The Nevada County Board Chambers was packed as Supervisors announced the winners of the annual Employee Recognition Awards. County staff nominated over 135 of their peers in eight categories.
Here is the photo gallery of all the winners and below is the list of all nominees and winners for this year’s awards, with winners’ names in bold. Congratulations to all and thank you for your service to Nevada County.
Lauriana Cecchi, Clerk of the Board Office – Above & Beyond Employee of the Year
Thomas Maioli, Cannabis Policy & Compliance – Innovative Employee of the Year
Public Infrastructure Excellence Team – HPO in Action Employee or Team of the Year (tie)
Eligibility & Employment Team – Public Infrastructure Excellence Team – HPO in Action Employee or Team of the Year (tie)
Graham Gardemeyer, Public Health – Volunteer or Intern of the Year
Lorie Hennessey, IGS – Rookie of the Year
Biomass Project: IGS, OES, Public Works, Roads Maint, Env Health, Solid Waste- Collaborative Employee or Team of the Year
Aubree Burkholder, Library – Supervisor of the Year
Cindy Morgan, Behavioral Health – Employee of the Year
Employee of the Year Cindy Morgan and her family with Supervisor Hall
Above And Beyond Employee Of The Year
Lauriana Cecchi, Clerk of the Board
Shawna Cresswell, Auditor-Controller
Amanda Dowd, Sheriff
Rachel Gicker, Information & General Services
Douglas Johnson, County Counsel
Kathryn Kestler, Public Health
Linda Luchessa, Sheriff – Truckee
Thomas McHugh, Behavioral Health
Kelly McKinley, CEO’s Office
Lexine Moyer, Public Works
Hannah Needham, Social Services
Melody O’Shea, District Attorney
Lauren Plantenga, Library
Sharon Reid, Social Services
Jeanette Smith, Assessor
Nancy Stewart, Social Services
Lauriana Cecchi, Clerk of the Board Office – Above & Beyond Employee of the Year
Innovative Employee Of The Year
Brittany Blake, Library
Shannon Glaz, Public Health
Thomas Maioli, Cannabis Policy & Compliance
Lexine Moyer, Public Works
Thomas Maioli, Cannabis Policy & Compliance – Innovative Employee of the Year
HPO in Action – Employee or Team of the Year (Tie)
Lauriana Cecchi, Clerk of the Board
Joshua Denney, Waste Water
Craig Griesbach, IGS Administration
Matthew McDermott, Assessor
Sandy Philpott, IGS Administration
Assessor’s Office
Imelda Ayala Julia Main
Nattalie Brown Jenn Mangini
Kendra Camillo Ammie Nelson
Joanna George Karen Park
Zoe Harrington Yaneya Rovira
Brandon Hoffert Alma Rowe
Calli Huber Jeanette Smith
Rolf Kleinhans Celia Tate
Stephanie Lanza Ernie Thompson
Clarissa Leite Ferreira Jenifer Triplett
Evan Lombardo Megan Woodruff
Matt McDermott Carson Zeigler
Vanessa McLaughlin
Behavioral Health All-Staff Planning Committee
Elizabeth Aloisa Megan Murphy
Beth Kemplin Katherine Walden
Jordan Damm Charlie White
Ellen Glass Alisa Wood
Nikolas Jones
DEICB Workgroup
Milada Belohlavek, Social Services Candace Pelham, HHSA Administration
Rachel Gicker, Information Systems Rachel Peña, Social Services
Shannon Harney, Public Health Melanie Samuels, Social Services
Brie Mendoza-Perez, HHSA Administration April Smith, Social Services
Jennifer Montierth, Human Resources Cari Yardley, Behavioral Health
Eligibility & Employment Team
Laurie Ackerman Sara Fields Valerie Prows
Euriel Adame Meri Fisher Sharon Reid
Mellissa Alisch Walter Ford Jason Robertson
Frances Allen Danielle Funk Debra Rodriguez
Michele Balducci Karina Gonzales Tiffani Rooney
Elizabeth Bell Teresa Gonzales Melissa Rose
Austin Burgess Sarah Griffin-Boubacar Sandra Ryan
Diane Burns Shelbi Hawkins Vilma Salazar Rivas
Phelan Burns Elizabeth Hay Melanie Samuels
Michelle Carrillo Kelly Hixson Daniel Schooling
Morgan Chatham Uchechi Kalu Candice Shepard
Crystal Clark Sirci Kinney Tyler Simmons
Tamaran Cook Kristina Kuca Sylvan Sizemore
O’Hara Cooper Robert Lackey April Smith
Shelly Cruise Lori Lane Karen Solis
Kari D’Aloisio Jane Leedy Brittany Thompson
Angila Davis Jennifer Loper Zoe Toffaleti
Tracy Davis Colleen McGinley Erika Valdez
Ina Dekker Patricia Martin Iris Vineyard
Isabella Dillavou Jennifer Moon Tamara Watson
Joseph Douville Ana Moreno Nicole Weaver
Arianne Duperron Rebecca Neilson Raelynn Wheeler
Elizabeth Dyer Jaymie Nicholson Reanna Winterholler
Ryan Faris Kelly O’Connell Kelley Workman
Daisy Fields Kristin Plante Marcie Yarborough
Environmental Health Department Team 2024
Lauren Booth Catrie Levenson
Drew Cline Carrie McReynolds
Amy Irani Antonia Powers
Nicole Johnson
Public Infrastructure Excellence Team
Waste Water Department
John Corso Daniel Quealy
Joshua Denney Brad Rist
Sean Dominguez Josh Shaw
Tanner Heflin Matthew Spillner
Trevor Howe Shawn Sullivan
Chad McBride Mike Toller
Patrick Maloney Brad Torres
Isaac Novander Kyle Torres
Risk Management Department
Brittni Inks
Kelly McKinley
Roads/Fleet Equipment Procurement
Josh Hylinski, Fleet
Roland Loeloff, Fleet
Amanda Ellis, CDA Administration
Patty Royston, CDA Administration
Tyler Deschaine, Roads Maintenance
Colten Gould, Roads Maintenance
John Veasey, Roads Maintenance
Veterans Services Department
Nicole Carter
Traci Hart
Jessica Launier
David West
Eligibility & Employment Team
Public Infrastructure Excellence Team
Volunteer or Intern of the Year
Ben Findley, CEO’s Office
Cortney Kesterson, Public Defender
Diana Dresbach, Sheriff
Graham Gardemeyer, Public Health
Jan Sweyer, Library
Karen Inman, Human Resources
Mitch Boothe, Sheriff
Volunteer or Intern of the Year
Rookie of the Year
Daniel Amezola, IGS Administration
Nicole Carter, Veterans Services
Joshua Dellis, Behavioral Health
Patrick Eidman, CEO’s Office
Jaclyn Graham, Library
Colleen Hayes, Behavioral Health
Lorie Hennessey, Office of Emergency Services
Blaine Inglis, Clerk of the Board
Amanda Kremple, Social Services
Stephanie Lanza, Assessor
Heather Madison, Behavioral Health
Megan Murphy, Behavioral Health
Chelsea Prins, Social Services
Daniel Quealy, Waste Water
Owen Sleeth, Facilities Management
Karla Vasquez, Environmental Health
Haley Wall, Sheriff – Corrections
Rookie of the Year
Collaborative Employee or Team of the Year
Scott Aaron, Information Systems
Brittany Blake, Library
Rachel Gicker, Information Systems
2025 School Backpack Team
(Child Support Services Department)
Josie Garcia
Kyla Hamlin
Monica L’Etoile
Chelsea Skalisky
Annual Report & New Construction Brochure Group
(Assessor’s Office)
Joanna George Stephanie Lanza
Zoe Harrington Matt McDermott
Brandon Hoffert Celia Tate
Calli Huber Megan Woodruff
APS/NCSO Mobile Crisis Team
Anna Garrison, Sheriff Office Jammie McIntosh, Social Services
Stacy Green, Sheriff Office Travis Reid, Sheriff Office
Amanda Kremple, Social Services Bryan Travis, Sheriff Office
Auditor’s Office ERP Team
Laurie Austin Andy Fox
Luke Baggett Elena Gagnie
Acacia Daniels Michael Graham
County Compass Project Team
Barry Anderson, CEO’s Office Andy Fox, Auditor-Controller
Georgette Aronow, Sheriff Administration Elena Gagnie, Auditor-Controller
Laurie Austin, Auditor-Controller Michael Graham, Auditor-Controller
Luke Baggett, Auditor-Controller Rachel Gicker, Information Systems
Desiree Belding, Purchasing Caitlin McBride, Information & General Services
Michelle Bodley, Treasurer-Tax Collector Brandi McManus, Human Resources
Aubree Burkholder, Library Krysta Malonson, Human Resources
Alicia Chaturvedula, CDA Administration Brie Mendoza-Perez, HHSA Administration
Jenny Comperda, CEO’s Office Kevin Pedersen, Information Systems
Acacia Daniels, Auditor-Controller Sebastian Roberts, Information Systems
Vera De Ferrari, CDA Administration Mark Sealander, Information Systems
Shauneen Deschaine, Treasurer-Tax Collector Elise Strickler, Information & General Services
District Attorney’s Office
Micah Arbaugh Helenaz Moteabbed Hill
Casey Ayer Alicia Nottingham
Jacqueline Britton Lori Nunnink
Amelia Brunkhorst Melody O’Shea
David Cahill Henry Penaluna
Erin Cerles Olga Phillips
Ashlyn Clark Josanna Rentz
Brandon Corchero David Reynolds
Jennifer Cruddas Esteban Salinas
Ailee Cunningham Isaac Silverman
Michelle Donovan Lauren Smith
Lucas Dunn Lydia Stuart
Stephanie Fischer Ladonna Talbot
Tatiana Gamache Gregory Tassone
Madison Maxwell Amelia Vogt
Social Services Foster Care and Adoptions Team
Deirdre Day Faye Hignight
Ruby Jean De Quiroz Kristina Kuca
Walter Ford Jane Leedy
Cheryl Gonzales April Smith
Mimi Greminger Brittany Thompson
Lori Hansen Mark Wyly
Housing & Community Services/Public Health Fiscal Team
(HHSA Administration)
Laura Adair, HHSA Administration
Jennifer Hondel, HHSA Administration
Elsie Poplin, HHSA Administration
Sharon Voss, HHSA Administration
Chad Wingo, HHSA Administration
Health & Wellness Team
(Public Health)
Corrine Amezcua Jennifer Kemppinen
Brooke Bruning Elias Ortiz
Shannon Glaz Shauna Schultz
Toby Guevin Jennifer Winders
Jamie Hanf
IS Desktop Services Team
Scott Aaron Russel Klinstiver
Colleen Fletcher Adam Lemay
Adam Greene Joshua Simmons
John Joyner Ariana Woods
IST Response Team
Benjamin Hertel, Probation
Casey Ayer, District Attorney
Hayley Dewey, Public Defender
Kelly Miner-Gann, Behavioral Health
Linkages 2.0
Faye Hignight, Social Services
Jennifer Loper, Social Services
Public Health Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Team
Debra Ashlock-Dugan
Dorene Grady
Alison O’Connor
Jeana McHugh
Nevada County Behavioral Health Billing Team
Celestial Dover
Amanda Long
Bonny Long
Jennifer Ramirez
Nevada County Biomass Taskforce
Daniel Amezola, IGS Administration
Lexine Moyer, Public Works Administration
Michelle Garcia, Roads Engineering
Ron Nunnink, Facilities Management
Catrie Levenson, Environmental Health
Pat Perkins, Roads Engineering
Kelli McDaniel, Office of Emergency Services
Steve Renz, Office of Emergency Services
Ricky Martinez, Office of Emergency Services
Shelly Romriell, Public Works Administration
Stacy Manning, Solid Waste
Brad Torres, Waste Water
Julie Miller, Solid Waste
John Veasey, Roads Maintenance
Nevada County Fiscal/Budget Team
Barry Anderson, CEO’s Office Sarah Holyhead, CEO’s Office
Benjamin Findley, CEO’s Office Erin Mettler, CEO’s Office
Ellen Glass, Behavioral Health Mindy Trygg, Auditor-Controller
Nevada County Library Youth Services
Tricia Caspers-Ross Piret Griffith
Xenia Dieter Donna Morello
Jaclyn Graham Emily Phillips
Health & Wellness Team
(Public Health)
Adriana Aguilera Jamie Hanf
Corinne Amezcua Erin Jasper
Devin Bradley Jennifer Kemppinen
Brooke Bruning Isabel Lopez
Julie DeHollander Elias Ortiz
Sonia Diaz Melissa Rojko
Shannon Glaz Jaime Thibodeau
Toby Guevin Debra Wilson
Office of Emergency Services Department
Paul Cummings Courtney Personeni
Alexander Geritz Steven Renz
Antonio Kinderman Alessandra Zambrano
Kelli McDaniel Alexander Zekanoski
Ricky Martinez
Recreation Fair Team
Shavati Karki-Pearl, Planning
Erik Marquis, Volunteer
George Schureck, Building Inspection
Bo VandenBos, Building Inspection
Technical Operations Team
Scott Aaron Russ Klinstiver
Menad Abdous Adam Lemay
Ross Beatie Brian Marlow
Justin Dieter Philip Marlow
Colleen Fletcher Brandon Roberts
Adam Greene Josh Simmons
John Joyner
Young Entrepreneur Pitch Team
Jeff Dellis, CEO’s Office
Kimberly Parker, CDA Administration
Heidi Hall, Board of Supervisors
Lisa Swarthout, Board of Supervisors
Collaborative Employee or Team of the Year
Supervisor of the Year
Aubree Burkholder, Library
Shelbi Hawkins, Social Services
Kelly Carpenter, Social Services
Kelsey Hess, Code Compliance
Carissa Cyr, Clerk of the Board
Brittni Inks, Risk Management
James Edwards, Building Inspection
Priya Kannall, Behavioral Health
Kit Elliott, County Counsel
Andrea Lehmkuhl, HHSA Administration
Toby Guevin, Public Health
Catrie Levenson, Environmental Health
Beth Hare, Sheriff – Corrections
Jennifer McCormack, Sheriff – Corrections
Colleen Hayes, Behavioral Health
Elise Strickler, IGS Administration
Supervisor of the Year
Employee of the Year
Scott Aaron, Information Systems
Jennifer Hondel, HHSA Administration
Lauriana Cecchi, Clerk of the Board
Priya Kannall, Behavioral Health
Shauneen Deschaine, Treasurer-Tax Collector
Cassandra Keyes, Child Support Services
Michael Graham, Auditor-Controller
Jennifer Loper, Social Services
Jamie Hanf, Public Health
Cindy Morgan, Behavioral Health
Lori Hansen, Social Services
Kaylin Silkwood, Social Services
Faye Hignight, Social Services
Nancy Stewart, Social Services
Jamie Hogenson, County Counsel
Sharon Voss, HHSA Administration
Employee of the Year – Cindy Morgan
According to the county’s news release:
As the program manager in Children’s Behavioral Health, Morgan has developed a team of incredible therapists and case managers who provide high-quality care to the most vulnerable young people in the county.
Driven by a passion to provide better services to those in need, Morgan established a Crisis Response Team to support community members in the aftermath of crises. The team is trained in the National Organizations for Victims Advocacy Community Crisis Response protocol and Morgan has led this team in supporting community members after difficult events so that people can process their trauma and reduce the long-term psychological impacts of their experience.
Morgan has also been the driving force in implementing early psychosis intervention treatment in Nevada County, a service usually only offered in urban areas. Early identification and treatment of symptoms like hallucinations and delusions can dramatically reduce the severity and duration of the symptoms and change the trajectory of a person’s life.
Morgan’s passion for always improving and providing the best possible service has set a high bar. As a result, her team has developed a well-deserved reputation for excellence and is often called upon to help during times of crisis.
“Cindy has set the example for all of us by role-modeling kindness and humility while maintaining professionalism with employees and families we serve,” said the nominating statement by Nevada County Children’s Behavioral Health department. “Her hard work impacts our community deeply. She has created a culture of safety and connection that feels like family.”