From dealing with the oil spill in the Yellowstone River to helping Montana kids get child support, state employees make a difference every day.
In September, many of them were recognized at the annual Governor’s Awards for Excellence event in Helena. Awardees included many MEA-MFT state employee members, including the following:
Kacey Collins of Helena, Dept. of Revenue: Collins was part of a team that advanced public health and safety by developing the state’s first Alcohol Education Summit.
Caleb Bollman of Miles City, Dept. of Fish, Wildlife, & Parks: When the Bridger Pipeline released a thousand gallons of crude oil into the ice-covered Yellowstone River just above Glendive last January, Bollman’s team mounted the department’s initial spill response. It involved a difficult and sometimes dangerous field effort, along with public safety and information — all while working with many local, state, federal, and private entities.
Cindy Hubbard of Great Falls, Dept. of Public Health & Human Services (DPHHS): As an investigator for the state’s Child Support Enforcement Division, Hubbard volunteered to become one of the state’s first Child Support Tribal Liaisons. She has excelled in this role while managing a caseload of more than 1,000 families.
Jarrod Lindseth of Billings; David Good, Jamie Beckman, and Darran Trench of Helena, DPHHS: These folks were recognized for the Virtual Service Platform, which has resulted in major savings and efficiencies for the state.
Julie Frickel of Helena, DPHHS: Frickel uses her amazing budget tracking and record keeping skills to organize documents in the Children’s Mental Health Bureau and keep the bureau’s work running smoothly.
Hazel Noonan, Brian Barnes, and Jonathan Arnold of Helena, DPHHS: This team demonstrated great problem-solving skills to implement the Money Follows the Person grant, helping individuals who choose to move to the community from institutional settings.
Congratulations all!
Did we miss anyone? Please let us know! [email protected]