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!
Kent County Department Heads have selected ELAINE A. MONFORTE from the Facilities Management Office as the October 2021 Employee of the Month.
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 on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected PATRICIA M. ORONA from the Recorder of Deeds office as the September 2021 Employee of the Month.
Pat serves as the Deed Clerk III and has worked for Kent County since September 1995. Her primary duties include supervision of assigned staff and assisting attorneys and the public with the satisfaction of mortgages, tax liens and corporation papers required to be recorded as well as other types of legal documents. Pat was previously recognized as the Employee of the Month in March 1990 when she was a Deed Clerk II.
Local attorneys and title searchers have come to rely on Pat for her expertise and willingness to help. No matter who the customer is Pat will work tirelessly to help find the correct documentation to satisfy an old mortgage or help educate them on the process involved with transferring property from one party to another.
According to Recorder of Deeds, BettyLou McKenna, “Pat Orona is one of Kent County’s longtime and most valuable employees, definitely a team player with loads of knowledge about the deeds office and the other county departments as well. With more than 20 years of employment with Kent County, Pat has helped thousands of visitors to the County and goes above and beyond her specified duties to make sure they get where they need to go and to whom they need to see. Pat is pleasant and courteous to the customers both at the counter and on the phone at all times.”
Congratulations Patty on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected JAMES M. GERARDI from the Department of Public Works as the August 2021 Employee of the Month.
Jim serves as Maintenance Supervisor in the Division of Wastewater Facilities and has worked for Kent County since July 2006. His primary duty is to supervise 13 Maintenance Mechanics in the completion of various wastewater collection system maintenance tasks including installation and repair of operating pumps, valves, electrical controls, piping, and any other integral components in wastewater operations. Jim was previously recognized as the Employee of the Month in June 2010 when he was a Maintenance Mechanic III.
According to supervisors, Jim was instrumental in coordinating with subcontractors, DelDOT and employees during a recent restoration project involving 5 deteriorating manholes located within paved highway rights of way across the County. He also recently directed maintenance staff work for the north aeration basin project at the Regional Resource Recovery Facility including reinstallation of the aeration lines and diffusers.
According to Public Works Director Diana Golt, “Jim has an incredible work ethic and steps up each time a major project needs manpower or an emergency situation develops such as a force man break. His leadership and communication skills have proven vital for timely completion of these and many other projects. He truly is an asset to Kent County.”
Congratulations Jim on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected ROSE M. WURZEL from the Register of Wills Office as the July 2021 Employee of the Month.
Rose started with Kent County in July 2011 as a Clerk-Typist in the Economic Development Office and transferred to the Wills Clerk II position in the Wills Office in August 2020. Her primary duties include greeting the public, answering the telephone, and cross indexing and filing correspondence and legal documents. Rose is also responsible for entering copious amounts of data into the computerized records system and maintaining will and estate records for the Office.
Supervisors report that Rose is very thorough and receives many compliments on her ability to assist departments or the general public in researching information.
According to Kent County Register of Wills Harold K. Brode, “Rose is extremely organized and a great addition to this Office. She is always eager to learn and welcomes change whenever necessary. Rose’s selection as Employee of the Month is an honor she well deserves.”
Congratulations Rose on a job well done!
Kent County Department Heads have selected GINA N. HAMILTON from the Department of Finance as the June 2021 Employee of the Month.
Gina currently serves as a Tax Clerk III in the Tax Office and has worked for Kent County since June 2016, when she was hired as an entry level Tax Clerk I. Her primary duties include serving as team leader and assisting with training of new Tax Office staff as well as overseeing the monitions process for collecting delinquent taxes and sewer, preparing and submitting daily bank deposits, verifying tax and sewer account payments for accuracy and proper account application, managing the mortgage company escrow correspondence, assisting the Sheriff’s Office by providing account information for Mortgage Foreclosures, and prepares and submitting refund requests for over payments on tax accounts, among other duties.
According to Director of Finance Susan Durham, “Gina is extremely organized and works diligently through the cumbersome Monitions process. She is what we like to call our “Resident Tax Expert” and assists all staff with more complex account issues. She is always eager to learn and welcomes change whenever necessary. Her selection as Employee of the Month is an honor Gina well deserves.”
Congratulations Gina 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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