Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control Hosts Second Annual Employee of the Year Awards

For Immediate Release: Thursday, October 11, 2018

Six employees of the Montgomery County Department of Liquor Control (DLC) were honored today as the department hosted its second Employee of the Year Awards at the Montgomery County Public Safety Headquarters in Gaithersburg. A panel of employee peers chose the winners among nominations made by fellow employees. James Fassanella, who was the winner in the category of “Retail Store Managers and Assistant Managers,” was presented with an additional award as the “2018 DLC Employee of the Year.”

County Executive Ike Leggett and DLC Director Robert Dorfman presented the awards to the honorees, who were selected among 450 DLC employees.

The awards selection committee reviewed nominations collected over the late summer months. Members of the Management Leadership System at DLC did not participate in the selection process and were not eligible for awards. The committee reviewed more than 100 individual recommendations submitted for 98 different employees in six employment categories.

In addition to Mr. Fassanella, the employees honored were John Payne (employment category of Drivers and Driver Helpers); Pedro Ramirez (Supply Technicians and Warehouse Workers); Asasahegn Gebre (Store Clerk I); George McGrath (Store Clerk II) and Armando Betancur (Managers, Headquarters and Administration).

Winners were presented a $500 prize, a plaque and eight hours of paid leave. Where feasible, the winners also will receive a designated parking space for the next year at their employment site. As Employee of the Year, Mr. Fassanella also was presented with a separate trophy and 40 hours of paid leave.

“It was really difficult to choose only six winners after reading so many amazing entries,” said Edgar Gonzalez, Deputy Director of the DLC. “We really looked to reward individuals whose performance is recognized by their peers, people who live by example, make the DLC a better place to work and who are able to motivate others.”

To see photos of the honored employees, and for more information on the DLC, click here.

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Release ID: 18-702
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta 240-777-1904, Neil Greenberger 240-777-6532