News Detail

Franklin County Commissioners Recognize Employee Excellence

Commissioners

March 17, 2021

A person in uniform, wearing a mask, holds an award.
2020 Community Hero – Adult Probation Officer III Travis Newman

The Franklin County Commissioners recently recognized the 2020 SERVICE Value Award winners and named both the Community Hero and the Employee of the Year. These awards are Franklin County Government’s highest employee honors. 

“Presenting these awards reminds us all of what great people we have working for the County,” said Chairman Commissioner Dave Keller.

SERVICE Value Award winners are co-worker nominated and selected by division leaders based on their performance as it represents one of seven established Franklin County values, which, as an acronym, spell S-E-R-V-I-C-E. The following are descriptions of each award and the 2020 award winners:

The 2020 Value Winners for S-E-R-V-I-C-E

STEWARDSHIP – Nicole Shindle, Payroll/HRIS Administrator, Human Resources

Balancing efficiency and flexibility with fiscal discipline, we will seek sustainable resources, practice long-term planning, and be prudent when using resources.

EMPLOYEES – Marlies Ries, Accounting Information Systems/Accounting Manager, Fiscal

We will value individuals’ contributions to the organization and provide encouragement, opportunities and resources to support them in reaching their maximum potential.

RESPONSIVENESS – Olivia Hawbecker, Administrative Assistant II, Fiscal

We will deliver on our commitments in a timely manner.

VISIBILITY – Kathy West, Secretary II, Human Resources

We will honestly exchange ideas and information, with the public and co-workers, transparently and respectfully at all times.

INTEGRITY – Jeffrey Scott, Deputy Warden, Jail Administration

We will strictly adhere to the moral, legal and ethical principles underlying our operations and service delivery.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT – Jean Byers, Deputy Chief Clerk, Commissioners’ Office

We will hone our processes, our services, and ourselves, knowing that big results come from many small changes over time.

ENGAGEMENT – Magdalena Radovic-Moreno, Archive Director, Archives

We will work together to incorporate the needs, assets and perspectives of all aspects of the community into the design, implementation and delivery of programs.

2020 COMMUNITY HERO AWARD:

The 2020 COMMUNITY HERO AWARD is presented to an employee who has gone above and beyond the call of duty to improve, or save, the lives of Franklin County residents. 

The 2020 Community Hero Award was presented to Adult Probation Officer III Travis Newman for his bravery and quick actions which saved the life of a community member. Officer Newman acted quickly to extinguish flames in a hotel room fire and searched the room for a person said to be trapped. The individual was found and was assisted to safety. 

“It’s really a pleasure every day to come in to help people. That’s my goal and the department’s goal,” said Officer Travis Newman.

“[Officer Newman] exemplifies exactly what you would expect from the finest probation and parole officers in the state of Pennsylvania,” said President Judge Shawn D. Meyers.

Above photo (left to right): Commissioner John Flannery, Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller, 2020 Community Hero - Adult Probation Officer III Travis Newman, President Judge Shawn D. Meyers, Deputy Chief of Adult Probation Geoffrey Willett, and CommissionerBob Ziobrowski

Above photo (left to right): Commissioner John Flannery, Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller, 2020 Community Hero – Adult Probation Officer III Travis Newman, President Judge Shawn D. Meyers, Deputy Chief of Adult Probation Geoffrey Willett, and Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski.

2020 EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD:

The 2020 Employee of the Year Award was presented to Marlies Ries, an AIS/Accounting Manager in the Fiscal department. Mariles’ role is one requiring excellent working relationships and collaboration between different individuals, departments and organizations and in many complex situations. No matter the circumstance, Mariles always rises to the challenge. She is constantly working with others and providing guidance, support and assistance in whatever manner is needed. Marlies is always willing to step in to do something new and works to improve processes along the way. 

“This recognition is an honor and very humbling since only one person gets it and because it should really belong to a whole group of people,” said Marlies Ries. 

Above: 2020 Employee of the Year Award Winner, Marlies Ries, AIS/Accounting Manager, Fiscal

Above: 2020 Employee of the Year Award Winner, Marlies Ries, AIS/Accounting Manager, Fiscal

Pictured above (left to right): Commissioner John Flannery, Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller, 2020 Employee of the Year - AIS/Accounting Manager Marlies Ries, and Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski

Pictured above (left to right): Commissioner John Flannery, Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller, 2020 Employee of the Year – AIS/Accounting Manager Marlies Ries, and Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski

The 2020 Employees of the Month

– January – Brady Strite, Department of Emergency Services, Telecommunicator I

– February – James Powell, Sheriff’s Office, Security Guard Casual

– March – Jeff Sarver, Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriff

– April – James Runshaw, Information Technology Services, Application Support Specialist

– May – Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources, Director of Human Resources

– June – Sharon Beaver, Custodial, Director of Custodial Service

– July – Marlies Ries, Fiscal, AIS/Accounting Manager

– August – Tracy Radtke, MH/IDD/EI, Mental Health Program Specialist I

– September – Travis Newman, Adult Probation, Adult Probation Officer III

– October – Marianna Stratigos, Controller ’s Department, Lead Accounts Payable Specialist

– November – Kimberly Brookens, Children & Youth Services, Administrative Officer

– December – Angel Laviena, Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriff

2020 Employees of the Month, pictured above: (standing, left to right) Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller; Commissioner John Flannery; James Runshaw, Information Technology Services, Application Support Specialist; Travis Newman, Adult Probation, Adult Probation Officer III; Angel Laviena, Sheriff's Office, Deputy Sheriff; Sharon Beaver, Custodial, Director of Custodial Service; Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski (seated, left to right) Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources, Director of Human Resources; Marlies Ries, Fiscal, AIS/Accounting Manager; Kimberly Brookens, Children & Youth Services, Administrative Officer

2020 Employees of the Month, pictured above: (standing, left to right) Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller; Commissioner John Flannery; James Runshaw, Information Technology Services, Application Support Specialist; Travis Newman, Adult Probation, Adult Probation Officer III; Angel Laviena, Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Sheriff; Sharon Beaver, Custodial, Director of Custodial Service; Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski (seated, left to right) Tiffany Bloyer, Human Resources, Director of Human Resources; Marlies Ries, Fiscal, AIS/Accounting Manager; Kimberly Brookens, Children & Youth Services, Administrative Officer

The Commissioners each extend their heartfelt gratitude for the hard work of all these individuals and for their dedication to Franklin County residents.