WHEREAS, Joel Smedes began his distinguished career with the State of Nevada in May 1992 at the Nevada State Industrial Insurance System, serving as an Administrative Aid and establishing a strong foundation in public service, accountability, operational integrity, and data management; and

WHEREAS, in 1993, Joel continued his service with the State Employer's Insurance Company of Nevada as a Records Specialist II, where he assumed his first supervisory role and oversaw the monitoring of all insurance claim files; and

WHEREAS, in 1999, Joel transitioned to the Workers' Industrial Safety and Statistics Career Enhancement Program as an Administrative Aid I, where he further refined his data entry expertise and expanded his knowledge of unemployment programs; and

WHEREAS, in 2004, Joel joined the Nevada Division of Forestry as an Accounting Assistant II and was promoted to Accounting Assistant III in 2006, serving in a supervisory capacity and contributing to fiscal processes, contract administration, and payroll operations, while also supporting fire team activities and gaining firsthand experience in field operations; and

WHEREAS, in 2017, Joel brought his expertise to the Nevada Department of Education as a Program Officer I, later advancing to Fiscal/Business Trainee, Management Analyst I in 2019, and Management Analyst II in 2020, where he managed budgets, work programs, fiscal operations, payroll, and contracts, demonstrating exceptional leadership and fiscal stewardship; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, Joel joined the Department of Administration's Purchasing Division as a Purchasing Officer I and was promoted to Purchasing Officer II in 2023, where he applied his extensive knowledge of contract rules and processes, mastered the Nevada EPro system, and built lasting professional relationships; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada and the Department of Administration extends Joel Smedes its best wishes for a well-deserved, joyful, and fulfilling retirement;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do hereby proclaim February 13, 2026, as a day in honor of

JOEL SMEDES