FRANKLIN TWP — Maria Thomas spends her days juggling.

Whether it be meeting agendas, public interaction or pursuits in her free time, Thomas always has a lot to manage.

Her ability to do that with grace and precision has earned her the 2018 Butler County Employee of the Year Award, which was presented Wednesday as the Butler County Chamber of Commerce celebrated the 24th annual Employee Appreciation Day Luncheon at The Atrium.

Thomas is the administrative assistant to Butler County Commissioners Leslie Osche and Kim Geyer, who nominated her for the award. She schedules meetings, prepares agendas and meeting minutes, processes documents and serves as a liaison with other departments and the public.

In their nomination letter, Osche and Geyer describe Thomas as the person who keeps the government center running — all the while offering a smile.

“As commissioners, it is truly amazing to have someone who makes sure that we are where we are supposed to be, when we are supposed to be, always watching the clock and insuring that paperwork is in order for each and every meeting,” the letter reads. “She makes it look easy.”

A 20-year employee, she has participated in Leadership Butler County, assisting the Youth Leadership Program and serving on the advisory board.

The commissioners say Thomas has also played a large role in their mission to end the opioid crisis.

In her spare time, Thomas recently earned a human resources degree from Geneva College. She completed her degree while balancing raising four children and working full time, while also remaining active in church and community organizations.

“This nominee is a role model and mentor to women and young people in a variety of ways and loves to share her experiences while demonstrating the humility of being able to laugh at herself,” the letter states.

The commissioners describe Thomas as having strong, faith-based values and a positive, caring and compassionate attitude that makes her respected and valued by her peers. They added that Thomas exemplifies the type of leadership that is recognized through the award.

“We are truly blessed and thankful to work with Maria Thomas each and every day as she helps us to help make Butler County a better place to be for all who live and work here,” the nomination letter states.

The Butler County Employee of the Year is chosen by the past Employee of the Year winners from submissions made by businesses and county leaders.

When the 2017 award recipient, Sunnyview's Darlene Christy, began listing facts about the secret winner, Thomas's eyes grew wider and wider until she realized that she would be announced as the 2018 Employee of the Year.

She hugged Geyer and Osche as Christy announced her name before a roomful of Butler County's movers and shakers.

“I go to work every day thinking I am so blessed with a great job and the best bosses I could have,” Thomas said.

In her typical style, Thomas credited the county commissioners with her success as Geyer and Osche shook their heads.

Thomas's co-worker Scott Andrejchak, who is the county's chief clerk, called Thomas “passionate and dedicated” in her job, and eager to tackle any and all of the many tasks assigned by the commissioners.

“I can't think of anyone more deserving of that award,” Andrejchak said. “I'm really pleased to work with her on a daily basis.”

Thomas' family members were hidden in the next room at The Atrium until Thomas was officially announced as the award winner.

One proud relative was Thomas' daughter, Allie, who is a sophomore at Butler Senior High School.

“She always does her best in everything she does and puts her heart into her work,” Allie said.

She called her mother “determined” and a caring person who wants to make others happy.

“I was really excited for her because she really deserves it,” Allie said of her mother's award.

Thomas' husband, Butler attorney Ron Thomas, got the call Friday that his wife would win the award.

“I'm very proud,” he said. “She worked for me many years ago and she was the best secretary I ever had.”

Ron knows of his wife's penchant for hard work and perfectionism, and he thinks he knows where she picked up those traits.

“Her father instilled a great work ethic in her,” he said. “Plus, she loves her job and her bosses.”

A stunned Maria Thomas, who was presented with an inscribed mantle clock courtesy of Moses Jewelers, posed for photos and hugged dozens of supporters on Wednesday.

“I'm completely honored and humbled,” she said.

Thomas said she made a joke with county solicitor Mike English that she better put her napkin on the table in case she was the winner.

“I had no idea,” she said.

Thomas said she appreciates the unique benefit of admiring and respecting her bosses, Osche and Geyer.

“They are generous, kind, passionate, hardworking, admirable women,” she said.

She agreed with her husband when asked why everyone who knows uses the adjective “hardworking” in describing her.

“My dad, William Malloy, instilled through his example a work ethic that myself and all of my brothers and sisters have,” she said.

Stan Kosciuszko, chamber president, who served as host for Wednesday's luncheon, said he frequently must work with Thomas and summed up the thoughts of all who were delighted that she is the 2018 Butler County Employee of the Year.

“You are truly are deserving of this award,” he said.

The chamber's 24th annual Employee Appreciation Day Luncheon was sponsored by the Butler Eagle, Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau, Butler Health System, Moses Jewelers, The Atrium and Medure's Catering.