County Administrative Specialist Karen Bannister was named Employee of the Month at the Humboldt County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday morning. Assistant County Manager Abel Del Real-Nava recommended her for the honor.
Del Real-Nava said that Bannister “was instrumental in planning every aspect” of the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) annual conference held Sept. 26-28 in Winnemucca. She coordinated with staff members at the NACO office in Carson City to pull together the annual conference, a process that began last year when Humboldt County was chosen to host the event.
Bannister’s efforts made the conference attendees feel welcome from the moment they arrived, Del Real-Nava said. Many of the arrangements she made emphasized her desire to make the event special for attendees while also highlighting what Winnemucca and Humboldt County have to offer.
She was responsible for gathering swag bag donations to give to conference attendees and orchestrating local elements for events like the President’s Reception at the Boys and Girls Club. She also arranged for tours to the Turquoise Ridge Mine and Safe Haven Wildlife Sanctuary.
“Humboldt County set the standard for hosting the NACO annual conference, and it would not have been possible without Karen’s hard work,” Del Real-Nava said.
Bannister said she was “delighted to receive the Employee of the Month Award for coordinating the NACO Annual Conference. The recognition is all the more meaningful because not only was the Conference a great success, but it also let us showcase Humboldt County and Winnemucca as a great destination.”
