Robert Carlin Selected as August 2026 Employee of the Month

Escambia County is pleased to recognize Robert Carlin, Information Security Officer in the Information Technology Department, as the August 2026 Employee of the Month. Carlin's selection was recognized with a proclamation at the Aug. 6 Board of County Commissioners meeting.

Carlin began his career as an IT technician contractor in 2021 with the Service Delivery Division, demonstrating dedication and technical aptitude that earned him a full-time position as a Network Specialist in 2023. He was promoted to Security Analyst before stepping into the Information Security Officer Role, a position he has held since May 2024.

In his role as Information Security Officer, Carlin provides strategic leadership and day-to-day oversight for Escambia County's information security program. He is responsible for safeguarding technology assets and data for the Board of County Commissioners and constitutional offices, ensuring Escambia County's cybersecurity posture remains resilient and compliant. His accomplishments include expanding security awareness training initiatives for county staff, earning employee phishing vulnerability scores well below the national industry benchmark.

"Robert consistently demonstrates the qualities of a dedicated public servant and an exceptional security professional," Chief Information Officer John Erar said. "His talent, drive, and proactive approach have materially improved the county's security posture. He works behind the scenes each day to keep our systems functioning without interruption and is committed to building a security-conscious workforce. We are proud to celebrate Robert as the Employee of the Month and recognize all he does for the IT Department and Escambia County."

Carlin displayed exceptional leadership during a global Crowdstrike outage in 2024 that impacted organizations worldwide, including Escambia County. As one of the first to respond within the IT Department, Carlin immediately mobilized to assist all BCC departments and constitutional offices in restoring services. His rapid response and coordination significantly reduced downtime for county employees and minimized the impact on public-facing services, demonstrating both his technical capability and his commitment to serving his community.

Outside of his work with the IT Department, Carlin is an active participant in the Escambia County Day of Giving, volunteering his time to support his community. He also serves as an advisory board member for George Stone Technical College's Network and Security Program, where he contributes his real-world expertise to help shape the next generation of cybersecurity professionals in the region.

"I am honored to have been selected as Employee of the Month," Carlin said. "I want to thank the Escambia County IT Department for taking the time to assist me with my projects and for their continued support. I would also like to recognize everyone who takes the time to complete their required training and carefully review their emails. Maintaining a strong security posture is not the responsibility of one person alone but is the result of every employee remaining vigilant. I look forward to continuing to do my part to help keep our county secure."

Robert Carlin, Information Security Officer in the Information Technology Department, was recognized as the August Employee of the Month with a proclamation at the Aug. 6 BCC meeting.