Finksburg couple honored for years of service to the State of Maryland

Finksburg residents Sam and Judi Mann were honored during recent ceremonies for their years of service to the citizens of Maryland. The Carroll County couple have been married since 1988 and have worked for state agency Maryland Public Television (MPT) for more than 35 years each.

Sam Mann has worked at MPT for 42 years. He joined the statewide public TV network in 1981, starting as a part-time landscaper and growing through successive roles in the organization’s Facilities Department. He assumed leadership of the department in 2008. In his current role, Sam manages a team of 10 full-time employees responsible for physical security, mailroom operations, special events setup and breakdown, heating and plumbing, electricity, ground care, and other responsibilities.

Sam is also the chaplain for Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company. In this capacity, he devotes many hours to assisting his fellow firefighters with issues both physical and mental. Beyond his official duties, he serves the group by driving fire trucks, riding in ambulances, assisting with EMT training, and organizing bingo fundraisers. He has previously served as assistant chief, EMS captain, and paramedic for the fire department.

Sam received the 2022 Reese Firefighter of the Year award from the Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company. This honor is given annually to one person who exemplifies the core values of being a firefighter and helping the community. He was recognized for being among the company’s top 10 that year in both calls responded to and volunteer hours. He was also feted for providing 40 years of service to the company.

In his spare time, Sam is a college baseball umpire and high school football and basketball referee.

Judi Mann has 36 years of experience at MPT. She joined the network in 1987 as an inventory control specialist. Three years later, she accepted a promotion and began working in closed captioning, where she remained for the next 30 years. In 2014, Judi transitioned to her current role managing MPT’s online store.

Judi is also very active in her community. She serves in the Reese & Community Volunteer Fire Company, especially during the company’s annual carnival, and is involved in her church.

Judi is a graduate of Westminster High School and George Mason University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in health education.

In her free time, Judi enjoys tending to livestock on the Mann family's farm. The two have enjoyed 38 years of marriage and have two children: Casey, a law enforcement officer in the Hampstead Police Department, and Rachel, a teacher at Westminster High School.