Distinguished Managerial Service Award

Recipients for 2004

Deborah Fisk, LCSW

Director, Community-Based Clinical Services

Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services

Ms. Fisk has played a progressively important leadership role in developing outreach services for the New Haven area.  She has been instrumental in developing transitional services for substance abusing individuals leaving prison in New Haven.  She also works with the homeless and can be seen in the wee hours passing out blankets to make sure everyone is protected against the elements.  She is pursuing a Ph.D. in social work at the University of Connecticut in addition to her full time job and vast volunteer commitments.  For instance, she organized volunteers to outreach to commuters who were coming back from New York or traveling after the World Trade Center tragedy.  Ms. Fisk volunteers on DMHAS/Community Mental Health Center committees - too many to mention.  Needless to say, Ms. Fisk works well beyond her required hours and makes herself available at all hours when one of her clients is in need.

Allen V. Herring, P.E., MBA 

Chief Engineer

Departmet of Public Works

Mr. Herring's duties include the oversight of the engineering aspects of the Department of Public Works' construction management services.  His job responsibilities are expanding including code, energy, asbestos abatement, project management, environmental compliance and selection.  He currently is emphasizing management of technical services and process management.  Mr. Herring has a technical track record as well as outstanding leadership and organizational skills.  Such attributes help DPW deliver projects on time, within budget and of the highest quality. Both clients and contractors respect him.  He, in essence, is leading the culture shift.  Mr. Herring has taken a proactive leadership role with both client and partnering state agencies in key engineering projects.  Because of his track record in these areas, he is often required to work on large, multi-agency, time-critical, non-routine initiatives.

Neftali Rodriguez

Correctional Captain

Department of Correction

Captain Rodriguez is tasked with a truly noble form of public service: protection.  The mission statement of the Department of Correction is to protect the public, protect staff, and ensure a secure, safe and humane environment for offenders in a climate that promotes professionalism, respect, integrity, dignity and excellence.  Captain Rodriguez personally excels at upholding the mission – not only when on duty but also in other work that he has done in the community.  He has an incredible work ethic.  He multi-tasks without issue in a complex, dynamic environment and is admired by staff of all ranks for his outstanding interpersonal skills and his desire to help others.  He also serves as a Special Police Officer for the Baystate Medical Center.  One of his duties, Captain of the Gang unit at Northern Correctional Institution, gives him the knowledge and experience to directly benefit the community by conducting Gang Awareness training and classes in Springfield.  In addition, Captain Rodriguez coordinates a ‘homework club’ for neighborhood children.  His dedication is shown by the fact that he has not called in ‘sick’ in over ten years.

Carol Wilson

Assistant Procurement Manager

Department of Administrative Services

Ms. Wilson has transformed Procurement Services into an intensely customer-oriented organization while simultaneously instilling a strong team spirit among the employees.  She is a leader in moving the Department of Administrative Services from ‘bureaucracy’ to ‘business’.  She led and managed the Strategic Sourcing Initiative, ‘Buy $mart, Buy Together’ resulting in savings of over $3.75 million per year to the taxpayers of Connecticut. This is the first time that there has been collaboration among state agencies and municipalities.  For example, the State saved $742,000 on police cruisers because Ms. Wilson was able to drive down costs through the new program.  The “Buy $mart, Buy Together’ program has also improved opportunities for small and minority owned businesses working with the State.  Ms. Wilson has assumed additional responsibilities and plays an increasingly strategic role in DAS management.  Her creativity, dedication and ethics will go a long way towards restoring confidence in the State’s procurement activities.