2019 Manatee County Administrator’s Awards: Recognizing Excellence
In my first year as County Administrator, I had the support of unparalleled team members throughout all of Manatee County Government. Heading into my second year, I thought it was important to recognize a few of the people who stood out over the past year in their professionalism and work performance.
It’s very hard to choose individuals from such a strong countywide team, but these folks all helped in extraordinary ways with some of the big changes that were implemented over the past year. When I called them, they came. When I didn’t call them, they did.
2019 Unsung Heroes Award presented to the Information Technology Security Team
The Unsung Heroes Award is given to the individual or group of employees who helps Manatee County Government achieve success without making headlines. This honor recognizes behind-the-scenes work or projects that have improved the County in a substantial way over the past year.
The recipient for this award is a small group of people rarely seen. It’s a group you don’t want to hear from, but they are there 24/7 protecting and benefiting us all. Thank you to the Information Technology Security Team for all that you do to protect Manatee County.
2019 Results First Award presented to Matthew Case, Fleet Division Manager
The Results First Award goes to the employee / team who has done the most to advance the County Administrator’s vision for a Results-based workplace that rewards high achievements and specific outcomes.
During our first Results First cohort group, Manatee County Fleet Manager Matt Case was selected as a “spark plug” by his department director and rightfully so! Matt integrated a results-based format immediately in his daily work. Beyond that, he challenged his direct reports to use the tool also. And today, we’re implementing Matt’s concept of “targets of meetings” countywide. Thank you, Matt.
Innovator of the Year presented to David Morehead, Project Manager
Manatee County Innovator of the Year Award is presented to the individual or team that has offered game-changing ideas, improved processes, added substantial value or convenience to the public or to the County’s operations.
Our 2019 Innovator is an individual who shies away from the limelight, yet has had their hands in multiple innovations. Property Management Project Manager David Morehead’s projects have not only saved the County money, created transparency for citizens and worked across many departments to improve efficiency, but David took on additional challenges last year not only from his team, but from me personally. I asked David to work on the Grade-Level Reading project with data from the School District, the United Way and the Manatee Community Foundation. This was a huge undertaking, and — as always — David met and exceeded the challenge.
County Administrator’s Award for Excellence presented to Mike Gore, Utilities Department Director
The 2019 County Administrator’s Award for Excellence goes to the employee who has demonstrated extraordinary, consistent leadership in guiding a department or group to Results/Success and who demonstrates an unwavering commitment to Accountability, Civility and Ethics
The County Administrator’s Award for Excellence goes to an individual who has been committed to Manatee County Government for over 30 years, our Utilities Department Director Mike Gore. Mike provides consistent and strong leadership to a very large team. He is one of my toughest critics when making big changes, but that’s what makes an organization strong and creates an effective team. Mike has educated me and the Board of County Commissioners about the vast daily role of the Utilities department and how they respond to life-impacting events 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We couldn’t do it without you, Mike.
It was an honor and a pleasure to create these awards and select these winners. They’re a tremendous team of leaders who do so much work behind the scenes. I can’t thank them — and all of the County’s 1,900 employees — enough for making 2019 an incredible year!
