Gov Shapiro Honors Commonwealth Employee Excellence | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA - Today, Governor Josh Shapiro presented the Governor's Awards for Excellence to 83 Commonwealth employees across 17 state agencies in recognition of their exceptional accomplishments in public service in 2025.

"Every day across Pennsylvania, Commonwealth employees show what it truly means to step up for their neighbors. Their work reminds us that government can be a powerful force for good when dedicated people bring their talent, compassion, and commitment to serving others," said Governor Shapiro. "The employees recognized today represent the best of us, and my Administration is proud to recognize the incredible state employees who serve our Commonwealth."

"The Governor's Awards for Excellence recognize fewer than one percent of Commonwealth employees each year - a testament to the prestige of these awards and the exceptional caliber of those selected," saidSecretary of Administration Neil Weaver. "Recruitment, hiring, retention, and professional development are central to our mission, and highlighting extraordinary achievements complements our efforts to make the Commonwealth an employer of choice. The individuals honored today embody the dedication, skill, and service that strengthen state government and improve the lives of Pennsylvanians."

The annual Governor's Awards for Excellence recognize exemplary Commonwealth employees or groups of employees for initiative, leadership, innovation, and increased efficiency. Commonwealth employees from 27 state agencies submitted 199 nominations. Five individuals and 11 groups were selected for this year's awards:

Taylor Farnsworth - Office of Administration

For her role working with the Board of Pardons to implement one of the first digital clemency applications in the country and make it easier for Pennsylvanians to use the clemency process. Taylor used human-centered design principles and a content-first approach to reduce the number of web pages and simplify and offer information in multiple languages. As a result, individuals are better equipped to understand if clemency is right for them and complete the application faster and more accurately.

Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory Immunology Team - Department of Agriculture

Monica Bohmer, Felipe Bustamante, Jacob Hoover, and Kimberly Tusing

For protecting the livestock and livelihoods of Pennsylvania farmers from potentially devastating financial losses due to disease. The lab team noticed a subtle decline in the accuracy of bovine leukemia virus test kits that could eventually lead to inaccurate results. When a veterinarian raised concerns about unexpected positive tests, the lab team worked with the manufacturer and another lab to confirm the issue and prompt a nationwide recall to replace the tests at no cost.

Caryn Long Earl - Department of Agriculture

For strengthening Pennsylvania's food assistance network while expanding partnerships between agricultural producers and the charitable food network across the Commonwealth. These efforts include funding and food for schools, daycare centers, and summer feeding programs and connecting Pennsylvania farmers with opportunities to sell their products to organizations that collect and distribute food to local hungry families.

Federal Funding Response Team - Office of the Budget

Sandra Bruno, Jessie Casner, Philip Ehrig, Eric Gregerson, Jamie Jerosky, Melanie Little, Shelley Neff, Brian Seno, Matthew Stubb, and Michelle Zirilli

For their work to protect the state budget and services to Pennsylvanians from federal funding cuts. This group was charged with approving all Commonwealth purchases and hiring requests that would use federal dollars to minimize the risk of needing to replace that money with state tax dollars later on. They reviewed over 3,000 transactions and $4 billion in requests based on agency grant agreements, justifications, and program risk all during a time of uncertain and quickly changing information.

Packerton Wildfire Investigation Team - Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Jacob Novitsky and Matthew Waters

For leading the investigation into a serial arsonist who set multiple fires along the D&L Trail in Carbon County. This included the Packerton Wildfire which required over 150 personnel to extinguish. They reviewed cellphone and drone surveillance footage, interviewed witnesses, and posed as hikers to protect against suspicious activity. These efforts culminated in the identification and arrest of a juvenile suspect whose phone contained photos, messages, and GPS data linking him to the fires.

Michaux State Forest Wildfire Response Team - Department of Conservation & Natural Resources

Todd Breininger, Cody Crouse, Tyler Feldman, Marcus Kaiser, Adam Kling, Benjamin Livelsberger, David Lynch, Chad Northcraft, Amy Shull, and Joshua Thompson

For orchestrating a multi-agency response to the Thompson Hollow and Hammond Rocks wildfires in the Michaux State Forest in April 2025. The team coordinated with state, county, and local agencies and hundreds of individual firefighters to battle the fires spanning over 2,700 acres of dry and challenging terrain. Thanks to their training, experience, and commitment to public safety, the wildfires were extinguished before they could cause any loss of life or property.

Timothy Schweinsburg - Department of Corrections

For demonstrating extraordinary leadership, innovation, and public service as the facility maintenance manager at SCI Waymart, the second-oldest State Correctional Institution in Pennsylvania. In 2025, he spearheaded the transformation of two outdated housing units into fully operational Skilled Nursing Units for the aging inmate population. Timothy also led numerous other major renovations and infrastructure improvements that have enhanced operations, strengthened safety and accessibility, and realized substantial cost-savings.

Jodi Skiles - Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs

For expanding access to substance abuse disorder treatment options for Pennsylvanians overcoming addiction and championing innovation and efficiency across the department. Jodi led efforts to align state regulations with federal regulations to increase access to medications to treat opioid disorders and trailblazed the way for telehealth-only treatment providers to offer services in Pennsylvania, ensuring access to safe, appropriate, quality treatment and services when they are needed.

Watershed Restoration Coordination Team - Department of Environmental Protection

Rebecca Albert, Kathryn Beats, Christina Fesler, David Goerman, Shane Kleiner, Michael Luciani, Natahnee Miller, Bruce Naylor, Shelby Reisinger, and Kevin White

For successful collaboration on two projects that will bring cleaner water, flood resiliency, habitat improvement, and vibrant farms and communities to Lancaster County. Through creation of the Watershed Scale Restoration Permit, this team achieved quick reviews of project designs and accelerated implementation of the Blue Green Connector and the Cocalico Creek watershed projects. Their work will restore streams and floodplains, improve local water quality, and help revitalize the Chesapeake Bay.

Governor's Residence Attack and Restoration Efforts - Department of General Services (DGS) and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP)

Beth Andreoli, James Arcuri, Daryn Carter, Randy Kemmerling, Terry Kline, Kristina Landvater, John Nicholson, Claire Ramsay, Cody Shumaker, and Katie Weachock

For skillfully balancing security, restoration, and operational needs following the arson attack at the Governor's Residence in April 2025. PSP personnel responded immediately to ensure the safety of the Governor and First Family, secure the scene, and lead protective and investigative efforts. Simultaneously, DGS mobilized to assess damage, coordinate recovery operations, manage restoration activities, and preserve the historic integrity of this landmark. Through exceptional coordination, they successfully restored the Governor's Residence to operation within approximately 60 days.

Bristol Health & Rehab Response Team - Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency and Departments of Aging, Health, and Human Services

Margaret Barajas, Christopher Confalone, Jeryl DeGideo, Jason Godin, Devon Heberlig, Jeffrey Hunsicker, Randolph Nolen, Eric Rickenbach, and Carolyn Rivera

For their strong coordination and communication in the wake of an explosion at a long-term care facility in Bucks County. The four-agency team worked together, and with local authorities, to relocate - within hours - all residents to other facilities to address their immediate health and housing needs. The team also worked continuously following the explosion to ensure residents were reunited with their belongings from the damaged building and that their needs were being met throughout recovery efforts.

Skimmer Response Team - Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) and Department of Human Services (DHS)

Bryan Bumpers, Katy Colon, Erin DiOrazio, Andrew Gibson, Wentling Holmes, Maria Lesh, Alexandria Nauman, Jahon Norris, Matthew Spitznogle, and Kirk Williams

For creating a first-of-its-kind initiative to detect skimming devices used to steal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. OSIG agents received special training in skimmer detection, evidence collection, digital forensics, and intelligence gathering. They have worked in partnership with DHS to prevent the theft of millions of dollars in SNAP and public assistance benefits from thousands of individual EBT accounts, protecting individuals and families when they need it most.

PennSERVE Program Team - Department of Labor & Industry

Amy Anderson, Tina Cornelius, Priyambada Mishra, Amber Morris, Julia Pitts, Christopher Pratt, and Komal Shah

For helping to successfully challenge the federal government's decision to eliminate funding for AmeriCorps programs in Pennsylvania and maintain stability during a period of great uncertainty for those who rely on this funding. The PennSERVE team guided affected parties through complex questions and played a critical role in Pennsylvania's legal response in a multistate lawsuit challenging the funding terminations. Their efforts protected $16 million in funding for 23 AmeriCorps programs and 856 service members serving communities across the Commonwealth.

PA NEVI Program Team - Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Colton Brown, Derrick Herrmann, Dorothy Holloway, and Gunnar Rhone

For leading the nation in the creation of electric vehicle charging stations using the federal National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding program. Because of their work the Commonwealth leads the nation with 37 charging stations built so far and 55 more in various stages of planning and construction. These charging stations have been used over 100,000 times, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by more than 2,700 metric tons.

Nicolas Caputo Tellez - Department of State

For implementing transformative improvements to customer service and interdepartmental collaboration at the Department of State. His work to overhaul the licensing processes and introduce cross training for both the Bureau of Corporations and Charitable Organizations and the Office of Notaries, Certificates and Licenses have reduced processing times to just one day and helped to keep them low ever since.

Susquehanna County Ambush - Pennsylvania State Police

William Jenkins and Joseph Perechinsky

For extraordinary courage and commitment to duty even in extreme, life-threatening conditions. In August 2025, Troopers Jenkins and Perechinsky were ambushed while responding to a call in Thompson Township, Susquehanna County. Both sustained multiple gunshot wounds. Even while injured, both Troopers carried on with their duties by blocking traffic to prevent others from entering harm's way and relaying crucial information to other responding units, saving lives and preventing additional casualties.