Williamsburg resident wins Governor’s Ambassador Award

Some of Kentucky’s most worthy public employees were honored Friday with the presentation of the Eighth Governor’s Ambassador Awards Friday, including a Williamsburg resident.

Williamsburg resident Jerry Rains (second from left) was a recipient of a Governor’s Ambassador Award Friday.

Personnel Cabinet Secretary Thomas B. Stephens and Justice Cabinet Secretary John C. Tilley commemorated Public Service Recognition Week by recognizing the employees for exceptional service in the workplace and in their communities.

“Focused and effective government is essential to the success of our Commonwealth, and I applaud all of the award winners and nominees for their commitment to ensuring our public sector is the best it can be,” said Secretary Tilley, who provided the keynote address. “Public service is a calling, and we are blessed to have so many who feel called to strive for a better Kentucky.”

Williamsburg resident Jerry Rains shared the Teamwork Award with fellow Kentucky Division of Emergency Management employees Richard Bobo and Gary Fancher.

This team’s dedication to building a more resilient Commonwealth resulted in establishing two regional planning groups and a collaborative group of over 200 responders and multiple agencies across 24 counties, working together to achieve the goals of prevention, protection, mitigation, response, and recovery in every jurisdiction. They are continuing their pursuit of excellence by sharing their successes with all counties and helping to establish these groups across the Commonwealth, according to a personnel cabinet release.

Through their leadership, these groups have identified their need for more precision in the local emergency operations plans, more application within local exercises, identifying the necessary and specific trainings for responders and facilities, and breaking boundaries between agencies to work together for the good of the citizens.

This group has been recognized by Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, and by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service as being a national leader.

Created in 2008, the Governor’s Ambassador Awards was established to highlight stories of employees who have made a positive impact on others. Nominations for the awards are accepted throughout the year in six categories: customer service, courage, leadership, professional achievement, teamwork, or community service and volunteerism. The 2018 awards generated nominations involving more than 140 employees.

“Among the more than 30,000 who work on state government’s behalf, we have incredible, steadfast examples of commitment, compassion, service, accountability, and diverse leadership,” Secretary Stephens said. “This is an opportunity to showcase those examples, express our appreciation, and tell the truly amazing stories of Kentucky’s ambassadors.”

A selection committee reviews the submissions and three finalists are chosen in each category. Gov. Matt Bevin, who proclaimed April 23-27 Kentucky Public Service Recognition Week, selects the winners in each category. All names are removed from the submissions to ensure fairness and anonymity.

Award recipients are honored by having a personalized engraved brick placed along Ambassador Avenue outside the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History.