Stateline, NV – Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) Executive Director, Joanne S. Marchetta, was named Public Servant of the Year earlier this week at the 59^th annual Community Awards dinner hosted by the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and Chamber of Commerce.

“I just carry the baton, I carry it for all of you,” she told the audience upon receiving the award to a standing ovation Wednesday night at the Ritz-Carlton, Northstar, California.

The award was given for Marchetta’s relentless improvement of TRPA’s business practices and customer service and for successfully leading the passage of an updated Regional Plan, according to the presenter, North Tahoe Fire Chief Mike Schwartz.

“Joanne had to navigate some troubled waters,” Schwartz noted during the ceremony. “Amidst a potential political meltdown in which Lake Tahoe’s future was in the balance, Joanne called for cooperation and a setting aside of differences. She kept her commitment to delivering an approved Regional Plan Update through an unprecedented public input process. Doing this took strong and decisive leadership, an unwavering commitment to transparency, a love of public service and a dash of Sicilian fire.”

On the heels of her work to bring the Regional Plan Update to completion, people are working together toward environmental improvement, economic sustainability, and positive social change. Many local leaders were nominated, but the selection committee wanted to recognize Joanne’s outstanding leadership and her visionary efforts through the Regional Plan Update process, according to committee member Cindy Gustafson.

“There were several worthy nominations in the category but the selection committee was unanimous in its recommendation,” Gustafson said. “Each member recognized tremendous positive changes in TRPA’s organization during Joanne’s tenure, especially staff responsiveness, public outreach and education.”

The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency cooperatively leads the effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region now and in the future. For additional information, call Jeff Cowen at (775) 589-5278 or email him at  jcowen@trpa.org.