Transcript
Speaker: Welcome to All In Adams, the official podcast of Adams County Government, where we're all in for our residents, our employees, and our community. So whether you live here, work here, or you just want to know more about what makes Adams County a great place to be, thanks for tuning in. We're all in, Adams.
Speaker: Welcome to another episode of All In Adams. This is our new series called All In Off Script, where we are hanging out with some of our favorite people at Adams County. And instead of focusing on specific programs or initiatives, we're just talking to the people behind the work.
Speaker: So my name is Nikki Wellander. I'm the press secretary here, and I am actually here with my supervisor today. So no pressure. This is Amber Ferguson. She is the communications director here at Adams County. Hi, Amber. Thanks for having me.
Speaker: So I want to start off just level setting a little bit. You've been at the county for about a bazillion years. 10 to be exact. 10. Yeah, that's that's a lot. So what have you learned about Adams County in the last 10 years? Yeah. So I think one of my favorite parts about Adams County, so just to give some like context behind how I got here in the first place is i have a background in journalism and communications. I worked at a PR agency, worked at two actually.
Speaker: um And it was very enjoyable work, um but there was something that was missing. And I think that was the meaningful piece in serving the community around me. So that's what brought me to Adams County is I saw the part where I can serve the community, work with an amazing team of creative individuals and still have that service aspect where I feel like I can actually see what work is being done in the community and how we as communications have supported that. So over the 10 years I've had the
Speaker: honor of working with a variety of different departments, different individuals, and being able to help them serve our community and doing that through communications has been pretty impactful. So I've seen a lot of growth in 10 years within the communications department, but also Adams County as a whole, and just how we continue to grow and advance in that area. It's just pretty impressive to see.
Speaker: She's only saying nice things about the team because it's me that's here. um so you're you grew up in this area, right? I did. Yes. Where, whereabouts? So technically in Nevada, which part a portion of it is in Adams County, but I grew up in Jefferson County, but I now live in Adams County. So I call Adams County home. So I get to live and work here. And I think Adams County just has so much to offer. Um, As far as you know growth and opportunities, it's very family friendly at the same time. You can enjoy parks and open space and still have the role in urban communities in different areas. It's you know certainly a place that is enjoyable to live.
Speaker: And then i chose to work here and it's it's really neat that we get to see the impact that we are making in the community that we live and we're serving that community. That's something I'm interested in hearing a little more about too, is what is it like to live in and directly benefit from the work that you're doing every day and to be able to see the services that the county provides and how they impact the residents as a resident?
Speaker: I think one of the special things when it comes to the people who work here is I think a lot of people don't understand that There are humans behind the work and the important work that we're doing. You see the roads, you see the parks and open spaces, you see the services within human services, the adoptable animals at Riverdale Animal Shelter. There are amazing, impressive, incredibly talented people behind all of that work. And so I think that is something is really eyeopening and that I hope people tend to pick up on is these are people who are behind these services and programs.
Speaker: who genuinely care about the community and the people within it. So really tapping into that, that there are a lot of people working for the community within Adams County. That's part of why we started this series was we do so many cool things here and it's been fun to do podcasts on some of those initiatives and programs. And it's also really fun to talk to the people behind them. We've noticed that before we start the podcast and after we cut, we're sitting here having these conversations and we decided we wanted to start filming them and ah letting our audience in on some of these conversations. So it's it's fun to hear you talk about that because since I've been here, I've noticed a lot of those same things. Notice just how incredible the people here are.
Speaker: um Are there any stories that stick out to you of just the impactful nature of the human beings behind the work? What sticks out as one of those stories of this is the work and the people doing that work in action?
Speaker: I mean, i think what sticks out to me, and I know it's not the most positive topic or subject, but during the COVID pandemic, it was incredible to see how everyone came together, even through a really hard transition, having to go home.
Speaker: get used to the remote working lifestyle, and then everything that we had to move where typical typically people would come in to get their services, we had to move everything online. This was a big shift in how we operated as a government entity and especially during a crisis right too.
Speaker: um So that was just really impressive to see how everyone came together. Everyone pitched in because we still had services to provide. We just had to shift how we provided those services.
Speaker: Right. And I appreciate you bringing that up because one of the things that I have always really enjoyed about working with you is that you are so cool and calm in a crisis. So bringing up something like the world turning upside down and everything having to shift on a dime is is so interesting that that's the story that you point to because you are the person that stays cool as a cucumber when everything else falls apart.
Speaker: um How do you do that? How do you do that? Well, thank you. I'm glad I'm considered calm, um especially in those type of situations. But I think the most important thing is to respond and not react in those scenarios. I think there can be a lot of noise that we have to cut through.
Speaker: And especially in communications, it's critical that we are... being transparent with employees, residents, anyone who's affected by whatever situation is going on, but making sure that we have all the information correct before we're starting to communicate that out.
Speaker: Because i think what we don't want to do is create additional panic around a situation. And, you know, there is a lot of uncertainty when it comes to a COVID pandemic or anything um that does impact our community, but making sure that we have all the information up front, we are being and as transparent and honest with our community so that we're building that trust as a county and that we are here to support our residents, our employees across the board. And so I think remaining calm and not reacting, but responding appropriately is the best approach that we can take. So we're not causing panic, but we're helping people work through it.
Speaker: I think you bring up another interesting point with cutting through the noise. And we live in a time where there is more places than ever for people to get information, for people to get entertainment, to find different sources for things.
Speaker: What is it like to be a government communicator in 2026 in a time of mis- and disinformation and in just a time where everyone is getting everything all of the time?
Speaker: I think what's important for us to focus on is just being very strategic on how we communicate to our community. So again, there's so many services and programs that we provide. So we lean into the heavier, important information that we need to share, but then we also try to tap into the creative side.
Speaker: um And, you know, major kudos to our social media team because they have the opportunity to do that and lean into the trends so that we are humanizing us as a county. I think that's incredibly important and kind of goes back to one of my points earlier, like there's people behind the work.
Speaker: And how we make sure that our residents are aware of that at the same time is incredibly important because it does cut through that noise. um Once you know that there's a human behind it, you start to understand a little bit more about what they do. And we try to tell that story in communication. So whether it's partnering with our transportation folks, anyone in public works, parks and open space,
Speaker: having the opportunity to showcase the work that they do just gives people a better understanding of the individuals behind the work. And I think that helps tell that story effectively. Human beings behind the work. Let's stop talking about work for a minute.
Speaker: Who is Amber Ferguson when she is not playing the role of communications director at Adams County? Well, I would say I'm a big indoor spin fanatic. I go quite often every single morning bright and early. it just helps me start my day. Way too bright and early. Way too bright and early. I promise I don't send too many emails that early.
Speaker: she doesn't she doesn't And we my husband and I, we have two dogs that we often get out for walks every single day. um um My entire family is here. We get together often. I have two nieces and a nephew that I absolutely adore. And my family, we are very close-knit.
Speaker: And that's, yeah, that's really about it. We're we're Colorado natives. Love being here. Love getting outdoors. But just being surrounded by family and friends is certainly a highlight for me.
Speaker: And it's interesting to have two Colorado locals sitting here talking. That doesn't happen all the time. That is rare. We're the unicorns. We grew up very close to each other, too. So that's also fun to sit here and be like, no, not just two Colorado locals, but we grew up down the road from each other.
Speaker: um we yeah it's always kind of fun to get to sit there and be like, we really do. We're rare now. Yeah, it did really. It is really rare. um One of the other things that I think is always fun to talk to you about is your travels.
Speaker: you You're a jet setter. We do love to travel, explore different areas. We did a trip to Spain earlier this year, and that was amazing. But we are trying to just plan some more trips and really lean into different cultures across the world. Like it's something that we enjoy doing and just getting out and trying something different. Yeah.
Speaker: That's enough fun back to work. how does ah How does the way that you show up as a human being impact the way that you lead? Oh, that's a good question.
Speaker: Yeah, I didn't prep you for that one. no you didn't. But this is off script. It is off script. ah I think for me, it is being a support system is the biggest thing. I've had amazing um mentors as I've grown up that have just supported me throughout my career and my growth um here and prior to that.
Speaker: So I think for me, like I want my team to know I'm here as a support. I'm here to support them in their journey here at Adams County. I want to challenge them at the same time, try different things, be creative. We are the creative department and I want people to lean into that. And I think as time has passed and we used to do things a certain way and we've grown and developed and really be more strategic on how we approach communications and still have fun with it. I think, you know, that's, that's what I want my team to know is I'm here to support them, but I also want them to feel like they have the space to be creative and challenged at the same time.
Speaker: I promise I'm going to let you go soon, but I i get to i get to kind of just pick your brain on things, and it's pretty fun. um Normally, we're just being a little bit chaotic and silly when we have these talks.
Speaker: um I'm really interested in 10 years here. What is your favorite thing that you've ever gotten to work on? Well, I'm going to, I'm going to answer it a little bit differently because going to lean. I know i am. I am because I really want to highlight the team. Okay.
Speaker: And i have been here for 10 years. I have worked with different individuals, but there have been consistency throughout our entire department of folks who have been here for 10 years, eight years, five years.
Speaker: And I just want to give them a huge shout out because I would not have been able to grow in my career here without their support and their leadership. And that has really encouraged me to lean into my position as a director now is just how amazing and talented the team is.
Speaker: that That has really been encouraging to see. And so I just, I want to shift that a little bit and just give a shout out to my team. Okay. You're included. All right. Okay, fine. um So tell me, you are newer in your role as director.
Speaker: What do you see your future and the future of the communications department looking like? If you... If you could shake your crystal ball, I don't think you shake crystal balls. um If you could shake your magic eight ball, what do you see the future of communications in Adams County looking like?
Speaker: I really want us to be that trusted partner, not only strategic partners with other departments in the communications realm and then also just within Adams County, but really build that trust with our community. um I don't necessarily think there's a negative connotation when you think of government, but there can be elements to that. But I think how can we rise up to that level of helping people understand what we do, how we serve our community and lean into that positive light? Not everything we do touches that space. We do handle a lot of tough situations, but as long as we can communicate effectively and transparently to our community and to our employees, that's telling that full story. And I think we can just continue to grow and develop in that area. But we're, we are on that path. And I feel amazing with the team that we have and just the work that we've done. We we work incredibly hard here, but we also have fun doing it.
Speaker: Yeah. I got two more for you. What do you think that the people of Adams County, the residents that we serve, your neighbors should know when they think about the work that you do and the work that your team does?
Speaker: I know I keep saying this, but it's realizing that there's people behind the work and they are working incredibly hard to serve our community, ensure that the programs and services are the programs and services that they need.
Speaker: Because I think we may have a good idea of what people need, but leaning into the residents and receiving their feedback, whether that be in town halls or through our social media channels, our web website, website,
Speaker: Really being smart about how we approach the information that we're sharing with our community and ensuring that the services and programs that they need are being provided. And this is my favorite one and this is the hardest one I'm going ask you.
Speaker: What do you want to say? i'm going to just turn turn the mic over to you. What do you want to talk about? What else you want to say? What I miss? What I miss? No. Oh, that is a tough one, Nikki. Yeah, i'm good at I'm good at the hard question.
Speaker: um Again, not to you know reiterate this again, but Communications is here to support the county. You have an incredible team of individuals here, anywhere from graphic design to videography, photography, social media,
Speaker: our supervisors who keep everything in line and making sure that everything is checked appropriately. Our press secretary who writes amazing remarks and does a whole host of other things to make sure that we are engaging with our community effectively. And we're just here to support our employees, our residents, and making sure that they have the information they need to feel successful in their lives and to thrive in their lives. That's kind of our goal.
Speaker: so And how can they find us, Amber? they You can find any of our services at adamscountyco.gov follow us on social media. Shout out. We need we need all the support we can get. And um again, we have really informative information on those channels, but we also like to have a little bit of fun and engage in different ways.
Speaker: And the other way you can find us you can keep listening to our podcast. So this is our fun format. I think all of our formats are fun, but this is our this is our off script, all in off script. This is where we just hang out with the cool people at Adams County. This has been all in off script with Amber Ferguson, our communications director. I have been Nikki Wellender, our press secretary, and we hope to see you back for our next episode.
Speaker: Thanks. That's a wrap for this episode of All In Adams. Thank you for joining us as we explore the people, programs, and the policies that make Adams County a great place to live, work, and thrive.
Speaker: If you enjoyed the show, be sure to subscribe and share with your friends, neighbors, and colleagues. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Let us know. We're All In for bringing you the stories that matter most.
Speaker: Until next time, take care of each other and stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, Nextdoor, and X. We're all in, Adams, and we're all in for you.
