As the City celebrates Municipal Courts Week, we take this special opportunity to recognize the outstanding efforts of Southlake’s Municipal Court team: Jodi Bolton, Municipal Court Manager; Camille Ross, Court Supervisor; Sara Villalobos, Court Clerk; Rachel Smith, Court Clerk; Bayley Cavazos, Court Clerk; Kimberly Almaguer, Court Clerk; Dana Kirkland, Teen Court Supervisor; and Colleen Anson, Teen Court Assistant.
Serving as a key element of the judicial backbone of the City, this team manages court matters related to a range of fine-only Class C misdemeanor criminal offenses and city ordinance violations. These include traffic offenses, Alcohol Beverage Code violations, Health and Safety Code violations, Penal Code offenses, and other city ordinance violations. From the moment cases are filed to their final resolution and record retention, this team ensures that each step adheres to rigorous legal procedures, safeguarding the integrity of our judicial system while also remaining focused on serving all involved with care and service.
As Kristin McGrail, Deputy Director of Finance Administration, notes, “The team excels in finding ways to illuminate the legal process for defendants without providing them with legal advice.” Their ability to guide individuals through the complexities of the legal system is critical to building trust and understanding within the community.
In addition to their legal duties, the team stays informed on legislative changes and Attorney General opinions, offering accurate and informed guidance to all parties involved, thereby upholding the principles of justice with clarity and fairness.
Their commitment extends beyond the courtroom. The team actively pursues initiatives to improve customer service, such as language proficiency training to assist non-English speakers, and they leverage digital tools to streamline case management and offer virtual court sessions. McGrail adds, “Our clerks are creative, dedicated, and technically savvy!” This creativity and technical expertise enhance operational efficiency, making the judicial process more customer-friendly, accessible, and transparent for all involved.
At the heart of their success is a combination of professionalism and empathy. They navigate complex legal scenarios with compassion, ensuring that everyone they interact with—whether in person or digitally—feels heard, respected, and treated with dignity.
As the City honors the Municipal Court team during this important week, it celebrates their pivotal role in fostering trust within our community. Their quiet dedication and exceptional contributions serve as a crucial foundation of Southlake’s legal integrity.
“Ms. Barb,” as she’s affectionately known, has been a stand out to both customers and colleagues, and that’s why the City of Southlake is spotlighting her as an Unsung Hero. Barbara's journey with the Champions Club Guest Services team began when Champions Club first opened its doors. From day one, she has been the epitome of dedication and enthusiasm.
"Barb is the first face our members see, and she never fails to offer a warm welcome and a genuine smile," notes Champions Club Operations Manager Amy Bennett. "Barb's constant and steady presence, combined with her extensive knowledge and genuine care, make her an indispensable part of our team," she added.
Barbara's work ethic is nothing short of extraordinary. No task is too small or mundane for her; she approaches each one with the same level of seriousness and care. Whether wiping down surfaces to ensure cleanliness or meticulously checking capacity levels for safety, Barbara's attention to detail is unmatched. She is a beacon of encouragement and leadership for her team.
Barbara's bright personality adds a unique charm to her workplace. Known for dressing up for holidays and sporting the coolest patterned socks, she brings a sense of fun and joy to the team. She makes it a point to connect with everyone, whether it's asking about their children, hobbies, or the latest book they read. Her genuine interest in those around her creates a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere.
Her exceptional customer service skills were on full display earlier this year when she led the membership sales campaign, easily converting tours into memberships. This achievement underscores her effectiveness and commitment to our city's values. Moreover, Barbara plays a crucial role in training new team members, conducting shadow shifts, and teaching the importance of exceptional customer service and adherence to facility guidelines.
Having celebrated her five-year anniversary with Champions Club in January, Barbara has set her sights on another five years of service. Her goal reflects her deep commitment to our community and her desire to continue making a positive impact.
In the intricate tapestry of Southlake’s municipal operations, there exists a figure whose diligence and dedication quietly weave together the threads of financial stability and service excellence. Today, the City spotlights Karen Randall, our Treasury Accountant, as the latest recipient of the esteemed Unsung Hero Award.
Karen’s journey within the Finance Department has been marked by unwavering reliability, a collaborative spirit, and a bit of personal magic that enriches every facet of her work. “Karen is the quintessential team player—one you always want by your side,” notes Chief Financial Officer Sharen Jackson. Beyond her commendable work ethic are qualities that set Karen apart: authenticity, curiosity, and a welcoming demeanor. These traits not only define her character but also serve as guiding principles in her daily endeavors.
Karen’s effectiveness is unparalleled in her role. She stands as a cornerstone in the success of the City's annual financial audits, consistently surpassing expectations and delivering results well ahead of schedule. Whether it’s navigating the intricacies of merchant accounts for the new pickleball facility or stepping in to assist with the finances of other major projects without hesitation, Karen’s proactive approach and steadfast resolve make her an invaluable asset to the team.
As the bank liaison extraordinaire, she cultivates positive relationships and ensures the meticulous management of city investments—a testament to her unwavering dedication to the City's fiscal health. Moreover, her commitment to customer service knows no bounds—she embodies the spirit of going above and beyond to ensure the seamless operation of our financial systems.
Karen’s true magic lies not only in her professional prowess but also in her kindness, empathy, and infectious sense of humor. She embodies the very essence of Southlake values, enriching our workplace with her genuine warmth and dedication each day.
"Karen’s dedication to excellence and her unwavering commitment to our financial well-being make her an invaluable member of our team. Her contributions are the backbone of our department’s success."
- Sharen Jackson, Chief Financial Officer
In honoring Karen Randall, the City not only celebrates her exceptional contributions but also acknowledges the invaluable role of those who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Her impact may often go unnoticed, but her presence is deeply felt by all who have the privilege of working alongside her.
Safety is a high priority for the Southlake team. The extraordinary men and women in our Police and Fire Departments are the poster children for keeping people safe, even if it requires putting themselves in harm’s way. The Public Works teams regularly test water quality. Building inspectors ensure homes are constructed according to code. In addition, the City even has a safety committee that works hard to promote workplace safety. There are many examples of city staff working routinely to protect the community’s well-being. But one of the most notable safety champions on the team is someone you may not always think of - Jenn Blackstock, the Community Services Aquatics Supervisor.
“Champions Club is all about offering fun experiences for our members,” said Chris Tribble, Director of Community Services. “But we also strongly emphasize safety. And when it comes to safety, no one is more focused and effective than Jenn Blackstock.”
A quick review of Jenn’s responsibilities shows the extent of her work:
“Jenn is steady as she goes, calm and level-headed; someone you can always count on in a crisis,” said Deputy Director of Community Services David Miller. “She is smart, organized, and always well-prepared. Her leadership strengthens the overall safety at Champions Club, especially in the pool and the pool area.”
For all she does to ensure that the staff and patrons of Champions Club are safe and secure, Jenn is being recognized as one of the City’s unsung heroes. Many thanks to Jenn and her team for their commitment to safety.
When talent meets passion, magical things can happen in the workplace…even when there are unique and sometimes great challenges. Managing programs involving teenagers trying to find their place in the world might be intimidating for most, but for Southlake’s Teen Court Coordinator Dana Kirkland, it’s what she was “meant to do.”
Dana’s love and respect for young people, coupled with meaningful work experience and a quest to get it right, is extraordinary. And the Teen Court program works beautifully as a result.
Dana was a teacher in New Mexico for 26 years before retiring. She taught 4th and 5th grade in general subjects and 6th and 7th grade in Math. In 2016, Dana relocated to the DFW area. She happened to see the job posting for Teen Court Coordinator and immediately pursued and got the job.
She has brought her classroom management, public speaking, and conflict mediation skills to her daily work. Dana is creative and determined and gets the job done, even when circumstances have required her to regroup.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dana went above and beyond to find ways for teens to participate and fulfill their obligations while still learning from their experience. Where a lot of teen courts failed during that time and are no longer functioning, she was able to manage the program and make it successful,” said Kristin McGrail, Municipal Court Manager.
Writing essays was one option for teens to complete service hours. The topics were varied and always thought-provoking, all with the intention of getting the teens to reflect on their choices. Dana has read hundreds of papers in the past two years and has provided valuable feedback to the teens regarding their papers.
Dana does everything she can to make the teen court experience meaningful and enjoyable for everyone involved. Whether cultivating new community service work sites, coordinating training for teen attorneys, or organizing a professional conference, Dana uses her considerable skills to support adolescents as they prepare for adulthood.
For bringing a lifelong passion for education to the job and quietly working each day to make a difference with local teens, Dana Kirkland has been identified as one of the City of Southlake’s Unsung Heroes.
Governments are well-known for generating piles of paperwork and maintaining thousands of records and public documents. This results in a mountain of information that someone must organize and properly manage. Fortunately for Southlake, Deputy City Secretary Veronica Lomas has stepped up to the challenge and keeps the document management program moving forward, no matter how difficult the terrain.
Veronica is responsible for managing a system to capture, track, store, and dispose of records. Each record has a life cycle, from creation to active document, to disposition. Working to ensure that Southlake is compliant with state law by meeting retention requirements, Veronica and department liaisons have the challenge of ensuring that paper and electronic documents are maintained efficiently and correctly secured.
“Since coming to Southlake, Veronica has worked with city departments on important projects to better manage documents,” said City Secretary Amy Shelley. “Her leadership to maximizing the use of Laserfiche has resulted in many of the city’s business functions becoming paperless, and great efficiency has been achieved. She is working hard to reduce manual tasks and improve our interaction with citizens.”
An example of a successful project includes digitization of a complex human resource process, open enrollment. Working with HR Business Partner Dylan Welch, efficiencies were gained as follows:
Open enrollment is only one successful project. Other work has included digitizing the public safety personal history statements process, improving the City’s board and commission appointment process, vendor performance evaluations, and recreation incident reports.
Veronica and departmental partners have won awards and been recognized for their work by the DocuNav/Laserfiche User Group. This is because the Southlake team is viewed as role models for innovation and the documentable efficiency gains.
Veronica is fond of saying, “It takes a village” to achieve success, a humble expression of her commitment to work with city departments. And always optimistic, she sees plenty of
opportunity for the future – additional automated business processes, increased digitization, more efficient records management, reduced need for records storage, and better transparency.
When it comes to managing documents, Veronica’s know-how, commitment, and ability to work with others ensures that city business processes can be transformed into a successful digital experience.
Like the Little Engine that Could, Veronica just keeps chugging along, making progress day-by-day, driving innovation and efficiency all along the way. For her exceptional work, she is recognized as one of the City’s Unsung Heroes.
Strategic. Focused. Achiever.
To the casual observer, Tourism Marketing Manager Cambria Jones can appear quiet and unassuming, but looking a little closer, it is easy to see that she is a woman on a mission, a force of nature, intent on performing at a very high level. She is willing to get into the game and compete. A great time manager, she works to accomplish as much as she can during her day. An enthusiastic person with great people skills, she can leverage partnerships to get even more done.
She is intent on winning the tourism game and uses her significant intellect and talent to get the job done.
Cambria is an outstanding employee, but she doesn’t seek the limelight for herself. Instead, she works to draw attention to Southlake and encourages visitors to spend time (and money) in the City.
Here are a few highlights of how Cambria has worked to market Southlake as a destination to visitors (think shopping and dining, bolstering sales tax collections, supporting local businesses):
As a result of Cambria’s efforts, followers of Visit Southlake social media accounts have increased significantly. In FY 2019, the Visit Southlake Facebook account had a 42% increase in followers, and the Visit Southlake Instagram account had a 34% increase in followers. Cambria is telling Southlake’s story to more people, in improved ways.
She successfully managed the Visit Southlake video and photography refresh project, resulting in updated assets that are timely, diverse, and representative of Southlake as a destination.
Cambria successfully managed a destination video project, highlighting Southlake. The video is featured as the cover photo on the Visit Southlake Facebook page. She has also audited video assets and prioritized needs for FY 2020.
Throughout 2019, Cambria made significant progress in building rapport with destination partners, including the Hilton Hotel and RPAI (the real estate investment trust that owns most of Town Square). Working together, Cambria and these partners highlight local businesses to strengthen the local economy.
To Alison Ortowski, who oversees economic development and tourism programs for the City, working with Cambria is “a dream.”
“Cambria is one of those employees who possesses the ‘X’ factor that makes her highly productive, but also pleasant and inspirational,” she said. “We have supreme confidence in Cambria’s ability to support local businesses and deliver strong results.”
For her strong commitment to marketing Southlake as a destination of choice and for behind-the-scenes, effective work, Tourism Marketing Manager Cambria Jones is one of Southlake’s best secret weapons and an unsung hero.
