County honors outstanding communications with inaugural Golden Arrowheads

Chief Communications Officer Martha Guzman Hurtado presents the Golden Arrowhead Award to the Dept. of Behavioral Health and Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s Communications Officer (2nd right).

SB County Regional Parks Communications Officer Tammy Gann and Regional Parks Admin Supervisor I Nicolas Miller accept a Golden Arrowhead Award from Chief Communications Officer Martha Guzman-Hurtado.

The County Administrative Office Communications & Design team showcase their Golden Arrowhead Awards.

Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke presents the CEO’s Choice Golden Arrowhead Award to San Bernardino County Public Health Communications Officer Francis Delapaz.

Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke and attendees watch the CEO’s Choice Award winner video, “Fries Galore,” from Public Health’s “Food Vendor Videos” series.

Golden Arrowhead Awards

During a vibrant ceremony at the County Government Center on Tuesday, San Bernardino County recognized outstanding achievements in communications across the county’s 42 departments by celebrating the inaugural Golden Arrowhead Awards.

County communications professionals submitted over 200 award entries in 16 categories, including social media campaigns, photos, videos, writing and graphic designs, which were independently evaluated and scored by a panel of distinguished judges.

“In a county as large and diverse as ours, innovative and creative communications is essential,” said San Bernardino County Chief Communications Officer Martha Guzman-Hurtado. “Much of this incredible work happens behind the scenes. These awards are a chance to bring that work forward and highlight the dedication our teams bring to connecting with every corner of the county.”

Golden Arrowhead Award categories and winners:

Best Graphic Design
- Print design winner – San Bernardino County Behavioral Health’s “Summer Wellness Extravaganza” event and marketing materials.
- Digital design winner – San Bernardino County Public Defender’s Office’s “Trunk or Treat” social media posts.
Best Video Production
- Short-form video (under 2 minutes) winner – San Bernardino County Regional Parks’ “Glen Helen Regional Park Ribbon-Cutting” event.
- Long-Form video (over 2 minutes) winner – County Fire’s “Every 20 Years” documentary.
Best Writing
- Press release winner – San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health’s “September Recap.”
- Feature story winner – San Bernardino County Administrative Office Communications’ “Pathways to Shelter.”
- Internal communications winner – San Bernardino County Purchasing Departments’ “Purchasing Models” onboarding training program.
Best Social Media Campaign
- Public awareness winner – San Bernardino County Department of Public Health’s “We Stand United to Support You” campaign.
Best Event Planning
- Public event winner – San Bernardino County Museum’s “Anthropolooza.”
- Internal event winner – CAO Communications’ “Communications Summit.”
Best Communications Campaign
- Public awareness campaign winner – CAO Communications, “Preparedness Starts Here” public relations campaign.
- Internal campaign winner – Regional Parks’ “Halloween Scares for Upcoming Events” employee news release.
Best Innovation and Collaboration in Communications
- Emerging technologies winner – Behavioral Health and Second District Supervisor Jesse Armendarez’s “Suicide Prevention Town Hall: Promote Hope, Let’s Talk.”
- Creative problem-solving and collaboration winner – CAO Communications and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s “Health Scene” magazine.
Best Photography
- Events, landscape or people photography winner – Arrowhead Regional Medical Center’s “OBGYN” series.
CEO’s Choice Award
- Winner – Department of Public Health’s “Food Vendor Videos” series.

“The judges were impressed with the caliber of work done by our departments,” added San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Luther Snoke. “The Golden Arrowhead Awards show that keeping our residents informed and engaged is at the core of the county’s mission, and it reflects our commitment to continually raising the bar for public sector communication.”

The Golden Arrowhead judges have expertise in journalism, marketing and public relations, including:

Tamara Gibbs-Franklin is the founder and principal consultant at 1010 Communication LLC in Maryland. She was a former broadcast journalist who has taught public relations, media ethics, and journalism for over two decades at flagship colleges and universities in North Carolina and Maryland, including the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media, Meredith College, North Carolina Central University, and the College of Southern Maryland.
Milla Voloshkina is the Director of Property Marketing at Yaamava’ Resort & Casino and a former instructor of graphic design and motion graphics at the Riverside Community College District.
Michelle Rai is the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Inland Empire Health Plan and a former journalism professor at Pacific Union College.
Antonio Castelan is the Director of Public Affairs at Brightline West and former broadcast journalist.
Andrew Lozano is a former network television executive who worked over four decades in the entertainment industry and who helped support and create content policy to facilitate programs on NBC, Bravo, E!, and USA Networks.
Eren Cello is the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Ontario International Airport Authority.
Luis Cruz is an Emmy-winning journalist and Marketing Communications Director for the American Heart Association- LA Metro Region.

With the success of its inaugural year, the Golden Arrowhead Awards is set to become an annual tradition, showcasing the passion and ingenuity of San Bernardino County’s communicators.

Additional County Update News – November 14, 2024