PULASKI COUNTY ASSESSOR - Key Persons

"I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it..." Pulaski county is named for Count Casimir Pulaski. Count Pulaski joined the fight against the British after he met Benjamin Franklin in Paris. There Franklin convinced Pulaski to support the colonies against England, and Pulaski volunteered his services. Franklin wrote to George Washington on Pulaski's behalf, and Pulaski met General Washington in Philadelphia in 1777. At Brandywine, he came to the aid of Washington's forces and was distinguished as a brilliant military tactician. As a result, Count Pulaski was appointed Brigadier-General in charge of Four Horse Brigades by Congress. During the battles of Germantown and Valley Forge, Pulaski's knowledge of warfare again assisted Washington and his men. In 1778, through Washington's intervention, Congress approved the establishment of the Cavalry and put Pulaski at its head. The Father of the American Cavalry demanded much of his men and trained them in tested cavalry tactics. He used his own personal finances, when money from Congress was scarce, in order to assure his forces of the finest equipment and personal safety. At the battle of Savannah in 1779, General Pulaski rode forth into battle on his horse but fell to the ground mortally wounded by a blast of cannon. It is said that the General's enemies were so impressed with his courage, that they spared his life and permitted him to be carried from the battlefield. However, two days later, on October 11 Pulaski died. Today all over the United States there are memorials for Casimir Pulaski. Many parks, streets, statues, and our County bear his name in memory of his courage and commitment to freedom. Pulaski County is Arkansas' fifth county, formed on December 15, 1818. It is Arkansas' most populous county, according to the Census of 2010; in 2015, the population was estimated to be 392,664. Pulaski County has sixteen taxing districts, eight municipalities, and five school districts. Pulaski County is home to Little Rock, the state's most populous and capital city.

Janet Troutman Ward has been continuously elected your Pulaski County Assessor since November 2000. During this time, the office has and continues to evolve in terms of automation and technology. Mrs. Ward took office with the passage of Amendment 79 and Act 1185 which required cyclical reappraisals and numerous changes to the administration of the property tax system. Since that time, Pulaski County has successfully completed four reappraisals using county employees. Through intergovernmental cooperation, Mrs. Ward moved quickly to complete a GIS (Geographic Information System) project. The office makes use of Pictometry, a software which takes aerial photography to new levels and offers benefits to many offices beyond the Assessor's. The office is currently instituting a document management solution called Docuware. This software is significantly changing the way the office operates with regard to use of natural and human resources. The processing of documents digitally provides accountability, transparency, and flexibility within the office. Mrs. Ward began her career with the Pulaski County Assessor's Office in 1993 as a residential appraiser. A former home builder, her knowledge and experience led to her promotion to Senior Appraiser Analyst and then Chief Deputy before running for the office in 2000. She holds a degree from the Master's Divinity School. Keenly aware of her leadership role, Mrs. Ward encourages employees to volunteer their time and energies to community organizations such as food pantries, women's shelters, and other worthy causes. She has been married over 42 years, is a mother and grandmother.

Job Titles:

• ESGR Administrative Support Technician
• ESGR Arkansas Program Specialist
• Honored by Department of Defense for Extraordinary Support of Employees Who Serve in the Arkansas National Guard and Reserve

According to Richard Green, ESGR Administrative Support Technician, "The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation's call to serve. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the Nation's National Guard and Reserve Units." Janet Troutman Ward, Pulaski County Assessor was nominated for being highly supportive of the United States Navy Reserve by Petty Officer David Nicpan, a Master at Arms with the Souda Bay Security Unit, United States Navy Reserve. Petty Officer Nicpan is the Director of Information Technology with the Assessor's Office. Petty Officer Nicpan stated in the nomination, "During the past 6 years of my enlistment, The Assessor Mrs. Janet Ward has been more than patriotic and supportive of my duties to this country. Every tour out of country that I have been on, she has organized and implemented a small service and dinner for my departure and return. She has always allowed me to perform extra duties for the Navy and my unit to keep us medically, educationally and training ready with no resistance at any time. I believe her to be one of the best military supportive employers I know." The award will be presented to Ms. Ward at the Pulaski County Assessor's Office in Little Rock. Ms. Ward stated that she was honored to receive the award and that she believed military service is one of the highest forms of public service. "Whenever we can make life a bit easier for those in military service, we do." Ms. Ward added. As the 1.3 million members of the National Guard and Reserve continue to perform an increasing number of unique missions with America's borders and beyond, ESGR will continue to be the resource for the employers of citizen warriors. ESGR recognizes outstanding support, increases awareness of the law, and resolves conflict through mediation. More information about ESGR Employer Outreach Programs and volunteer opportunities is available at www.esgr.mil, or by calling Richard Green at 501-212-4096. According to Richard Green, ESGR Arkansas Program Specialist, "The Patriot Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize individuals who provide outstanding patriotic support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation's call to serve. Janet Troutman Ward, Pulaski County Assessor was nominated for being highly supportive of the National Guard and Reserve by her Reserve Component Employees. Supportive supervisors are critical to maintaining the strength and readiness of the nation's National Guard and Reserve units."