Smith County Employee Recognitions
ETR Staff Report
Blake Sanderson was honored during Commissioners Court Tuesday for 10 years of service to Smith County. Sanderson started out as a detention officer in the jail, working for the Sheriff’s Office in 2016. In 2019, he became a maintenance mechanic for the Facility Services Department. He worked as a mechanic in the jail for five years before he began primarily taking care of the Courthouse, Evidence Building and Facility Services Department Building.
Facility Services Director Ed Nichols called Sanderson a capable, reliable and dependable employee who has completed 21,000 work orders since 2019.
“He is an invaluable part of our team,” he added.
Sanderson served in the U.S. Army for eight years before joining the county.
Sarah Bales Mikkelsen was recognized during Commissioners Court for 10 years of service to the Smith County District Attorney’s Office.
District Attorney Jacob Putman said Mrs. Mikkelsen is an appellate attorney and although she isn’t seen by the public much, she does a lot of work for his office. He said she is a hard worker and does everything with a smile. She also helps train new attorneys.
“We are very grateful to have her in our office.” Putman said.
Kari Kamin is celebrating 20 years with the Sheriff’s Office.
(She was not in Commissioners Court Tuesday)
She began as a detention officer and transported inmates to and from different agencies.
In 2008, she graduated from the police academy and then became a transport deputy and later became the Sergeant over transports.
She left to work in evidence for the Sheriff’s Office before returning to the jail as a sergeant detention officer.
After a few years she become part of the Courthouse Security Team and a roving bailiff, filling in where needed. When a position for a full-time Bailiff became available, she became the bailiff for County Court-at-Law 2.
“I have been able to work with wonderful people and the ability to travel across the United States during my time in transports,” she said. “I am thankful for the opportunities working extra jobs over the years as well.”
Other Smith County employees celebrating work anniversaries this month who were not in court include:
15 Years: Christy Humphries, County Court-at-Law
10 Years: Kimberly Alcorn and Sandra Harris, Sheriff’s Office
5 Years: Allison Chambless, Jeffery Kemp, Ashley Hampton and Troyce Mikell, Sheriff’s Office; Taylor Moss, 114th District Court; Philip Burkhart, IT Department; and Jason Charles, Road and Bridge Department.
Courtesy photos Smith County
Sarah Bales Mikkelsen, Smith County District Attorney’s Office, #SmithCountyNews, Ed Nichols, Jacob Putman, Allison Chambless, Jeffery Kemp, Ashley Hampton, Troyce Mikell, Taylor Moss, Philip Burkhart,
