Charleston County News Release

Release Number: 3433
Release Date: April 25, 2012

See photo: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/newsimages/floodplainmanageraward.htm

Employee Wins First State Flood Plain Manager Award
Award will be named after County employee Joni Rennhack in the future

Joni Rennhack, an employee with Charleston County Government’s Building Inspection Services Department was awarded the first Flood Plain Manager of the Year Award by the South Carolina Association of Hazard Mitigation during the group’s annual meeting in Greenville on April 4. 

Rennhack, a 15-year employee of the County, not only has the honor of being the first winner of the new award, but has the distinction of having the award named after her. Next year, someone else will be awarded the Joni Rennhack Flood Plain Manager of the Year Award.

“Joni was the most deserving for many reasons, including her long tenure -- 26 years -- of work in floodplain management,” said Shawn Putnam of the South Carolina Association of Hazard Mitigation.

Rennhack helped Charleston County obtain the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System (CRS) rating of 4. The County’s rating results in an annual $9.8 million in savings (a 30% reduction) on flood insurance premiums for citizens who live in unincorporated areas of Charleston County.

“She also did outstanding work on the Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which supports 30 jurisdictions within the County,” Putnam said.

The Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan was the first approved plan in the U.S. and has been used for teaching purposes by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The plan provides 30 government entities within Charleston County with eligibility for federal pre- and post- disaster funding and contributes towards the CRS ratings for 14 jurisdictions within the County.

“I am pleased and extremely honored to have been selected for this award,” Rennhack said. “I greatly appreciate the opportunities that Charleston County Government has provided to me and all of the assistance from my coworkers over the years.”  

Rennhack’s supervisor praises her work. “It has been a pleasure working with Joni, and she certainly earned the award for all of her hard work,” said Carl Simmons, Director of the County’s Building Inspection Services Department. “Charleston County and our citizens are very fortunate to have Joni on our team.”

For other news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government, visit www.charlestoncounty.org.