Celebrating the People Behind Kane County Government
At a recent milestone ceremony, Kane County recognized government employees marking 10, 20, 30 and even 40 years of service; a collection of experience, knowledge and dedication representing departments across county government.
Some work directly with residents every day. Others work behind the scenes, keeping county operations running, maintaining roads, managing technology, protecting public health, supporting the justice system, responding to emergencies and providing countless other services that residents may not always see, but rely on every day.
This year's honorees include two employees, Martha “Marty" Offutt Gruber with Court Services and Colleen Cole with the Sheriff's Office, who have each devoted four decades to Kane County. Together, they represent an extraordinary depth of institutional knowledge and a shared commitment to public service.
“Forty years is a long time to work in one place, and Marty has witnessed the pendulum swing from the get-tough-on-crime era of the 1980s to today's focus on more individualized, evidence-based services," said Lisa Aust, Executive Director 16th Judicial Circuit Court Services. "Throughout it all, she has remained committed to the work and to the people she serves."
Kane County Undersheriff Amy Johnson had similar praise for Cole. “For 40 years, Colleen Cole has exemplified dedication, integrity, and service to the people of Kane County. Her commitment to the Sheriff's Office has left a lasting impact on both the organization and the community. We are truly so thankful to be celebrating this milestone with her."
Kane County thanks all of this year's milestone honorees for the time they have given, the knowledge they have shared and the many ways they have contributed to the communities they serve.
(see the gallery of photos from the event below)
Animal Control
10 Years
- Rita Franco
Circuit Clerk
20 Years
- Deborah Chan
- Michael Meyer
- Lindsay Phillips
- Jeffrey Romanow
30 Years
- Lori Johnson
- Shelley Palm
Coroner
10 Years
- Gabriela Allison
County Clerk
10 Years
- Veronica Aponte
Court Services — Administration/Probation
20 Years
- Maria Garcia
- Ruth Gilles
- Brian Howes
- Mary Kosters
40 Years
- Martha Offutt Gruber
Court Services — Juvenile Justice Center
20 Years
- Patrick Drews
- Corey Harris
Development
10 Years
- Jae Cha
20 Years
- Keith Berkhout
Environmental
10 Years
- Anne Wilford
20 Years
- Jodie Wollnik
Finance
10 Years
- Juliet Ryzak
Health
10 Years
- Adam Brill
20 Years
- Kristina Brown
- Neal Molnar
Information Technologies
10 Years
- Darin Earl
20 Years
- Thomas Cunningham
KaneComm
10 Years
- Keegan Johnson
Public Defender
10 Years
- Joseph Sanchez
- Michelle Tilmon
20 Years
- Michael Tatman
30 Years
- Rachele Conant
- Brenda Willett
- Britt Hawkins
Sheriff — Adult Corrections
10 Years
- Adam Bochnak
- Alexander Morgan
- Joseph Sceerey
- Steven Springer
- Christopher Wilwers
20 Years
- Mergim Azemi
- Brett Kmieciak
- Bryan Mann
- Del Strossner
- Matthew Trygar
Sheriff — Sheriff
10 Years
- Steven Benson
- Colin Kramer
- Matthew Manski
- Hector Perez
- Wesley Phelps
- Ryan Rojkowski
20 Years
- Andrew Biddle
- Jonathon Harnack
- Denny Wallace
30 Years
- Orlando Ray
40 Years
- Colleen Cole
State's Attorney
10 Years
- Heliana Alcaraz
- Timothy Bosshart
- Beth Mullarkey
- Donald O'Brien
- Matthew Rodgers
- Julia Schick
20 Years
- Julie Pohlman
Transportation
10 Years
- Lisa Larson
20 Years
- Marian Joy Yehnert
30 Years
- Charles Ramm
Treasurer
10 Years
- Elizabeth Fuentes
- Della Winckler
30 Years
- Maria Herrera
- Carlos Mata
Workforce Development
10 Years
- Cynthia Pogue
- Roberto Rivera
20 Years
- Mary Yapejian
Thank You for Your Service
Every name on this list represents years of showing up, solving problems, helping residents and contributing to the work of Kane County Government.
To all of our milestone honorees: Congratulations, and thank you for choosing public service — and for dedicating so much of your careers to the people of Kane County.
