COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

County Manager's Office

DATE:

April 1, 2003

BOARD MEETING DATE:

April 22, 2003

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

John Maltbie, County Manager

SUBJECT:

Employee of the Month for April 2003

Recommendation

Honor Silvia Urena as Employees of the Month for April 2003 and authorize the President of the Board to sign the commendation.

Background

The Employee of the Month program was established in December 1984 to recognize and honor County employees who consistently demonstrate an outstanding level of performance.

Our Employee of the Month for April 2003 is Silvia Urena, Information Technology Analyst in the Library Division of the Environmental Services Agency.

Discussion

A County employee since 1989, Silvia began her career as a Library Page, promoted to Library Assistant, Library Technician, Senior Library Technician, Information Technology Technician and most recently, Information Technology Analyst. She was nominated by her colleague, Shannon Nottestad, who credits Silvia as being "patient and good-humored with staff, especially those who are not the most technologically savvy."

Silvia keeps the Library System's network running smoothly. It is a complex system which interfaces with the County's system and includes different programs for staff and for the public. Silvia maintains and manages this system, which includes over 300 PCs in 13 locations and periodic hardware and software upgrades. In addition, her work on the Library's web pages demonstrate her skill and expertise.

Silvia understands that when a library has problems with equipment, it is critical to their work and public service, and needs prompt attention. She communicates with non-techies in language they understand. She is always gracious, patient, creative and persistent in solving problems. She has enormous respect among library staff for her knowledge, understanding, and superb customer services.

Our County is fortunate to have Silvia Urena as one of its outstanding employees.

Vision Alignment

This item keeps the commitment of responsive, effective and collaborative government through goal number 21: County employees understand, support and integrate the County vision and goals into their delivery of services.