Department Recognizes Outstanding Employees of the Third Quarter

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Maryland Department of Agriculture honored eight employees for their exceptional service and dedication to the department’s mission and goals this quarter. Darlene Hallett (Plant Industries & Pest Management), Sonya Gaynor (State Chemist Section), and the entire State Chemist Section Registration Group, including Phillip Davidson, Amy Eichelman, Derrick Howe, Pat Ray, Tanya Ware and Cindy White-Hicks, were nominated for going above and beyond the expectations of their positions.

Deputy Secretary Julie Oberg announced the award winners during the department’s general staff meeting. More information on the awardees below:

Outstanding Performance Award:

Darlene Hallett – Anne Arundel County – Plant Industries & Pest Management, Executive Associate

Darlene Hallett serves as an executive associate in the department’s Office of Plant Industries and Pest Management. Darlene was nominated by one of her coworkers for her outstanding performance over the last quarter. Every day, Darlene works tirelessly to keep the department’s Mosquito Control Program running both effectively and efficiently. Her high-level of organization and depth of knowledge in the field is invaluable to her coworkers. Approaching each day with positivity and a helpful attitude, Darlene helps maintain a high morale within Mosquito Control.

Leadership Award:

Leadership Award: Sonya Gaynor – Baltimore City – State Chemist Section, Laboratory Technician Supervisor

Sonya Gaynor – Baltimore City – State Chemist Section, Laboratory Technician Supervisor

Sonya Gaynor serves as a laboratory technician supervisor in the department’s State Chemist Section. Sonya was nominated by her supervisor for her excellent leadership throughout the last quarter. Whenever there is a high volume of samples in the State Chemist Section, Sonya is always willing to lend a hand and stay late until the work gets done. Consistently exceeding expectations and adapting to several new job roles, Sonya has been an incredible asset to State Chemist for over 20 years.

Best Team Award:

Best Team Award: State Chemist Section Registration Group

State Chemist Section Registration Group

• Phillip Davidson – Anne Arundel County – State Chemist Section, Registration Program Supervisor
• Amy Eichelman – Anne Arundel County – State Chemist Section, Office Secretary II
• Derrick Howe – Anne Arundel County – State Chemist Section, Office Clerk II
• Pat Ray – Anne Arundel County – State Chemist Section, Administration Specialist II
• Tanya Ware – Prince George’s County – State Chemist Section, Office Secretary II
• Cindy White-Hicks – Anne Arundel County – State Chemist Section, Office Clerk II

The State Chemist Section Registration Group was nominated by the program manager for State Chemist as the best team of the quarter. For the past year and a half, the group took on the task of transitioning over to a new registration system, which is no small feat. The group has adapted quickly to the changes in order to serve registrants and Maryland citizens with excellent customer service. On top of changing systems, the group handles registrations for approximately 37,000 registered products from about 2,300 registrants. The registration group is the backbone of the State Chemist Section and works hard every day to provide top-notch service to registrants and to protect Marylanders, animals and the environment from unsafe products.

Photos of the award winners from the general staff meeting can be viewed at the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s Flickr album here: http://bit.ly/2z4UHb1.

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