Franklin County Commissioners Celebrate Employee Excellence

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – The Franklin County Commissioners recently announced the county’s highest employee honors when naming the recipients of the county’s 2021 SERVICE Value Award winners, the 2021 Employee of the Year and the Community Hero awards .

“The SERVICE Value awards are something that are organic to this organization. We didn’t copy these values from a book; they were chosen because they truly are our values,” said Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller. “I’m grateful to everyone who has received one of these awards in the past and those who continue to exemplify these values. On behalf of the commissioners, our elected officials and county administration, thank you to all of this year’s award winners.”

SERVICE Value Awards

Franklin County’s SERVICE Value Awards recognize those employees whose performance exemplifies and represents one of the county’s seven established values, which, as an acronym, spell S-E-R-V-I-C-E. Employees are nominated by coworkers and recipients are selected by division leaders. Those values and descriptions are:

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

• 2021 Recipient: Andrew Carter, Lieutenant, Franklin County Sheriff’s office

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

• 2021 Recipient: Morgan Yiengst, Human Resources Generalist, Human Resources (Franklin County Employee of the Year)

RESPONSIVENESS: We will deliver on our commitments in a timely manner.

• 2021 Recipient: Hailey Paul, Human Resources Coordinator, Human Resources department

VISIBILITY: We will honestly exchange ideas and information, with the public and coworkers, transparently and respectfully at all times.

• 2021 Recipient: Mary Kay Seville, Planning Coordinator, Franklin County Department of Emergency Services (DES)

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

• 2021 Recipient: Benjamin Sites, Chief Deputy, Franklin County Sheriff’s office

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

• 2021 Recipient: Minnie Goshorn, Director, Franklin County Children and Youth Service (CYS)

ENGAGEMENT: 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.

• 2021 Recipient: Stacy Yurko, Housing Program Specialist, Franklin County Community Connection

Franklin County Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller (left) and Commissioner Bob Ziobrowski present Morgan Yiengst with the 2021 Employee of the Year award.

Employee of the Year

Morgan Yiengst, human resources generalist, received the 2021 Employee of the Year Award. Yiengst has been employed with the county since August 2016 and oversees employee benefits. 

“I cannot believe that I was awarded the achievement of Employee of the Year. I am still in shock and awe over it,” said Yiengst. “This is an accolade held by few and I am honored to have won the 2021 EOY. I look forward to representing my department and the County with this achievement.”

Franklin County’s Employee of the Year is chosen annually from among the county’s 12 Employee of the Month recipients. Yiengst was honored as the January 2021 Employee of the Month when she was recognized for her constant professionalism, responsiveness, compassion and great attitude while helping those around her, often during difficult situations.

Employees of the Month

Those individuals who were recognized as Franklin County Employees of the Month in 2021 were:

Janury: Morgan Yiegnst, Human Resources Generalist, Human Resources

February: Nicole Shindle, Payroll/HRIS Administrator, Human Resources

March: Bradley Mills, Booking/Correctional Officer, Franklin County Jail

April: Libby Strayer, Adult Probation Officer III, Franklin County Adult Probation

May: Mary Kay Seville, Planning Coordinator, DES

June: Kerri Washabaugh, Judicial Secretary, 39th Judicial District Court

July: Kevin Hoffman, Maintenance Worker III, Property Management

August: Michelle Carrington, Caseworker I, CYS

September: Rusty Waltz, Systems Administrator, Information Technology Services

October: Matthew Kendall, Hazardous Materials Specialist, DES

November: Alexis Pennings, Risk Management and Compliance Coordinator (recently promoted to Risk Manager)

December: Benjamin Sites, Chief Deputy, Franklin County Sheriff’s office

2021 Community Hero, Deputy Jeff Sarver

Community Hero Award

Jeff Sarver, a deputy sheriff with the Franklin County Sheriff’s office, was named the 2021 Community Hero award recipient. This honor 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. 

Sarver joined the county in January 2013 and has given selflessly of himself to help others on numerous occasions, always demonstrating calm, patience and tact in difficult situations. Specifically, Sarver received recognition for his efforts that prevented a local teen from committing suicide. Sarver showed empathy, compassion and kindness while talking with the teen. Not only did Sarver’s actions prevent the loss of life and a family’s loss of a second child to suicide, but the teen has since been inspired to pursue a career in law enforcement.

“I’m not only thankful, but I’m humbled to be recognized by my peers for having the privilege to impact the community I work and live in on a daily basis in a positive way,” said Sarver.

The commissioners extended their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to each of these individuals for their hard work and dedication on behalf of Franklin County residents.

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