News Detail
West Named Franklin County’s May Employee Of The Month
Commissioners
May 28, 2026
CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. (May 28, 2026) – The Franklin County Commissioners proudly presented the May Employee of the Month award to Zachary West during the board’s May 27 public meeting. West has been employed by Franklin County since January 2021 and serves as a network and telecommunications administrator in the county’s information technology services department. West was also named Employee of the Month in August 2022.
May’s Employee of the Month recipient was determined by the Special Thanks and Recognition (STAR) Committee, which received 25 nominations for the April award, three of which were for West.
“Zach is always responsive and willing to help with whatever we need at the Department of Emergency Services,” said one nomination. “Recently, we lost connection to our administration phones’ server and were completely unable to receive or make calls from our admin phones. This was an emergency situation because we take numerous types of calls on these phones, including rerouting 911 calls in the event our 911 lines go down. They are vital to our operation and mission to serve the community. Zach responded immediately. He began to work on the issue and attempted to find a solution to get us back up and working as soon as possible. Once Zach figured out that he would not be able to recover our phones, he came up with a temporary solution so we could take calls. Zach worked through a lot of complications to make this work for us. Zach continued to investigate the issue and after reaching out to a vendor, he was able to find a solution to recover our phones.”
The nomination continued, “Through this whole process, Zach worked to find solutions and adapt to every obstacle that came up. Zach deserves the employee of the month award for displaying several of the county’s SERVICE Values and for restoring a critical service to the community and the 911 center.”
“What initially appeared to be an unfixable issue quickly turned into a testament to Zach’s skill, persistence and unwavering commitment to our team,” said another coworker. “Zach worked diligently and methodically, spending countless hours troubleshooting, analyzing and rebuilding a system many believed was beyond recovery. Rather than accepting limitations, he pushed forward — testing solutions, collaborating where needed and refusing to let the situation define the outcome.
“His technical expertise was evident, but it was Zach’s determination and calm demeanor under pressure that truly set him apart,” the nomination continued. “In the thick of it, when stress was high and uncertainty loomed, he became a steady and reassuring presence. Zach communicated clearly, kept the team informed and maintained a solutions-focused mindset that helped others stay grounded. His ability to remain composed while tackling such a complex issue made a lasting impression on everyone involved. Thanks to Zach’s relentless effort, the phone system was not only restored but stabilized, allowing our operations to continue without prolonged disruption. Zach’s work directly impacted our ability to serve and support others when it mattered most.”
Another employee explained, “Zach came to the Department of Emergency Services to provide training on the temporary phone system with each shift. This required him to come in earlier than his normal working hours to ensure our night shift staff were educated as well. Zach has always been a huge help and is always very kind, patient and friendly when he is here. You know that things will get fixed when he shows up! Zach embodies the values of teamwork, accountability and service excellence. His contributions not only strengthen the IT department but also enhance the overall effectiveness of the county.”
The Franklin County Commissioners congratulated West on his recognition and thanked him for his excellent work and for exuding such a high standard of knowledge, leadership and excellence to the employees and residents of Franklin County.