Salem County honors Diane Ford for 45 years in county engineering

The Salem County Board of County Commissioners presented a formal citation Feb. 18 honoring Diane Ford for more than 45 years of service in the county engineering department. County staff read the citation that credited Ford’s decades of service and noted her work between federal, state and county transportation offices.

Diane Ford (Speaker 5) accepted the recognition and addressed the board, recounting that she began work in the early 1980s and describing several supervisors and colleagues who influenced her career. She thanked coworkers, listed multiple former and current staff by name, and praised the teamwork of the county engineer’s office.

“She even said the grace at my wedding reception,” Ford said about a former supervisor; she later told the board she had “really enjoyed working with this team of dedicated professionals who do need their time to uphold the rules of construction and to serve the residents of Salem County.” She also thanked family and named her husband, Dan, among those who supported her.

The board and members of the public present were invited to join Ford during the recognition. Commissioners and constitutional officers issued additional commendations acknowledging her long service.

Why it matters: Long-serving county staff shape institutional knowledge and continuity in public works and permitting; the citation recognizes decades of administrative and program work that supported county engineering, mapping and emergency communications functions.

Next steps: The board’s record notes Ford named two employees (Abby and Jackie) as successors; county staff will follow up to ensure an orderly transition and to record the citation in official minutes.