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Clayton County Host Inaugural Leadership Banquet
(Jonesboro) – On Saturday, December 14, 2024, the Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) saluted Clayton County Government Leaders. Clayton County officials and staff, along with family, and friends who attended the County’s first leadership awards banquet. The evening of professional recognition was held from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm in the Student Ballroom Center on the campus of Clayton State University, located at 2000 Clayton State Boulevard, Morrow, Ga.
In 2023, COO Detrick Stanford and his team created a three-pronged campaign to implement- employee engagement, diversity, and inclusion initiatives within Clayton County government. The goals of the campaign were to improve accountability; reduce silos across departments and leadership levels and enhance workplace communication and engagement strategies.
This new “Shift in Culture” would be achieved through several programs: The creation of CulturePods, a small group of directors and assistant directors formed based on complementary characteristics and personality traits designed to foster and promote team collaboration. Leadership presentations were also given on key topics such as communication, teamwork, leadership, and county government operations. This year CulturePods and individuals will be highlighted in five categories: Commissioners’ Cup, Excellence in Action (District Awards), Director of the Year, Deputy Director of the Year, and Culture Champion.
“The Inaugural Leadership Awards Banquet served as the culmination of the initiatives undertaken to enhance engagement, inclusion, and accountability within Clayton County Government” stated Deputy COO, Landry Merkison. “This event marked the beginning of an annual tradition, reaffirming our commitment to honoring and recognizing employees for their invaluable contributions to the county. By establishing this celebration as a recurring event, we underscore the importance of fostering a culture of appreciation and acknowledgment for the dedication and excellence of our workforce.”
The Leadership Awards Banquet served as the finale to a successful year-long exercise in practicing effective leadership communication, dismantling out-of-date management theories, and acknowledging the need for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. While simultaneously welcoming and accepting everyone’s varied skill sets.
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