Innovation, leadership and service were among the virtues recognized during Missouri State Employee Recognition Day, held Thursday on the Capitol lawn.
The annual event to thank state employees for their contributions also included presentation of nine Awards of Distinction.
The categories and recipient are:
• Heroism - Missouri Highway Patrol troopers Joseph Palmer, Brooks Pratt and Jeffry Leathers. The recipients were honored for "demonstrating exceptional judgment or courage in a potentially serious situation ..."
• Human Relations - Jennifer Cook, Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. The award recognized enhancing morale and improving the public image of state government.
• Innovative Suggestion of the Year - Jeff Hoffman, Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. Awarded for suggesting a new method, practice, plan, or design to improve government or solve a problem.
• Leadership -Roy Niemeyer, Department of Transportation, Northeast District, and Paul Sanders, Department of Social Services, Family Support Division. The award recognizes "outstanding leadership qualities and behaviors."
• Public Service - Patrick Hedges, Department of Health and Senior Services, Division of Senior and Disability Services. The award honors "outstanding dedication to the advancement of state service."
• Safety - Christopher Doran, Department of Conservation, Protection. Awarded for "innovative initiatives or approaches to protect and ensure the health and safety of state workers or customers."
The observance and awards were held in connection with Missouri State Employee Recognition Week, organized by the state Office of Administration (OA).
"State employees work every day to preserve public safety and the health of our citizens, encourage economic development, build and maintain our highways, schools and other infrastructure, protect citizens' rights, help educate our children, and handle a host of other essential duties entrusted to them," said OA Commissioner Doug Nelson. "Their continued dedication to providing the highest quality of service for all of our state's citizens makes Missouri a place we can all be proud to call home."
State services touch and benefit Missourians on a daily basis. We join in commending the state employees who deliver those services efficiently and effectively.