Thank you, Cathy Saderlund!
Lake County, CA (December 14, 2022) -- After 41 years of extraordinary service, Lake County’s Auditor-Controller, Cathy Saderlund retired yesterday, December 13. During Saderlund’s tenure, County of Lake Financial Reports regularly received State Controller and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recognition and awards. In recognition of distinguished service leading Disaster Finance efforts related to Lake County’s repeated and compounding wildfire events, and contributions to Special Olympics and other community efforts, Saderlund was recognized as Woman of the Year for the 3rd Congressional District by Congressman John Garamendi on October 26, 2018. In today’s celebration, Saderlund was presented with a Congressional Certificate from 5th District Congressman, Mike Thompson, who now represents all of Lake County. Colleagues past and present noted Saderlund’s hard work, attention to detail and trustworthiness. She has been a mentor, teacher and friend to countless people in County service and in every Lake County community. Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller, Marcy Harrison, noted Saderlund’s absence will leave a “big hole,” and also spoke to tremendous investments made to develop staff, which will pay dividends for years to come. Incoming Auditor-Controller, Jenavive Herrington, shared her appreciation for Saderlund’s commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. This commitment to not only do her job with the highest standard of integrity, but also see that the work effectively continues beyond her time of service is exemplary of the dedication and insight that has driven much of her success with the County of Lake. Please join in thanking Cathy Saderlund for her truly remarkable contributions.
Here is the full text of the Board of Supervisors’ Proclamation:
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, COUNTY OF LAKE, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PROCLAMATION COMMENDING COUNTY CLERK/AUDITOR-CONTROLLER CATHY SADERLUND FOR HER 41 YEARS OF SERVICE TO LAKE COUNTY
WHEREAS, Cathy Saderlund has spent her entire adult working career with the County Auditor’s office, beginning as an entry level Account Clerk on September 21, 1981, answering phones at the front desk of the Auditor’s office and steadily working her way up the ranks; and
WHEREAS, when the County’s long-time and much revered County Auditor, Norma J. Barker, retired many years ago, she singled out Cathy Saderlund as being someone who she predicted would someday become the County Auditor-Controller. Even at that early point in Cathy’s long career, her skills and potential for advancement were recognized; and
WHEREAS, while working full-time in the County Auditor’s office and raising her family, Cathy Saderlund also took the extraordinary step of furthering her education by enrolling in college and ultimately earning a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting. That remarkable achievement has tremendously benefitted Lake County in the years since; and
WHEREAS, due to her dedication and hard work, on October 15, 2011, Cathy Saderlund became the County Clerk/Auditor-Controller, a position which functions as the County’s Chief Financial Officer; and
WHEREAS, Cathy Saderlund is widely recognized as an exceptionally hard worker and dedicated to doing the best job possible, regardless of personal sacrifices; and
WHEREAS, over the years, Cathy Saderlund has successfully led the County through multiple complex conversions to new automated Countywide financial and payroll systems. The hands-on experience she has had in every aspect of the Auditor’s office, from processing County vendor payments to operating the County’s employee payroll system, to conducting audits, was an invaluable part of her ability to train, mentor and supervise staff in her department; and
WHEREAS, Cathy Saderlund has always taken the County audit process and preparation of annual financial statements very seriously, and her attention to detail has earned numerous awards from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for excellence in financial reporting; and
WHEREAS, Cathy Saderlund has never been one to seek the limelight, she has been humble about her many achievements and she has consistently given credit to the members of her staff for the excellent work she has done; and
WHEREAS, as further evidence of her dedication to our community, Cathy Saderlund has been an active volunteer for the Lake County Special Olympics program, serving for many years as the Area Director for Northern California and Nevada Special Olympics and she and her husband, Robert, also somehow found time to volunteer as participants in the County Road Department’s Adopt-A-Road program, picking up litter along County roadways under the moniker, “Sewer Guy and Bean Counter!”; and
WHEREAS, Cathy Saderlund has always put the County’s best interests at the forefront, she is completely trustworthy and the level of accuracy in her work has been exemplary. Her efforts are largely responsible for the County being in a stable financial condition, as the County Administrators and Boards of Supervisors she has worked with have been wise to heed her advice and counsel on a myriad of important financial matters.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED, that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Lake does hereby commend Cathy Saderlund for her 41 years of service to the County of Lake and to the residents of Lake County, and extends our appreciation for her dedication and hard work, and wish her the best in the future.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 13th day of December, 2022.
SIGNED: Eddie Crandell, Chair, Board of Supervisors
ATTEST: Susan Parker, Clerk to the Board of Supervisors