Governor's Award for Excellence In Public Service

Hoeven Presents Governor's Award For Excellence In Public Service To State Employees

BISMARCK , N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today presented the Governor's Award for Excellence in Public Service to five state employees who were recognized for their dedication and contributions to the people of North Dakota . The awards were presented during a luncheon at the Capitol in Bismarck , kicking off State Employee Recognition Week.

Darlene Wolfgram is an administrative staff officer for the North Dakota Information Technology Department in Bismarck . She provides valuable insight and recommendations to the department and works hard to identify ways to streamline efforts, improve efficiency and save money. She was instrumental in the creation of the department's Employee Recognition Program.

Darlene Pixley is a baker for the Union Dining Center at North Dakota State University in Fargo . She performs several baking and catering tasks for the university from working with customers to determine menus, to delivering and setting up her products.

Debbie Merrill has worked for the Facilities Department at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks for more than 18 years. Among her numerous responsibilities, including accounting, utilities meter reading and inventory tracking, she serves as recycling coordinator for the campus.

Deb Gletne is a mental illness extended treatment and care coordinator for the South Central Human Service Center in Jamestown . A 30-year veteran of North Dakota state government, she was instrumental in developing a medication delivery system for mental illness clients and a major player in the development of the Crisis Residential Unit, an alternative for in-patient hospitalization.

Lonnie Hoffer manages the State Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Individual Households and Other Needs Disaster Grant programs through the North Dakota Department of Emergency Services, and serves as the state's Hazard Mitigation Officer.

The award recipients were nominated by their peers and selected by a committee of judges who reviewed and scored the nominations. Nominees were rated on their overall job performance, contributions to their department, commitment to customer service, working relationship with fellow workers and involvement in their community.