City Employee

This individual must be employed by the city of Rock Island, but does not need to reside in the city. This person is dependable and has good work ethic, character and inspires other employees to do their best. This person has a positive can-do attitude, takes pride in their job and has earned the respect of their coworkers and supervisors. Their work as an employee has made the city a better place to live, work and play.

City Employee - Past Citizen of the Year Winners

The individual/business denoted with ** is the overall Citizen of the Year for that respective year.

2021Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center: Carlos H. Jimenez 
2019Police Chief Jeff VenHuizen
2018 Public Works: Patrick O'Brien
2017 Parks and Recreation Director: John Gripp
2016City Clerk: Aleisha Patchin
2015IT Department: Nancy Blair
2014Public Works: Fred Bain
2013Parks and Recreation Director: Bill Nelson
2012Rock Island Library: Amy Penry
2011Police Department: Officer Dytanya Robinson
2010Administrative Services Department: Patrick Doherty
2009Fire Department: James Fobert
2008Police Department: Officer Jeff Ronk
2007Community and Economic Development: Doris Quigley
2006Inspections: Tom Ayers
2005Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center: Jerry Jones
2004Parks and Recreation: Bob Towler
2003Public Works: Karen Wilfong
2002Police Department: Lt. Scott Harris
2001Community and Economic Development: Mary Slabon
2000**City Manager: John Phillips
1999Public Works: Kaye Whitley
1998Police Department: Duane VanLandegan
1997Fire Department: Lee Meyers
1996Police Department: Chief Anthony Scott
1995Community and Economic Development: Jill Doak
1994Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center: Ida Robinson
1993Fire Department: Chris Naab
1992City Clerk: Jean Paggen
1991**Police Department: Bill Sowards
1990Public Works: Bob Hawes
1989Fire Department: Greg Carlson
1988Police Department: Buzz Robinson
1987Community and Economic Development: Alan Carmen