Goochland names first HEART of Service Award recipient

Goochland County has named Steven Parrish, a Facilities Technician on the county’s General Services team, as the inaugural recipient of the HEART of Service Award. The announcement came during the Board of Supervisors meeting on January 6 and was posted on the county’s News Flash page on January 13.

The HEART award highlights employees who embody the county’s stated values: HEART: Honor, Empathy, Accountability, Respect, and Transparency. County officials singled out Parrish for a positive attitude, meticulous attention to detail and steady accountability in maintaining county facilities. His work contributes to the everyday reliability of public spaces and operational continuity across county buildings.

County Administrator Dr. Raley praised Parrish’s diligence and positive energy and encouraged residents and staff to nominate other employees for future recognitions. The nomination pathway and contact links are available through the county website’s News Flash page, where officials say they will accept submissions for subsequent award cycles.

For residents, the award is more than a ceremony. It underscores the county’s effort to make work culture and public service visible and to align staff recognition with measurable values. Facilities staff like Parrish often operate behind the scenes, and the HEART award aims to connect that behind-the-scenes work with community expectations for safe, well-maintained public facilities. By spotlighting an individual in General Services, the county signals that maintenance, responsiveness and accountability are central to local government performance.

Institutionally, the new award creates a formal mechanism for recognizing conduct that supports transparency and respectful service. That can influence hiring and supervisory practices by putting lived values into a concrete recognition program. It also gives board members and administrators a tool to promote internal morale without relying solely on informal praise.

The immediate impact for Goochland residents is practical: a reminder that county operations depend on front-line staff whose work affects courthouse functions, parks and public buildings. Engaged residents who notice exemplary service now have a clear avenue to nominate employees, which strengthens civic feedback loops and accountability.

The takeaway? If you see a county employee going above and beyond, take a minute to nominate them through the county’s News Flash page. Recognizing steady, often unseen public service helps keep Goochland’s systems running and signals what behavior the community values. Our two cents? Showing appreciation is civic work too, and it pays dividends in reliability and respect.