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Jail names 2025 Deputy & Employee of the Year

The 2025 Deputy and Employee of the Year at the Chelan County Regional Justice Center (CCRJC) are a corrections deputy with a new role at the jail and a records clerk starting her second decade there.

Corrections Deputy Skyler Silsby was named the 2025 Deputy of the Year and records clerk Donna McCrain was named 2025 Employee of the Year.

Candidates for both awards are nominated annually by their peers and then an awards committee chooses the winners. They must show they have distinguished themselves throughout the year, consistently exemplified the department’s values, contributed toward the department’s mission and do not hesitate to take on additional duties and responsibilities when needed.

“I look forward to announcing these awards every year because it puts a spotlight on our outstanding employees while also educating the public about the jobs we do at the county jail,” jail Director Chris Sharp said. “I congratulate the winners as well as everyone nominated. We have great people working for the community here at the jail.”

2025 Employee of the Year

Donna McCrain starts her 20th year at the Chelan County jail. She has worked in both the control room and records over the years. Hers is oftentimes the first face visitors see when they approach the counter at the jail’s lobby.

“I’ve worked with Donna for two decades. She is an absolute home run; she is dedicated to our facility in everything she does,” Sharp said. “She works hard to have the best outcome for our staff, especially when implementing new procedures driven by IT requirements and state statutes that govern our database. Donna is always willing to assist; she’s a valued member of CCRJC.”

McCrain was described as “impressively resourceful” in her nomination. Other employees rely on her IT knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Most notably, this past year, she played a major role in ensuring a smooth transition to the rollout of a new online security key system.

“Whether she is navigating complex procedures, assisting coworkers or finding solutions to unexpected challenges, Donna approaches every task with a calm, capable and forward-thinking mindset,” the nomination states. “Her reliability has made her the go-to person for both routine and high-priority needs.”

Also nominated for the award were mental health professional Jose Hernandez and Control Room operator Greg Bull.

2025 Deputy of the Year

Deputy Skyler Silsby, a two-year veteran of the jail, earned the position of K9 handler last year when the jail’s first K9 officer took another job. Silsby completed his handler certification this past summer with his new partner, K9 Kato, and jumped right into his role of narcotics detection.

“Skyler is very driven and desires to give his best every day,” Sharp said. “In a very short amount of time at the jail, Skyler was selected to be CCRJC’s K9 deputy. He is eager to learn and ready to perform at the highest level. To be nominated and selected for deputy of the year by your peers with two years on the job says it all. 

Silsby has created a position that makes a daily impact on the jail, his nomination states. He and Kato are a strong presence in the jail, going on walk-throughs and scheduling cell searches. He also has stepped up when staffing shortages occur, becoming one of the “most valuable and knowledgeable” people in the facility, the nomination states.

“He does not just ‘help out.’ He is a leader and takes on every task as if it were his own, never taking shortcuts or looking for the easy way,” the nomination states. “I have learned that when Deputy Silsby helps a team, the team not only survives but thrives. …He is a positive force that puts his colleagues and this agency at the forefront of all he does.”

Also nominated for the award were the following corrections deputies: Will Edge, Isaiah Abbott, Lupita Tejeda, Michael Kessler and Tanner Seims.

Last Updated: 01/20/2026 01:45 PM

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    Chelan County Auditor’s Office
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    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

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