County’s Debt Finance Manager Receives Women in Public Finance Honors

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Michele Light, the County’s Debt Finance Manager, was recently named an Issuer Ambassador at the 28th Women in Public Finance (WPF) Annual Conference held in San Diego this year.

WPF is a national, professional organization that supports and advances the careers of women in public finance by fostering relationships and networking and providing educational and learning activities and forums. The 2024 Issuer Ambassador Program included 14 chapters and 19 ambassadors nationwide.

As a member of the San Diego Chapter for the past several years, to include serving as the President for two years, Light was nominated and selected for her dedication to the San Diego Chapter and experience in debt finance in the San Diego region.

When asked, ‘what does this honor mean to you?’ “I was humbled to have been nominated by my peers in the finance industry and was thrilled when I was selected to serve as an Issuer Ambassador. I remember attending my first annual conference held in Los Angeles several years ago and how motivated, encouraged and supported I felt when the conference ended. WPF reminds us how important we are to the field of finance and to each other in our career journeys,” said Light.

Light joined the County 23 years ago and has served as a manager in several departments that include the Sheriff, Auditor and Controller, San Diego County Employees Retirement Association (SDCERA), and currently serves as the Debt Finance Manager in the Office of Financial Planning.

Lip Sync Battle Winner Announced

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people wearing lei dance with sunglasses on

Congratulations to the 2024 Lip Sync Battle champions. Employees voted and selected the Zumbaholics from HHSA Fiscal Services as the winner. The group is Alyssa Monge Peralta, Debbie Ordonez, Jasmin Resurreccion, Joy Bernardo, Maggie Zaratan, Janice Almazan, Rina Bondoc, Hoda Pooladi and Lu Florendo. 

Watch their video. (You must be on network to watch this video.)

Your View: Miramar Career Fair

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Miramar Career Fair

Human Resources Analyst/Executive Recruiter and Veteran Outreach Coordinator Jorge Puente shared this photo taken at a career fair at Miramar.

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 DCAO: Brian Albright, FG3

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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.

In the coming weeks, we’ll introduce you to the CAO’s leadership team – the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Chief Administrative Officers and Chief Financial Officer.

Right now, it’s Brian Albright’s turn. He’s the new DCAO for the Finance and General Government Group. As the former director of County Parks and Recreation, see how he enjoys the outdoors!

What is your leadership style?

Supportive. Establish the vision, equip the team with the resources they need to achieve it, roll up your sleeves to help when needed, otherwise get out of the way. 

What prompted you to apply for a job at the County?

I wanted to build the biggest and best regional park system in America. The County gave me that opportunity. 

panorama view of a grassy field with treets

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

Be willing to put yourself in uncomfortable situations. Seek out new challenges. Build relationships across the enterprise and the industries/communities you serve.  

Do you have a particular philosophy, motto or saying that inspires you?

Truth matters and character counts. 

person surfing

Favorite activity or hobby?

Too many to name, but golf, surfing, hiking and biking are a few.

Oddest thing that ever happened to you?

Too many to name the top oddity. I seem to attract oddness, probably because I’m kind of odd myself. 

view of a lake with mountains behind it

Where did you grow up?

Denver 

Favorite food or cuisine?

Pizza

Least favorite food?

It’s a tie…cilantro and onions. 

2 tacos with onions and cilantro crossed out

Favorite place to eat?

Street tacos anywhere (hold the cilantro and onions). 

Do you have any pets and what do you like about them?

A dog Buckeye. I like him because he’s a fighter.  He’s 15 years old, blind and deaf, and has way exceeded his life expectancy as a big dog. But he keeps hanging on and bringing joy to our family. 

How do you juggle home and professional life?

I work hard, but when important home and family stuff comes up, I don’t miss it.  I hand the work keys over to someone else. I have regretted missing special family moments because of “important” work assignments but I have never regretted the times when I prioritized family and friends. 

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I like going to Broadway musicals with my daughter. 

Also read:

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

Get to Know Your CFO: Joan Bracci

Vote in the Lip Sync Battle

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The Lip Sync Battle finalists have been named! Now it’s time to vote for your favorite.

Check out the video performances below and then vote in the poll (lower, left side of the InSite homepage). The poll is open through 5 p.m. on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31.

Note: County employees must be on network to watch these videos. If prompted, click on sign-in.

The finalists (in no particular order) are:

Finalist 1: “Day-O”

Finalist 2: “Lose Control”

Finalist 3: “This Is How We Do It”

Finalist 4: “Made You Look”

Honorable Mentions

There was so many amazing submissions this year! With that said, the Halloween Committee selected three honorable mentions:

  • Rose Trujilio, Human Resources - “I Will Survive”

  • Christine Bolos, Madelynn Dahms, Carina Garcia, Jessica Ho, Bao Hoang, Kelsey LaBerge, Eunice Lee, Dani Lindsey, Megan Lytle, Julia Sison, Vicki Striebel, Jessica Lawler and Susan Devencenzi, Public Health Services-California Children’s Services - “Drop It In the Cart”

  • Diana Camacho, Sheriff - “Whenever, Wherever”

You can watch those here:

Help Wanted – Ballot Drop Box Lockers

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The Registrar of Voters is looking for County employees who can lock the official ballot drop boxes when voting officially ends at 8 p.m. on election night, Nov. 5.

Voters who are still in line at that time can cast their ballot, but then the mail-in ballot drop boxes must be locked.   

And that’s where you can come in. You could get paid to serve on a two-person ballot box locking team.

 A mandatory hour-long training is required for this role. There are three training sessions to choose from, all on Nov. 2. They’ll take place in Chambers at the County Operations Center, Building 5520.  

  • Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 to 10 a.m.

  • Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2 to 3 p.m.

  • Saturday, Nov. 2 from 6 to 7 p.m.

 The schedule for election night, Nov. 5.

  • 6:30 p.m. – Teams pick up locking supplies at a regional supply distribution site.

  • 7:15 p.m. – Teams arrive at their assigned ballot drop box location.

  • 8 p.m. – Teams lock assigned ballot box after last voter in line at 8 p.m. drops off ballot.

  • 8:30 p.m. – Teams return supplies to the supply distribution site.

One team member will drive their own vehicle; the other will be a passenger.

Pay for election night:   

  • Drivers - $115  

  • Passengers - $75                            

If you’re interested, fill out the survey and submit it by Nov. 1.

Vote for the Pumpkin Decorating Contest Winner

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The entries are in! Vote for your favorite finalist in the Pumpkin Decorating Contest. The poll is open through 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30.

The finalists are:

Finalist #1

Finalist #2

Finalist #3

Finalist #4

Finalist #5

While the deadline to enter the pumpkin decorating showcase has passed, you can still share your pumpkin creation. Email a photo to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Learn more about all the Halloween Happenings in San Diego County.

Scavenger Hunt List Now Available

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Why not join a scavenger hunt for your chance to win prizes? If you are not familiar with a scavenger hunt, it is a game in which the players compete to see who can obtain the most items from a list. You can play alone or as part of an up-to-5-people team.

Gather these items and then join to a live Teams event on Halloween (Thursday, Oct. 31) from noon to 1 p.m. to show off items or send photos via the chat.

List:

  • coin with dated 2015

  • picture of you or a team member with a red shirt

  • picture of you or a team member holding a pumpkin

  • picture of a fall (orange, yellow, red) leaf. (Make sure you are not touching poison oak.)

  • picture of a scarf

  • picture of the new County logo

  • picture of a County department sign

  • picture of nature - i.e beach, neighborhood park or outdoor space near your office or a team member

  • picture of coffee machine or tea kettle

  • picture of a local sports team apparel or memorabilia

Learn more about all the Halloween Happenings for County employees.