August Honorees

Courteous Customer Service, Dedication to Duty, Professionalism and Competency…

Jan Brown displays these characteristics when working in the Maryland Capitol Police (MCP) Annapolis Security Card Processing Center. Jan has been a state employee for 30 years, 23 of which have been with DGS. Prior to joining DGS, she worked with the Maryland State Police and Maryland Department of Corrections (Home Detention Unit). Jan has performed such jobs as security officer, police communication officer (PCO), and now administrative specialist II with MCP.

Jan started working with the Maryland Capitol Police in 1988 as a security officer. She excelled and was quickly promoted to PCO and again to Administrative Specialist II assigned to the Security Card Processing Center. She is a leader in the ID room and the most knowledgeable about the operation, software systems used, and state laws regarding the issuance of ID cards. Jan also travels across the state (mobile ID unit), processing ID cards for many other state agencies. She does an outstanding job representing DGS-MCP with professionalism and competency.

Stacey Pollitt is a Procurement Officer II in the commodities unit of the Office of Procurement.  Although she has been with the unit for only 2 years, she has made a big difference, both in setting an example of hard work and enhancing the morale of the unit. Stacey is always willing to lend a hand or go the extra mile, whether it’s training an employee or helping to set up tables, chairs and food at our training sessions.

Stacey is enthusiastic about her work and even volunteered to take on the Energy Office’s reverse auction procurement for electricity without complaint, even though she had no experience in this area. She did an excellent job. During the end-of-year purchasing, Stacey handled one of the agency’s largest procurers of commodities, the State Highway Administration (SHA), which makes approximately 25 procurements per month. Everything she does, she does with a smile.

Tammy Vehstedt is an HR Officer III. She has worked for the State for over 20 years, and she has continuously brought professionalism and great customer service to her job. Tammy’s job as a recruiter for DGS puts her in a very public and visible position, where she interacts with job applicants on a daily basis. She is always professional and courteous, going above and beyond to ensure that applicants and DGS hiring managers have everything they need during the recruitment and selection process. Several responses to the online customer service survey were received about Tammy’s high level of service.  One individual wrote, “The staff are doing [an] excellent job and they are friendly and courteous with the applicant.”  Another individual wrote, “Tammy Vehstedt [was] helpful in answering questions as others working for [the agency] [c]ould not.”

Tammy is also the agency’s retirement coordinator and works with our employees during a very chaotic and sometimes stressful time in their lives to ensure that their retirements from state service go smoothly.

Ron Scheitlin is a one-man team. He is a capital maintenance project engineer with FPDC and has managed the department’s hazardous materials (HAZMAT) projects for many, many years. He has exhibited unwavering professionalism, dedication and exceptional customer service on sometimes very difficult and sensitive projects – from lead paint testing and removal; asbestos testing, monitoring and removal; mold remediation and any other hazardous materials located in buildings DGS maintains. He always goes the extra mile to ensure that all customers receive courteous customer service at the highest level.

Ron is organized and a very hard worker. He is capable of handling the many difficult and challenging projects within our division. His extensive knowledge and experience allow him to respond promptly and effectively to any building hazard concern.

Ron retired in October, after 40 years with DGS.

Coby Nida, Maintenance Mechanic Sr. at the Arbutus/Catonsville multi-service center, takes great care to keep the grounds well-groomed, trimmed and free of any trash and debris. On more than one occasion, tenants and visitors have commented on how pristine the grounds are kept, comparing Coby’s high standards of care to those at a golf course. “It’s good to see some people still take pride in their work,” they often say.

Coby also takes time to establish personal relationships with building tenants, which keeps communications open. He is vital to the daily operations, keeping abreast of needs throughout the complex and quickly responding to issues. Whether it is checking lighting, stocking supplies, resetting breakers, maintaining comfortable temperatures, or working through the night during storm duty, Coby is on the job.

Mechanical systems and computers alone can’t keep a facility running smoothly and efficiently. It takes the personal touch of employees like Coby.