CHAMBERSBURG – Franklin County Commissioners presented the November Employee of the Month award to Janelle Friese during the board’s Nov. 26 public meeting. Friese has been employed by Franklin County since June 2011 and serves as the director in the county’s fiscal department.
November’s employee of the Month recipient was determined by the Special Thanks and Recognition Committee, which received 15 nominations for the November award, 10 of which were for Friese. Multiple nominations cited Friese’s stewardship through implementing the county’s new target-based budgeting methodology for the 2026 budget.
“Janelle’s leadership and dedication have been nothing short of exceptional,” said one nomination. “Over the past several months, she successfully directed the implementation of a new target-based budget, a complex initiative that she navigated with remarkable precision and grace. From overseeing the design and layout of the training materials to guiding her team and departments through the transition, she ensured every step was seamless and effective. Her strategic foresight aligned financial planning with broader organizational goals, laying the groundwork for long-term sustainability.”
The nomination continued, “Her planning was meticulous. She anticipated challenges, identified key decision points and developed a structure that allowed the department to move forward with confidence. Her attention to detail ensured that nothing was overlooked, and her focus on process improvement helped streamline workflows and reduce confusion during a time of significant change.
“She established subcommittees for ongoing process planning and communication of the process to impacted stakeholders keeping all informed; attended target-based budget-specific conference sessions; created a new budget calendar and timeline; coordinated commissioner, fiscal and department communications; established new budget levels to provide appropriate steps of preparation; supported new Laserfiche budget forms and instructions implementation; guided the new process of supplemental funding requests, essentially replacing and streamlining existing processes; supported and guided budget estimates necessary for the new approach; and myriad of other necessary actions all while supporting her staff with ongoing operational responsibilities.”
One coworker wrote, “Janelle’s leadership through this process made it seem much easier than it was. Her calm, thoughtful and purposeful mindset made it run very smoothly. And despite the heavy lift that went into it, she was still never too busy to help procurement staff with any issue that we needed assistance with. If we needed coding, had a budget question or even someone to watch the office door while we ran out for a second, Janelle was there for us.”
The nomination continued, “…She fosters a collaborative environment where everyone’s ideas are welcomed and valued. As a new employee, I’ve found her leadership truly inspiring. No matter how busy things get, she always makes time to support staff—whether it’s answering questions, offering guidance or simply providing the positive reassurance that we’re on the right path.”
“Janelle’s dedication extends beyond her department,” another employee stated. “She frequently collaborates with other county departments, offering training and one-on-one assistance, which improves the overall fiscal literacy and efficiency of the entire Franklin County government. Janelle’s unwavering support and dedication make her a true standout.”
One nomination said, “Janelle is always operating at a level of excellence in her role with the county. I have worked closely with Janelle…and each and every interaction with her reminds me of how professional, competent, brilliant and kind she is.”
“Janelle is a joy to work with,” said another coworker. “We all know that Janelle’s office is a safe space to talk about anything. I look forward to one-on-ones every week with her, and I can proudly say that my boss is the best thing about my job! Janelle deserves this recognition for her contributions to the fiscal department. I hope she knows she is greatly appreciated by so many.”
Friese’s characteristics are attributes that have not gone unnoticed by her peers. Those who work alongside her describe her as dedicated, caring, understanding, team-minded, thorough, competent, compassionate and kind. Others remarked on her integrity, poise, strong leadership skills, wisdom, professionalism, responsiveness and diligence, among many other positive qualities.
County Commissioners congratulated Friese on her recognition and thanked her for her excellent work and for exuding such a high standard of knowledge, leadership and excellence to the employees and residents of Franklin County.
