City of Myrtle Beach celebrates long-time employee with "First in Service" honor
FIRST IN SERVICE FRIDAY 
Please help the City of Myrtle Beach congratulate April Johnson!
April has been nominated by her peers to be this week's First in Friday Employee of the Week. This honor goes to one out of more than 1,200 employees... It's a big deal! April's nomination is quite touching. It reads:
"When I consider the meaning of “First in Service,” I see the sunny face of the Neighborhood Services Department’s April Johnson. April’s smile has been a fixture in City Hall for 21 years and she greets everyone she meets as her neighbor.
Johnson began her work as a public servant in 2001 with the city’s Planning Department. For 14 years, her administrative knowledge, work ethic, office management skills and kind demeanor made her a standout city employee. Even more telling, her colleagues quickly called April a friend.
Raised in the Plantersville section of Georgetown, Johnson is knowledgeable about the area’s rich history. April uses that knowledge to preserve the identity of the city’s neighborhoods and residents. Johnson played an instrumental part in the rebuilding of the Historic Myrtle Beach Colored School and Museum, 900 Dunbar Street. Thanks to the leadership of City of Myrtle Beach officials and employees like April, the vision of the school’s former students was brought to life through a partnership among public and private entities. The facility continues to educate all who visit.
Then, in 2015, a new department was created and given the name “Neighborhood Services.” Upon inception, April Johnson was an active contributor and a driving force behind the department. Her mission became the department’s mission: build rapport among community members and provide services to enrich the lives our city residents. As Neighborhood Services Administrative Assistant, she uses her creativity and budget maintenance skills efficiently to plan and execute special programs and events, including the My Beach 101 Citizens Academy and the annual Garden of Hope Tree Lighting Ceremony. Johnson excels as a liaison between residents and the city organization, coordinating solutions to any problems reported.
In her personal life, April enjoys spending time with her daughter, Ciera, and family. She is the proud grandmother to Cayden and Camdon. In response to her nomination, April says 'the only way to do great work, is to love what you do.'
Much like her favorite color purple, April Johnson represents wisdom, devotion and magic. The City of Myrtle Beach organization and residents benefit from April’s magic, and we are lucky to call her one of our own."
We are quite lucky to have you, April! Thank you for being a wonderful co-worker and friend.