Posted by Board of Supervisors and
Pottawattamie County is proud to recognize its first round of Employee Recognition Award winners for 2026, honoring employees who exemplify the county’s core values through outstanding service, teamwork, initiative and professionalism.
The county’s employee recognition program is built around five pillars, which reflect how county employees engage with both citizens and one another:
- Service and Accountability
- Ethics and Integrity
- Job Knowledge and Skills
- Professionalism
- Self-Management
During Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, members of the employee recognition selection committee highlighted the strong representation of nominations submitted from across county departments, including nominations from citizens, coworkers, department heads and employees from other departments.
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“It was a really great representation of exactly what this program is intended to accomplish, recognizing work being done across the county,” committee members shared during the presentation.
The committee also noted that all quarterly winners will be eligible for the county’s annual employee recognition awards later this year.
Service and accountability: Scott Mefferd, Recorder’s Office
Scott Mefferd was recognized by a citizen for providing exceptional customer service while assisting them with obtaining marriage and birth certificates. According to the nomination, Scott took the time to walk through available options and ensure the individual received the help and information they needed.
His patience, follow-through and commitment to helping citizens navigate county services exemplified the county’s Service and Accountability pillar.
Job knowledge and skills: Kellie Newell, Information Technology
Kellie Newell was nominated by another county employee for identifying and solving a longstanding PDF accessibility challenge that had previously gone unresolved.
Through investigation and problem-solving, Kellie developed a solution that significantly improved efficiency and saved valuable staff time. She was also recognized for being a strong team player and for the depth of knowledge and expertise she consistently brings to her role.
Ethics and integrity: Matt Wiese, Buildings and Grounds
Matt Wiese was recognized by a deputy in the Sheriff’s Office for his efforts supporting operations during extreme winter weather conditions.
During a particularly cold stretch of the winter, with wind chills reaching between 20 and 30 degrees below zero, several Sheriff’s Office vehicles experienced battery and startup issues. Matt assisted with jumping vehicles, replacing batteries and helping return multiple vehicles to service.
His willingness to step in and support public safety operations during difficult conditions demonstrated exceptional dedication and integrity.
Professionalism: Garfield Coleman, Safety and Risk Management
Garfield Coleman was recognized by a fellow department head for his leadership and initiative in supporting the county’s ongoing website accessibility efforts.
Garfield took it upon himself to meet with departments across the county to emphasize the importance of accessibility and encourage participation in the initiative. His efforts helped reinforce the significance of ensuring county information and services remain accessible to all residents.
The nomination specifically recognized the time and energy Garfield dedicated to the project and the positive impact his efforts will have on both county staff and citizens.
Self-management: Kelly Greer, Information Technology
Kelly Greer was nominated by a coworker for stepping in to assist with a large equipment recycling effort outside of his normal responsibilities.
According to the nomination, Kelly volunteered to help gather and transport equipment from multiple county locations to a recycling area in the basement, despite the task not being part of his assigned job duties.
His initiative, teamwork and willingness to help wherever needed reflected the county’s Self-Management pillar and demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting his department and coworkers.
Pottawattamie County encourages employees and residents to recognize outstanding county employees through the Employee Recognition Program. Nominations are accepted year-round, with award recipients selected quarterly.
To learn more about the program or submit a nomination, visit.
