TALLADEGA – The state of Alabama Personnel Department has selected Holly Painter of Talladega, a social service case worker in Talladega County, as the 2012 Alabama State Employee of the Year.

An awards ceremony was held at the Talladega County Department of Human Resources Thursday to recognize Painter for her dedication to ensuring the safety of children and her outstanding working relationship with community partners.

“I am very excited and overwhelmed; it was completely unexpected and I am very grateful to have won and be representing Talladega County DHR and the state of Alabama,” Painter said.

Painter, an employee of the Talladega County DHR since June 2006, was nominated because she consistently goes above and beyond the call of duty as a child abuse and neglect investigator and has been described as a “calming force in the midst of crisis.” She is often “on call” and works after hours to ensure children are protected from further abuse and placed in a safe environment.

“We are very proud of Holly and the work that she has done. It is a great honor to have one of our CA/N Investigators to receive the State Employee of the Year award,” said Talladega DHR County Director Nicole Parker.

The ceremony was attended by state Sen. Jerry Fielding, DHR Commissioner Nancy Buckner, local community partners, Talladega DHR employees and members of Painter’s family. Brittany Crain with the state of Alabama Personnel Department presented the Employee of the Year Award and Fielding presented Painter with a Senate Resolution of Congratulations.