2005employee insert february 2005 v7, n2

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Mike Comer, Deputy County Administrator

County Administrator Jock Connell appointed former Director of Financial Ser-vices Mike Comer to the position of Deputy County Administrator in January 2005.

Mike came to work for Gwinnett County in 1993, after a number of years with the DeKalb County Tax Commissioner’s Offi ce, where he served as Chief Deputy. Prior to that, he worked in corporate fi nance for Rollins, Inc. and spent four years as a U.S. Naval

offi cer. He earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial man-agement from Georgia Tech and a bachelor’s of science in public affairs from Georgia State University, along with a master’s of public administration from the University of Georgia. Michael has held memberships in the Georgia Governmental Finance Officers Association, the American Society for Public Administration, and the Georgia Asso-ciation of Tax Officials. Michael is an alumnus of Leader-ship Gwinnett and the Regional Leadership Institute. He resides with his wife in Decatur.

Meet Lisa Johnsa and Susan LeeLisa Johnsa, Director of Financial Services

There have been quite a few personnel changes in the De-partment of Financial Services due to the shift of former de-partment director Mike Comer to the position of Deputy Coun-ty Administrator. Newly appoin-ted County Administrator Jock Connell named former Assis-tant Director of Finance, Lisa Johnsa, to the director’s spot.

Lisa holds a bachelor’s in business administration from North Georgia College. She began her career at the County in 1979, working in the Tax Commissioner’s Offi ce for 12 years before moving to the Department of Financial Services. She is an alumnus of Leadership Gwinnett and Regional Leadership Institute. She has served as a consultant instructor for the University

Susan Lee, Director of Human Resources

As one his fi rst orders of busi-ness, County Administrator Jock Connell appointed sev-eral senior leadership positions within the County, including a new Director of Human Re-sources: Susan Lee. She has been serving as acting co-di-rector of the Department of Human Resources for the past two years.

Susan holds a bachelor’s in business administration from Georgia State University. She began her career with Gwinnett County in 1987, working in the Human Re-sources Department and serving as Human Resources Manager from 1993 – 1998. After a fi ve-year run in the private sector, Susan returned to Gwinnett County in January 2003 to the position of Compensation and

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Our series on Project BEST continues this month on page 8.

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HumanResources

Benefits Express

Gwinnett Safety

Awards and Honors

Employee ServiceAnniversaries

Awards and

Gwinnett SafetyGwinnett Safety

HumanResources

Benefits Express

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Class Registration To register for a course, complete a regis-tration form and send it through interoffi ce mail to the Career Development and Learning Center, Gwinnett County Government Annex, or fax it to 678.377.4336. You may download the form online at http://employee.co.gwinnett.ga.us/classes_h-r.htm. Re-member to get your supervisor’s approval before registering for the program (required).

Cancellation Policy To cancel a registration, call 678.377.4337.

Unless otherwise noted, all classes take place in the Career Devel-opment and Learning Center.

February 8 10:00am – noonNEW! BAFA BAFAThis interactive course will create a situation for participants to ex-plore and experience the impact that culture has on the way we perceive and treat others and explore feelings that you may have when encountering others from another culture or subculture.

February 15, 17, 22, 24; March 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 29, 31, April 5, 7 8:00am – 10:00amSpanish Level IThis course is designed for individuals who have little to no previous exposure to learning a foreign language.

February 15 8:30am – 4:30pmNEW! Connecting With Others: Listening and Speaking (Part I)This course presents a listening approach that balances the demands of getting the information you need with the awareness that every interaction is an opportunity to strengthen your work relationships with others.

February 17 8:30am – 4:30pmNEW! Connecting With Others: Listening and Speaking (Part II)Speaking clearly, concisely, and convincingly is important in today’s fast-paced work environment. Participants will learn to organize and deliver ideas in a way that will get results in the workplace.

February 22 10:00am – 3:00pmNEW! Whale DoneParticipants will learn to improve work relationships in order to become more productive and to achieve better results. Clear, easy-to-use approaches will help participants discover that positive rela-tionships with coworkers will enable them to make more effective choices in the work place.

March 3, 10, 17, 24 8:30am – 4:30pm7 Habits of Highly Effective People

March 8 8:30am – 4:30pmNEW! Working Through Emotions and Conflict (Part I)This course focuses on strategies that can be used to address strong emotions. Participants will complete a variety of individual and group discussions that explore the following topics: the impact of strong emotions in the workplace; how and why emotions can take control; the steps to control emotions; techniques and choices for address-ing strong emotions; and applying the learned techniques to your work situation.

March 15 8:30am – 4:30pmNEW! Working Through Emotions and Conflict (Part II)This course will focus on processes that can be used to resolve confl icts while building constructive relationships. Participants will complete a variety of individual and group activities, skills practices, video segments, and large group discussions that explore the follow-ing topics: the root of most confl icts; the day-to-day confl icts you face; key actions for resolving confl icts with your peers; and planning for a real-life confl ict conversation

March 22 8:30am – 4:30pmNEW! Working Through Organizational ChangeThis course is designed to help individuals cope with and handle a variety of organizational changes. Working Through Organizational Change teaches individuals how to focus emotional responses in order to change and identify methods for adopting and adapting to change.

FEBRUARY

Staff Contact Information

Department of Human ResourcesOrganizational Development Section

Tina Woodard, PHR • Section Manager678.377.4333

Beverly McLee678.377.4331

Career Development and Learning Center Gwinnett Government Annex

750 S. Perry St., Suite 250Lawrenceville, GA 30045

Fax: 678.377.4336

Jerry Kelly678.377.4332

Floss Raheem678.377.4337

MARCH

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$ave Discounts

Subway (Pike St/Hwy 120 location only) Fridays $3.99 (6" Sub Combo Meal)Wings Landing Monday – Friday 10 – 15% off

Bowling, Disney on Ice, Sam’s Club, and Vacation packages available as offers occurFitness International: 770.682.8111, no contract, $62.50 registration fee, $37.85/monthFlippers Peachtree Cinema 8: Buy 1 ticket, get 1 ticket free (same show and time only)

Gold’s Gym of Norcross: 770.209.9955, no contract, $25 per monthGwinnett Gladiators: Game pack availableLady of America: 770.339.4393, 12-month contract, $50 registration fee, $29.95/monthOasis Bowling: discount fl yer available in Human Resources lobbyRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus: (Call HR for details) February 17 – 27

Johnanna Weathers at 770.822.7914 for information. Don’t forget, discount infor-mation is located in the Human Resources lobby for your use.

April: Alcohol Awareness MonthEmployee Relations section offers training

opportunities

The Department of Human Resources’ Employee Relations Section wants to keep you informed about policies and procedures through training that may affect or enhance your supervisory ability.

Training is offered in the following formats:

• Small group, supervisor, or mandatory training– This will include special topic training

• Department policy training– Tailoring policy training with the indi-

vidual department in mind, enhanc-ing the departments’ awareness of County and department policies and procedures

• Regular monthly training sessions.

February 178:30am – noon

and 1:00pm – 3:00pm

GJAC Conference Room AA Fundamental Look at the Merit Rules

and the County Administrator Policy:A Review of the new changes

February 278:30am – noon

GJAC Conference Room CCorrective Action Seminar

March 248:30am – noon

GJAC Conference Room CAmericans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

March 271:00pm – 3:00pm

GJAC Conference Room CEmployee Assistance Program:

Put Out the Word

Contact Johnanna Weathers, Employee Relations Manager, at 770.822.7914 for details about the training program. To register, call the Organizational Devel-opment section at 678.377.4337.

Charity Spotlight

American Diabetes Association The Amer-ican Diabetes Association (ADA) is the nation’s leading nonprofi t health organiza-tion providing diabetes research, informa-tion, and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the ADA conducts programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hun-dreds of communities.

The mission of the association is to “prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.” To fulfi ll this mission, the ADA funds research, publishes scientifi c fi ndings, and provides information and other services to people with diabetes, their families, health professionals, and the public.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of people participate in the fundraising events of the American Diabetes Association, including America’s Walk for Diabetes, Tour de Cure, School Walk for Diabetes, and Kiss-a-Pig. These events are a fun way for people across the country to make a difference in their local community by increasing awareness of dia-betes and helping to raise millions of dollars in the fi ght against the disease.

The ADA National Call Center can be reached at 1.800.DIABETES, and is staffed with representatives ready to answer ques-

tions about diabetes and ADA programs and events. More than 350,000 people called the National Call Center last year with ques-tions and concerns.

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Exit Interview Survey

Retiring? Changing careers? Stop by Human Resources on your way out to complete our exit interview survey. What will the data be used for?

• Reduce turnover within a particular de-partment and within Gwinnett County Government

• Improve the effectiveness of general management practices

• Assist with recruiting efforts

Departments are also encouraged to assist with making exit interview appointments for employees who are leaving the County. Exit interviews last approximately 45 min-utes. Call 770.822.7923, 770.822.7925, or 770.822.7907.

All information gathered by the Department of Human Resources is held in confi dence.

MARCH

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In order to join the Gwinnett County Em-ployee Wellness Program, employees must participate in the Health Risk Assessment once every two years. Participants in the Employee Wellness Program are eligible to participate in year-round health and well-ness activities, including the fi tness reim-bursement program, Weight Watchers at Work, Life Line ultrasound screening, mam-mograms, and more. The health screenings will take place March 10 and March 15, 2005, at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Con-ference Room C from 7:00am – 9:30am. All participants will be entered in to a draw-ing for a free one-year gym/health club mem-bership (at the facility of winner’s choice).

Call the Benefi ts offi ce at 770.822.7927 to make an appointment and arrange to get your pre-screening questionnaire.

Gwinnett Health System’s Mammogram Care-a-Van will make several stops at GJAC in February and March. Don’t forget to make your appointment for one of the fol-lowing opportunities: February 16 or 17, or March 15 or 16. The Care-a-Van will be parked be-hind the parking deck.

• You must be a full-time female employ-ee, retiree, spouse of an employee, or spouse of a retiree who has completed the Health Risk Assessment within the last two years

• You must be at least 35 years old• You must not have had a mammogram

within the last year

Mammogram Care-a-Van: Coming in February, March

• You must not have a previous history of breast cancer, breast implants, or cur-rent breast problems

• You cannot have had breast surgery within the last two years

• You must bring a prescription from your doctor with you to your appointment

• You must complete a patient informa-tion form and return it to the Benefi ts Offi ce at least two weeks prior to your appointment

If you would like to take advantage of this opportunity and you meet all of the above criteria, call Benefi ts at 770.822.7927 to make an appointment.

Health Risk Assessment opportunities coming in March

The Benefi ts Offi ceis serving. . .

Lunch ‘n’ Learn

Dealing with Chronic Pain

Presented by Gwinnett Hospital System

Facilitator: Cindie Lou Roger, M.S.N., R.N.

Topic: Chronic pain is persistent, recur-ring pain that can be caused by various disorders, such as headaches, arthritis, old injuries, or cancer. Learn the keys to pain management and how to break the cycle of pain.

Date: Thursday, February 10, 2005Time: Noon – 1:00pm Place: Gwinnett Justice and

Administration Center, 2nd Floor, Conference Rm. C

Fruit will be served so bring your lunch and join us!

Call the Benefi ts Offi ce at 770.822.7927 to reserve your seat!

Wellness Activities

Lunch ‘n’ Learn February 10

Mammograms February 16 and 17March 15 and 16

Health Risk Assessment March 10 and 15

Weight Watchers at Work Fridays at noon

For more information, please call the Benefi ts Offi ce at 770.822.7927.

humanresources benefi tsexpress

Valentine’s Day is not just for couples, but many singles feel left out or alone during the holiday. Valentine’s Day is a day to remem-ber the ones that we love and those who have made a difference in our lives.

Don’t let feelings of loneliness get you down this year; instead, focus your energy on making someone else feel loved or special. This Valentine’s Day, make an effort to show someone that you care. This may mean something as simple as a smile and hello in the hallway at work or helping someone who is carrying a heavy load. Maybe you will try to be just a little nicer to everyone that you meet throughout the day. This year, don’t confi ne yourself to the main-stream defi nition of the holiday; defi ne your own Valentine’s Day – do what makes you feel good.

If you do start to feel depressed or lonely, don’t forget that your Employee Assistance Program, North Pines Center, is available for free personal counseling at 770.449.1111.

EAP: Valentine’s Day alternatives

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Keep colleagues on military duty in your thoughts

As we have been reporting since May 2003, several County employees who are also military reservists have been called upon to support our nation’s efforts overseas. As of press time, fi ve Gwinnett County em-ployees were serving on active duty. If you have a postal or e-mail address for those listed without contact information, please

call Johnanna Weathers in the Department of Human Resources at 770.822.7914.

CorrectionsJohnny R. Brewster, Sr. Corrections Offi cer

Planning and DevelopmentLuis Polanco, Building/Dev Inspection Associate I

Police Department

John T. Bussell, Sr. Police Offi cer

Keith M. Fennell, Sr. Police Offi cer

Sheriff’s Department

William Watson, Deputy Sheriff

Chuck Huckleberry, Dash Roberts named Deputy Directors of Financial Services

Chuck Huckleberry and Dash Roberts were named as the new Deputy Directors of Financial Services in January of this year. Both appointees have extensive backgrounds in public service and fi nancial services.

Chuck re-ceived a bach-elor’s degree in business ad-ministration from Georgia Southwestern State Univer-sity and a master’s of business ad-ministration

from the University of Georgia. Chuck came to work for Gwinnett County in 1998 as the Treasury Division Director, serving in that capacity until the summer of 2001, when he moved to Risk Management. He has previously worked for the City of Nor-cross as Director of Financial Services, and was employed for 24 years with DeKalb County, serving as Deputy Director of Fi-nance for Treasury and Accounting Services. He is a member of the Government Finance Officers Association and is a past-president of the Georgia Government Finance Officers Association. Chuck has two married daugh-ters and resides with his wife in Tucker.

Dash has a bachelor’s degree in communica-tions from the Univer-sity of Ten-nessee. He has also re-ceived certi-fi cation as a Certifi ed Fi-

nancial Offi cer from the University of Geor-gia and completed the Carl Vinson Institute of Government’s Management Develop-ment Program – Levels I, II, and III.

Dash has worked in both the public and private sectors, spending the last 16 years with Gwinnett County. He began his work with the County as a Capital Budget Analyst in 1988. He served as the Operating Bud-get Manager for four years until being pro-moted in 1999 to Budget Division Director. Dash is a member of the Georgia Govern-mental Finance Off icers Association. He re-sides in Lawrenceville with his wife.

Be sure to take a look at the new division di-rectors in Financial Services, also on this page.

Meet the new DoFS division directorsJoe Allen, Risk Management Division Director

Joe was named Risk Management Division Director, effective January 31, 2005. He is coming to Gwinnett County Government from the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, where he served as Director of Public Re-lations. Before working with the chamber, Joe was the County’s Chief Deputy Tax Commissioner.

Rhonda Etheridge, Treasury Division Director

Rhonda was promoted to Treasury Divi-sion Director in November 2004. She came to work with Gwinnett County Govern-ment in 1984 in the Department of Finan-cial Services. Rhonda is the 8th generation of her family to live in Gwinnett, and she is a graduate of Dacula High School. She has received an associate’s degree in account-ing from Gainesville Junior College and at-tended Georgia State University.

Kristine Tallent, Budget and Administration Division Director

Kristine came to work with Gwinnett Coun-ty as Capital Budget Manager in September 2003 after several years with a public sector fi nancial advisory fi rm. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Maryville College in Tennessee and a master’s of science in public policy from Carnegie Mellon Univer-sity in Pennsylvania. Kristine is a native of Seymour, Tennessee. She serves on the Na-tional Alumni Board of Maryville College.

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gwinnettsafety

Merit Board members

District 1 Mark Grams

District 2 Michael Murphy

District 3 A. Richard Lowing

District 4 Rex Millsaps

Employee Michael MartinRepresentative

Attorney Richard A. Carothers

Executive Harry G. MasonSecretary

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humanresources

by Ray Bishop, Retired Safety Offi cer

Hurricane season is safely behind us, but with spring comes rapidly moving weather and an increase in tornado activity. Gwinnett County holds an annual tornado drill to help prepare in case of an emergency. To gain the most benefi t from the drill, employees should view it as an opportunity to prac-tice the correct procedures for a time when actual danger may be present. Employees are encouraged to take the drill seriously.

• Know where the safety shelter is located

• Move quickly, but safely, to the shelter when the alarm is sounded

• When descending the stairs, stay to the inside handrail so that persons entering the stairwell can immediately begin de-scending down the outer handrail and gradually work over to the inside rail when they reach the next landing

GJAC tornado drill: February 23, 2005

During a real emergency, monitors for each agency should take fl ashlights and fi rst aid kits to the shelter and participants should be encouraged to take bottled water to the shelter in the case of an extended stay. The GJAC drill will be held on the morning of Wednesday, February 23, 2005. Agencies in One Justice Square and 750 Perry Street will be individually notifi ed of tornado drill dates. Employees are expected to partici-pate in the drill as though it were a real emergency.

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District 1, District 3 Merit Board representatives take oath of offi ce

Two new members of the Gwinnett County Merit Board were sworn in on January 14, 2005. District 1 representative Mark Grams and District 3 representative A. Richard “Dick” Lowing took their oath of offi ce in Chairman Bannister’s offi ce.

The Merit Board meets on the third Wed-nesday of each month. The primary respon-sibility of the board is to oversee personnel administration for Gwinnett County Gov-ernment. Board members review job class-ifi cations, incorporate new positions, revise existing positions, approve the Human Re-sources annual report and consider the employment of relatives within the same department. Recommendations are made to the Board of Commissioners on the re-ferenced actions, with the exception of employment of relatives. The Board of Com-missioners considers all recommendations of the Merit Board on a quarterly basis.

The Board also has the authority to admin-ister oaths, subpoena witnesses, and compel the production of documents pertinent to any investigation or hearing regarding an em-ployee grievance or complaint. The Board meets as needed to hear employee griev-ances related to involuntary dismissal, invol-untary demotion, suspension, or complaints

of unlawful discrimination as a result of any of the above referenced actions.

Charity Spotlight...continued from Chat Room page 3

For additional information on the American Diabetes Association, visit the Web site at www.diabetes.org. If you would like to par-ticipate in the County’s Charitable Contri-bution program through payroll deduction, pick-up a charity authorization form in the Human Resources Department, or request a form through interoffi ce mail. For addi-tional information, or to request a charity payroll deduction authorization form, con-tact Dee Roberts at 770.822.7923.

Source: American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org

Giving is people helping people

Important notice about all

County vehicles

Orange insurance information cards in County vehicles should be ex-changed immediately for the new, bright green insurance information cards. Be sure to check your vehicle to make sure you have a green insur-ance card in the glove box.

The Merit System was created in 1969 by local legislation. The majority of County em-ployees are covered by the Merit System, including all administrative departments, Sheriff ’s Offi ce, District Attorney’s Offi ce, Solicitor, and Recorder’s Court. Employees

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FEBRUARY

2/2 8:15am – 11:15am Trench Safety

2/3 8:15am – noon Work Zone Traffi c Control

2/3 1:30pm – 5:00pm Safety Aware- ness/Accident Prevention

2/8 7:30am – 2:30pm CDL Defen- sive Driving

2/9 7:30am – noon Flagging Cer- tifi cation

2/11 8:30am – 4:30pm Defensive Driving

MARCH

2/2 8:15am – 11:15am Trench Safety

3/2 8:15am – noon CPR/Defi bril- lator/First Aid Refresher

3/2 1:30pm – 3:30pm Respirator Standard

3/3 8:30am – 10:30am Hand/Power Tool

3/3 10:30am – 4:30pm Hazard Com- munication/ RTK

Most classes are held at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center (GJAC) in Room C of the Conference Center. Please cancel your reservation if you are unable to attend so those on the waiting list have an opportunity. Call 770.822.7835 to sign up for a class.

“Never continue in a job you don’t enjoy. If you’re happy in what you’re doing,

you’ll like yourself; you’ll have inner peace. And if you have that, along with physical health, you will have had more success than you could possibly have imagined.”

– Johnny Carson

7

by Ray Bishop, Retired Safety Offi cer

Some causes of hearing loss cannot be con-trolled. Aging is one of the more common forms of natural hearing loss. Disease, tu-mors, or chronic ear infections can also cause the problem. These causes may not be preventable, but there are many environ-mental factors that can be avoided to help prevent any further hearing damage.

Exposure to loud noise is the most preven-table cause of hearing loss. Think beyond work-related noise as a way to cut expo-sure. Lawn equipment, including mowers, leaf blowers, edgers, and chain saws can all create a lot of loud noise. Recreational items such as jet skis, powerboats, motorcycles, shotguns, and rifl es all create damaging noise.

One of the most common, most damaging noise sources is loud music from a home stereo system, car stereo, or portable sound system. Headphones are particular damaging because music is aimed directly into the ear.

Noise-induced hearing loss causes the nerve fi bers in the inner ear to fatigue or break off entirely. The louder the noise and the longer the exposure, the more likely it is for the irreversible damage to take place. When the nerve fi bers break off, hearing in that part of the ear is lost forever. Constant ex-posure to noise of high volume and long duration probably means that hearing loss is a “not if, but when” kind of situation. Guard your hearing with earplugs or earmuff hear-ing protectors. As far as music goes, turn down the volume!

Guard hearing with earplugs, earmuffs

Cutting trees can be risky business

by Ray Bishop, Retired Safety Offi cer

Using an axe or a chain saw is potentially dangerous in itself; add falling trees to the mix and the risk increases even more. The rule of thumb for tree-cutting operations is simple: no one but the tree cutter shall be within two and one-half tree lengths of where the tree is being cut down. Hardhats, earplugs, gloves, and safety glasses are man-datory. Ballistic chaps should be worn to prevent life-threatening chain saw cuts to the shins and thighs. A proper hinge cut should be applied to the tree so that there is some chance of controlling the direction the tree will fall. If you are not familiar with the proper cutting method, you should not be cutting trees.

Chain saws should always be gripped in the power zone, between the waist and knees. The saw should never be raised above the shoulder for cutting. Adjust your position in order to use the saw correctly. Also, make sure that the tip of the saw does not make contact with anything; it will cause the saw to kick back. Proper, secure footing is also a key factor when cutting is being done. When cutting on a wet, icy, or slick surface, spiked adapters should be affi xed to the soles of work boots to prevent slipping.

Be sure to educate yourself and take the proper precautions before embarking on a tree-cutting project.

Merit Board...continued from Chat Room page 6

of the Tax Commissioner’s Offi ce, Clerk of Superior Court, and Probate Court are not covered by the Merit System.

Employees or positions covered by the Merit System are referred to as classifi ed employees, and they have appeal rights. Em-ployees or positions not covered by the Merit System are designated as appointed or non-merit, who are considered “at will” employees with no rights of appeal.

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Awards and Honors

Congratulations to Johnanna Weathers, Employee Relations Manager in the Depart-ment of Human Resources. She recently earned a master’s degree in public adminis-tration with a concentration in public man-agement and public personnel management from Troy State University.

Service Anniversaries

The following employees will celebrate signifi cant service anniversaries during the month of February.

5 YearsFinancial Services: Charlotte T. Eppich; Ju-venile Court: Lisa J. Clark; Police Services: Barbara L. Ayers, Paula C. Bauer, James E. Morris; Public Utilities: Larry K. Bales, Mary Burt, James P. Curran, Cecil M. Eubanks, Pamela J. Schmidt, Jason E. White; Sheriff: Frances G. Magnus; Support Services: Wil-liam L. Hoskinson, Edward R. Whitaker; Transportation: Debra J. Underwood; Trial Courts: Tasha L. Ford

10 YearsFinancial Services: Myrtle H. Smalls; Plan-ning and Development: William A. Blalock; Public Utilities: Brian S. Clay, Freddie S. Jones

15 YearsClerk of Court: Shannon M. Baker; District Attorney: Manuel Perez; Financial Services: Marie Dickey, Ginger B. Roderick; Juvenile Court: Felicia B. Steverson, Deannie West; Public Utilities: Ralph E. Gilbert, Steven W. Linthicum, Mark A. Smith, Joyce A. Stan-field, Darla S. Wilson; Sheriff : James D. Brandenburg, Brian K. Cofer, Gerald L. Gilbert, Larry D. Kellogg, Tracy M. Lee, William D. Leggett, Horace E. Maddox, Winfred L. Segars, Alvin T. Thornton, Pat-rick J. Whitening, John R. Wical; Trans-portation: Amanda L. Reed

20 YearsPublic Utilities: Joseph G. Barfield, Errol D. Bogle, Hugh E. Williams; Support Services: Jose F. Dodaro

25 YearsPublic Utilities: Robert K. Mason

Awards, Honors, Other Notes of Interest, and Service Anniversaries

30 YearsFire and Emergency Services: Tony E. Garmon

Last month, County Clerk Brenda C. Mad-dox celebrated her 15th service anniversary with Gwinnett County. Her name was in-correctly listed as Barbara C. Maddox in the January issue of the Chat Room. Con-gratulations Brenda on 15 years!

If you or someone in your department has an accomplishment to share, please contact Kinsey Snell in the Communications Division at kinsey.snell@gwinnettcounty.com or 770.822.7135.

Gwinnett County is in the process of laun-ching a new resource planning system: Pro-ject BEST (Business Excellence through Systems Technology). Project BEST is an Enterprise Resource Planning system that Gwinnett County employees will use to support various functions of the County government: fi nance and budgeting, human resources, customer relationship manage-ment, and utility billing.

To help with the transition, the BEST team has put together a series of training classes that will orient employees to the new sys-tem. Overview and Navigation Training will begin in mid-February, and job-specifi c training will begin in March. Courses will be offered in the areas of accounts payable, accounts receivable, supplier-relationship management, budget preparation, project

Project BEST: Training opportuni-ties coming soonProject BEST: Training opportuni-ties coming soon

of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Lisa is a member of the National and Georgia Government Finance Offi cers Associations. She resides with her husband and two sons in Flowery Branch.

Other personnel changes in Financial Services include two new deputy directors and several new division directors. See page 5 for details.

Meet Lisa Johnsa...continued from Chat Room page 1

Employment Division Director and then Acting Director of Human Resources until being appointed to her current position in January 2005.

She has completed the Gwinnett County Management Development Program and received her HR Generalist Certifi cation from Kennesaw State University. Susan is certifi ed as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the Society for Human Resources Management. She re-sides in Buford with her husband and two daughters.

Meet Susan Lee...continued from Chat Room page 1

systems, general ledger, asset accounting, treasury, inventory management, and work-ing with grants.

Training will include exercises and simula-tions for key transactions with step-by-step instructions available in a training manual or via an online help site. This tool will be helpful to employees who are preparing to make the change to the new system or those who simply need a refresher course. After attending the training, employees will be able to log into an end-user sandbox, where they can practice transactions at their desk.

Project BEST will be implemented using a phased approach and should be completed by March 2006.