RELEASE FROM THE DEPT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

FROM THE DEPT OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

May 08, 2008

CONTACT: Mike Salster
(804) 225-2181 (o) (804) 382-3858 (cell)


RICHMOND – A Virginia State Police employee who played a critical role in establishing a model anti-terrorism program for the department and a Department of Education employee whose help with a daughter’s project sparked a statewide history appreciation program were among seven state employees or organizations that received Governor’s Awards recently during ceremonies here.

The annual program, now in its eighth year, honors state employees or teams from state agencies. More than 200 nominations were considered for the awards. The recipients of the Governor’s Awards were:

Amy Whitmore, Virginia State Police, Agency Star
James Camache, Department of Corrections, Career Achievement
Frances Robinson, Department of Housing and Community Development, Community Service and Volunteerism
Angela Pearson, Department of Social Services, Customer Service
Jere Kittle, Department of Education, Innovation
Virginia Tech Police Department, Virginia Tech, Teamwork
Erin Sutton, Department of Health, Workplace Safety and Health.



Below are edited versions of the individual citations.

Agency Star
Amy Whitmore
Department of State Police

In the fall of 2004, Ms. Whitmore was selected to participate with other representatives of the Virginia State Police to organize and put into motion the concept for the Virginia Fusion Center, which has become a national model for intelligence gathering.

She was instrumental in formatting and implementing the primary mission of the VFC and reaching out to the Department of Emergency Management, Virginia National Guard, Department of Homeland Security and Federal Bureau of Investigation to incorporate these partners within the VFC.

In addition, Ms. Whitmore assisted in an outreach program that garnered participation with other state agencies with a homeland security mission, private industry, and other local, state and federal agencies. Ms. Whitmore was also able to identify and secure grant funding that allowed the analysts and agents assigned to the VFC the opportunity to attend training that would not have been available without this funding source.

Through Ms. Whitmore’s direction and dedication, the VFC consistently works to coordinate and integrate information sharing among the seeming endless groups of federal, state and local homeland security partners.

Ms. Whitmore is a valuable asset to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Department of State Police, the VFC, and our homeland security neighbors. Her leadership, commitment, dedication and passion for her job are the driving forces behind the success we all share as part of the Virginia Fusion Center.

Career Achievement
James Camache
Department of Corrections
Jim Camache, a Deputy Director for the Department of Corrections, has devoted more than 45 years to public service. During his long and distinguished career, he has worked his way through the ranks. He has provided outstanding service as a Juvenile Probation Officer, Adult Probation and Parole Officer, Deputy Chief Officer, Chief Officer, Regional Manager, Parole Violation Hearings Officer and Regional Director of Community Corrections. His career has been characterized by a style which fostered innovative and different approaches to address major issues. Mr. Camache articulated the Balanced Approach to community supervision which embodies the fundamental concepts of Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) and employs the use of quality services with an assertive response to delinquency. He conceived the Operation Consequences, supported Trick No Treat efforts for sex offenders on Halloween, promoted the use of telephonic self-reporting (Robocuff) to create Officer time for more serious offenders and has pushed for the introduction of EBP into Community Corrections” standards, programs and services.

Mr. Camache has served the broader community as well. He has been a Member of the Public Defense Commission, the Board of the Central Virginia Criminal Justice Academy, the Lynchburg YMCA and supported Special Olympics Virginia. He has exemplified commitment to public safety and public service through his work, his efforts to stay atop developments in the field and to support the implementation of promising new approaches while reinforcing efforts to recruit, train and retain top quality staff. His is a career worthy of recognition.

Community Service and Volunteerism
Frances S. Robinson
Department of Housing and Community Development
Frances has been a community servant and an integral part of the Richmond community for more than 30 years.

Her dedication to volunteerism and community service has motivated her to undertake countless activities while encouraging civic participation and community involvement from friends, family, colleagues and co-workers. Frances’ tireless commitment to community service is primarily demonstrated through her involvement in numerous community organizations; her religious/church activities, and work at DHCD.

As an example, Ms. Robinson has been a member of the Richmond Chapter of the Las Amigas, Inc. since 1976. This organization is a network of professional women working together to enhance, enrich, and improve the lives of citizens from all walks of life. Frances has held numerous offices in this organization including, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Reporter and has served as Chair of several committees and events.

Another of her leadership roles was to lead an effort with the Bright Beginnings Program, in conjunction with the YWCA, where members of her organization took a child shopping at a local Target store to purchase back to school clothing. She cooked and delivered dinner on Thanksgiving Day 2007 to resident at Ronald McDonald House and has served as liaison to the National Kidney Foudnation of the Virginias to secure volunteer opportunities for members to serve at screenings held in Richmond city. Participated in voter registration drives to increase the number of potential voters from under-represented communities and has been a long standing member of the Richmond NAACP and has served as its President for two consecutive terms.

Customer Service
Angela Pearson
Department of Social Services
Ms. Pearson is the legal assistant for the background investigation unit in the Office of Interdepartmental Regulation, which conducts national fingerprint background checks for adoptive and foster parents and for staff of children’s residential facilities.

The volume of requests to process background checks is steep; it may take three to four weeks. Ms. Pearson consistently makes every effort to expedite cases in extreme circumstances, especially when a child is waiting to be placed.

Imagine the panic that a young mother must have felt. Her fingerprints for a background check were lost. Her home study could not be completed without them. She and her husband were nearly frantic, for they were trying to bring their newly-adopted son home from China. When the mother-to-be reached Angela Pearson, she was in efficient and caring hands. The instances when Ms. Pearson has come to the rescue are too numerous to name here.

Colleagues marvel at her: She has a remarkable memory and can recall many details of a case just by hearing the case name. She is so responsive and quick to follow up with people. Even when she must point out that a customer has incorrectly followed procedures she is courteous and professional. Despite increasing requests for assistance, Angela Pearson continues to make each customer feel as if he or she is the priority of the day.

Innovation
Jere Kittle
Department of Education

What started as a way to make her daughter’s class project more exciting evolved into the successful Virginia TimeTravelers program, now celebrating its 12th year of learning fun. Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Web Unit Supervisor Jere Kittle is credited with creating the program and Web site that encourage students, families and schools to explore Virginia’s historic and cultural attractions.

When TimeTravelers was conceived, Jere was graphic design manager for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Her suggestion came in 1996 when the Virginia History Initiative (VHI) was launched to establish closer relationships among cultural and historical sites and museums, to promote education and to maximize the potential for economic development, education, tourism and preservation.

By all counts, TimeTravelers is considered a success. According to the current program administrator the Virginia Association of Museums, TimeTravelers was responsible for 550,000 museum visits and $1.6 million in direct economic benefits in 2007. A 2006 survey indicated that 97 percent of participating parents said TimeTravelers enhanced their child’s education. Virginia has been acknowledged as the only state with such a program linking education and tourism, and TimeTravelers has received national recognition and support from three First Ladies, including Anne Holton.

Jere Kittle was there at the program’s inception and this award is a fitting tribute to an employee who had idea on how to make history come alive for her fourth-grader.

Teamwork
Virginia Tech Police Department
VPI & State University

The teamwork of the VTPD with VT rescue personnel and other rescue and law enforcement agencies in the area was on display on April 16, 2007, and during the weeks following the tragedy on campus. Close working relationships allowed for a coordinated response and the sharing of resources.

Officers from the department entered Norris Hall that day while shots were still being fired. Officers chose to run toward the gunfire and an unknown risk without regard for their own safety. Many had no time to put on protective gear such as bulletproof vests. Led by their chief, they moved through the building with the goal of saving lives and protecting the students, faculty, and staff of the university community.

These selfless efforts demonstrated individual heroism, and were based on an extraordinary level of trust in the "team.” This included the Communications Unit’s managing an extraordinary number of calls, including those from students and employees inside Norris Hall, and providing invaluable information to the officers on scene while simultaneously contacting numerous other rescue and law enforcement agencies in the area for assistance. Years of training together, working cases together, and knowing each other on a first name basis was critical to operational and tactical events that produced a highly coordinated response. These well-established relationships with regional and local law enforcement and emergency medical departments were further strengthened during this time. The deep personal commitment shown to teamwork is based on a long-standing tradition of individual integrity and service to their co-workers, department, university, and community.

Workplace Safety and Health
Erin Sutton
Department of Health

Erin's leadership and influence extends well beyond the boundaries of emergency planning and response. She is an excellent communicator and is sought out within the Virginia Beach Health District, the Eastern Region, and the Commonwealth for her knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. Her ability to take on additional work and remain effective is remarkable. She is always willing to take on additional work to help promote overall department goals, consistently working to produce positive outcomes. To that end, Erin saw the need in the Virginia Beach Health Department (VBHD) for someone to take on the role of Coordinator for Occupational Safety and Health. Erin volunteered to step in and fill the need. Due to her prior experience, the Health Director asked Erin to take on this special assignment in 2005. Erin then proceeded to plan and re-structure the Occupational Safety and Health Program from 2005.

The significant decrease in FY 2006 to five total incidents with total incurred costs decreased to $959 is attributed to a variety of factors including the formation of the safety & health committee under Ms. Sutton’s direction.

Additionally, unit evaluations were conducted and quarterly unit housekeeping reminders were provided to address potential STF hazards. Excess storage issues within VBHD were addressed by providing storage units to reduce clutter.