Employee of the Year
Top Honor to Platte County WorkerRhonda Desch admits she was surprised by her recent honor as the Platte County Board of Service’s Employee of the Year.
Named for former Board member Mary Jane McKinnon, the honor recognizes those at the agency who make especially remarkable efforts to improve the lives of Platte countians with developmental disabilities.
Desch has been with PCBS for eight years, but as office facilitator she has little formal contact with the organization’s consumers, something she obviously respects. “There are a lot of people who work directly with our consumers and provide them services directly,” she noted. “I get to see them on a much less formal basis and really, that’s more fun. They come by and always say ‘hi’ and have a smile. I get the fun part.”
Desch’s organizational skills are obviously effective in the multi-faceted office, however. She also stresses a philosophy that echoes PCBS’ front-line viewpoint. “I try to treat everyone, consumers and employees alike, with respect and kindness,” she noted. “I feel it’s the least we can do as human beings.”
With her father in the Air Force, Desch called many places home, but was born in Carthage, Mo., and went to high school in Joplin. Married, with two sons and three grandchildren, Desch resides east of Platte City where she enjoys gardening. Her work for PCBS is a natural extension of that home life.
“I feel very fortunate to have this job because I’m treated very well here and you see there’s so much good being done,” she said. “That’s what makes the award so awesome. It was a vote from all the employees and I feel very honored by that.
