Employee of the Month – Joe Altemus

Have you ever wondered who is working behind the scenes at the Annapolis complex to keep things running smoothly? Who’s keeping the grounds neat and beautiful for visitors to Maryland’s historic State House and Legislative buildings?

Meet Joe Altemus, Maintenance Chief Supervisor at the Annapolis Complex for Facilities Operation and Maintenance. Joe has been an integral DGS team member for more than 28 years. He directs a dedicated group of electricians, plumbers, painters, carpenters, maintenance workers and housekeeping staff who get the job done at 26 buildings and their grounds.

Given his extensive knowledge and experience, Secretary Bassette recently appointed Joe Acting Superintendent. It is a demanding, 24/7 job. One recent weekend, Joe answered a request from DHMH to set up for an early Monday press event, which required a podium with microphone, chairs and other necessary equipment. Here is the response the Secretary received from Chris Garrett of DHMH about Joe and his team’s help with the event:

“I just want to provide my sincerest thanks to you all for making this morning’s press/proclamation event with the Lt. Governor at Hope House in Crownsville such a success. Rick and Andy set up the podium and sound perfectly. They even were attentive to the lighting and how it might affect the news crews’ video recordings. And Joe throughout the weekend and early this morning proved an awesome (and calming, honestly) point of contact.

“I cannot thank you enough for stepping up and providing excellent help on such short notice.”

Regardless of the request – or when it’s received – Joe will deliver with a smile. No request is too small. Indeed, you might find Joe trimming the hedges around the House Office Building, up on a ladder polishing flag poles, or rescuing a baby bird that has fallen from its nest on the State House grounds! (In case you’re wondering what happened to the little bird, Joe delivered it to a veterinarian in Davidsonville, who nursed it back to health.)

Thank you, Joe. For your good work on behalf of DGS and the citizens of Maryland – and sometimes going above and beyond the call of duty – you are our Employee of the Month for September.