July Employee of the Month: Danna Rivera

Congratulations to Danna Rivera, Riley County's Employee of the Month for July 2024! Nominated anonymously, Danna was praised as a "fantastic teacher and cheerleader" who lights up when she accomplishes a task or learns something new. Her enthusiasm and supportiveness make her stand out as a fantastic coworker.

Danna joined Riley County in June 2022 as Customer Service Representative I and now enjoys her current role as Administrative Clerk I for the Public Works Department. Before starting with the county, she worked primarily in food service, where she honed her customer service skills and gained valuable management experience. This background has made her a familiar face to many people in Riley County.

In her position with the Public Works Department, Danna continues to find fulfillment in customer service, even though it's often without the face-to-face interactions she was used to. She helps many people by answering a wide variety of questions and even enjoys learning the different roads and routes around town to assist with navigating road construction detours. She also handles accounting for the Solid Waste Department and makes sure the trash haulers know when the Transfer Station will be closed.

Danna's advice for dealing with the public is simple yet effective: stay calm, listen, take notes, and ask questions. Originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, Danna moved to Riley County in 2012 with her husband, who is in the U.S. Army, and their two daughters. Adjusting to the different culture of the Great Plains took some time, but she now loves the quiet and the warmth of the people here.

Danna emphasizes the importance of listening and communication in any relationship. When dealing with upset or angry customers, she allows them to vent and then works to find a solution, proudly stating, "Most of the time, I can help them out."

In her free time, Danna enjoys spending quality time with her family. Her daughters, aged 4 and 5, love their Saturday trips to the Downtown Manhattan Farmer's Market, followed by visits to a park or the movies. Danna recently enjoyed watching the original Top Gun after the release of the new Maverick film sparked her interest.

Danna also wants to give a huge shoutout to Public Works, saying "They are some of the most delightful, humorous, and sassy but classy people I have met! Especially Julie Winter - she is a powerhouse! Anything and everything you need to know Julie has an answer. It is very rare that she doesn't. She's a great leader and someone I aspire to be like."

Danna exemplifies the friendly, helpful, and hardworking spirit of Riley County. We are delighted to celebrate her accomplishments and proud to call her one of our own. Congratulations, Danna!