August Honorees

Ashlyn Cox is recognized for her invaluable support in managing the State Center Relocation consultant contracts and helping to move this large relocation project forward. While Ashlyn has only been with DGS for 16 months, she has proven to be a strong asset to our team bringing her knowledge of commercial lease tenant fit out and property management to the agency. Ashlyn works closely with our Lease Construction Management team, OSP, DBM, individual state agency contacts, DOIT, our broker team, and with MCE and other vendors in relation to these projects. She provides critical support when projects hit an impasse and helps to bring all parties together to resolve the issues. Ashlyn is an out of the box thinker and offers solutions to help projects continue to move forward. Congrats for being Caught Doing Great Service.

PCO Damara Knox-Harris has been with DGS for over 25 years. She started in March of 1998 as a Security Officer. Through the years she continued to work and attained the position of a PCO entailing the responsibilities to monitor radio transmissions over the two channels used by MCP, and three outside agency channels and monitor over 25 plus video camera monitors covering the Annapolis and Baltimore State Office Complexes.

On July 29, 2023, PCO Knox-Harris began her shift at 0200 hours (4 hours early due to staffing shortages) at her station inside the MCP Communications Room. At about 1250 hours, while nearing the end of her extended shift, PCO Knox- Harris observed two subjects walking through the HOD building on one of the video camera monitors. On the weekends the HOD building is closed to the public except on special functions deemed necessary by the Delegates. PCO Knox-Harris quickly broadcast what she saw over the Annapolis radio channel, alerting units to respond to the HOD building. Upon arrival the subjects in question had already left the premises and were not located. Proper notifications were made to the MCP Chain of Command and DGS maintenance to address the issue which was a faulty exterior door lock. PCO Knox-Harris was able to maintain a high level of vigilance even while working the extended hours. Her quick response and diligence contributed to the incident being handled in a professional manner.

Shaquanna Allen has been with the Office of Facilities Management for a year. and interacts with coworkers, tenants, contractors and customers in the utmost professional manner. She greets everyone with a big smile.

When Shaquanna started with DGS, she had no knowledge of state government and its accounting systems. She tackled the appropriate training head-on and completed all fiscal year end tasks with a positive attitude. Just when Shaquanna thought her training was coming to an end, the new eMMA payment system training started. She completed the training. Shaquanna seized the initiative and reorganized the Silver Spring office to mirror the Rockville District Court and thereby create a seamless workflow. To do so, she used a team approach. She included the newly hired Maintenance Supervisor and Facilities Management Technician in her conversations so they could see what was going on. The changes not only made a difference in the office but has also helped the facilities management team keep the building running smoothly. For her can-do spirit, attitude and effectiveness, Shaquanna Allen has been Caught Doing Great Service. Well deserved, Shaquanna!