Outstanding Customer Service Awards

First Quarter 2019 Award Recipients

Join us in congratulating Judy Kettring from the Department of Public Health and Frank Archer from the Facilities Maintenance Department who have been recognized as Ottawa County’s Outstanding Customer Service Award recipients for the first quarter of 2019.

Judy Kettring, Department of Public Health

Judy Kettring

The individual who nominated Judy wrote:

“She has been such a great community health worker since I have been referred to the program. I am a diabetic and so is my husband. She came in and was so nice and helpful in helping us find diabetes education that we did not have to pay for. We are on a very fixed income and Judy helped us with finding lower diabetes medication and provided us with a discount card explained to us how it works and she provided us with education. Judy also provided us with healthy recipes and really motivated us to get out and exercise. She even went to our diabetes class with us every month to help us feel more comfortable. The class was at Love Inc in Grand Haven and she was there each month to help and support myself and my husband. I also lost a front tooth and she helped me get into a dental office I could afford to have my tooth replaced she also educated me on the importance of oral care and diabetes. I have since lost 10 pounds and my doctor says that my blood sugar is better than ever. Recently my grandkids came under my guardian ship due to an unfortunate event. I had no idea what to do and didn’t know how I would be able to take care of them with a fixed income. I called Judy and told her the situation, she came over the next day and she helped us apply for cash and food assistance. She really helped us figure things out referred us to get clothes for the kids at the people center and she communicated with the cps worker from Muskegon about the care of the kids. She helped us get forms and paperwork to the MDHHS caseworker and within days she helped us get approved for food and cash assistance. Now we are able to provide for the 8 and 1 year old grandkids. I was also needing to go on WIC website and register for online classes so that my granddaughter could still get her WIC. I am not good with computers. Judy helped us with setting up on account showed us basic computer things and now I’m confidently using my tablet to look things up online that I was not able to do before. I haven’t used my tablet in 3 years since my husband bought for me to look things up online since she showed us how. I thought it was for games. Judy called and set us up for low income internet too so that I can get internet for the house now and so my grandson can do homework. She is so great and sad that she is done working with us. She did say if I need her to call and she can help. We are so fearful that she listened as we rambled in and on. Judy is patient and really shows there’s good people out there to help.”

Number of Years Employed by Ottawa County:

I started with the County on January 4, 2017. So almost 3 years.

The thing I like most about working for Ottawa County is:

The thing that I like most about working for Ottawa county is the ongoing support from the departments and all the leaders. I like that we have opportunities not only within the department that I work, but throughout. I also really appreciate the diversity that we have here and we are able to have our voices heard.

The hardest thing I have ever done:

The hardest thing that I have ever done? That’s such a hard one, I have so many that I can list, but I think that for me it was going through IVF and also saying goodbye to both of my parents within 8 month of each other.

You would be surprised to learn that:

I am not good at math contrary to what people may think…but I was a cheerleader. S-P-I-R-I-T-Spirit

If you could have dinner with anyone dead or alive, who would you pick and why?

I would pick to have dinner with my brother who passed away 18 years ago because we were so close and I never got to say goodbye and of course my parents would be there as well. I chose the three of them because all of their passing was so unexpected.

If you had to spend all of your vacations for the rest of your life in the same place, where would you go and why?

I would probably spend all of my vacations in Hawaii. I love it out there in rain or shine, there’s still so much to do and enjoy!

If you could travel back in time to any certain era or event, when/where would you pick and why?

The era that I would travel back to would be the 1920’s the flapper era. I love the book and movie the Great Gatsby. The way the women dressed was so vibrant. The women also in that era did what society did not expect them to do. The women in the 1920’s danced to Jazz Age music, they smoked, they wore makeup, they spoke their own language, and they lived for the moment. They also flaunted their disdain for unacceptable behavior. Which I certainly relate to that.


Frank Archer, Facilities Maintenance Department

Frank Archer

The individual who nominated Frank wrote:

“While trying to get to the Grand Haven building Frank, though very busy, stopped and took his time to help me into the building by offering me his arm to steady myself. Sometimes people don't take the time to see others who are struggling but Frank noticed I was having a hard time and helped me out. He didn't make me feel like a bother. He is very kind and is always smiling.”

Number of Years Employed by Ottawa County:

28 years

The thing I like most about working for Ottawa County is:

The employees and the work environment.

The hardest thing I have ever done:

Promise to be nice to Brittany in the Pros. Office for one whole year 7 months 10 days to go.

You would be surprised to learn that:

I have three older sisters who used to dress me up like a girl.

If you had to spend all of your vacations for the rest of your life in the same place, where would you go and why?

Right here in west Michigan