Kent County Department Heads have selected MARK C. KENNEDY from the Department of Administration as the October 2022 Employee of the Month.
Mark, the Media Systems Coordinator in the Information Technology Office, has worked for Kent County since March 2005. His primary duties include operation of the digital, audio and computer systems to facilitate viewing of Levy Court, Regional Planning Commission, and other Board and Committee meetings as well as design and coordination of the County’s media messaging system and website maintenance.
In addition to maintaining the video information display monitors in the County Administrative Complex and posting announcements on the County website, Mark is a highly skilled video production editor, creating several public service videos for the County including such topics as swimming pool safety, the comprehensive plan development, and Kent County Public Library.
Recently Mark served as the Project Lead in transforming County Conference Rooms into Virtual Meeting Spaces, which now feature full audio/visual connectivity via Microsoft Teams, and he is now actively managing the selection process for a vendor to design a new Kent County Website.
According to County Administrator Mike Petit de Mange, “Mark is an extremely knowledgeable and valued member of the County Team. His commitment to public service is evident in so many ways and is demonstrated every day through our ability to keep citizens informed and to participate in the business of County Government. Visitors to our meeting rooms regularly comment about the high quality of our facilities and our support Staff, and specifically about the excellent service of Mark Kennedy. Mark is always ready to help, even for special events on evenings and weekends. He is very deserving of this recognition.”
Congratulations Mark on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected KAIN W. JOHNSON from the Department of Planning Services - Housing & Community Development Section as the September 2022 Employee of the Month.
Kain has been a Kent County employee since March 2021 and holds the position of Housing & Community Development Specialist I. His primary duties include investigating all requests for housing rehabilitation grants by interviewing the applicants to determine eligibility, searching County records for ownership information and possible liens, and writing specifications for reconstruction bids.
Kain’s knowledge and expertise gained from his prior tenure as Field Coordinator with Milford Housing Development Corporation has proven to be an instrumental asset. Over the past few months Kain has exhibited an exemplary amount of diligence and management competencies while performing much of the workload of the Housing and Community Development Supervisor, during his absence.
According to Kent County Director of Planning Services Sarah Keifer, “Kain has demonstrated great dedication and leadership skills through recent staffing challenges. He’s had to undertake coordinating day to day operations with contractors along with new hire training and has done so without complaint. His effectiveness and proficiency with staff as well as clients and contractors make him an invaluable member of the Housing & Community Development Team.”
Congratulations Kain on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected ASHLEY E. deCENTO from the Department of Public Safety as the August 2022 Employee of the Month.
Ashley has been a Kent County employee since December 2015 and holds the position of Paramedic II. Her primary duties include responding to emergency medical calls to treat patients using advanced emergency care procedures. She also serves as a Field Training Officer with additional responsibilities for training paramedic students assigned to her shift through practical experience in all aspects of medical care delivery in accordance with established protocols, guidelines, written or verbal instructions from physicians.
Ashley’s commitment as Team Leader for the Critical Incident Stress Management response offering emotional support to paramedics and others involved during their time of need has proven critical. Her prudent use of an Emotional Support Dog (Jasper) brings joy to many during the toughest of times.
According to Kent County Director of Public Safety Colin Faulkner, “Ashley’s accomplishments and dedication to duty are evident. She has been involved in several programs in the Department and most recently CISM….and of course, Ashley introduced us to her pup…the much loved Jasper. Thank you, Ashley, for being an outstanding Employee and for always going the extra mile every day!”
Congratulations Ashley on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected APRIL G. DURHAM from the Administration Department as the July 2022 Employee of the Month.
April has been a Kent County employee since December 2013 and holds the position of Mailroom Clerk. Her primary duties include processing and metering mail from all County departments, processing incoming and outgoing packages through the U.S. Postal Service as well as receiving and delivering shipments from carrier companies. In addition, she is responsible for photocopying Levy Court meeting packets, and various other documents in support of County offices.
Over her 8 ½ years of service, April has been very helpful in providing immediate service to onsite customers and assisting various departments with completing special projects in a timely manner.
According to Kent County Administrator Michael Petit de Mange, “April plays an essential role in the success of this organization and her work touches virtually every Department. With an eye for detail, April is highly organized and sees that incoming and outgoing materials are processed promptly and accurately. She covers a lot of ground in the course of a day, and is always ready to help fellow Employees and the Public with grace and a friendly smile. Thank you April for being an outstanding Employee and for always going the extra mile every day!”
Congratulations April on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected JASON W. GARY from the Department of Public Works as the June 2022 Employee of the Month.
Jason has been a Kent County employee since February 2012 and holds the position of Maintenance Mechanic III in the Division of Wastewater Facilities.
He is responsible for maintaining, installing, and making repairs to operating pumps, valves, force main, gravity sewer main, laterals, and any other integral components in wastewater collection and transmission operations for his assigned area of the County.
Jason has worked his way up through the ranks to his current team leader position due to his outstanding work ethic and superior supervisory skills. In his role as workgroup leader, he can be counted on to get any job done no matter how difficult. Interestingly, Jason spent a few years working in the biosolids section and earned his Wastewater Operator II license before making the transition back to maintenance.
According to the Director of Public Works Diana Golt, “Jason is an exemplary employee who performs his job duties with a great attitude, bringing the best out in others he is working with. He never shies away from difficult projects, he accepts challenges and works hard to find solutions to any problem. He is a great asset for Kent County Public Works.”
Congratulations Jason on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected CRYSTAL L. YERKES from the Recorder of Deeds Office as the May 2022 Employee of the Month.
Crystal has been a Kent County employee since September 2001 and holds the position of Deed Clerk II. Her primary duties include cash receipting, assisting in the preparation of month end reports for realty transfer taxes due the State of Delaware and municipalities, processing invoices for the office, and imaging recorded plot plans.
Over her 21 years of service, Crystal has gained in depth knowledge of deeds and mortgage recording processes and become cross trained in all aspects of fiscal and administrative procedures. She can perform a broad range of duties from document intake to payroll and do so with a positive attitude. Crystal is praised by supervisors for her willingness to lend a hand to co-workers, attorneys, title searchers and general public.
According to Kent County Recorder of Deeds Betty Lou McKenna, “Crystal has stepped up and helped the Office meet the recent staffing challenges caused by retirements and turnover. And although she is retiring herself at the end of May, it would have been remiss of me not to recognize her for her more recent efforts. Crystal is deserving of this honor and I wish her the very best.”
Congratulations Crystal on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected GILBERTO RUIZ from the Administration Department as the April 2022 Employee of the Month.
Gil has been a Kent County employee since February 2014 and currently holds the position of Network Specialist II in the Information Technology Office. He previously worked as an Information Systems Specialist for the Girl Scouts of The Chesapeake Bay. For about a year prior to that, he served as a Computer Support Technician for Kent County.
Gil’s primary duties include maintaining network computer systems, applications, security, and network configurations; troubleshooting computer network-related issues; and supporting the County’s multi-vendor enterprise LAN/WAN infrastructure.
According to retiring Information Technology Director Kim Crouch “Gil has a natural ability for solving complex network issues and he always does it with a smile. He is very patient and responsive to the needs of network users. Supervisors really appreciate his ‘can do’ attitude and ability to diagnose and solve a problem. Gil’s dedication, insightfulness, and approachability make him a valuable member of the I.T. team.”
Congratulations Gilberto on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected AMY KING-WALLER from the Finance Department as the March 2022 Employee of the Month.
Amy currently serves as a Tax Clerk II in the Tax office and started her Kent County career as an Accountant I in October 2016. She worked for the State of Delaware/ Family Court as an Accounting Specialist for over 10 years.
Her primary duties include performing advanced clerical/accounting work related to the billing and collection of taxes, sewer and other user fees.
According to Finance Director Susan Durham, “Amy provides excellent customer service. Her ability to listen, research, and understand a taxpayer’s concern has generated numerous compliments over the years. She is a team player and very detail oriented, so when an adjustment has to be made the documentation is clear. Amy is also responsible for coordinating the senior tax credit program and has developed a great rapport with many of the senior citizens that participate, as well as those not yet eligible. She is very much deserving of this recognition as Employee of the Month.”
Congratulations Amy on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected BRIAN S. REED from the Planning Services Department as the February 2022 Employee of the Month.
Brian currently serves as a Building Codes Inspector II in the Inspection & Enforcement office and started his Kent County career as a Building Codes Inspector I in September 2018. He came to the County with a variety of skills such as a Maintenance Mechanic, Plant Maintenance Foreman, and Carpenter.
His primary duties include performing complex inspections of buildings in the course of construction for code compliance, code enforcement, preparation of reports, and maintenance of inspection records.
Recently, Brian has been working with a senior citizen living in an unsafe house that had to be condemned. The resident had been renting the house until the owner passed away and had no alternative housing. Brian worked with every outside resource and agency available to help the individual find safe and secure housing, then took it upon himself to bring him groceries so he had enough to eat, and even delivered him gifts for Christmas.
According to Planning Services Director Sarah Keifer, “Brian has consistently been an effective enforcement officer, more importantly he has demonstrated remarkable empathy for the people we serve. That empathy is just as often for the people we have to put in violation as it is for the complainants. I would suggest that this sort of kindness sets the standard for service to our community.”
Congratulations Brian on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected Deputy Sheriff KIM E. WARFIELD from the Office of the Kent County Sheriff as the January 2022 Employee of the Month.
Deputy Warfield was appointed a Deputy Sheriff in the Sheriff’s Office in June 2019, and previously served in law enforcement with the New York City Police Department before retiring in 2000 from the Chief of Detectives Investigations Unit. She has a B.A. in Humanities, holds a Doctor of Divinity from Belford University, a Master’s in Theological Studies from Palmer Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Christian Counseling and Christian Education from Faithway Bible College.
Her primary duties include effective service of court-ordered subpoenas, maintaining records of service, conducting property inventory for scheduled sales as well as maintaining logs and reports for reimbursement.
Since her appointment, Deputy Warfield has worked with the Sheriff to raise awareness and educate the public about the role of the Office of the Kent County Sheriff by participating in numerous community events.
According to Sheriff Brian Lewis, “Kim has exhibited outstanding job performance and responsibilities while performing her duties as a Deputy. She has shown a great willingness to help others wherever the need is required and continues to demonstrate a positive attitude in the office and out in the community while representing the Sheriff’s office as our Community Liaison. Her willingness to be a strong team player and a positive force in our office is very much appreciated by all.”
Congratulations Kim on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected NANCY L. THOMPSON from the Department of Planning Services as the December 2021 Employee of the Month.
Nancy currently serves as an Office Support Specialist II in the Planning section and began her career in the Register of Wills Office as a Wills Clerk I in July 2008. She was later promoted to a Wills Clerk II in 2012 and then in 2015 she transferred to the Planning Services Department as a Senior Secretary.
Her primary duties include various clerical tasks such as preparing minutes for the Regional Planning Commission and various other boards, preparing meeting packets, coordinating meetings on behalf of the Planning section, document management, answering telephone calls, etc. She interacts directly with the general public on a daily basis and supervisors give her high praise for stepping up wherever needed, most recently helping the Housing & Community Development section organize and image numerous records.
According to Planning Services Director Sarah Keifer, “Nancy has gone above and beyond to fill any position feasible to assist the department. This year in particular she really stepped up in the Inspection & Enforcement section to help complete permit technician responsibilities to deal both with the influx of permits and the impact of Covid-19 infections. Most importantly she provides all of this help with a smile and determination to help however she can.”
Congratulations Nancy on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected CAMERON A. MAAS Jr. from the Department of Public Safety as the November 2021 Employee of the Month.
Cameron currently serves as a Dispatcher III in the Emergency Communications Division and began his career as a Dispatcher I in February 2010. He was later promoted to Dispatcher II and then to his current shift leader position in February 2021. His primary duties include taking numerous emergency and non-emergency calls, determining the exact location of the emergency incident and dispatching the proper response agency and equipment as well as dispatching additional fire equipment or personnel when circumstances require. He also helps operate and maintain the Kent County Mobile Command Post.
Cameron completed the Part 107 Pilot Certification process through the Federal Aviation Administration in 2019 and became the County’s first commercially licensed Remote Pilot. Since the drone program’s implementation, he has been instrumental in the development of procedures for the Drone Team to ensure safe and effective operation. He also maintains the County’s aircraft to keep it in flightworthy condition and has trained multiple remote pilots within the organization to a proficient and mission ready status.
According to Chief Colin Faulkner, “Cameron’s expertise and assistance made it possible for us to launch the Kent County Drone Program and we fully support his goal to make the Drone Team a pivotal and crucial asset in protecting the citizens of the County for years to come. And like many of his co-workers, he is a volunteer firefighter, E.M.T., and has served as an officer in the Little Creek Fire Company. He is certainly deserving of recognition as Employee of the Month.”
Congratulations Cameron on a job well done!
ELAINE MONFORTE
Kent County Employee Council selected and Kent County Levy Court has honored ELAINE A. MONFORTE from the Department of Administration-Facilitites Management Office as the 2021 Employee of the Year!
Elaine currently serves as a Maintenance Worker II and started her Kent County career as a Custodian in May 2017. She was promoted to Maintenance Worker I in December 2019 and to her current position in August 2021. Her primary duties include maintaining the grounds and landscaping of the various County properties, completing carpentry and plumbing tasks, troubleshooting and performing minor repairs to mechanical and HVAC equipment as well conference room set up and take downs.
Whether it is repairing and maintaining outdoor surfaces or moving furniture and clearing snow covered sidewalks, Elaine is always eager to assist whenever possible and willing to tackle difficult jobs. Her supervisor praises her work ethic and determination to accomplish all assigned tasks in a timely manner.
According to County Administrator Michael J. Petit de Mange, “Elaine has been consistently outstanding every day since the start. Elaine is always very industrious, thoughtful, innovative, and ready to do whatever needs to be done, and she’s a joy to be around. In my book she is a model County Employee.”
Congratulations Elaine!
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