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And the Secretary's Citation Winners for Excellent Customer Service are...

...Mary Ellen Branham, Regional Program Monitor, Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning's Monitoring and Compliance Unit; and Patrick Pannella, Executive Director, Division of Occupation and Professional Licensing, Maryland Athletic Commission!

Mary Ellen Branham
Receiving the June Secretary’s Citation for excellent customer service was Mary Ellen Branham. Mary Ellen works as a regional program monitor in the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning's Monitoring and Compliance Unit. She has been with the department for over 35 years. She was nominated by her colleagues because "she consistently provides excellent customer service to her coworkers and the division's grantees."

Mary Ellen’s friendly and helpful can-do attitude goes a long way with her colleagues and stakeholders, who constantly praise Mary Ellen for her dedication. "Mary Ellen is a true team player that is always willing to go the extra mile and we're lucky to have her," said DWDAL Deputy Assistant Secretary Brandon Butler. Nice work, Mary Ellen! Thank you for being such a valued member of our team!

Mary Ellen Branham received the Secretary's Citation for excellent customer service. (Pictured L to R: Brandon Butler, Mary Ellen Branham, Secretary Kelly Schulz, Deputy Secretary David McGlone)
Mary Ellen Branham received the Secretary's Citation for excellent customer service. (Pictured L to R: Brandon Butler, Mary Ellen Branham, Secretary Kelly Schulz, Deputy Secretary David McGlone)

Patrick Panella
O&P’s Patrick Pannella, executive director of the Maryland Athletic Commission, was recognized at the July senior leadership meeting by Secretary Schulz for his consistently outstanding customer service skills. "Patrick always maintains a customer-friendly disposition and leads a regulatory body that promotes safety and fairness. He is a model for other executive directors and all state employees," said O&P Commissioner Victoria Wilkins in her nomination.

The father of a newly-minted teenager, Patrick shares his love of collecting rocks and minerals with his daughter. He is an avid collector of sports memorabilia, especially the Baltimore Colts. His hero is athletic commissioner and Baltimore Colt Hall of Famer Lenny Moore. Congratulations, Patrick!


Patrick Pannella was presented with the Secretary's Citation for his consistently outstanding customer service skills. (Pictured L to R: Victoria Wilkins, Patrick Pannella, Secretary Kelly Schulz, Deputy Secretary David McGlone)
Patrick Pannella was presented with the Secretary's Citation for his consistently outstanding customer service skills. (Pictured L to R: Victoria Wilkins, Patrick Pannella, Secretary Kelly Schulz, Deputy Secretary David McGlone)