The Public Employee Salute is a program the honors public employees for their dedication and service to the state of Utah. Winners of the Public Employee Salute are nominated by a peer or by the public for their hard work serving the citizens of Utah.
Each winner is recognized on KSL Radio’s “The Doug Wright Show,” and earns an office work party sponsored by Mountain America Credit Union. In addition, Mountain America and UPEA sponsor a semi-annual luncheon to recognize each winner and present him or her with a certificate signed by Utah Gov. Gary Herbert.
Thank you to all of the winners for your dedication to the state of Utah. If you would like to nominate a co-worker please click here.
Nancy Stucki
She was honored on March 9th.
Nancy Stucki is a Case Manager with the Division of Services for People with Disabilities. For as long as anyone can remember, Nancy has taken a special interest in the disabled community. Each year during the holidays Nancy will purchase, with her own money, a variety of gifts and coordinates with other providers to give them to disabled clients. Her service doesn’t end there, she also volunteers in the community and for her church. Nancy is liked by her clients and maintains relationships for years. If she observes a problem with a past client, Nancy will call their case manager and discuss her concerns. The clients know she genuinely loves them. Nancy identifies solutions, knows the resources in the community, and communicates her knowledge into effective services for everyone’s benefit.
Jordan Wood
He was honored on March 9th.
Jordan Wood is a Micro Systems Analyst with the Salt Lake County Health Department. He is the computer IT person everyone counts on to keep things running smoothly. While Health Inspectors are out in the field performing work that is essential to public health, Jordan works behind the scenes to resolve critical IT issues. If he is in the middle of a project he will skip lunch or work late to ensure the IT systems are functioning properly. Jordan has a high degree of integrity, responsibility, and dedication to his co-workers and the citizens of Salt Lake County. His performance is a direct result of his strong work ethic and character.
Joann Phillips
She was honored on March 23rd.
Joann Phillips is an Account Tech with the Utah State Tax Commission. Recently, there have been many changes in Joann’s department and she has shown that she is a self-motivated team leader. She has taken on her new responsibilities with a positive attitude and has gone one step further by helping her co-workers adjust to their new duties. Whether it is gathering work assignments and delivering them to others or helping locate documents, Joann will take on additional responsibilities to lighten everyone’s workload. In addition, to assisting with other duties, her day-to-day work is always complete and on time. Joann’s nominator says, “She represents our area with the highest quality of leadership.”
Sharon Smalley
She was honored on March 23rd.
Sharon Smalley is a Board Secretary with the Department of Commerce Division of Professional Licensing. Her responsibilities include organizing and overseeing the division’s board meetings. Even though her time is structured around her board duties, she will take the time to assist others with processing applications, sorting mail, or helping other bureaus when they are backlogged. Sharon is not expected to help others, but it is just an example of the type of person she is – Sharon is a shining example of what a good employee is.
Anne Vincent
She was honored on April 6th.
Anne Vincent is employed by the Department of Workforce Services as an Employment Counselor. Anne always treats her customers with respect and dignity, even when she may be approached in a rude or hostile manner. She recently took the time to assist a very angry and agitated client by helping determine why his benefits had been terminated. She was able to help the client provide the necessary verification that he needed to retain his benefits. The customer was very demanding; however, Anne maintained her composure, patience, and politeness. Another client that was helped by Anne, brought her flowers when she was able to assist him with a medical application for his family. Anne’s coworkers see her celebrate and grieve with her clients. She invests in them and works diligently on their behalf.
Beth Bartholomew
She was honored on April 20th.
Beth Bartholomew is an Office Specialist with Provo Vocational Rehabilitation. Beth is considered the “on-site technical guru” for the office. Her co-workers approach Beth for anything computer related. She is patient and able to explain complex technical details in a way that everyone understands. Her knowledge of computer programs makes documents steam-lined and readable. Beth assists the Rehab Counselors with their questions about the AWARE program, which is the agency’s client information system. She also takes on additional duties, tasks, and projects to support her team. Beth’s Public Employee Salute nominator stated that during her transition into her new position, “Beth helped tremendously with suggestions, actions, and encouragement.”
Sandra Osburn
She was honored on April 20th.
Sandra Osburn is employed by Vocational Rehabilitation in Payson. Sandra is an amazing employee who treats clients with respect and dignity. Recently, Sandra received a telephone call from a suicidal client and was able to help resolve the situation with great care and love. The employees in the office are always receiving compliments from clients about Sandy – from her caring attitude to how she puts them at ease. Sandy also volunteers in her community. Each year she assists a group in donating and decorating a tree for the Festival of Trees, she is involved in Humanitarian work and volunteers at her church. Sandy takes great pride in helping others and the agency is so much better because of her.
Lindy Varney
She was honored on May 4th.
Lindy Varney is a licensing specialist for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources. In her position Lindy is asked to handle some very difficult situations including complaints from hunters and anglers regarding their permits. She assists in allocating special permits and addresses public safety and agriculture conflicts caused by wildlife. Lindy always handles these calls in an appropriate and professional manner, even when the caller is upset or angry. As an avid hunter, Lindy puts herself in the clients’ position and uses her personal experience to resolve difficult situations. She always does her best to represent the interests of DWS and the public. Lindy is a tireless worker and very deserving of the Public Employee Salute.
Dan Trujillo
He was honored on May 4th.
Dan Trujillo is a Program Development Director with Salt Lake Community College. Part of his job is providing training for students, staff, and corporations. Whenever Dan makes a presentation or conducts a training session, everyone in attendance agrees that he makes it fun, educational, and well worth their time. He recently conducted a workshop for SLCC employees and would not accept payment for his services, even though it was considered one of the best training sessions of the year. Dan is fun, personable, a great training, and has a wealth of knowledge regarding computers and software. He shines in his job and is appreciated by his coworkers, students, and staff at Salt Lake Community College.
LeAnn Herndon
She was honored on May 18th.
LeeAnn is a Disability Specialist with the Department of Workforce Services. LeeAnn is a physically active person who wants to share her desire for a longer healthier life with everyone around her. She serves on numerous committees within DWS including the Wellness Committee. LeAnn uses her positive attitude and encouragement to spear-head healthy activities such as lunchtime workout sessions, a snack shack of healthy snacks, and an hourly plank session throughout the day. LeeAnn has encountered obstacles in the process of creating these activities, but she uses her engaging personality and optimistic view to gently encourage those she works with. She is an example of how little changes can make a big impact.
Courtney Dickinson
She was honored on June 15th.
Courtney Dickinson is an officer for the Department of Corrections and has worked for the state of Utah for 3 years. In this short amount of time, Officer Dickinson has continually shown her fellow coworkers that she will give 100%, no matter what the task is. She is a team player and a great example for any officer. She is able to look at a situation and come up with several alternative solutions to the problem. Not only does Officer Dickinson help train staff at the in-service and pre-service academies, she has rewritten the trainings for the Hostage Taking & Negotiation, Property Processing & Institutional Security classes, and helped rewriting the “On the Job” training manual for new officers starting at the prison. Along with performing regularly required duties, Officer Dickinson actively recruits potential officers, and volunteers at the Draper Days parade and Autism Speaks events.
Nancy Lucero
She was honored on June 15th.
Nancy Lucero is the Office Support for the Food Protection Division of Salt Lake County’s Health Department. For the past 14 years, Nancy Lucero has been the smiling face that greets customers when they enter the Food Protection’s office, and more often than not they leave the office with a smile on their face. Not only can Nancy solve customers’ problems, but she can do this all the while answering telephone calls and emails. Along with being a multi-tasker, Nancy’s high degree of integrity and responsibility keeps the Food Protection’s office running so smoothly. Her hard work and dedication to the Salt Lake County Health Department allows the food inspectors to be successful and do their job to protect public health.
Jennifer Storie
She was honored on June 29th.
Jennifer Storie is the Special Assistant to Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox. Jennifer has worked in public service for many years. She began her career in public service as a United States Postal carrier, then worked within the Utah Courts system, which led her to her current position as Special Assistant. Not only has Jennifer assisted with creating bills that have been presented before the Utah House and Senate, but she has also served as the “keeper of the Great Seal of Utah” for all legal documents that bare Utah’s seal. Jennifer’s tireless work ethic and professional demeanor has gained the respect of her coworkers, including the Governor, the Lt. Governor, as well as countless Utah State officials. Jennifer’s commitment to public service does not stop at the end of her work day. In her free time, Jennifer finds time to volunteer with the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, the local LGBTQ community, and local HRC events.