Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry Honors Atha & Muriel Walker, Outstanding Government Employees


On Wednesday, May 28, 2008, Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry presented Atha & Muriel L. Walker with the 2008 Cliff Skeen Lifetime Achievement Award during an internal Employee Recognition Day ceremony that was held in Summit County Council Chambers, located at 175 South Main Street in downtown Akron.

The Cliff Skeen Lifetime Achievement Award is given annually to an outstanding citizen who has dedicated his or her life to community service. Past award recipients include: Diana Zaleski (2007), Summit County government employees, and their family members, serving in the United States Armed Forces (2006), Reverend Timothy Crouch (2005), Dorothy O. Jackson (2004), Reverend Ronald Fowler and Pastor Knute Larson (2003), Art Minson (2002), State Representative Dominic Basile, Sr. (2001), Father Sam Ciccolini (2000), David Troutman (1999), Nancy Wilson (1998), Fredric L. Zuch (1997), Paul G. Swanson P.E., P.S. (1996), Madeline Bozzelli (1995), Dr. Martha D. Nelson (1994), William Schultz (1993) and State Representative Cliff Skeen (1992).

“No two people are more deserving of this award than Atha and Muriel Walker,” said Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry. “The citizens of Summit County have benefited greatly from their lifelong service to the community.”

Atha Walker, a World War II veteran, retired from Seiberling Tire & Rubber Company after 30 years of service. Throughout his professional career, Atha served the community as a distinguished member of the following community organizations: Frontiers International, Mobile Meals, NAACP (Akron Chapter), Second Baptist Church and the Summit County Democratic Party.

Atha’s wife, Muriel Walker, is a retired Akron General Medical Center (AGMC) employee and noted to be the first African American registered nurse hired by People’s Hospital, a medical institution now known as Akron General Medical Center.

Throughout her professional career, Muriel was promoted to various head nursing positions. During mid-career, she transferred to Akron Children’s Hospital and served as the head nurse of the Burn Unit. In 1992, she returned to AGMC to work as a psychiatric nurse clinician and as a result was named Psychiatric Nurse of the Year.

In addition to her professional service, Muriel has volunteered as a distinguished member of the following civic organizations: Edwin Shaw Hospital, Interfaith Caregivers Program, Interval Brotherhood Home, the NAACP (Akron Chapter), the Ohio Democratic Party and the Second Baptist Church.

During the ceremony, Summit County officeholders also honored twenty-three standout Summit County government employees for their valuable contributions to county government. The individuals recognized were presented with framed High Point Awards.

“Employee Recognition Day was established in 1989 as a way of honoring Summit County government employees who have demonstrated exceptional work performances,” added Pry. “Since the programs inception, over 250 employees have received this honor.”

The following employees were awarded a 2008 High Point Award:

• Summit County Clerk of Courts Daniel M. Horrigan’s Office:
  Brandi Byrd and Eileen McCloud
• Summit County Council President Nick Kostandaras’ Office:
  Sharley F. Greer
• Summit County Domestic Relations Court Judges Carol Dezso & John Quinn:
  Deborah Matz
• Summit County Fiscal Officer John Donofrio’s Office:
  Julia DeSimone, Paul Galido and Arlene Weiner
• Summit County Engineer Greg Bachman’s Office:
  John Cook, Cory Kendrick and Dan Smith
• Summit County Executive Russell M. Pry’s Office:
  Gwen Autrey, Tracey Hodoh-Drummond, Robert Reid and Donald Weaver
• Summit County Juvenile Court Judge Linda Tucci Teodosio’s Office:
  Lisa Hawes and Jeff Pope
• Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh’s Office:
  William Bickett, Robert Capes, Carletta S. McReynolds and Kathy Smith
• Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander’s Office:
  Bev Dial, Judy Houston and Chuck Sweeney