Douglas County employees recognized for years of service

The Kansas Association of Counties along with Douglas County Commissioners recognized 31 Douglas County employees for their years of service during the Feb. 27 commission meeting. Together, these employees had a combined 504 years of service.

Employees earned certificates for eight years of service, and then certificates and pins for 16, 24 and 32 years of service. Three employees were recognized for 32 years of service: Information Technology Director Jim Lawson, Appraisal Manager II August Dettbarn and Public Works Administrative Officer Donna Miller.

“Public service is - I think from a career standpoint - the highest calling there is, and it is really exceptional that you have stepped forward in your roles and the work that you do to make Douglas County a better place,” Commissioner Patrick Kelly said.

Commission Chair Michelle Derusseau said: “Running the county is a customer-service business and you’re the face of the county. You are the ones out there every single day assisting our citizens and doing everything you can to improve the quality of their lives. So, thank you all for everything you give to the county and our citizens.”

Employees who were recognized:

Administration

• Sarah Plinsky – 8 years
• Cammy Owens – 16 years

Appraiser’s Office

• Caralane Mercer - 8 years
• Kathy Reusch – 8 years
• August Dettbarn – 32 years

Clerk’s Office

• Kathleen Taylor – 8 years

Criminal Justice Services

• Holly Myers – 24 years
• Deborah Wright – 24 years

Information Technology

• Amy Barnes – 8 years
• Jim Lawson – 32 years

Sheriff’s Office

• Anthony Foster – 8 years
• Andrew Haney – 8 years
• Jeremy Kohler – 8 years
• Mark Mehrer – 8 years
• Patricia Purdon – 8 years
• Cicely Thornton – 8 years
• David Hardy – 16 years
• Stephan Lantz – 16 years
• Angela Morgan – 16 years
• Bouapane Phrakornkham – 16 years
• Bryon Revell – 16 years
• Loreli Springer – 16 years
• Vance Collins – 24 years
• Lyle Hagenbuch – 24 years
• Steven Johnson – 24 years
• Dean Ohman – 24 years
• Quinton Shields – 24 years

Public Works Department

• Reginald Demby – 8 years
• William Thornton – 16 years
• Donna Miller – 32 years

Treasurer’s Office

• Amanda Cole – 16 years

“What an unbelievably important group you are - this organization, Douglas County,” said Commissioner Nancy Thellman. “People have no idea how much work and how many people it takes to make communities run, and so hats off to all of you.”

All of the commissioners thanked Interim Director Sarah Plinsky for stepping into the Interim County Administrator role while continuing her previous work as Assistant County Administrator and taking on new projects. “We have really leaned hard on you in the months prior to Craig’s (Weinaug) retirement and now after, and I think pretty seamlessly helping us in this transition time. Just absolute gratitude to you,” Commissioner Nancy Thellman said.