Governor Larry Hogan Honors State Employee for Excellent Customer Service

Governor Honors Department of General Services Employee Joe Pitruzzella With Customer Service Award

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today recognized Department of General Services (DGS) employee Joseph Pitruzzella III with a Customer Service Heroes Award. Pitruzzella, affectionately known as Joe P., was honored for providing excellent customer service to the citizens of Maryland in the same department for more than 42 years. The award presentation occurred during a meeting of the Board of Public Works, which consists of the governor, Comptroller, and Treasurer, at the Maryland State House in Annapolis.

The Customer Service Heroes Award was created by Governor Hogan in 2016 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated excellence and exceeded expectations set within the state’s Customer Service Promise.

“Joe Pitruzzella is a ‘go-to person’ who has been responsible for managing and controlling some of the largest and most important construction projects the state has undertaken over several decades,” said Governor Hogan. “Over the past forty years, he has shown determination and dedication to the citizens of Maryland, and I am proud to honor him with this distinguished award.”

Since Pitruzzella began working at DGS in October 1976, he has held several positions in the department. Currently, he serves as the Chief of the Project Cost Center in the Office of Facilities Planning and is responsible for managing and controlling the cost of major construction projects. The total number of state projects Pitruzzella has been directly involved since he began at DGS is now valued at $2.2 billion. His knowledge and professionalism are highly respected by his fellow state government colleagues throughout Maryland.

In November of 2016, Pitruzzella faced a significant, life-altering health challenge; however, he faced that challenge with the same sense of determination and focus that he has shown over the past four decades, including working from the hospital. As soon as he was released from the hospital and completed his rehabilitation therapy, he returned to work.

Recently, Pitruzzella has expressed interest in using an electric mobility wheelchair. Through a partnership with the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and Resource Center Board Chairman J.J. Fegan and Executive Director Susan Thomas, who recently participated in Governor Hogan’s initiative to provide food kits to needy families, an electric mobility chair was secured for his use and presented to him at the Board of Public Works meeting.

“There is no one more dedicated to serving the citizens of Maryland than Joe P.,” said Department of General Services Secretary Ellington Churchill. “His knowledge and expertise continue to be valuable assets to all who work with him and our department is proud to have him as a member of the DGS team.”

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