Changing the way we recruit, develop, support and empower employees to help us become the best-run government in the nation

This Town Hall features an informative discussion on what King County is doing – and what we can do better – to recruit, develop, support and empower employees, what we can learn from other organizations, and how employees are the key if we are to become the best-run government in the nation.

Natasha Jones, King County's Director of Customer Service, hosted the event and was joined by:

• Dow Constantine, King County Executive
• Nancy Buonanno-Grennan, Director of King County's Human Resources Division
• Scott Welch, Global Corporate Relations Manager for Columbia Sportswear Company.

 

The Sept. 9  Employee Town Hall is also available to watch in short chapters -

• What is Best Run Government and what is the role of employees (13 minutes)?
• Engaging employees in their work (16 minutes)
• The business case for engagement (11 minutes)
• Empowering employees at Jail Health Services (3 minutes)
• The importance of diversity in the workplace (9 minutes)
• Question and answer (5 minutes).

In a first for King County, this edition of the Employee Town Hall was pre-recorded in front of a live audience so additional information, multimedia and fun facts can be added to the final version to provide a richer, more interactive experience for employees.

 

Host

Director of Customer Service Natasha Jones advances customer and employee satisfaction by improving the County’s delivery of customer service. She leads an inter-departmental team of Customer Service Officers, establishing performance measures and inspiring a culture of continuous improvement. Jones has served in a communications and media relations role for three executive administrations and two other local governments, where she has focused on public outreach and government accessibility. Before working in government, she was a television news assignment editor, producer, reporter, and anchor.

Panelists

Dow Constantine, King County Executive. Since his election as King County Executive in November 2009, Dow Constantine has been working to instill a culture of performance that changes the way King County does business and forging partnerships with residents, cities, employees, and other county leaders to craft real, sustainable reforms. Before his election as Executive, Dow served as a King County Council member for eight years, and has held elected office in Washington state for 15 years. A Seattle native, Dow graduated from West Seattle High School and the University of Washington. He earned University of Washington post-graduate degrees in law (1989) and urban planning (1992).

Nancy Buonanno-Grennan is the Human Resources Director for King County, and had previously served as the Labor Relations Manager for the County. Nancy leads a team of about 160 human resources professionals who provide best-in-class support to King County’s 18 departments, agencies and branches of government. Prior to her work here at King County, she served as the Kitsap County Administrator, responsible for the day-to-day operations under the general policy direction of the Board of County Commissioners. Nancy has a law degree from the University of Washington and a bachelor’s degree from Smith College. She started her career as a union organizer and representative for Service Employees International Union, and was an intern with the National Labor Relations Board.

Scott Welch directs the global corporate relations program for Columbia Sportswear, an international leader in the sporting goods industry. He is responsible for managing Columbia’s Giving Back program, all nonprofit partnerships, cause-marketing campaigns, and all other philanthropic programs within Columbia’s family of brands including Montrail, Mountain Hardwear, and Sorel.  He also coordinates internal communications and external public media messages for the company.

Best-Run Government: Employees

To be the nation's best-run government, King County needs a talented and diverse workforce. These strategies allow us to enhance the overall employee experience, meeting the needs of staff today and into the future. Find out more.

Archive

King County Executive Dow Constantine joined Dwight Dively, Director of the Office of Performance, Strategy and Budget, Patty Hayes, Interim Director of Public Health – Seattle & King County, and Harold Taniguchi, Director of the Department of Transportation, for a detailed discussion about the proposed 2015/2016 biennial budget, at the October 27 Employee Town Hall. Watch it here.

Best Starts for Kids

King County Executive Dow Constantine's Best Starts for Kids initiative aims to reduce demand for the criminal justice system by investing in less-expensive prevention efforts. Find out more.