The City celebrated outstanding employees who go above-and-beyond for our community and one another by bestowing them with Core Value Awards. 

Milton has an established record of overall excellence, as evidenced by its ranking #1 in service among local governments nationwide and being crowned a “National Champion” for Trust in Government in recent years. These team accomplishments are the product of countless interactions every day by individual employees, some of whom were honored during a special ceremony last Friday evening at Milton City Park and Preserve.

Since 2022, Milton annually has given out these awards for those who (over the previous 12 months) embodied the City’s values of teamwork, leadership, ownership, service, and a commitment to preserving Milton’s rural heritage. Each winner first is nominated by a fellow City employee or a community member. If you’d like to learn more about this program or want to nominate someone for the next cycle of awards, go to https://www.miltonga.gov/i-want-to/honor-a-city-employee/.

This year’s honorees hail from all across City government. They are: 

• Planner I REMA ABDELFATTAH, a Milton resident as well as an employee who loves and understands our community including how and why development decisions shape its character – thus earning her a Rural Heritage award
• Senior Planner MICHAEL CARDAMON, a Service honoree lauded by a citizen for “his exceptional communication, fairness, and collaborative approach,” as well as his integrity and commitment to partnerships “that enable our continued success”  
• Payroll and Benefits Analyst J.C. CITTA, now in HR after years with Police, who wholeheartedly embraces tasks and finds new ways to make an impact – be it organizing employee events, a holiday drive for NFCC, and much more – with an Ownership distinction
• Public Works Manager MATT FALLSTROM, a Leadership recipient and Public Works’ head of daily operations who delivers on everything from multi-million dollar projects to removing snow – always answering challenges with a simple, “I’ve got it”
• Applications Administrator DAN FRATILOU, a Teamwork honoree who has shown a dogged, proactive, positive persistence to finding effective solutions to various Information Technology-related issues
• Fire Captain RYAN JAMES, who proactively fosters an environment in which firefighters are expected to grow, perform, and hold themselves accountable while providing them with invaluable guidance and support – earning him a Leadership award
• City Clerk TAMMY LOWIT, earning a Teamwork award for her excellence as City Clerk as well as showing up, pitching in, and working hard to support team members, the City Council, boards and committees, citizens, and all others who she engages with
• Officer JASON PANNELL, an Ownership winner for his excelling both as a friendly, committed School Liaison Officer who earnestly connects with kids and staff, as well as MPD’s “Fleet Officer” known to get his hands dirty to make repairs and save the City thousands
• Infrastructure Inspector JOSH ROGERS, a reliable source of knowledge, positivity, and pride who won a Service award having demonstrated sincere care for residents’ needs as well as the City overall by ensuring high-quality work on projects
• Community Outreach Manager EMILY SALERNO, whose exemplary energy, creativity, organization, and dedication to making Milton events, like Touch-a-Truck, the best they can possibly be helped earn her an Ownership award
• Code Enforcement Officer CHRIS WILLIAMS, another Ownership honoree with an often difficult job who was commended by a citizen for how his “dedication and commitment to our city and neighborhoods” enhances quality of life in Milton
• Executive Aide SUSAN WILMATH, who positively, productively handles tasks big and small – from routinely helping citizens who call the City to stepping up whenever a colleague needs support – making her a worthy Teamwork award recipient

Congratulations to all the 2026 Core Value Award winners! You and your fellow Team Milton members make our government and our community proud every day