County Public Works Employees Earn a Staff Spotlight

Gila County Supervisor Tim Humphrey shone the county’s Staff Spotlight recognition on employees of the Public Works Department for going above and beyond this fall at the October 21, BOS meeting.

“The men and women of the Public Works Department have an incredible commitment to the Department’s mission and to serving their community,” said Humphrey during a recent board meeting. “They deserve to be publicly recognized for their outstanding work.”

Those recognized for exceptional performance include: James Green, Preston James, Jo Kellis, Mike Wicks, Troy White, Joe Tarango, Joel McDaniel, Jeff Taylor, Luke Delahaye, Kenneth Satathite, Michael Lavier, Robert LeDuc, Joshua Solinsky, Michael Maclean, and Erica Dzera.

Over Labor Day weekend, the Russell Gulch Landfill was short-staffed, threatening its ability to remain open. When word spread, James Green and Preston James volunteered to help operate equipment, while Jo Kellis kept the scale running to ensure operations continued. Mike Wicks managed both trash movement and critical repairs at the Buckhead Mesa Landfill—efforts that kept essential services available for residents and commercial haulers.

Stabilization work at the Russell Gulch Landfill has since become a true team effort. The group logged extra hours and worked collaboratively to ensure the project’s success.

At the organizational level, Troy White (Interim Director), Mike Wicks (General Services Supervisor, Star Valley), Joe Tarango (Russell Gulch Landfill Supervisor), and Joel McDaniel (Roads Manager, Globe) coordinated operational changes, designed new layouts, and managed logistics and equipment.

On the operations side, Jeff Taylor, Luke Delahaye, Kenneth Satathite, Michael Lavier, Robert LeDuc, Preston James, Joshua Solinsky, Michael Maclean, Jo Kellis, and Erica Dzera were instrumental—handling everything from assembling dozers and hauling equipment to road construction, traffic control, and running landfill operations through long hours and weekends.

Together, their teamwork and dedication ensured the County’s landfills continued serving the community without interruption—an achievement that earned them this well-deserved spotlight.