Governor Carney Celebrates Public Service Recognition Week, May 7-13

State employees recognized for excellence and commitment to public service

 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney on Monday signed a proclamation announcing May 7-13, 2023 as Public Service Recognition Week. Beginning on the first Sunday of May, the week is devoted to recognizing and paying tribute to government employees who provide valuable services to Delawareans while keeping the public sector running smoothly. The Governor, together with members of his Cabinet and the state’s business community, will acknowledge the outstanding work of state employees and honor our exceptional public servants through a series of videos released each day.

 

“We are fortunate to have devoted state employees that are dedicated to the people of Delaware,” said Governor Carney. “Even after navigating through a really challenging time during the pandemic, they continue to provide an exceptional level of service that keeps our state running well. I’m thrilled to recognize some of our employees with awards thanks to a partnership with our business community. Thank you to all our public servants for their hard work and making Delaware a great state to live and work.”

 

“State employees rock,” said Department of Human Resources Secretary Claire DeMatteis. “They show up day in and day out no matter how difficult the job, demonstrating grit, grace, determination and compassion. I am proud to be a state employee and serve alongside so many committed professionals.”

 

During Public Service Recognition Week, individuals and teams of state employees will be honored for their excellence and commitment to public service during the 2022 calendar year. This includes recognizing employees who identified creative new ways to provide state services, as well as those who exhibited acts of heroism and courage.

 

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

 

  • Tuesday, May 9 – Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service
  • Wednesday, May 10 – Governor’s Team Excellence Award (Commitment Award, Champions Award)
  • Thursday, May 11 – GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award and GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award
  • Friday, May 12 – Delaware Award for Heroism

 

Recognition videos will premiere each day at 11:00 a.m. on youtube.com/johncarneyde.

 

Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award

The Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award is presented to up to five State of Delaware employees, or small groups of up to five employees, who exemplify the highest standards of excellence and commitment in state service.

 

Recipients of the 2022 award are:

  • Angela Foraker, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Nadeim Ghoryani, Department of Technology and Information
  • Robin Jenkins, Judicial Branch
  • Lisa Tingle, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
  • Linda Velott, Department of Finance

 

Governor’s Team Excellence Awards

This award category includes the GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award; Champions Award; and Commitment Award. The Governor’s Team Excellence Awards, presented annually to a team of six to 20 state employees, encourages teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results.

 

Commitment Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a commitment to developing and applying quality improvement tools and techniques and achieving results that lead to continuous improvement in their organization. The recipients of this year’s award are:

  • Shoreline and Waterway Management Section-Beach Crew – Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
  • Consumer Reporting Form Re-Platforming Team – Department of Health and Social Services
  • DMV on the Go – Department of Transportation

 

Champions Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior knowledge of continuous quality improvement techniques, produce tangible results, and increase efficiencies, customer satisfaction, or cost savings. Recipients of this year’s award are:

 

  • Bridge Buprenorphine Induction Program Team – Department of Health and Social Services
  • Gun Violence Intervention Delaware Operations Team – Department of Health and Social Services; Department of Correction; Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families; Department of Safety and Homeland Security; and Department of Justice
  • Casho Mill Road Clankers Team – Department of Transportation

 

GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award

This top award honors teams that not only use continuous improvement tools to achieve outstanding results but also develop innovative designs and processes, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are sustainable, scalable, and adaptable to other areas of government. These teams serve as clear role models for other organizations. The recipients of this year’s award are:

 

  • Restore the Corridor Team – Department of Transportation
  • Delaware Relief Rebate Team – Department of Finance

 

GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award

The GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award provides special recognition for individuals or small teams of employees who implement projects that increase the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of State government. These recipients are acknowledged for using continuous improvement tools to develop innovative processes, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are impactful, sustainable, and adaptable to other areas of government.

 

Recipients of the 2022 award are:

  • Brian Calio, Department of Health and Human Services
  • DLC Portal Team, Department of Human Resources – Darlene Hicken-Gott, Ashley Kavanagh and James Robinson
  • Tonia Muncey, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
  • Larry Trunfio, Department of Human Resources
  • James T. Vaughn American Correctional Association Accreditation Team – Department of Correction – Kara Austin, Renee Gutowski Chelsey Pernic, Damaris Slawik, and Michael Trader

 

The GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award and the GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award were made possible through the support of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board and a Public-Private Partnership (P3) between the State of Delaware and the Delaware business community. Private sector contributors include Bank of America, Corporation Service Company (CSC), Delmarva Power, Highmark BCBS Delaware, JP Morgan Chase Bank, M&T Bank, The Precisionists Inc. (TPI), W.L. Gore & Associates, and WSFS Bank.

 

“As chairman of the Governor’s Efficiency & Accountability Review (GEAR) P3 Taskforce for Governor Carney’s GEAR initiative, I am thrilled that the private sector, with the strong backing of the Delaware Business Roundtable and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, has partnered again with The State of Delaware on the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Governor’s Innovation & Efficiency, and Trailblazer Awards. This program is a terrific step toward better government, and in recognizing state employees and teams on outstanding accomplishments,” said Ernie Dianastasis, CEO of The Precisionists (TPI).

 

Delaware Award for Heroism

The Delaware Award for Heroism, established in 2013, recognizes state employees for acts of heroism and courage. The 2022 recipients are:

 

  • Van Adams and Trevor McColley, Department of Transportation
  • Jeffrey Hansen and Timothy McCrary, Department of Correction

 

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Governor Carney Announces Chief Diversity Officer at Department of Human Resources

Richard M. Potter, Jr. to lead Division of Diversity and Inclusion

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced the appointment of Richard M. Potter, Jr. to serve as the State of Delaware’s Chief Diversity Officer. He will oversee the Department of Human Resources’ (DHR) Division of Diversity and Inclusion and lead the state’s commitment to maintaining a state government workforce that is reflective of the state’s population.

As Chief Diversity Officer, Potter will impact every aspect of the state’s recruitment, training, mentorship and leadership development efforts. He will collaborate with state agencies and serve as a liaison to constituents and community partners, implementing initiatives that promote a diverse and inclusive work culture that represents all Delawareans.

“We are committed to creating a work environment that is inclusive, diverse, and representative of all Delawareans,” said Governor Carney. “The Chief Diversity Officer plays a vital role in leading the state’s workforce diversity and inclusion strategies, and I want to thank Richard for stepping up to serve Delaware in this role. I look forward to working with him to build an even stronger community across state government.” 

DHR Secretary Claire DeMatteis said the state conducted a comprehensive search for a new Chief Diversity Officer, considering nearly two dozen qualified candidates.

“Richard stood out among a group of extremely well-qualified candidates,” said Secretary Claire DeMatteis. “He is a highly-accomplished professional with extensive experience in multicultural programming, training, advocacy and communications. What set Richard apart was his career-long commitment to diversity and inclusion, holding senior leadership positions in higher education, non-profit and corporate arenas, as well as serving in leadership positions within the NAACP and other leading advocacy organizations.”

“I am honored and humbled to accept the position of Chief Diversity Officer for the State of Delaware,” said Richard Potter. “This is an opportunity for me to work with the citizens of Delaware to build an inclusive and diverse workplace, community and government. I am committed to creating and sustaining equitable and respectful spaces for all to build a better future for all.”

Potter completed his undergraduate studies at Sojourner Douglass College in 2008 and earned his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Wilmington University in 2010. In 2011 he was selected to attend the National Council of Black American Affairs Leadership Development Institute in Detroit, Michigan, which prepares African Americans for executive leadership roles in higher education. He currently serves as the president of the NAACP Talbot County Branch, and the president of the Character Counts Mid-Shore Board of Directors. He co-founded the Coalition for Justice for Anton Black and was recently appointed to the Board of Directors for the Maryland Black Caucus Foundation. Potter is also a member of the ACLU-MD Board of Directors and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

Potter will begin serving with the State of Delaware on January 30, 2023. His photo is available online.


State of Delaware Employees Recognized for Team Excellence, Excellence and Commitment in State Service, and Heroism

Public Servants Recognized for Outstanding Achievements 

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Cabinet members, and the business community celebrate the extraordinary work of Delaware’s public servants and present awards annually to state employees that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their work. Historically, the Department of Human Resources hosts an annual recognition event during Public Service Recognition Week; however, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented employees from gathering for an event. Instead, awards are being distributed to individual and team recipients this week.

“State of Delaware employees deserve to be recognized every day for their commitment to their work and dedication to public service – especially during this time of crisis,” said Governor Carney. “State workers have stepped up for Delawareans during this COVID-19 pandemic, delivering important services that families rely on. I know it hasn’t been easy, but we recognize and appreciate that commitment to service.”

This year’s GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award and the new Trailblazer Award were made possible through the support of the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) Board and a Public-Private Partnership (P3) between the State of Delaware and the Delaware business community. These awards recognize State employees with the highest level of performance excellence in continuous improvement activities. Private Sector contributors of the awards include Bank of America, Capital One, Corporation Service Company (CSC), Delmarva Power, Highmark BCBS, JP Morgan Chase Bank, M&T Bank, The Precisionists Inc. (TPI), and WSFS Bank. Governor Carney emphasized the importance of these contributors, saying “I’m grateful for our continued partnership with the State’s business community and for their support in honoring these employees.”

“As the private sector representative of Governor Carney’s GEAR initiative, I am thrilled that the private sector, with the strong backing of the Delaware Business Roundtable and the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, has partnered again with The State of Delaware on the Public-Private Partnership (P3) Governor’s Innovation and Efficiency Awards. This program is a terrific step toward better government, and in recognizing state employees and teams on outstanding accomplishments,” said Ernie Dianastasis.

Governor’s Team Excellence Awards

This award category includes the GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award; Champions Award; and Commitment Award. The Governor’s Team Excellence Awards, presented annually to a team of six to 20 state employees, encourages teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results.

GEAR P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award

This top award is a cooperative initiative between the State of Delaware and the business community. This public private partnership honors teams that not only use continuous quality tools to achieve outstanding outcomes but also develop innovative designs and process, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are sustainable, scalable, and adaptable to other areas of government. These teams serve as clear role models for other organizations. The recipient of this year’s award is:

  • Delaware One Stop Rebuild Team, Department of State, Department of Technology and Information, Department of Finance, and Department of Labor

Champions Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior knowledge of continuous quality improvement techniques, produced tangible results, and increased efficiencies, customer satisfaction, or cost savings. Recipients of this year’s award are:

  • SR1 Christiana Mall Project Team, Department of Transportation
  • Drug Intervention Notification Program Team, Department of Health and Social Services and Delaware Criminal Justice Information System

Commitment Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a commitment to developing and applying quality improvement tools and techniques and achieving results that lead to continuous improvement in their organization. The recipient of this year’s award is:

  • Elections Systems Migration Team, Department of Elections, Department of Technology and Information, Department of Transportation, and Delaware Criminal Justice Information System

Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award

The Delaware Award for Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award, established in 1990, is given to five State of Delaware employees, or groups of up to six employees, who exemplify the highest standards of excellence and commitment in state service. In addition, the GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award provides special recognition for those individuals and small groups whose accomplishments demonstrate leadership in application of continuous improvement best practices. Recipients of the 2020 award are:

  • Mary Baker and Kathleen Truitt, Department of Services for Children Youth and Their Families
  • Thomas Gilbert, Department of Transportation
  • James Henry, Office of Management and Budget
  • Carole Mick, Department of State
  • Christopher Miller, Department of Agriculture

GEAR P3 Trailblazer Award

  • Anthony DiCicco, Department of Technology and Information
  • PCMA Group
    • Jessica Guido-Brown, Department of Health and Social Services
    • Melissa Winters, Department of Health and Social Services

Delaware Award for Heroism

The Delaware Award for Heroism, established in 2013, recognizes state employees for acts of heroism and courage. The 2020 recipients are:

  • Christopher Camacho, Department of Correction
  • Joshua Churchill, Department of Correction
  • Evan Taylor, Department of Transportation
  • William Forbes, Department of Transportation
  • Paula Thomas, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Amy Edwards, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Betty Jo Charles, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Sean McHale, Justice of the Peace Court

Detailed information about the award recipients can be found on the State of Delaware’s Employee Recognition webpage at https://dhr.delaware.gov/training/award/.

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State of Delaware Employees Honored for Team Excellence, Excellence and Commitment in State Service, and Heroism

Event held during the celebration of Public Service Recognition Week, May 5-11, 2019

 

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney, Cabinet members, and the business community on Thursday celebrated Public Service Recognition Week by applauding the extraordinary work of Delaware’s public servants and recognizing state employees that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to their work. Awards presented to employees include Team Excellence, Excellence & Commitment in State Service, and Heroism.

New to this year’s ceremony was the presentation of the GEAR-P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award. This award, made possible through the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) launched by Governor Carney in 2017 and a Public-Private Partnership (P3) between the State of Delaware and the Delaware business community, recognizes State employees with the highest levels of performance excellence. Founding sponsors of the GEAR-P3 Award include Bank of America, Delmarva Power, The Precisionists, and WSFS Bank.

“I encourage all Delawareans to join me in thanking our State employees for their dedication and commitment to public service,” said Governor Carney. “I’m thrilled to join with the State’s business community this year in giving special recognition to employee teams that implement innovative, cost saving initiatives that yield sustainable results for our citizens. Thank you to our founding sponsors for partnering with the State to honor these employees.”

Governor’s Team Excellence Awards

This awards category includes the GEAR-P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award; Champions Award; and Commitment Award. The Governor’s Team Excellence Awards, presented annually to a team of six to 20 state employees, encourages teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results.

GEAR-P3 Innovation & Efficiency Award

This top award is a cooperative initiative between the State of Delaware and the business community.  It honors teams that not only use continuous quality tools to achieve outstanding outcomes but also develop innovative designs and process, establish best practices, and produce verifiable results that are sustainable, scalable, and adaptable to other areas of government. These teams serve as clear role models for other organizations. Recipients of this year’s award are:

  • iVote Security Remediation Team, Department of Technology and Information and the Department of Elections
  • Delaware Drug Monitoring Initiative Team, Department of Health and Social Services and Department of Safety and Homeland Security/Delaware State Police

Champions Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior knowledge of continuous quality improvement techniques, produced tangible results, and increased efficiencies, customer satisfaction, or cost savings. Recipients of this year’s award are:

  • Criminal History Unit Team, Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
  • Southern Health Services 3rd Annual Drive-Thru Influenza POD Leadership Planning Team, Department of Health and Social Services

Commitment Award

This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a commitment to developing and applying quality improvement tools and techniques and achieving results that lead to continuous improvement in their organization. Recipients of this year’s award are:

  • Transit Mobile App and Fare System Modernization Team, Department of Transportation/Delaware Transit Corporation
  • Rehoboth Outfall Permitting Project Team, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
  • Jury Improvement Innovation Team, Superior Court, Judicial Information Center and the Department of Technology and Information

Excellence and Commitment in State Service Award

This award, established in 1990, is given to five State of Delaware employees, or groups of employees, who exemplify the highest standards of excellence and commitment in state service. Recipients of the 2019 award are:

  • Kesha Braunskill, Department of Agriculture
  • Kenneth P. Creedon, Superior Court
  • James Dowling, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Christopher Gore, Robert Greybill and William Kirsch, Department of Transportation
  • Ivelisse Torres, Department of Health and Social Services

Delaware Award for Heroism

Established in 2013, this award recognizes state employees for acts of heroism and courage. The 2019 recipients are:

  • Robby Brown, Department of Transportation
  • Genevieve Haller, Kelly Katz, and Robby Brown, Department of Transportation
  • Chelsea Chillas, Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
  • Chantel Collie, Department of Health and Social Services
  • Richard Nichols and Robert Stevens, Department of Transportation
  • Department of Correction, Sussex Correctional Institute employees:
    Joseph Adkins, Richard Donahue, Scott Illian, Travis Lowe, Charles Moorefield, Zachary Pettyjohn, Adam Smith, Joshua Wall, and Scott Workman
  • Department of Correction, Baylor Women’s Correctional Institute employees:
    Marlowe Rhock, Hodle Dorcin, De’Quan Hickson, Mali Lebron, Kelly Lewis, Denise Massey, Ryan Stanard, and Syrita Williams

“State employees are incredibly driven and committed to serving the people of Delaware,” said Saundra Ross Johnson, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “It is a pleasure to have the opportunity to recognize those who have gone above and beyond their usual level of excellence.”

Detailed information about the award recipients can be found on the State of Delaware’s Employee Recognition webpage: https://dhr.delaware.gov/training/award/

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Governor Carney, Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy Announce Call for Women’s Hall of Fame Nominations

Deadline for consideration for the 2018 induction cycle is May 15, 2018

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney, Delaware’s Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy, a division of the Delaware Department of Human Resources, and the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee are now accepting nominations for induction into the 38th Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. An awards reception to honor the 2018 inductees will take place on Thursday, September 27, 2018 at Dover Downs.

“Delaware women contribute significantly to our communities, our workforce, and our culture across the state,” said Governor Carney. “We look forward to receiving a diverse group of nominees who have made lasting impacts, and recognizing their achievements through this annual honor.”

“Delaware women do not neatly fit into one box; we represent all ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds, and I am excited to seek a pool of nominees that reflects the unique and vast diversity of women in the First State,” said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy.

The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women was first established in 1981 to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Delaware women. More than 100 women have been inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women.

“While the current members of the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women are all hardworking and inspiring women, I can’t help but wonder how many other impressive Delaware women there are who also deserve recognition for their contributions to our state,” said Kay Keenan, Chair of the 2018 Hall of Fame Committee. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to cast a wide net in our search for additional remarkable Delaware women, and shine a light on the many ways women have added to the legacy of the First State.”

Eligible nominees must have made an important and lasting impact on the lives of Delawareans and been born in Delaware or resided in the State for 10 years. Posthumous nominations are also accepted.

“We are fortunate that so many exemplary women call Delaware home,” said Saundra Ross Johnson, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Human Resources. “Everyone is encouraged to nominate a woman who inspires and contributes to the welfare of our community.”

Application forms are available online at de.gov/women until midnight EST on May 15, 2018.

For additional information or inquiries about the Hall of Fame, please contact the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy at DelawareWomenHOF@delaware.gov or 302-577-8970.

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