One of the things CSAC does every year is pause for a few moments to honor the people and organizations that make a difference for California counties. This year was no exception as we honored a veritable who’s who list of individuals who have supported counties in various ways over the years.

Amador County Supervisor and now CSAC Immediate Past President Richard Forster chose to honor long-time CSAC lobbyist Karen Keene with the President’s Award. Karen began working for CSAC in 1990, and is retiring at the end of this year. She led our advocacy efforts related to Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources issues. Most recently she has played a large role in helping Counties navigate the fast-changing legal and regulatory landscape around medical and recreational marijuana.  She also coordinated our federal advocacy efforts.

CSAC’s Past Presidents gave their award this year to Steve Szalay, recognizing his many years of service to counties in a variety of positions, including administrative officer in two counties, executive director of CSAC for almost a decade and executive director of the California State Sheriffs’ Association.

Six people received CSAC’s Distinguished Service Award, including three long-term Supervisors who are leaving office at the end of the year: Del Norte County Supervisor David Finigan, Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe and Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long. Each of these Supervisors has served 20 years on their respective Boards and also in a variety of leadership positions for CSAC. Supervisor Finigan was our President in 2013. Supervisor Knabe is a long-term member of our Executive Committee. Supervisor Long also served on the Executive Committee, chaired several policy committees and the Women’s Leadership Forum.

The other three Distinguished Service Awards were given to people who have worked closely with counties on some of the most pressing issues we face today. Cal-Fire Director, Chief Ken Pimlott was recognized for his leadership on tree mortality. Will Kempton, the retiring Executive Director of Transportation California, has been a strong ally as we advocate for additional transportation funding. And CSAC has partnered with the League of California Cities on many issues and recently-retired Executive Director Chris McKenzie has been a great friend and partner to CSAC over many years.

CSAC also recognized nine people with Circle of Service Awards for their service and dedication to County Government:

• Henry Perea, Fresno County Supervisor
• Linda Seifert, Solano County Supervisor/CSAC Finance Corporation President
• Patrick Blacklock, Yolo County Administrator
• Susan Bower, San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency, Assistant Director, Integrative Services
• Jeff Brax, Sonoma County Chief Deputy County Counsel, and
• Dan Burch, San Joaquin County Emergency Medical Services Administrator
• Veronica Ferguson, Sonoma County CAO (retired)
• Patricia Megason, Executive Vice President, RCRC
• Geoff Patnoe, San Diego County Director, Office of Strategy and Intergovernmental Affairs
• Glenn Russell, Santa Barbara County Planning Director

The County Administrative Officers Association of California honored Santa Cruz County CAO Susan Mauriello with their annual Distinguished Service Award. She is the longest-serving county administrative officer in the state, having been appointed in 1989. CAO Mauriello has seen the county budget grow from $178 million to more than $700 million.

And CSAC is one of the parent organizations for the Institute for Local Government (ILG). The ILG recently presented Beacon Spotlight Awards to San Diego, San Mateo and Ventura counties, recognizing them for their efforts at sustainability and resource conservation.