May 20, 2014 (BALTIMORE, MD) — The Baltimore City Department of Public Works selected its third annual “Employee of the Year” today at a ceremony held at the War Memorial Building at 101 N. Gay St. Mr. Greg Scheihing was selected from among six finalists. A 23-year employee, Mr. Scheihing is the Meter Operations Manager for the Bureau of Water and Wastewater. Under his leadership, meter reading finished 10 straight quarters on time for the first time ever; skipped reads went from 19,000 to 350; meters that could not be located went from 5,000 to under 1,000, and the abatement time for check reads and inspections dropped from as much as 60 days to five days.  

Mr. Scheihing was praised for his dedication by not only the current Director of the Department, Rudolph S. Chow, P.E., but also by former Director Alfred H. Foxx, who came back to Baltimore for this ceremony. Mr. Dan Sparaco, Assistant Deputy Mayor for Operations, presented a proclamation from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, declaring this to be National Public Works Week in Baltimore. In addition, Mr. Edward A. Gottko, PWLF, President of the American Public Works Association, addressed the audience on the vital importance of public works every day and especially in times of disaster. He noted that today is the anniversary of the Moore, OK tornado where many public works agencies came together to help restore that city.

DPW established the Employee of the Month program in May 2011 to recognize and encourage high quality work and service to Baltimore City residents and customers by Public Works employees. Every month, an employee is honored from the Bureaus of Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater, and DPW Administration. From those 36 employees, six finalists were nominated by Bureau Heads and the DPW Deputy Director. An employee committee reviewed the nominations, interviewed the candidates and ranked them. The criteria include customer service, relationship with co-workers, contribution to the community, etc.

As Employee of the Year, Mr. Scheihing receives three days permission leave, an engraved clock, a one night stay at the Hotel Monaco, a gift certificate for two at Fogo De Chao, two tickets to a sporting event and $500. Gifts were donated and/or paid for by members of DPW’s executive staff.

Other nominees included Bernice Hackley and Helen Westfall of the Bureau of Solid Waste, LaKeisha Hunt of the Bureau of Water and Wastewater, and Elizabeth “Betty” Jacobs and Kurt Kocher of DPW Administration.