GENESEO, N.Y., June 26, 2024 —Livingston County held its 27th annual Employee Recognition Ceremony today, honoring longtime County employees for their many years of dedicated public service.
The event took place at the Government Center in Geneseo during the bi-monthly meeting of the County’s Board of Supervisors. The board presented honorees with commemorative blankets or custom-made stoneware crocks celebrating their 10 or 25 years of public service, respectively. All told, Livingston County officials recognized 33 County employees for their dedication during the event.
“These folks represent some of the best of Livingston County,” said Board Chair David LeFeber. “We are grateful to each one of them for their passion and commitment to public service. On behalf of the board of supervisors, I want to express our deepest gratitude to all our longtime employees. We’re fortunate to have such talented individuals on our team keeping the county running.”
Undersheriff Matthew Bean has been a member of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office for the last 25 years. He assists in planning and decision making for the four bureaus that encompass all members of the Sheriff’s Office. Recognized during the ceremony, Bean said he’s proud of the time he’s spent in service to others.
“I have been able to attend many of the employee recognition ceremony over the years. I think that it is great that the board of supervisors recognizes the County employees for their long-term dedication,” said Bean. “I have always loved to help people and I fell in love with police work. I have been blessed to be able to do it right here in Livingston County where I was born and raised. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn't change a thing.”
The board also celebrated Senior Typist John Hope for his 10 years of service with the Livingston County Department of Social Services. Among his many duties there, Hope works to connect clients with appropriate staff members for their needs and assists with staff development and clerical tasks.
“I definitely feel like part of a team with a larger mission to help the people within the county, and it feels great to know even the people higher up in administration recognize everyone's contribution to that mission,” he explained. “It’s great to be recognized for my work and to know others will be recognized for their own service.”
Highway Department Administrative Manager Elaine Szoczei has been with the County for the last 25 years. Her responsibilities include the department’s daily administrative operations, such as accounting, finances and audit, payroll, personnel records, and more. Her Highway Department roots run deep, having served on the project team during the construction of the new highway facility located at 4389 Gypsy Lane in Mount Morris from 1999 to 2001. Szoczei said she was grateful for the acknowledgement and cited her coworkers as the secret to her long and successful career.
“I work with the best staff. They’re the reason I’ve been here this long,” she explained. “I’m also motivated by continually striving to use county resident tax dollars in the most efficient way possible.”
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.