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NEWS RELEASE

November 2, 2009

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Howard County Government Announces “Employee of the Year”

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Government’s 2009 Employee Recognition Winners were honored Friday at a ceremony at the Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville. The highest distinction went to Kimberly Vasco of the Office of the State's Attorney who was named Howard County’s “Employee of the Year.” Vasco was recognized for her service as a victim-witness advocate assigned to the Child Advocacy Center, a job that requires her to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Her work calls on her to assist victims who are fragile, fearful and often overwhelmed with the lengthy process of bringing their offender to justice. This past year, Vasco’s dedication was recognized when she was awarded the National Advocate Credential by the National Organization for Victim Assistance.

Other employee awards and recipients included:

Great Idea Award –
1st Place: Brian Pickett, Department of Fire & Rescue Services, for developing and writing the Department’s ‘Course Delivery Database.’

2nd Place: William Holland, Department of Public Works, for suggesting the use of an existing splitter box that could easily be modified and tied-into as required to allow Little Patuxent Water Reclamation Plant operations to co-exist with the Plant’s Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrade and construction activities.

3rd Place: David Proulx, Police Department, who maintains and runs the Department’s Mobile Data Computers, is the driving force behind a number of projects that has saved the county over $50,000.

Unsung Hero Award –
1st Place: Kathy Sloan-Beard, Department of County Administration, for her involvement and assistance to Ann Ryder and her family, before and after Ann’s death.

2nd Place: Phyllis Pritchett, Department of Technology & Communications, who was instrumental in preventing a fellow employee from having a major heart attack.

3rd Place: Connie Park, Office of the State’s Attorney, for providing her services of translating Korean to victims and her willingness to become available for prosecutors.

Green Initiative Award –
1st Place: Lindsay DeMarzo, Department of Planning & Zoning, for co-chairing the County’s annual GreenFest, organizing Live Green Day and working with communities to sponsor Donation Days are just a few of DeMarzo’s long list of environmental outreach activities.

2nd Place: Denise Weist, Department of County Administration, has been collecting and recycling toner cartridges from various County agencies at Howard County Animal Control for the past few years; the money from the cartridges helps pay for toys, blankets and other items for the animals.

3rd Place: Jacob Ketner, Department of Corrections, for the past few years has taken on the responsibility in caring for the vegetable garden grown at the Detention Center.

Mentoring Award – Felicia Stein, Department of Citizen Services, for the past six years has taken time to mentor numerous students and ARC workers at Owen Brown Senior Center. In providing guidance and her expertise in the field of Occupational Therapy to the students, Stein has inspired them to pursue work with older adults in a senior care setting. She has also taught ARC workers on-the job skills and assisted many of them in finding paying jobs.

Leadership Award – Brenna Scribner, Department of Finance, who is well-respected by her peers and whose leadership style promotes leading by example, being a good listener, respecting one’s fellow employees on an equal level and always being available to respond to any situation.

Customer Service Awards:

• Scott Kramer, Department of County Administration (1st Place – Internal)
• Roger Senjalia, Department of County Administration (2nd Place – Internal)
• Craig Persinger, Department of Public Works (1st Place – Public)
• Steve Schwarzman, Department of Recreation & Parks (2nd Place – Public)

Customer Service Team Awards –
Office of Law (Internal) – Faith Adelman, Joyce Fina, Beverly Heydon, Paul Johnson, Chris Keane, Faye Liberatore, Judy Lindenauer, Sarah Lyles, Cindy Mattison, Lisa O’Brien, Cynthia Peltzman, Loretta Ritter, Lynn Robeson, Lou Ruzzi, Barry Sanders, Camela Sandman, Tracey Skinner, Constance Tucker and Jim Vannoy.

Department of Inspections, Licenses & Permits, Iowa Disaster Team (Public) – Edward Ackerman, Dave Baer, Ken Brown and Sean Kelly.