News Release Ohio Department of Administrative Services Bob Taft, Governor  C. Scott Johnson, Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, July 03, 2003 Taft recognizes top employees Statewide employees, teams of the month honored (Columbus) -- Governor Bob Taft recognized 34 State of Ohio employees Tuesday for their outstanding performance in assisting their department in serving the needs of Ohioans. Those honored were the Governor’s Statewide Employees or Teams of the Month for January through April. After being selected by their respective state agencies as employees of the month, agency winners advanced to the statewide competition and were selected because they demonstrated initiative, commitment, skill and creativity in their achievements. The honorees and their agencies are as follows: January Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, Office of Victim Services – Ronette Burkes, Columbus. Burkes is a true leader who absorbs additional duties to help ensure services to crime victims are not compromised. February Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Parma claims processing center adjudicator team – A team of employees was recognized for implementing solutions to increase the timeliness of unemployment compensation benefit payments to better serve customers. Team members are Sandy Boggs, Berea; Madeline Brown, Cleveland; Brenda Gant, Willoughby Hills; Karen Hankins, Cleveland; Freddie Harris, Cleveland; Sonya Holland, Cleveland; Patricia Knill, Strongsville; Nancy Markuszka, Broadview Heights; Naiden Mejia, Boardman; Mary Lou Pokorny, Broadview Heights; Yvonne Prade, Akron; Susan Rogalski, Parma; Valerie Sawicki, Medina; Pam Selep, Bedford; Sharon Shear, North Royalton; Chris Smudla, Brooklyn; Rosiland Spicer, Cleveland; Kim Vetalice, Independence; Beverley Wehagen, North Royalton; Mary Wilkins, North Olmsted; and Sandra Woodhall, Cleveland. March Ohio Department of Administrative Services, Internal Security Review Team – This team created the Agency-Wide Safety/Security Plan (ASAP), which became a model safety and security plan for other agencies to follow. Team members are Linda Arbuiso, Columbus; James Austin, Columbus; Katrina Flory, Columbus; Steven Gray, Columbus; Dennis McCauley, Columbus; Joseph McKelvey, Gahanna; Barcy McNeal, Westerville; Molly O’Reilly, Hilliard; Stephanie Sommer, Columbus; Julie Trackler, Canal Winchester; and Karl Tresselt, Columbus. April Ohio Department of Development, Division of Travel and Tourism -- Tammy Brown, Columbus. Brown was honored for consistently exceeding expectations and assuming additional duties in her role as a public information officer. For further information, contact Ben Piscitelli or Gretchen Hull at 614-752-9521. [ Administrative Support | Communications | Employee Services ] [ Finance | Legal Counsel | Legislative Affairs | MIS ] Site Map | Search | DAS Home Page | State Home Page | Contact DAS