Martha Jones, Public Health Nurse II, was awarded the Dare County Employee of the Month Certificate at the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting held on December 1, 2008. Anne Thomas, Director of the Department of Public Health, presented the award and commented on Jones’ eight years with the Health Department.

“She quickly stood out as a very valuable employee,’’ said Thomas at the meeting. “She has skills that are a resource to others. I am just so proud to have her as a Health Department and County employee.”

Jones began her work in Dare County as the Lead Nurse for child health programs in the Health Department’s clinic and, in 2004, transferred to the position of School Nurse. She started as an elementary school nurse and is presently working at First Flight Middle School.

Thomas went on to say, “Jones epitomizes all that is good about the school health program. She has started a walking program to increase physical activity at the middle school and encourages healthy nutrition.”

Jones serves as a co-chair of the Dare County Asthma Coalition and has coordinated educational programs to teach students and parents about asthma. She also serves as a mentor for teens in the Dare County Friends of Youth Program and has demonstrated her dedication to improving the lives of youth in Dare County.

“Neal is a man that is there before we start work and there after we knock off,” Mann said.  “He can do anything we ask him to do.  “Anything” meaning that Dennis can operate all of the equipment Public Works has.  He obtained a CDL so that he could drive any of the trucks and he can also operate the newly obtained glass crusher. 

“Neal is one of the hardest working people I’ve ever been around,” said Mann.

Janice Williams, Executive Assistant to the County Manager, was recognized as the Dare County Employee of the Month for October 2008 at the October 6 meeting of the Dare County Board of Commissioners.

Williams was presented the award by Dare County Manager, Terry Wheeler. He commented on Williams’ loyalty and his appreciation of her work over her 23 years with Dare County.

“You talk about people you can’t get along without. [Janice] is my right and left arm both“, said Wheeler. “She is a very loyal employee.”

Williams took the position of Administrative Secretary to the County Manager in May 1991 shortly after Wheeler became County Manager. She began her work for Dare County in the Social Services Department in September 1985 as a Clerk/Typist III. Williams moved to the Planning Department in July 1987 and remained there until taking the position in the manager’s office.

Congratulations go to Janice Williams, Dare County Employee of the Month for October 2008.

Lieutenant Paul Cagiano of the Dare County Emergency Medical Services Department (EMS) was presented the Employee of the Month Award during the September 15 meeting of the Dare County Commissioners.

Public Safety Director Skeeter Sawyer introduced Cagiano to the Commissioners and the community and presented the award.

“Paul is an employee we can all depend on for answers. His skills as a medical technician working with patients on a call and his ability to work well with his coworkers are invaluable,” said Sawyer in making the presentation.

Sawyer also added that Cagiano’s staff loves him dearly and that he is as dependable as a rock. Cagiano is a paramedic and shift supervisor at EMS Station 1 in Kill Devil Hills. He has been with Dare County EMS for 17 years.

Cagiano is married and lives in Southern Shores with his wife. He also serves with the Southern Shores Volunteer Fire Department as a Lieutenant and is also a board member of the Dare County SPCA. He has lived in the area since 1985 when he moved here from the Washington, D.C. area.

“I knew something was up when they asked me to be there that morning,” said Cagiano of the day he was recognized. “Honestly, I am honored by the fact that one of my peers thought I was deserving of the award.”

Congratulations are extended to Lieutenant Paul Cagiano, Dare County’s September Employee of the Month.

Nancy Huff, Children’s Services Supervisor, is the Dare County Employee of the Month for August 2008. Jay Burrus, Social Services Director, presented Huff with the award certificate at the August 4, 2008 Dare County Board of Commissioners Meeting.

Nancy supervises the Foster Care program at Social Services, and according to Burrus, she knows the foster care issues and court procedures well.

“Under [Nancy’s] leadership we have been able to decrease our Foster Care workloads over the years by using some innovative ideas,” Burrus commented.

Huff came to work in Dare County in 1992, and was promoted to Children’s Services Supervisor in 2004.

Nancy is also very active with Dare CASA, which Burrus said is very relevant and important to Huff’s job since so many of their cases involve substance abuse. She is a great public servant and is very concerned about child welfare.

Congratulations to Nancy Huff, Dare County’s Employee of the Month for August 2008.

John Daniels, Superintendent of Parks for Dare County Parks & Recreation, was awarded the Employee of the Month Certificate at the July 21, 2008 Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting. Tim White, Public Service Director, presented Daniels with the award.

“If you were looking for the ideal employee or the ideal person, I think anyone in the Parks and Recreation Department or anyone in the county would say that person is John Daniels,” White commented.

White also described Daniels as someone who is always there when needed and who never questions why. He said Daniels exhibits professionalism that is second to none, and that he usually does the jobs that need to be done before he is even asked to do them.

Daniels has been with Dare County for 23 years. He joined the Parks and Recreation Department in July 1985. He has lived in Manteo his entire life along with his family, many of whom were at the meeting for the award presentation. Daniels said it is a wonderful feeling to receive the award.

“I didn’t have a clue,” commented Daniels about being surprised with the award. “Until I walked in and saw my family, I didn’t know anything.”

Congratulations to John Daniels, Dare County’s July 2008 Employee of the Month.

Wendy Hemilright, Tax Administrator, received the Dare County Employee of the Month Certificate for June from Michelle Evans, Tax Collector, at the June 2, 2008 meeting of the Dare County Board of Commissioners.

Hemilright started working for Dare County in March, 1992, and has spent all 15 years in the tax collections office. She has earned five promotions due to her work habits. She currently serves as the staff member responsible for collection of the Food and Beverage tax for the county. 

In presenting the award, Evans commented, ``Wendy is most deserving of this honor. She has completely overhauled the collection process for Food and Beverage from top to bottom. She implemented a new computer system and collected all the problem and delinquent accounts.’’ 

Hemilright resides in East Lake with her husband, Ted, who works at the navy Bombing range.

In her comments to the commissioners, Evans emphasized Hemilright’s report accuracy, hard work and friendliness with coworkers. ``Wendy has developed a wonderful relationship with her people and has earned their respect in the process. She is a wonderful person to work with each day.’’

Deputy Robert Moore of the Dare County Sheriff’s Office received the Employee of the Month Award for May 2008.  Chief Deputy Philip Etheridge presented the award to Moore. 

According to Etheridge, Moore has done outstanding work with the Sheriff’s Office since his arrival. 

“[Moore] is an excellent officer and a good worker,” Etheridge said. 

Moore was raised in Roper in Washington County and attended college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He received a Bachelor’s of Science in Industrial Relations with a double major in Political Science from UNC.  He then attended Central Michigan where he received a Masters Degree in management and supervision.  He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. 

Moore now lives in Manns Harbor with his wife Ronda.  He has been with the Dare County Sheriff’s Office for one year and enjoys his job as well as the people he works with. 

“I work with outstanding individuals and the Dare County Sheriff’s Office is an outstanding organization,” Moore said after receiving the Employee of the Month Certificate.  “Receiving the award was a complete surprise, and receiving it is a reflection on the quality of the entire Sheriff’s Office.”  

Congratulations to Deputy Robert Moore, the Dare County Employee of the Month for May 2008.

Sheriff Midgett read the letters Simmons’ co-workers sent to the Employee of the Month Committee when nominating her.  The letters contained Simmons’ co-workers thoughts about a dedicated and valuable worker who they are proud to work with. 

“Corporal Simons always arrives to work early and greets everyone with a smile on her face,” said one co-worker.  “Corporal Simmons is always looking for new ideas that will help make the Dare County Detention Center better.” 

Sheriff Midgett went on to read other comments about the job Corporal Simmons does. 

“She motivates by her attitude and willingness to help.  If anyone needs help on any shift, they can always approach Corporal Simmons.”   

“She is a huge asset to not only the shift, but the whole facility.  She is a faithful servant who helps our sergeant and our whole shift be better for the county.”  

Simmons is hard working and has earned the respect of her co-workers.  She has now also earned the distinction of Dare County Employee of the Month for April 2008.

Pam Tate is the Dare County Employee of the Month for January 2008.  Pam was recognized at the January 7, 2008 Dare County Board of Commissioners Meeting.

Pam is an Emergency Medical Technician Intermediate with Dare County EMS.  She has been on the job with Dare County since August of 2000 but has lived in Manteo for the past 23 years.  She is originally from West Virginia, but she loves the fact that she is now in Dare County.

“I do what I love, and I enjoy working here,” Pam said. 

William “Skeeter” Sawyer, Director of Public Safety, presented Pam with the award.  Sawyer had plenty of praise for his employee.  He described her as someone who will do any job needed of her.  She also sets a good example for coworkers. 

“[Pam] is an inspiration on difficult days,” Sawyer said.  “She is out there day in and day out.”

Sawyer went on to describe Pam as very knowledgeable and as a person who keeps an upbeat frame of mind in most any situation.

“Pam is always delightful, even under harsh conditions she faces while carrying out her duties,” said Sawyer.

Congratulations to Pam Tate, the Dare County Employee of the Month for January 2008.