Integrity. Grace. Humor. These are the traits described by current and former staff about their long-time coworker, Joann Hendrix.
After 30 years of dedicated service to AOC, Joann is retiring at the end of the year. Joann joined AOC in 1994 as a management assistant, supporting the County Road Program and the Oregon Association of County Engineers and Surveyors (OACES), in addition to daily office activities and special projects at AOC.
Former County Road Program Manager Pat Ehrlich was on the hiring team when she joined AOC. According to Ehrlich, she learned fast and routinely anticipated the department’s needs. “She truly helped me do my work more efficiently as she could proceed without lots of direction. She was well respected by those in the counties our program worked with.”
During her tenure at AOC, Joann worked in different capacities at AOC, serving as management assistant for several years, before settling into her most recent position as senior administrative manager focusing on event planning and travel for the organization. In this role, Joann supported a broad array of association activities and events — planning conferences, meetings, special events, and travel for AOC staff, the AOC Board of Directors, and affiliate and associate member organizations. She also worked as the OACES administrative manager overseeing the OACES membership, bookkeeping, budget, and facilitation of all meetings and conferences.
Executive Director Gina Nikkel has had the privilege of working with Joann for the last thirty years as a county commissioner, AOC staff, and now the executive director. “When I came back to AOC as the executive director, I was thrilled that Joann was still here serving our members with professionalism, grace, and dedication,” Nikkel said. “It’s hard to lose a long-term employee that has served AOC so well, and I wish her well in her retirement.”
In all her positions and throughout her career at AOC, she was widely known to be attentive, reliable, and conscientious. Whether it was remembering a guest who preferred hot chocolate over coffee in the morning, or which restaurant in Washington D.C. had the best steak, to leaving small treats for members and staff in their rooms, Joann always made sure everyone was taken care of at events.
“There wasn’t a problem she couldn’t solve. Her vast knowledge of the state, where to stay, where to eat, and renting cars was invaluable,” said former AOC staff member Eric Schmidt. “Getting us back and forth from Washington, D.C. during the forest payment days and getting us to NACo conferences was quite the task and Joann always came through.”
Joann’s favorite aspect of her job was planning meetings and the annual conference. She liked ensuring members were taken care of and having a good time. Staff will miss Joann’s stories from her time with AOC over the years. From the beginning days of product tasting held in various hotel rooms down a hallway at the Red Lion Hotel Pendleton, to the AOC “band” — consisting of county elected officials, county staff, and even some AOC staff – performing once a year during the annual conference, Joann has seen it all.
“AOC has been like a family,” Joann said. “I will miss the camaraderie, teamwork, and the friendships I’ve made over the years.”
In true Joann fashion, she said her retirement plans include “learning how to be retired.” Judging from her past work, she will excel at it just like everything else.
Contributed by: Erin Good | AOC communications coordinator