Maryland 9-1-1 Board Recognizes Susan Greentree with the 2026 Steve Souder Lifetime Achievement Award

HANOVER, MD (March 26, 2026) — The Maryland 9-1-1 Board today recognized long-time public safety stalwart, Susan Greentree, with the Steve Souder Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is presented annually to an individual who has “displayed significant dedication and leadership in advancing the 911 system” in the State of Maryland, as well as to those who have assisted with the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) systems.

“The Steve Souder Award is named after a true pioneer in our field, and it requires a recipient who leads with both vision and grit,” said Russ Strickland, Maryland Secretary of Emergency Management. “This award not only recognizes Sue’s long career as a 9-1-1 specialist and supervisor on the front lines, but also her extraordinary dedication to enhancing the entire State’s 9-1-1 system through policy and advocacy work at the State and national level. Sue’s commitment to improving 9-1-1 ensures our systems will save lives for decades to come.”

Mrs. Greentree has been involved with the 9-1-1 system for more than 35 years. During her tenure as a police communications administrator and fire communications official on the front lines of emergency calls in Anne Arundel County, she spearheaded significant advancements and improvements in the field. 

In addition to her service at the local level, Mrs. Greentree also dedicated much of her time to shaping state 9-1-1 policies. She represented the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials on the Maryland 9-1-1 Board for more than 20 years, providing critical 9-1-1 Trust Fund stewardship and a voice for 9-1-1 specialists at the State level. Mrs. Greentree was also appointed as a member of The Commission to Advance Next Generation 9-1-1 as a representative of the Maryland 9-1-1 Board, and she routinely provided testimony and letters of support for legislation that advances the career and the community to which  she has devoted her life. She is also a past president of the Maryland Chapter of the National Emergency Numbers Association, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of 9-1-1 operations, technology, education, and policy issues.

Maryland State Senator Cheryl C. Kagan noted, “How fitting that the fabulous Sue Greentree, whom I’ve had the pleasure of working with in 9-1-1 leadership and who has spent more than 35 years serving 9-1-1, was honored with the Souder Lifetime Achievement Award (the first presented to someone not named Steve Souder!) in recognition of her dedication to and impact on our emergency response system.”

The Maryland 9-1-1 Board was the first of its kind in the country, bringing together diverse stakeholders and subject matter experts to coordinate the enhancement of county 9-1-1 systems across the State. The Maryland 9-1-1 Board ensures an effective, innovative, and efficient 9-1-1 system for all of Maryland by leading, educating, and collaborating with stakeholders, partners, counties, and communities. The Steve Souder Lifetime Achievement Award is named for current Maryland 9-1-1 Board member Steve Souder whose tireless advocacy and leadership has shaped Maryland – and the nation’s – 9-1-1 system for more than 50 years. 

For more information about MDEM and the Maryland 9-1-1 Board, residents can visit MDEM’s website at mdem.maryland.gov, and follow MDEM’s social media feeds X (Twitter) (@MDMEMA), Facebook (facebook.com/MDMEMA), Instagram (instagram.com/mdmema), Linkedin (linkedin.com/company/maryland-department-of-emergency-management), Threads (threads.net/@mdmema) and Bluesky (@mdmema.bsky.social).

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CONTACT:
Jim Abels, james.abels@maryland.gov, 667-446-0346
Emily Ritter, [email protected], 667-446-0345
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