Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Workforce Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Inyo County celebrates first Eastern Sierra Leadership Academy graduates and annual employee service awards
Summary
The board recognized more than 30 graduates from a new local Leadership Academy run with the CSAC Institute and presented service pins to multiple county employees across departments.
The Inyo County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 21 honored more than 30 county employees who completed the county’s first Eastern Sierra County Leadership Academy, a program delivered locally by the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Institute. The board also presented standard service‑anniversary pins and certificates to staff across several departments.
County Chief Executive Officer Nate Greenberg said the Leadership Academy was introduced last year in partnership with the CSAC Institute to strengthen internal leadership and succession within county government. "This was an incredible, first step," Greenberg said, describing a program that involved roughly 10 instructor courses (11 were offered) plus a group capstone project designed to build cross‑department collaboration.
CSAC Institute representatives described the program and congratulated graduates. The CSAC Institute delegation included a CSAC executive and the Institute COO, who praised the county for bringing high‑quality faculty to the Eastern Sierra so staff need not travel to Sacramento for training.
Why it matters: Greenberg and CSAC officials framed the academy as an early investment in retaining and developing local government talent, with several academy projects already slated for implementation in the coming months.
Who was recognized: Graduates called by name during the ceremony included Holly Albert, Tim Bachman, Laurie Bangochia, Melissa Bess Baker, Penny Brown, Gina Ellis, Michael Arante, Courtney Gerandon, Erin Holmberg, Janice Jackson, Crystal Leonard, Juan Martinez, Brianne Nellums Vellums, Harry Oney, Jerry Osser, Sarah Peterson, Shannon Platt, Brianna Reid, Rochelle Romo, Dylan Shaddar, Mark Smith, Tyson Sparrow, David Stottlemyer, Stephanie Tanski, Mikaela Torres, John Caro Bello, Yodi Benker, Danielle Visiano, Morningstar Wagoner and Julie Weiner, among others. Departments represented included Water, Public Works, Health and Human Services, Sheriff’s Office, Probation and Airports.
Service awards: The board also presented anniversary pins during a separate employee service recognition segment. Highlights included: - Meredith Jabez (Water) — recognized for five years of service (staff noted she had an earlier stint with the county and returned). - Larry Freilich (Water) — 15 years of service; mitigation projects manager. - Jerry Zatorski (Water) — 25 years; vegetation manager. - Brianne Nellums (Public Works) — 20 years, fiscal work on budgets and grants. - Kristen Feiler — five years as wildfire preparedness coordinator (Administration). - Kenneth Bigham — 10 years with the Sheriff’s Department, promoted to investigator. - Julie Weir — 30 years with Probation; promoted to deputy chief in 2022 and awarded a long‑service recognition.
Quotes drawn from the ceremony: CEO Nate Greenberg described the leadership projects as "extremely high level" and said administration has the "privilege, task, and challenge of implementing those" project recommendations. CSAC Institute speakers noted the Institute’s role as a national model for county leadership development and praised Inyo County for hosting a satellite academy.
Ending: Board members and staff took a group photograph with graduates. Supervisors encouraged continued investment in staff development and praised the honorees' public service.
