Gov. Rendell Honors DEP, Game Commission Employees

Gov. Rendell this week announced the recipients of the third annual Governor's Awards for Excellence and praised all state employees for their dedication to service during national Public Employee Recognition Week.

 

"From saving lives to improving the quality of life in our communities, state employees strive every day to serve their customers -- the citizens of Pennsylvania," said Gov. Rendell. "The individuals who are receiving special recognition today have gone far above and beyond their job requirements and have provided exemplary service to our commonwealth and its residents."

 

The Governor's Awards for Excellence recognized eight state employees who best promote the good of the Commonwealth's citizens or advance state government. The following employees received this prestigious award:

--Wildlife Conservation Officer Clint Deniker of Mercer County is credited with saving the life of a driver trapped during a car crash. When the Game Commission employee came upon an overturned and burning vehicle, he took a great personal risk when he acted quickly and decisively to cut the seat belt and carry the driver 50 yards to safety. Deniker administered first aid and helped the victim maintain consciousness until emergency medical personnel arrived.

--Jenifer Fields of Philadelphia, an Environmental Program Manager with the Department of Environmental Protection, recognized a growing need for licensed wastewater treatment plant operators. Fields saw that about 70 percent of current operators are over age 50 and there has been a decrease in their numbers. She formed a committee and worked with a local community college to develop a pilot 180-hour, 6-month certification curriculum. The innovative program is credited with increasing passing levels for both sections of the licensing exam. She also developed a refresher course to elevate less impressive scores and eliminate existing constraints for certain portions of the exam.

--Edward Stokan of Wexford, Allegheny County, an assistant counsel with the Department of Environmental Protection, created and launched the Wills Project, a volunteer effort to provide wills and other end-of-life documents at no cost to low-income older adults in Pittsburgh. Since it began in February 2008, the Wills Project has helped more than 85 elderly residents with needed legal documents. Stokan solicited the help of 13 other attorneys to assist in this pro-bono initiative. He coordinated training in estate planning for the attorneys, established a rotating work schedule, advertised the service to potential clients, and spearheaded all other aspects of this initiative. Each month attorneys and a paralegal provide this valuable service to those who need it most.