Distinguished Managerial Service Awards
Recipients for 2003
Peter Bartucca
Director of Records and Legislative Services
Office of the Secretary of State
During his tenure, Peter led the effort to develop a database for tracking legislation with the Legislative Commissioners’ Office, the House and Senate Clerks and the State Library. For fourteen years Peter was responsible for the publication of the State’s Register and Manual, the Blue Book. As one of the original members of the statewide web site planning committee, Peter made the Manual available on the web, updated on a weekly basis.
Devon Conover
Acting Director of Community Based Regulation
Department of Public Health
Devon has had program responsibility for the child day care licensing program since 1994 and youth camp licensing since 1999. “She consistently supports the department’s mission of protecting the health and safety and actively working to prevent disease and promote the wellness of children in licensed child day care and youth camp facilities. Devon excels in ensuring that the ‘voice of the child’ is always present as she conducts her public service…”
Wayne Dailey, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Advisor/Public Information Officer
Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
Dr. Dailey has “done an extraordinary job of educating people in the media who in turn provide valuable information to the general public about mental health and addictions treatment. In the aftermath of the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster, Dr. Dailey was a prime architect of the state’s mental health response to the family members and witnesses of the WTC attack. His work on the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Commission process epitomizes his contribution to the State of Connecticut.”
Dawn Closs Harris
Agency Personnel Administrator
Department of Mental Retardation
Dawn was appointed as agency personnel administrator in the Department of Mental Retardation in 1987. “Almost from the day she arrived, Dawn has been involved in facilitating and managing change…Dawn’s technical expertise, professionalism and unfailing commitment…contributed immeasurably to DMR’s growth and continuing ability to provide quality services and supports to people with mental retardation in Connecticut.”
James Laban
Operations Manager
Department of Social Services
Jim was employed in the Department of Social Services as an Operations Manager and served with great distinction for over 27 years. “Jim’s professional career reflected his desire to learn, to improve, and to contribute to the agency and community he served. He was an extraordinary individual…a leader in every sense of the word. Blessed with a keen intellect, unwavering integrity, and a wonderful sense of humor, Jim is and will be greatly missed…”