Circle Of Excellence: Archive

Name Organization / Municipality Reason for Nomination State
Kay Draughn Cabarrus & Burke County Board of Commissioners I have seen Kay's work and professionalism on display since she first became a deputy clerk and then clerk to the Cabarrus County Board of Commissioners in 2004, then moving into the same position with the Burke County Board in 2012. I have had the pleasure of working with her in both roles. Her energy and enthusiasm for her work shows through in the praises and respect she receives from the county commissioners she has served with. She also looks for other ways to serve the community, to include taking the lead with her board to improve the Animal Services program in Burke County, most steering the initiative to build a new facility in the county. She is a tremendous asset to her community. North Carolina
Kay Draughn Burke County Government Kay is excellent at her job here at Burke County. Anytime she has a project that needs to be organized, she is on top of it always! Kay is very organized and is diligent in making sure her position is always ready to answer questions, find neccessary documents that are needed for the citizens or a department. She is very personable and friendly always. I would love to see her win this award!! North Carolina
KAY DRAUGHN BURKE COUNTY Kay is a outstanding and exceptional employee of Burke County. Kay is very particular and always makes sure everything is done right and in a timely matter. For about two weeks last year I served as the interim Tax Collector for the County. If it hadn't been for Kay leading me in the right directions I would have been totally lost. She didn't have to help me, but Kay being the kind and caring person she is, jumped right in to help me. That just shows her willingness to be a great team player. I depended on her a lot during those two weeks and she was always there to help me. Thank you for considering Kay for this award. NORTH CAROLINA
Kay Draughn Burke County I don't know of ALL the responsibilities and duties that the Clerk performs, but I can state with honesty that Kay Draughn puts together an amazing amount of information for each of the Board meetings. Sometimes there are over 800 pages of documentation in the Board packets. Everything is in perfect order and things so as smooth as butter when the slides are presented. Now, I do sometimes get frustrated when I turn in what I think is a good report and she will send me back her critique. How in the world she has time to review all over the information, I don't know, but she does. She is the consummate professional at what she does. Burke County is lucky to have her. NC
Kay Draughn Burke County Kay is a true public servant. Her service to the Board of Commissioners, professional management staff and the citizens of Burke County, North Carolina is unparalleled. She is a critical thinker who leads by example and always goes the extra mile. North Carolina
Kay Draughn Burke County It is both a pleasure and a privilege to nominate Kay Draughn, Burke County Clerk for the IMC Foundation Circle of Excellence. Kay has demonstrated her clerk abilities here in Burke County since 2012, and I have had the pleasure of working directly with her for eight of those years. During that time, I have witnessed, first hand, her ongoing passion for both her career and community. If there was only one thing that I could say about Kay, it would be that she has a real drive to excel and a heart for service in her community. Both the drive to excel and the heart for service are demonstrated with excitement and truth. Kay brings new ideas and is a forward thinker in her leadership and enthusiasm. This has best been demonstrated in her efforts of leadership regarding the building of a new multimillion dollar animal shelter in our community. In addition to this, she has set in motion the idea and functions of a new foundation for the animals of which she is currently serving as a board member and president. This foundation and animal shelter are prime examples of the tenacity as a professional leader who knows what is needed for the task at hand and goes for it. Her strong commitment and dedication as our county’s clerk go well beyond the expected – with this, she brings excitement and leadership that causes others to want to be a part of the project at hand. Kay’s vivacious and caring spirit is surely contagious! She is a most deserving candidate for this award. North Carolina
Kay Honeycutt Draughn Governing Board of Burke County As the former Clerk in Burke County, I believe Kay Draughn came to Burke County at just the right time. I was retiring and Kay was wanting to move to Burke County. She had all the right credentials and what a wonderful ten years it has been for our county! There are not enough words to describe the vitality and upgrades she has brought to the office of the Clerk since she arrived; but I will try. She was able to install more up-to-date equipment for the minutes which saved countless hours in the transcription process. Kay was educated with her CMC and also achieved the NCMCC designation. We immediately became friends. She was well liked by the Board, the Manager and all that worked with her because of her pleasant personality, gracious telephone manner and welcoming smile. When a problem presented itself, it went no further, Kay didn't past it on...she solved it. May I nominate this very deserving long-serving Clerk for the 2023 Circle of Excellence. North Carolina
Kay Draughn Burke County Kay is the absolute best in class for a Clerk to the Board of County Commissioners. She has exceptional knowledge of all professional responsibilities to be completed by the Clerk, and she is also intimately knowledgeable of activities completed by other departments that must be completed before they can lawfully be acted upon by Commissioners. Give it to Kay and get out of the way. North Carolina
Kay Draughn Burke County Kay Draughn is a keystone member of the team in Burke County, North Carolina. Kay is a crucial piece of the puzzle linking the work of the county departments and the vision goals set by the County Commissioners. This is carried out week after week as Kay manages the agendas of the County Commission. Kay helps each department keep their projects on time and in-line with what is needed, should it be requirements for grants, public hearings in compliance with state law, writing resolutions and ordinances, and managing presentations from community partners and members of the public. Kay has the keen memory of a dedicated staff member who has been in her role for a long period of time and can help to locate old agreements and at times the precedent setting documents that represent the work of the county. In addition to all of this official public work, Kay is the director of the Burke County Animal Services Foundation whose mission is to unite homeless animals in Burke County with new forever families. The Foundation also funds spay and neuter clinics and conducts animal adoption events locally and to states in the Northeast where adoptable animals are in short supply. Recently Burke Animal Services had to seize 46 miniature horses who were being kept in deplorable conditions. The Foundation raised money for the additional feed and veterinary care that was required for such an unusual animal rescue. It was a monumental task to provide quality care and coordinate the adoption of these horses to new responsible owners. Kay is a consummate professional who is a huge asset to Burke County and the profession of Municipal Clerks. North Carolina
Kay Draughn Burke County I've been with Burke County, for just over a year. Kay has been a very patient teacher to me in preparing the tax collection reports I need to present to the Board of Commissioners, each month. I can't imagine a better co-worker to help me with what I needed to know and to walk me through the process until I was finally able to grasp the correct workflow. Everyone should have the opportunity to work with a person as pleasant as Kay, at least once in their life. North Carolina
Kelly Williams Lake Havasu City Kelly Williams has been such an incredible mentor for me during my time as a City Clerk. She is patient and kind, even when I ask the same question multiple times. She listens intently and has thoughtful responses. Her passion for our profession shows in her work and dedication to the Arizona Municipal Clerk's Association. Kelly is an involved member of her community and our organization. She sees the value in building relationships and information sharing among her fellow clerks. She is always positive, encouraging, and available. Arizona
Kelly Galbraith Detroit The City of Detroit burnt down, including city hall and its contents during the wildfires of 2020. Kelly had only been city recorder for a few months at the time, and has worked hard and steadfast to get the City of Detroit back on track. OR
Kimberly Ellis Culpepper County Kim Ellis is a dedicated professional. She has earned Certification and serves as Regional Director for the VA Municipal Clerk's Association (VMCA). Kim enjoys an excellent working relationship with her peers, her co-workers and her Board. VA
Kimberly Benson Ravenswood A city clerk in a small town wears many hats, and Kimberly Benson wears them all well. Even during the COVID pandemic she was at the forefront of several projects for the City of Ravenswood. WV
Kristen Freeman Amherst County Kristen has turned the Amherst County Administration office around. She helped incorporate new techniques, policies and procedures that have advanced the office. She is a quick learner and helps bring new programs that create efficiencies. Kristen is highly organized and motivated. The staff trust her as well as the governing body. Virginia
Kyna Thomas Charlottesville Kyna was a steady leader during COVID. With the national spotlight on her city, she maintained standards of excellence to the public, coworkers and elected officials. As VMCA President she helped secure virtual learning opportunities for clerks. VA
Laura Reams City of Hyattsville Laura has served Hyattsville for over 10 years and has done so with sincerity, light heartedness and joy. She facilitated a course at the 2023 IIMC Region II Conference entitled, "Vote Local! The Magic of Municipal Elections," and did a phenomenal job at relaying valuable information with fun and flare. Her passion for democracy and inclusion shined through when she presented creative and unique ways to engage the community and encourage citizen participation. Laura has a sweet, infectious disposition and is greatly admired by her colleagues across the State of Maryland, especially members of the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association, who have had the pleasure of spending time with her and experiencing her love of local service firsthand. Maryland
Lisa Garcia Town of Florence Lisa is a great example of a City/Town Clerk that is always looking to benefit the clerk's profession. She worked with the AMCA on their strategic plan and has presented at our Institute and Academy on both City Clerk Operations, but also on Leadership. Lisa isn't one to sit on the sidelines and let things happen, she takes control of situations to ensure the best outcome for clerks. She is inclusive and watches out for people who are alone at trainings or other functions. She is ready to offer assistance to other clerks, and to help our Arizona Municipal Clerks' Association do great things. Arizona
Lisa Scholl City of St. Helens Lisa has been working for the City of St. Helens for over 19 years and has been a huge asset to the City and our community. She has been working as the Deputy City Recorder and assisting me since 2015. She is not only very well-liked by her peers and colleagues, but she is very well-liked by the community. She has a very positive attitude and is always willing to help out wherever she is needed. She doesn’t complain and is the first one to step up and offer her assistance. She is a team player. She is great at organizing and prioritizing her work. Lisa has been a member of the Oregon Association of Municipal Recorders and IIMC for many years. She is very involved in OAMR and is currently the Region I Director. She also serves on the Newsletter Committee, Records Management Committee, Historical Preservation Committee, and Conference Committee; being past chair of both the Newsletter Committee and Historical Preservation Committee. She is always a go-to person for helping out at conferences. We always get to the conferences early so that we can help because we all know how much work it is to put on a conference. Lisa is loyal and honest and has been a very good friend to many of our co-workers and myself. She volunteers in the community especially for her kids’ activities. Lisa is an amazing wife, mother, and friend! She deserves to be in the Circle of Excellence! Oregon, USA
Marcella Carillo City of Avondale I would like to nominate Marcella for her contribution to the Arizona Municipal Clerks Association and for her innovative ideas and creativity. Marcella recently implemented a mural within the office of the City Clerk's office that includes patents of voting machines from the late 1800s and early 1900s. Marcella is always available to help when called upon. Arizona

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