Employee Highlights
AUGUST - 2023
Joe McComas
Mayor Mark Christopher would like to recognize Joe McComas.
A lot has changed over the years, but, then again, some things haven't changed at all. Growing up in Owenton on his family's farm, Joe spent his youth raising cattle and baling hay. In 1995 Joe married his high school sweetheart, Molly McComas, and together they raised two kids: Sam and Olivia. After graduating college, Joe took a job as a machinist before coming to work for the City. Joe and Molly still live on Joe's family farm in Owenton and, to this day, he enjoys raising cattle and baling hay.
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JULY - 2023
Derrick Holland
Superintendent Derrick Holland is one of the nicest and kindest gentlemen you will ever come to meet. Derrick has a big heart for taking care of people, he would literally give the shirt off his back to a stranger in need. As superintendent of the Street Department, Derrick leads his department by example, going above and beyond in everything he does. Derrick and his wife Ashley have two beautiful daughters that he can’t talk about enough. Derrick loves his family, his church, and he loves our city. Born and raised in Grant Co. Derrick grew up playing football at GC High School and worked on cars in his spare time. To this day one of Derrick’s favorite hobbies is still working on Vehicles.
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JUNE - 2023
Sam Curtis
One of Williamstown’s finest police officers, Sam Curtis is an outstanding and caring gentleman. But his story doesn’t stop there, well it actually doesn’t start there either. Prior to becoming a Williamstown Police Officer, Sam graduated from NKU and then worked tandemly at both Classic Country 106.7 and KET. So why the transition from radio and television to law enforcement? We asked him that exact question. His response? His response is one of integrity and honesty. “As a kid,” Sam said, “I always wanted to grow up and become a police officer, but after graduating high school, I felt pressure from those around me to not pursue it. After doing what everyone else thought I should be doing, one day I said to myself, No I always wanted to grow up to be an officer and that’s what I’m gonna do.” It’s not about just being a Police Officer for Sam; it’s about taking care of the town he grew up in and we could not be prouder to have him serve here!
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MAY - 2023
Michael Miller
Michael Miller is a man who wears many hats. Married for 9 years with 2 sons, Michael works for the City’s Water Department, but that is only one small part of who he is. Michael is also a regenerative farmer. What is regenerative farming?
It is the process of farming by way of allowing the animals to heal the land. “Taking care of the land and taking care of the animals go hand in hand,” Michael said, “with regenerative farming there are no chemicals, no pesticides and no fertilization”. Michael has been a farmer his whole life, but it wasn’t until he had his sons that he decided to focus on creating a family legacy that his boys will one day inherit. How far back the family legacy goes is equally as interesting. In 1916 his great, great grandfather purchased a gristmill and brought it back home. Everyone in town would bring their corn for him to mill, a tradition Michael and his family have continued to this day. While Michael and his family use a new gristmill, they still own that original gristmill from 1916. You can find Michael, his family, and the gristmill in action at festivals where they sell cornmeal, flour, grits, and sorghum. Want to know more about Michael Millers Regenerative Farming and the Miller Gristmill family business, then visit them at The Miller Gristmill General Store on Main St. in Crittenden or visit them online at www.Millstonefarms.net
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APRIL - 2023
Teresa Mathews
Teresa Mathews is one of the nicest, kindest, sweetest ladies you will ever meet. Devoted wife of 44 years to Gene Mathews a mother of two and loving grandmother, Teresa spends every ounce of her free time with her family; her family is her life. She has been a diehard Bengal's fan for her entire life. Teresa is also and avid reader and mentioned that perhaps one day she would like to try her hand at writing. With her kind spirit, devotion to her family and years of wisdom, there is no doubt she will have no shortage of amazing stories to write about. Teresa, thank you for being you, and have a HappyMother's Day.
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MARCH- 2023
Les Whalen
The word Super
hero invokes many thoughts. Courageous. Brave. High-tech vehicles. Protecting citizens. Keeping the city safe. And, of course, spandex suits.
While you may never see him wearing a spandex suit, he is a true modern-day hero.
Who is this hero? Fire Chief Les Whalen.
Moving here in 1984, Chief Whalen married his high school sweetheart, Lanette, and raised two kids. In 1992, after noticing a family friend’s house on fire while driving, Chief fearlessly rushed in to help.
Chief Whalen then took his first steps in becoming a superhero by volunteering for the Williamstown Fire Department.
From volunteering to becoming the City’s first paid fire chief in 1999, Chief Whalen says he genuinely loves serving his community, and now he continually trains the superheroes of tomorrow that serve and protect our City every day.
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FEBRUARY - 2023
Roy Osborne
Husband. Father. Veteran. Boy Scouts Volunteer. Servant. Whether it be serving WHS as a chair member of The Board of Education, his church as their trustee, our city as the Cable Department Superintendent, our local Boy Scouts Troop, and even our country by serving overseas in Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Marines – Roy is the example of what it means to serve.
Born and raised in Williamstown, Roy enjoys serving the City. In college Roy took part-time summer jobs working for the City, and after getting his degree, Roy decided to work for the City full-time. Roy is the second longest employee of the City to date.
Roy’s family heritage runs deep in Williamstown’s history. Roy said that his great grandfather was J. B. Miller, Williamstown’s 2nd Mayor. When asked if he wanted to follow in his great grandfather’s footsteps and one day be Mayor, his exact words were “No, I don’t think so”.
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JANUARY - 2023
Steve Cornman
The City would like to recognize Mr. Wayne Cornman as this month’s Employee Highlight of the Month. Wayne Cornman has worked for the City of Williamstown for 28 years, making him the current longest employee for the City. Wayne started working for the City on January 9, 1995. “Working for the City was like going to a family reunion everyday at work”, Wayne said as he thought back to when he first started. Son of the late Momma Joan, and Jack Cornman, Wayne smiled from ear-to-ear when sharing stories of what his family did within the City. “Dad worked for the Water Department, Mom worked the Senior Center, Uncle Bobby (Webb) was Police Chief and, of course, you have my brother who is now the Police Chief.” (Chief Steve Cornman)
Wayne, who is the caretaker for Webb Park, explained how Webb Park was named after his Great Uncle Frank Webb. When asked what his favorite memories are of working for the City, Wayne stated, “It’s the people. I love the people here in Williamstown. Being on the job at the Park I’ve seen so many church services, saw birthday parties, and people’s weddings. I love every minute of it.” Born and raised in Williamstown, Wayne said “I’ve given a lot to this City, and this City has been great to me all these years. Williamstown is more than just my hometown, it's my home, my town.”