CAO Message: Thank You for a Great Year

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A message from Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton:

As 2024 draws to a close, I want to say thank you. 

It was wonderful to see so many of you at the year-end celebration event at the County Operations Center recently. You can see all of the festivities in this video. 

I join the leadership team in sharing my gratitude with every employee. Your dedication and passion for supporting the community and each other is what keeps me grounded. You can be proud of the impact your work has made in ways big and small.  

You—our County workforce—are the heart of this organization. Your work drives equity, sustainability, access and other values critical to moving the region forward. In 2024, we overcame challenges, celebrated successes and embraced change together, something we will continue to do in 2025, keeping our focus on our mission and vision. We are prepared for whatever comes our way.   

I look forward to our continued collaboration in the new year. Until then, I hope this season brings you peace, relaxation, and cherished moments with your loved ones. I’m truly grateful for our incredible team and all that we’ve accomplished together. Thank you for everything!  

Your View: DEHQ Team Hard at Work

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Jeff Arsua from the Department of Environmental Health and Quality submitted photos of the Food, Water and Housing team conducting routine health inspections during the holiday season.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Your View: ARCC Cubicle Holiday Decorations

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Melissa Bergeron from the Assessor Recorder County Clerk Office submitted this photo where the Chula Vista staff participated in a cubicle holiday decoration contest to show off their creative skills.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Gallery: End of Year Employee Event

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An End of Year Employee celebration was held at the County Operations Center on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Plenty of activities were held including live music, games and more.

See the gallery of images from the photo booth and Accomplishment Tree with submissions from employees:

Your View: County Vector Control Fight Mosquitoes in Vista

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This photo was submitted by Derein Daniel from the County’s Department of Environmental Health and Quality capturing County Vector Control treating an area in Vista to keep mosquitoes from potentially spreading the dengue virus and protect the public’s health.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Share Your Accomplishments

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What an “unbe-leaf-able” year! Share one of your 2024 accomplishments. Each submission will be written on an individual paper leaf that will be hung on a giant Accomplishment Tree. The tree will be on display at the End of Year Employee Event at the County Operations Center on Wednesday, Dec. 18.

Submit your accomplishment and learn more about the End of Year celebration.

Note: If you have troubles submitting your accomplishment (200 characters max), please send it to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Enter CECO Raffle

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Ready for a staycation? Enter a raffle for a chance to win either a stay at a local hotel or a big meal. The County Employees’ Charitable Organization is selling one ticket for $20 or three tickets for $50. All proceeds will benefit the charity.

Prizes

Dates

  • Tickets must be purchased by 1 p.m., Dec. 18.

  • Winners will be announced at 5 p.m., Dec. 18.

How to Enter

Separately, there’s an opportunity to support CECO through a food fundraiser at the End of Year Employee Event. Come out to enjoy the many activities and grab lunch. MyPozole will be onsite and donating 10% of sales to CECO.

CECO has been the charitable arm of the County of San Diego since 1956. It strives to lend a hand to the community by way of grants to local nonprofit programs and assistance to employees and retirees in need.  

CECO is run by our very own County employees and 100% of money donated benefits local nonprofit agencies and employees or retirees in crisis. 

Donating to CECO makes a big difference to our local community. Earlier this year, the organization distributed $101,507 in grants to 58 local nonprofit programs and the Employee Crisis Fund at its annual awards ceremony. Several local nonprofits, including health clinics, homeless service providers, after school programs and more, received grants. See the full list. 

See the flyer below.


Your View: Stunning Sunrise Over ROV

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This photo was submitted by Kayla Iliff from the County’s Department of Human Resources where her dad captured this stunning sunrise at the Registrar of Voters Office at the County Operations Center.

Share your photos! If you see a coworker getting the job done, a beautiful sunset over your office or a wonderful County program being offered—snap a pic and submit it.

Be sure to include information about the photo and your name. Images may be posted to InSite and shared on social media. 

See more of Your View photos. 

Get to Know Your CFO: Joan Bracci

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Get to know the County’s new leadership team in a series of stories highlighting some professional and personal highlights. It started with Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton.  

Right now, it’s Joan Bracci’s turn. She’s the County’s new Chief Financial Officer. She has served in many roles including the Finance and General Government Group interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and as its Chief Operations Officer.

In the Clifton Strengths Assessment, what are your signature themes? 

Learner, Achiever, Relator, Individualization and Intellection.

What traits do you look for in a co-worker? 

I feel lucky to be a part of the County team, because I’m surrounded by colleagues who are driven to serve, ready to roll up their sleeves, work hard until the job is done, and to have fun and take care of each other while doing the job.  

Advice to someone who wants to move ahead in their career. 

Have fun and follow your heart. Make yourself proud. 

What do you want people to know about you?  

I’m here to help – if you’re carrying a heavy load, it would be my honor to carry it with you. 

Where did you grow up? 

All over, in chronological order until I started my undergrad studies: Egbe, Nigeria; South Pasadena, California; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Taichung, Taiwan.

Introvert or extrovert and describe why? 

Introvert – I appreciate having space with my thoughts and time to myself, so when I am with others, I can be present with them. 

Favorite activity or hobby? 

Climbing in alpine environments – I feel deeply alive when everything around is just granite and sky.  

Favorite way to spend the weekend? 

Rock climbing with my husband or long-time climbing partners – I love being in a vertical space, connected to another person with a rope, relying on each other. 

Favorite place to eat? 

With family and friends! Food tastes better when you’re eating in great company. 

How do you relieve stress?  

I like things that involve counting – crochet (counting stitches), playing the banjo (counting beats), ashtanga yoga (counting breaths). 

Do you have a particular philosophy? Motto? Saying that inspires you/that you live by? 

In the introduction to a book about exploring the Himalaya, Sir Francis Younghusband wrote: “But to those who have struggled with them, the mountains reveal beauties they will not disclose to those who make no effort. That is the reward the mountains give ... And naturally the mountains reserve their choice gifts for those who stand upon their summits. The climber’s vision is then no longer confined and enclosed … He sees in every direction.” 

I don’t think the mountains really care about climbers or bestow gifts. But this quote profoundly resonates with me – in the mountains and in life, with hard work, courageous choices and perseverance, we can gain the truest perspective and to see how much further the boundaries of possibility are than what we thought. 

Also read:

Get to Know Your DCAO: Brian Albright, FG3

Get to Know Your DCAO: Kim Giardina, HHSA

Get to Know Your DCAO: Dahvia Lynch, LUEG

Get to Know Your DCAO: Andrew Strong, PSG

Get to Know Your ACAO: Caroline Smith

Don’t Miss the End of Year Employee Event

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It’s been an epic year. We’ve accomplished so much! In coming together, we achieved more than any of us could alone.

A celebration will be held at the County Operations Center on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Plenty of activities are planned: lawn games, music, trivia, rock painting, pet adoption and fostering, gratitude grams, meet-and-greets with our employee resource groups, and more.

In addition, there will be a food truck fundraiser and raffle benefitting the County Employees’ Charitable Organization (CECO).

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 18
Time: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location: County Operations Center, Commons, 5520 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123