Danene Jackson

When I think about who the lynchpins in our office are, Danene Jackson is one of the first to come to my mind. She has made herself indispensable to the county, and I know that I'm not the only person who feels that way. In my time in the Clerk/Auditor's Office, I've seen time and time again how she exhibits the behaviors that make a world-class operation.

Professionalism: Danene is a master at her craft. She puts in the extra effort to do a peak-performance job in everything she does. She goes above and beyond, in big ways and small, and it shows in her work product. As a quick example, Danene doesn't just take assignments, but follows up and reports on the status. It's small things like these that set her apart. Anyone who deals with Danene understands her value to the county: her technical knowledge of accounting; her understanding of Utah County's operations; her institutional knowledge, and the value it brings.

High standards: When I review her work I frequently compliment her because she sets the bar high. For on example, this quarter we went through and did one-on-one interviews with all members of the staff. Danene's report about her team was the best across the whole department. I felt like I got 5 year's worth of information just from reading her notes.

Excellent leader: One thing that distinguishes managers from leaders is their relationships with those they oversee. I have experienced firsthand Danene going to bat for her direct reports. She compliments and encourages them. She asks upper-level management to ensure her team is fairly compensated for their work and raises the issue. She acts as a coach. She exemplifies what a good leader should do.

I believe Danene would be an excellent choice for Employee of the Month, particularly if she has never been given this award in her roughly 20 years at the county.

TAYLOR WILLIAMS Chief Deputy - County Clerk/Auditor