Jane Willie of the Carlton County Sheriff's Office recently received the award of sheriff's office "Support Person of the Year" at the 2006 Minnesota Sheriff's Association Winter Conference on Dec. 4. The award is presented to a sheriff's office civilian staff member who performs at a significantly higher level over a long period of time.
Willie, of Carlton, was nominated for the award by Carlton County Sheriff Kelly Lake. Lake claims Willie's hard work had always been noticed -- and felt it was time she was more openly recognized for her efforts.
"Jane has made the Sheriff's Office a better place to work and made changes in both the management of the work product, in turn making the Sheriff's Office a better organization," said Lake.
"I am extremely honored that Kelly even thought to nominate me," said Willie. "It was very kind of her!"
Willie's duties within the Sheriff's office stretch much further than her office/systems administrator title suggests, which, according to Lake, was a big reason for her nomination.
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"She really does it all around here, office-wise," said Lake.
"I have a hard time identifying exactly what I do because I have such a good variety of duties at the sheriff's office," said Willie. "I'm the office manager, but I as systems administrator, I work a lot with the user end of our computer system. For example, if someone's computer is locked up, if their printer doesn't work, or if someone can't remember their password. Day-to-day stuff like that is what I'm involved in."
Lake is the fourth sheriff she's "had the pleasure to work with." She also claims with each new sheriff, she's taken away another positive learning experience to add to her reportoire.
"Each sheriff since I've been here has been very unique and different in their managment style, and learn something different from each and every one of them," said Willie.
With her humility in tow, Willie claims she'd never be able to do as good a job if she didn't have such wonderful co-workers.
"I have to credit the people I work with, too," she said. "As far awards are concerned, it's never actually person who earns it.
"It comes down to the fact that I love working here -- it's been a very good job all throughout the years. I have a wonderful relationship with everybody I work with."
Pine Journal Editor Mat Gilderman can be contacted at: mgilderman@pinejounal.com .
