Kathleen Santelli recounts being "totally surprised" when her name was called out at the annual meeting of the New York State Association of City and Village Clerks and she realized she had just won the coveted "Clerk of the Year" award.

But to the residents of the Village of Great Neck Estates, it only underscored what they already knew: Ms. Santelli, better known in the village as "Kathy," is outstanding in how she conducts the business of the village. They know her to be courteous, helpful and knowledgeable, with the knowledge gleaned from 25 years of working in the village's administrative office.

Mayor David Fox proudly informed the Great Neck Record of Ms. Santelli's award noting her contributions to the efficient running of the office and the tone she sets which makes village residents feel supported when they have problems and responded to when they have questions.

Ms. Santelli has worked in village government for a total of 29 years, the first four in the Village of Great Neck. She has been a member of a number of organizations that keep her updated on current issues and strategies for problems-solving in municipal matters. In addition to the Association of City and Village Clerks, she is a member in good standing with the New York State Government Finance Officers Association, the NYS Society of Municipal Finance Officers, and the Long Island Village Clerks and Treasurers Association.

She has shared her expertise as a treasurer in her volunteer commitments, too. She is a Eucharist Minister at Saint Aloysius Church and treasurer of its Rosary Society. Ms. Santelli is a member of the Woman's Club of Great Neck and is the treasurer of its Philanthropy Committee.

Ms. Santelli raised two sons, Michael, who is an electrical engineer, living in Connecticut and Ken, who is an architect living in Garden City. She is the proud grandmother of four grandchildren.