DGS Employees Honored at City of Baltimore’s 3^rd Annual Employee Award Recognition Ceremony

On October 29th, DGS employees were honored by Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the City of Baltimore, and the Department of Human Resources during the 3rd Annual Employee Recognition Award Ceremony for their customer service excellence, data-driven innovation, and cost-saving success in fleet management and energy efficiency.

Abrar Abukhdeir, Chief of Fleet Management, along with Superintendents Nicholas Hirsch and Antwan Wilson were recipients of the Team of the Year award in partnership with leadership from DPW for the months-long collaboration to reimplement weekly recycling in Baltimore City. Fleet worked with DPW to procure new load packers, increase load packer availability, and optimize vehicle upfitting operations.

Deputy Director Terrel Chesson was also recognized as an Executive of the Year nominee, and Energy Chief Julia Kalloz was recognized as a Supervisor of the Year nominee. DGS was represented in the Employee of the Year category with nominee Amy DaSilva, a Data Analyst in the Energy Division. Under Julia's leadership, the Division has received over $2.5 million from the Maryland Energy Administration in grant funding to complete more than 100 projects in city facilities. By creating partnerships with other agencies, these projects have resulted in direct energy savings and created cleaner indoor air, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and increased comfort in our facilities. Amy DaSilva has also been integral in securing more than $200,000 in utility bill refunds for the City due to billing errors or cost avoidance by closing inactive accounts in her first year.

Congratulations to this talented group of employees who remind us why the 'S' in DGS stands for service excellence.