Pittsboro, NC – On December 20, 2021, Chatham County Assistant County Manager Carolyn Miller gave a special presentation at the Board of Commissioners Regular Session in Pittsboro recognizing Cristal Ocampo Ruiz as the county’s 2021 Employee of the Year.
Ocampo Ruiz is an interpreter and the immunization tracking coordinator at the Chatham County Public Health Department. Ocampo Ruiz has worked with Chatham County since May 2016 and is a 2020 Chatham Leadership Academy graduate.
“I am so glad to see Cristal recognized as Employee of the Year – she is so, very deserving,” said Chatham County Public Health Director Mike Zelek. “Cristal has been such an important part of our team for the past several years. During the pandemic, she has been critical to our efforts to reach the Latinx community. From translating information to tracking immunizations, we wouldn’t be where we are without her.”
Chatham County staff were asked to submit nominations for 2021 Employee of the Year. The Personnel Committee received many qualified nominees.
The employee who nominated Ocampo Ruiz said they could not do their job without her.
“We are so fortunate to have Cristal as an employee, and she is a great example to her colleagues,” said Miller. “Cristal embodies the true spirit of Chatham County with her hard work, commitment, and passion to serve the people of our community.”
Last year, all 533 Chatham County government employees received the designation as 2020 Employee of Year after an unprecedented year navigating two major crises – the COVID-19 pandemic and a cyber incident.