grown the Prevention, Retention and Contingency Program known as “PRC” to help literally thousands of Hamilton Count residents to a better place in life. The PRC program provides short-term support to low-income families who are facing an emergency need. Under Brandy’s leadership, the program has expanded- helping more people out of poverty by making policies more inclusive, adding community referrals, streamlining workflow, and leveraging technology to increase efficiency. No matter the challenge, Brandy is determined to live the Job and Family Services’ mission of helping them today for a better tomorrow.

 

Professional Achievement Award Winner Brad Miller, Assistant Director of Hamilton County Environmental Services

Professional Achievement Award Winner… Brad Miller, Assistant Director of Hamilton County Environmental Services

Brad has served at the Department of Environmental Services for over 30 years. He currently serves as the Assistant Director, where he oversees the air quality division and ensures that all U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA requirements are met. When the Director resigned from the organization, Brad stepped up to serve as Interim Director, taking on the additional duties of supervising the Solid Waste District Team and the administrative staff, all while maintaining his duties overseeing the air quality division. Brad also serves as the legislative chair of the Ohio Local Air Control Officers Association and is a member of the Air and Waste Management Association and the National Association of Clean Air Agencies.

Posted on 05/06/2019