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NEWS RELEASE

September 22, 2008

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Howard County Government Announces “Employee of the Year”

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Government’s 2008 Employee Recognition Winners were announced Friday. Top honor went to Lieutenant Joe Ross of the Department of Fire & Rescue Services who was named Howard County’s “Employee of the Year.” Ross was recognized for his work as a skilled firefighter and paramedic who now serves as a full-time instructor at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center. As the lead instructor for Emergency Medical Training (EMT) courses and paramedic continuing education courses, he not only trains his peers but also teaches nurses and doctors from area hospitals about advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support.

Other employee awards and recipients included:

Great Idea Award –
1st Place: Robin Hoerl, Kim Reichart and Alan Wilcom, Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services, for developing 10 new recycling initiatives.

2nd Place: Charlie Healey, Department of Public Works, for suggesting the County replace incandescent light bulbs inside the Circuit Court House, which led to the replacement of all bulbs in the George Howard Building.

3rd Place: Captain Robert Baldwin, Department of Corrections, for developing three major equipment enhancements to improve the safety of county correctional officers.

Unsung Hero Award –
1st Place: Mike Will, Department of Public Works, for administering first aid to a fellow employee in cardiac distress.

2nd Place: Ederis Martinez, Department of Citizen Services, who is fluent in Spanish, helps parents learn better parenting skills and connects them with community resources.

3rd Place: Earl Wheeler, Department of County Administration, is a master mechanic whose ability to repair and “upfit” vehicles increases efficiency and saves money.

Green Initiative Award –
1st Place: Jeff Dannis, Dept. of Public Works; Lindsey Leiterman, Dept. of Planning & Zoning; and Sue Muller, Dept. of Recreation & Parks, for organizing the County’s first “GreenFest.”

2nd Place: John Bennett, Roy Bennett, Nancy Emory, Jay Gabryszak, Al Harris, Jimmy McDonald, Kevin Phillips, Larry Rogers and Teresa Stonesifer (Alpha Ridge Landfill Team) for their efforts to separate almost 17,300 lbs. of household hazardous waste and paint from the waste stream.

3rd Place: Sue Muller, Department of Recreation & Parks, Bureau of Parks, Division of Natural Resources, the self-appointed recycling coordinator who goes above and beyond to make sure her department does their part to protect the environment.

Mentoring Award – Jennifer Rittenhouse, Department of Citizen Services, Office of Children’s Services, shares her knowledge of technology with everyone on the staff. She recently did a training session where she brought everyone up to speed on the latest software updates. She doesn’t just show you how to fix a problem, she teaches you the steps so you learn how to do it yourself.

Leadership Award – Kimberly Sikalis, Police Department Emergency Communications Supervisor who is well-respected by her peers and whose leadership style promotes personal responsibility, a professional and productive workplace, and a thoroughly well-trained workforce.

Customer Service Awards:

• John Colston, Department of Public Works
• Greg Fiala, Department of Recreation & Parks
• Derek Ludlow, Department of Recreation & Parks
• Lisa Morgan, Department of Recreation & Parks

Customer Service Team Awards –
Police Department, Communications Platoon C Team – Dispatcher Rob Roy Baker, ECO Megan Eppard, Sr. Dispatcher Rita Francis, Dispatcher Kristin Harvey, Dispatcher Maya Kelly, Dispatcher Olivia McNish, Sr. Dispatcher Larry Mindel, Dispatcher Ryan Niessner, Dispatcher Jessica Rojas, Dispatcher First Class Amy Sanchez, Dispatcher First Class Deborah Saunders, ECS Kim Sikalis and Dispatcher Lisa Walker.

Department of Fire & Rescue Services, Shift 6B Team – FF/P Jamie List, FF Anthony Martin, FF Matthew Pollack, FF Shannon Stockton, Lt. Brian Tiffany and FF/P James Wilson.

A banquet will be held to honor the award recipients on Tuesday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ten Oaks Ballroom, 5000 Signal Bell Lane, Clarksville.