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Lake County holds semiannual employee service awards, honoring staff from public health to public works
Summary
Lake County recognized dozens of employees at its semiannual service awards, honoring milestones from five to 30 years across departments including animal care, public health, sheriff’s corrections, public works and elections. Long-tenured employees and pandemic-response leaders were singled out for praise.
Lake County held its semiannual employee service awards, recognizing staff across departments for milestones ranging from five to 30 years of service.
Ray Smith, director of Animal Care and Control, introduced kennel coordinator Sarah ShraMM and thanked her for 20 years with the shelter, saying, "She comes in with a smile every day" and called her an "incredible resource" to the department. Genevie Harrington, auditor-controller and county clerk, highlighted two staff members — Dakota Hawket, assistant auditor-controller, and Peter Bazano, property tax manager — for five years of service and technical contributions.
Health Services Director Anthony Ardan presented a five-year award to Deputy Director Kim Tangerman, noting Tangerman’s role in organizing COVID-19 vaccine pod planning, strategic program work, the Safe RX program and the county’s home-visiting efforts. Ardan said Tangerman helped shepherd several public-health programs and community partnerships during her tenure.
Public works leaders honored a string of field and maintenance employees, noting the practical demands of road, bridge and parks work. Lars Yuing, the interim public works director, singled out museum curator Carolyn Burilli for her service since 2015 and noted she will leave the county for an east-coast museum role. Heavy-equipment operators, fleet technicians and long-serving supervisors also received recognition; Chris Prather and Maria Valadez were among those acknowledged for three decades of county service.
Undersheriff Corey Pollich presented awards for corrections, patrol and investigations staff, recognizing deputies and commanders for five to 25 years of service. He also acknowledged dispatch supervisor Kim D'vorak and investigations commander Joe Dutra for long tenures supporting emergency communications and major-crimes work.
Social services and other administrative divisions called many employees forward in a rapid series of acknowledgements, naming staff with five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years of service. Presenters noted some employees were in training or working off-site and that awards would be delivered to those absent.
Throughout the event presenters emphasized institutional knowledge, adaptability and teamwork. For example, officials praised staff who supported the county’s pandemic response, compliance work for behavioral-health programs, and continuity of elections administration. The event closed with board members standing to applaud honorees, a group photo and a scheduled morning break.
The recognitions were ceremonial; no formal votes or policy actions were taken during the session. The awards highlight retention and varied duties across Lake County departments and provide officials an opportunity to publicly thank career staff for sustained service.
