California Counties Honor Excellence in Public Service During Annual Meeting
Honorable Speaker Nancy Pelosi, CA Public Health Officers and Broadband Coalition Among Awardees
December 6, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jenny Tan, Senior Manager of Public Affairs
& Member Services
Phone: (916) 327-7500 Ext. 530 | Email: jtan@counties.org
(Sacramento, CA) – During the 127th Annual Meeting, the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), the voice of California’s 58 Counties at the state and federal levels, recognized a host of individuals and organizations for their service to local communities and the public at large.
“California’s Counties and our partners have worked incredibly hard over the past 18 months to protect, improve, and listen to our communities. These awards and recognitions honor those who have gone above and beyond and represent the best on County and Public Service,” said CSAC Executive Director Graham Knaus. “We are forever grateful for your expertise, service and partnership. Kudos to you all.”
Retired San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Former Supervisor Cox is the only person to have served as past president of the League of California Cities, CSAC, and the National Association of Counties.
Jenny Chamberlain, Chief of Staff in Sonoma County, was bestowed the CSAC President’s Award by outgoing CSAC President and Sonoma County Supervisor James Gore.
Five Distinguished Service awards were presented to individuals who made the greatest contributions to the improvement of government in California, particularly as it relates to County government. Recipients for 2021 include:
- Madame Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with the United States House of Representatives for her unwavering leadership and commitment to Counties in negotiations for the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund in the American Rescue Plan Act;
- Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry and Senator Lena Gonzalez for their leadership in broadband advocacy;
- Ana Matosantos, Cabinet Secretary for Governor Gavin Newsom, for her leadership and partnership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic; and
- Jason Elliot, Senior Counselor to Governor Gavin Newsom, for his role in advising on housing and homelessness initiatives.
Ten Circle of Service awards were presented to members of the County Family for their exemplary contributions to the Association and California’s Counties. Awards were presented to:
- Michelle Gibbons, Executive Director for the County Health Executives Association of California for her expertise and partnership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Kat DeBurgh, Executive Director of the Health Officers Association of California, for her guidance and partnership during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Karen Keeslar, Executive Director of the California Association of Public Authorities, upon her retirement, for her numerous contributions to major In-Home Support Services efforts;
- Erin Hannigan, Solano County Supervisor, for her leadership with the CSAC New County Supervisors Institute;
- Justin Crumley, Chair of the County Counsels’ Association of California Native American Tribal Lands Committee, for his expertise and knowledge related to state-tribal gaming compacts;
- Jim Erb, San Luis Obispo County Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector-Public Administrator, for his service with the CSAC Finance Corporation;
- Luis Alejo, Monterey County Supervisor for his role as co-chair of CSAC’s Broadband Working Group;
- John Peters, Mono County Supervisor for his role as co-chair of CSAC’s Broadband Working Group and activity with NACo;
- Chuck Washington, Riverside County Supervisor for his role as co-chair of CSAC’s Broadband Working Group, and
- Chastity Benson, Director of Operations and Educational Programs for the California Counties Foundation and the CSAC William “Bill” Chiat Institute for Excellence in Local Government for her leadership over the last several years.
In addition to these annual awards, CSAC issued a special recognition for all members of its internal Broadband Working Group and the multi-sectoral Broadband Coalition that worked hard to secure historic funding to bridge the digital divide this year. CSAC also recognized all current and past County Public Health Directors for their diligent efforts to protect Californians throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is the voice of California’s 58 counties at the state and federal level. Connect with CSAC on Twitter at: https://twitter.com/CSAC_Counties and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CSACCounties.
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