2024 Employee of the Year nominees recognized

December 6, 2024 — Human Resources

The 2024 Employee of the Year Awards serve to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of Miami-Dade County employees who exemplify excellence and dedication to public service. By honoring individuals who embody these values, the County not only acknowledges their achievements but also inspire others to strive for excellence in their own roles within our County government.

These are the award categories for 2024:

• Sean McCrackine Above And Beyond Award
• No Wrong Door Customer Service Excellence Award

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced the winners of the very first Sean McCrackine Above and Beyond Award and the No Wrong Door Customer Service Excellence Award to a crowd of employee champions on December 5. Hundreds were gathered to recognize the nominees from different County department and learn who had been selected.

Congratulations to the nominees and winners. View the photos from the ceremony. 

Background on the Sean McCrackine Above and Beyond Award
Sean McCrackine served Miami-Dade County for almost 29 years in various roles. He entered the County in 1995 as a project assistant in DERM, where over seven years, he cultivated a deep respect for the environment. As a policy aide for then Commissioner Katy Sorenson, and the legislative Director for then Commissioner Jean Monestime, he lay the groundwork for many initiatives in place today, including a Chief Resilience officer; expanded solar and EV; protection of Biscayne Bay, trees, canals, and agriculture, and so much more. His profound love of our environment and unwavering commitment to our community were on display each and every day. Sean took dozens of policy aides under his wing, growing the next generation of legislative leaders. He pushed environmental advocates, facilitating the type of progress only possible through meaningful partnership. The award named in his honor seeks to recognize an exemplary employee who demonstrates the same strengths and commitment to public service and community.

James "Jim" O'Connor, Winner
Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department

Displays dedication, commitment and leadership in preventing drownings through the Miami-Dade County Drowning Prevention Coalition and Learn2Swim Program, which has become the largest public education swimming program in South Florida. Having educated over 100,000 Miami-Dade County residents, many of these students have returned to become instructors in the Program. This is a true testament of the impact programs such as these have on our community. Receives commemorative plaque, $1,000 and five days of Administrative Leave. Receives commemorative plaque and three days of Administrative Leave.

Nicole A. Tallman, 2nd Runner Up
Mayor’s Office

Excelled at navigating the complex landscape of legislative affairs with a combination of creativity and pragmatism, while ensuring all members of the community are heard and considered and embodying the spirit of service. Receives commemorative plaque and three days of Administrative Leave.

Leticia Smith, 1st Runner Up
Medical Examiner Department

Delivered exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment to ethical principles and had a significant role developing the department’s vision plan. Receives commemorative plaque and three days of Administrative Leave.

Ingrid Martinez, 3rd Runner Up
Human Resources Department

Committed to serving the public interest by way of the Miami-Dade County Disaster Assistance Program. Over the past five years you have designed, lead, trained, and supported the program ensuring that we can serve our residents during an emergency. Receives commemorative plaque and three days of Administrative Leave.

Background on the No Wrong Door Customer Service Excellence Award
We have a "No Wrong Door" approach within all County departments and with critical community partners to facilitate directing people to the services that best meet their needs, regardless of what their first point of contact with the County or its community partners may be. Engaging with County government today provides a seamless, comprehensive, and compassionate delivery of government services. We continue to create a network with integrated services to empower all members of the community. The employees recognized contribute to this objective with their dedication, creativity and hard work.

Theodore “Teddy” Harrell, Jr., Winner
Cultural Affairs Department

Connected hundreds of Miami-Dade County children, youths and families with affordable community arts activities at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (AHCAC). Receives commemorative plaque, $1,000 and five days of Administrative Leave.

Levar W. Baker, 1st Runner Up
Regulatory & Economic Resources Department

Provided an unwavering commitment to exceeding the expectations of our County residents. This has been personified by your successful implementation and management of the Truck Storage Project. Since its launch in March of 2024, the project has completed 46 cases and over 980 inspections, without a single violation recorded. Receives commemorative plaque and three days of Administrative Leave.

DeWayne Deal, 2nd Runner Up
Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces Department

Created at Gwen Cherry Park a place of community engagement and belonging. The partnerships you have garnered contribute to neighborhood pride and bring remarkable experiences for our youth. The first-ever recording studio in the Miami-Dade County Parks system, the Gwen Cherry Music Studio and youth football clinics that have featured local football stars TY Hilton and Cam Kitchens, are just two examples. Receives commemorative plaque and three days of Administrative Leave.

Mary Trujillo, 3rd Runner Up
Communications & Customer Experience Department

Committed to providing top-notch customer service to both your colleagues as well as our County residents. Your ability to break down complex issues into simple, understandable terms with empathy and care are extraordinary. Receives commemorative plaque and three days of Administrative Leave.

This is a full list of the nominees, including the winners in each category.

Sean McCrackine Above and Beyond Award nominees

• Lourdes Antelo, Department of Solid Waste Management
• Patricia Arbelaez, Department of Cultural Affairs
• Maurice Coombs, Communications and Customer Experience Department
• Dayna Cortes, Miami-Dade Public Library System
• Ileen Delgado, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department
• Tatiana Fernandez, Seaport Department
• Kyle Flood, Public Housing and Community Development
• Juan Florez, Information Technology Department
• Sam Gafcovich, Animal Services Department
• Craig Grossenbacher, Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources
• Corporal Jacinta James, Miami-Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department
• Kimberly A. Jones, Miami-Dade Police Department
• Ryan Lafarga, Office of Management and Budget
• Ingrid Martinez, Human Resources Department
• Roxana Mila, Office of the Tax Collector
• Ximena Morales, Internal Services Department
• James “Jim” O’Connor, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
• Daniel Scarborough, Department of Emergency Management
• Leticia Smith, Medical Examiners Department
• Nicole A. Tallman, Office of the Mayor
• Susannah Troner, Office of Resilience

No Wrong Door Customer Service Excellence Award nominees

• Levar W. Baker, Department of Regulatory & Economic Resources
• Leslie Cummings, Medical Examiners Department
• Jerry M. Estevez, Animal Services Department
• DeWayne Deal, Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department
• Camila Galvez, Human Resources Department
• Althea Gardiner, Miami-Dade Corrections & Rehabilitation Department
• Theodore Harrell, Jr., Department of Cultural Affairs
• Erol Kalender, Internal Services Department
• Rhina Lara, Office of Management and Budget
• Nancy Lorenzo, Department of Solid Waste Management
• Juliana Manjarres, Aviation Department
• Blanca Morales, Audit and Management Services
• Debra Owens, Seaport Department
• Sheba Previus, Miami-Dade Public Library System
• Carlos A. Rodriguez, Information Technology Department
• Matthew Tisdol, Public Housing and Community Development
• Mary Trujillo, Communications and Customer Experience Department