ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today announced the Howard County Government 2025 Employee of the Year is Genevieve LaPorte from the Howard County Police Department. As a role model for community policing, she is the department’s Crisis Intervention Team Coordinator and serves on the front-line building bridges between law enforcement and mental health resources. Additionally, Genevieve trains officers to recognize and address these often-challenging situations and helps guide individuals to the critical resources they need.
This announcement occurred during the County’s annual Employee Awards Program, through which employees nominate their fellow co-workers who go above and beyond in several categories. A selection committee comprised of employees from various County departments then selects the final award recipients. Pictures from the event can be found on the County’s Flickr website.
Our employees work hard, reliably perform their duties, serve our community, and display award-winning excellence every day. At every opportunity, I acknowledge and appreciate that our staff are the backbone of what we do and drive how we are seen by our constituents. I am grateful for their responsiveness, dedication, professionalism, creativity, and kindness. I applaud Genevieve and all our nominated employees who are stellar examples of public service in our community.
In addition to Employee of the Year, this annual awards program also recognized outstanding employees in the following categories:
Manager of the Year
Erica Taylor from the Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of Children and Families (OCF) is the County’s 2025 Manager of the Year. As the manager of OCF’s Home Visiting programs, Erica demonstrates her commitment to the community and her staff by continuously going above and beyond to help ensure the work to support Howard County’s struggling families is rewarding and appreciated. Through active listening, small rewards, and leading by example, she inspires her team every day.
Contingent of the Year
The 2025 Contingent of the Year award was presented to Marshall Brookes from the Department of General Services, formerly the Bureau of Facilities. Nominated an impressive 16 times for this honor, Marshall is well-known across the County. Always a welcoming and friendly face to staff and visitors of the County’s George Howard Building in Ellicott City, Marshall served as one of the building’s security guards up until his recent retirement. His attention, support, kindness, and service will forever be missed.
Great Idea Award
The 1st Place Great Idea Award was awarded to Julian Henson in the Department of Recreation & Parks. In mastering new, effective, and cost-efficient Google Ad campaigns for the department’s annual Wine in the Woods and Summer Camps program, Julian brought a high level of targeted marketing to these programs and generated thousands of views that helped enhance the success and profitability of the department.
In 2nd Place, Kyle Crouse in the Department of Recreation & Parks was honored for his steadfast, innovative thinking to create a UTV-mounted, 125-gallon tree watering rig to assist the department in accessing challenging Forest Conservation Areas, to responsibly address expired and unusable pesticides, and to repurpose things to reduce waste and improve efficiency.
Green Initiative Award
In recognition of Caitlin Beckjord’s numerous professional accomplishments and certifications she earned this year, but especially in recognition of her innovative thinking to help the Department of Recreation & Parks identify and address invasive plant species and improve management within Forest Conservation areas, Caitlin was awarded the 1st Place Green Initiative Award.
Charisse Antonio from the Department of Finance’s Controller’s Office took home 2nd Place in this category for her innovative efforts to use technology to save time and resources. Not only did Charisse streamline departmental operations with step-by-step standard operating procedures, but she also made easy work of meeting minutes to help Finance function better, while using less paper.
Unsung Hero Award
The 2025 1st Place Unsung Hero was awarded to Ashton Sullivan with the Department of Community Resources and Services for her work to build and enhance the department’s Family Support Center. Through the invaluable resources and partnerships Ashton has established and grown, she has turned the Family Support Center into a destination for improvement and encouragement for county families. No matter the time of day, Ashton is always focused on how she can best support and serve the families and children of Howard County.
For her service to the Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of Aging and Independence in stepping up to fill leadership roles and advance several of the department’s age-friendly initiatives to build stronger community relationships amongst the county’s older adult population, Morgan Spliedt was recognized with 2nd Place for Unsung Hero. Thanks to Morgan’s diligent efforts, residents feel heard and engaged no matter where they reside, be it an assisted living facility or are aging in place at their lifelong home.
Leadership Award
Commander of 26 patrol officers, Howard County Police Department’s Lieutenant Kristopher Knutson was recognized with the 2025 Leadership Award for his embodiment and exemplary efforts in community policing. Respected by his officers who know he stands with them and celebrates their success, Lieutenant Knutson and his team continuously strive to enhance community relationships by hosting town halls, parades, and outreach events to make themselves more available and present in the communities they serve.
Mentoring Award
A fixture at the Department of Fire and Rescue Services’ Station 8 Bethany in Ellicott City, Jason Blohm is known for passing on his experience, wisdom, and tips and tricks to his fellow firefighters to make them more prepared, safer, and efficient. Through training and team exercises, Jason fosters a desire and willingness to build skills and cohesion among members of Station 8 and other County fire stations. For all that he does, Jason was honored with the 2025 Mentoring Award.
Customer Service Awards
- Dawn Tinker, Office of County Administration (1st Place – Internal)
- Luke Verdi, Office of the County Executive (2nd Place – Internal)
- Bianca Johnson, Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of Children and Families (1st Place – Public)
- Lintzton “Jim” Craft, Department of Recreation & Parks (2nd Place – Public)
Customer Service Team Awards
Internal: The Howard County Council’s Audit staff consists of Maya Cameron, Diane Zagorski-Kelly, and Rebecca Gold.
Public: Domestic Violence Unit of the Howard County Sherrif’s Office includes:
- Lt. Deputy Edward Simmons Jr
- Sgt. Deputy Samuel Demby
- Corporal Alexander Dufour
- Corporal Matthew Spencer
- Deputy Mark Heron
- Deputy Steven Hendrix
- Corporal Kenneth Shilling Jr
- Deputy Nelson Martinez-Sorto
- Deputy First Class Shaun McKenna
- Deputy Ross Miller
- Deputy First Class Daniel Sanchez
- Deputy First Class Eric Thomas
- Deputy Zachary Trimper
- Ellysa Kann
- Dina Ward
- Deputy Saqib Haque
- Rhonda Benavides
In addition to the above awards, more than 25 County employees were also recognized for 30 or more milestone years of service to Howard County Government. Service honors included George Martin in the Department of Inspections, Licenses, and Permits, who is the first County employee to serve Howard County Government and our community for an historic 55 years and counting.