MDA Recognizes Employees of the Quarter

(From left) Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, Ed Payne, Elizabeth Konki, Secretary Buddy Hance.

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) has announced its Employees of the Quarter. Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance and Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting recently presented these employees with Certificates of Appreciation.

“Talented and dedicated employees are the necessary component of any successful agency or organization,” said Secretary Hance. “The employees we recognize during this quarter are representative of the many hard working staff people across the state who go above and beyond to make MDA the outstanding agency we have today.”

MDA’s Employee of the Quarter for Customer Service was Edward Payne of Howard and Garrett County, Administrator of the National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) in MDA’s Weights and Measures Section. The NTEP provides outstanding customer service while independently working in extreme environments evaluating scales, weighing systems and point of sale software. Ed’s customers range from large corporations to start-up software individuals. Ed’s outstanding work was recently recognized by NTEP Director Jim Truex at the Nation Conference on Weights and Measures. Ed’s customers often express their appreciation and thanks to him for going the extra mile to ensure they receive the service they need. He was nominated by Elizabeth Koncki, Assistant Chief of Weights and Measures.

Left to Right: MDA Plant Protection and Weed Management Program Manager Dick Bean, Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, Inspectors Rose Buckner, Sam Stokes, Charles Pickett, Steve Bell, Secretary Hance, Supervising Entomologist Kim Rice and Assistant Secretary for Plant Industries Carol Holko

MDA’s Team of the Quarter included agricultural inspectors Rose Buckner of Arnold (Anne Arundel County), Charles Pickett of Upper Marlboro (Prince George’s County), Steve Bell of Silver Spring (Montgomery County) and Sam Stokes of Annapolis (Anne Arundel County) in MDA’s Plant Protection and Weed Management Section. This team of agricultural inspectors, who works on the Emerald Ash Borer Program, worked together to ensure a smooth move of the field office in Cheltenham to Annapolis, all while continuing to perform their daily duties. The team moved anything that was asked of them, including large file cabinets stuffed with files, tables and supplies. The team also worked with other agencies and units within MDA. They assisted MDA’s Central Services by working with companies to ensure maintenance and repairs at the warehouse; assisted the Weights and Measures Section with large equipment storage for the winter; and, helped the Department of Natural Resources with moving various items. The team was nominated by Supervising Entomologist Kim Rice.

Left to Right: State Veterinarian Guy Hohenhaus, DVM, Deputy Secretary Mary Ellen Setting, Dr. Allen Ingling, and Secretary Buddy Hance

The Employee of the Quarter for Innovation was Dr. Allen Ingling of Lanham (Prince George’s County) of MDA’s Animal Health Lab in Frederick. Dr. Ingling developed a conveyance machine that eliminates the potential for employee injury when loading large loads for incineration. He was nominated by Assistant State Veterinarian Thomas Jacobs, DVM.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture was established as a principal department of State government in 1973 and is comprised of the four major units: (1)the Office of the Secretary; (2) Marketing, Animal Industries and Consumers Services; (3) Plant Industries and Pest Management; and (4) Resource Conservation. MDA provides services that preserve and protect agricultural resources and the environment, promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence, and enhance the quality of life for all Marylanders. For more information, visit www.mda.maryland.gov.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photos of the Employees can be accessed on the MDA Flickr account.

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