Hanover County honors 90 employees at 2026 service awards

Hanover County recognized 90 employees on May 13, 2026 during a service awards program at county headquarters, honoring public‑works staff, first responders, clerks and other long‑tenured employees for 15 to 40 years of service.

“Your service makes a lasting impact, and it’s noticed,” Chairman Davis said as he thanked staff for representing the county at the front line of public service. The program proceeded department by department, with supervisors reading citations and recipients posing for group photographs.

County Administrator Mr Badeski used closing remarks to announce two employee initiatives: a revamped employee online store and an internal intranet the county will call the Hanover Vine, intended to centralize policies, org charts and employee resources. “The internet will be the Hanover Vine,” he said, adding the county plans department pages, photos and a searchable site so employees can find contacts and policies “at your fingertips.”

The board also introduced Hanover’s legacy walk, a retirement brick program that will honor employees who retired after 15 or more years of service and hold a dedication May 22; organizers said a website will let retirees and family members find engraved bricks online.

The event included presentations across multiple departments — animal protection, building inspections, public utilities, fire & EMS, IT, parks and recreation, public works, and social services — and singled out individuals whose tenure the county said contributed to operational continuity, safety and community services. The board recessed to the regular meeting following the recognition program.