Cross-posted from Metro Matters

Pride Month celebrates the history and accomplishments of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities throughout the world. For Metro Operator Johnathon Futch, Pride 2022 is an opportunity to lead the celebration as one of the Grand Marshals of Seattle’s 48th Annual Pride Parade through downtown Seattle on Sunday, June 26. Read more.

Join Johnathon to represent King County in the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test. For information, email leah.holland@kingcounty.gov with the subject line “PRIDE Info.”

The People Leader Award recipient is Hedda McClendon, COVID Emergency Services Director for the Department of Community and Human Services. This award honors a leader below the department or division leadership level who directly manages staff.

In an incredibly challenging year, Hedda led operations at two high-volume COVID-19 vaccine sites, King County’s Isolation and Quarantine System Sites, and the White Center Cooling Center, and oversaw the Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program. Watch the video to learn how she inspired multi-departmental teams to produce big results with her leadership, partnership, and information-sharing – and supported and cultivated new leaders, including rising leaders of color, in the process. Watch the video presentation here.

This year’s recipient of the Individual Contributor award is Carolina Johnson, Data Asset and Technical Manager, Department of Community and Human Services. This award honors an individual contributor who does not directly manage staff.

Carolina is the product owner for the Community and Human Services and Public Health Integrated Data Hub, and she created the first-in-county structures and processes to allow for transparent and responsible data use and interpretation. She moved her project team to quickly generate data analysis that shaped the county’s COVID-19 homelessness response and limited the spread of the virus. She continues to create collaborative data products and support her colleagues in improving their data processes. Click here to watch the video presentation and learn more about Carolina’s work.

Submitted by the Department of Adult & Juvenile Detention (DAJD)

Claro “Ed” Mitre was a beloved figure in the kitchen at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, where he had worked as lead cook/baker since the facility opened in 1997.

The father of seven had started working at King County jails soon after he retired from the U.S. Navy. That was back in 1979. And earlier this year, at 86, he was still keeping up his dedicated routine. Sadly, Mitre passed away on Monday, May 16. He had worked his regular shift the previous Friday.

“I enjoy what I do and the people I work with,” he said in 2020, when he was quoted in an employee newsletter. “I will continue to work until I can no longer do it.”

Mitre wasn’t the only colleague King County jail employees lost this May.

Corrections Officer Lorenzo Jones, Jr., who began working as a corrections officer in 2001 and was primarily assigned to the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle, passed away on May 7. Colleagues remembered him as a “energetic, positive, friendly” and a loving father. Additionally, two active DAJD employees died in 2021: Officer Steven Ishikawa, with 30 years of experience, on April 15, and Officer Keith Gorman, with 26 years of experience, on Dec. 15.

Grieving the loss of a co-worker is never easy. Support is available through the King County Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Making Life Easier Program (MLE). Other resources may be available through your department.

Six-plus decades of experience

Ed Mitre’s career in food services for King County jails spanned more than 42 years. Prior to being assigned to the Kent jail, he worked in both the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle as well as the old jail above the King County Courthouse. He had been a lead cook and baker since 1982.

The son of a goldminer, Mitre’s dream growing up was to travel the world. After graduating from the Philippine Nautical School in Manila, he received an internship as a merchant marine officer on a cargo ship delivering supplies throughout Asia.

After completing his internship in 1957, he was accepted into the U.S. Navy as a seaman. His military career often kept him away from home, and he longed to spend more time with his family. He retired from the Navy in 1977.

Mitre was a widower, and is survived by his seven children, grandchildren, and a large extended family. He recently welcomed the arrival of his first great-grandson.

He enjoyed coming to work, often being the first to arrive for his 4 a.m. to noon shift.

He is described by his co-workers as “dedicated,” and one remembered him calling from a hospital bed once to check on the status of his food orders. They remarked that “his professionalism to his job and co-workers were only matched by his work ethic.”