2023 Howard County Employee Awards Program Recognizes Honorees

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — County leaders and co-workers earlier this month celebrated their 2023 Employee Awards Program honorees. For the annual program, employees nominate the best of their co-workers in several categories and a selection committee of fellow employees representing a range of county departments select the final award recipients.

As a role model for community policing, Howard County Deputy Sheriff Rodney Ready was named the 2023 Employee of the Year and nominated for his efforts to influence the county's young people, instill positive and productive values, and promote safety.

“Our employees are always the reason behind our accomplishments, our service to our community and our award-winning excellence,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “I tell employees at every opportunity how much I appreciate their responsiveness, dedication, professionalism, creativity and caring. I applaud Sheriff Ready and all of our nominated employees as stellar examples of public service in our community.”

The annual awards program recognizes outstanding employees in the following categories:

2023 Contingent of the Year
As a librarian, Chantell Session in the department of corrections was honored for her unwavering dedication to building the library resources for county inmates – adding 3,000 books, expanding selections in Spanish, Hebrew and Chinese, and increasing the legal resources, puzzles and programs available.

Great Idea Award
The First Place Great Idea Award for 2023 was awarded to Gabriel Ross in the Office of Human Resources. In second place, Jennifer Lee in the Department of Community Resources and Services, Office on Aging and Independence was honored for her innovative approach to having “Senior Centers Without Walls.”

Green Initiative Award
First place was awarded to Gina Van De Walle in the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services for her dedication to enhancing the public school’s food scrap collection program. The county has expanded the level of interest and participation among schools and enhanced education so students can make the right disposal choices.

In second place, Elwood “Pete” Miller from the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Environmental Services was acknowledged for his efforts to oversee the rain barrel program. The rain barrels the county gives away need to be drilled and assembled with special parts.

Unsung Hero Award
The 2023 First Place Unsung Hero went to Brandon Laing in the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Utilities, who used his EMT and CPR training as a volunteer firefighter to get his co-worker the emergency medical attention he needed when struck down by a heart attack. As the situation worsened, Brandon headed straight to the ER. Thanks to his calm thinking and quick action, the co-worker is alive and back to work today. Second place was presented to Dr. Alaina Elam in the Department of Corrections. She applied for grants to support reentry programs for inmates.

Leadership Award
With five nominations across various departments, Chris Eatough from the Office of Transportation earned the award. As the bike and pedestrian coordinator, he led the Complete Streets Program to new heights and award-winning success.

Mentoring Award
Lisa Hendricks from the Department of Community Resources and Services was selected for her generous efforts to take a new program specialist under her wing and to give this new team member the tools, confidence and guidance to grow and be successful.

Customer Service Awards

• Megan Gratz, Department of Community Resources and Services (First Place – Internal)
• Kate Bollinger, Office of Planning and Zoning (Second Place – Internal)
• Amber Eash, Department of Community Resources and Services (First Place – Public)
• Joselyn Brown, Howard County State’s Attorney’s Office (Second Place – Public)

Customer Service Team Awards
Internal: The Department of Recreation & Parks Blandair Park staff consisted of Mike Phillips, Brandon Prechit, Mark Myrick, Doug Schopman, Toney Zarro, Travis Williams, John Miller, Gavin Edson and Evan Summers.

Public: Victim Assistance Section of the Howard County Police Department included Kathleen Masterson, Carolyn Breck and Angela Lindsay.

In addition to the above awards, more than 50 county employees were also recognized for 30 or more milestone years of service to Howard County government.