Bill Kraemer Named 2007 DNR Employee Of Year
Governor O’Malley Commends All State Employees

---

Annapolis, Md. — At a ceremony held on May 16 in Annapolis, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) named Bill Kraemer DNR 2007 Employee of the Year. Kraemer was selected from a field of 22 nominees all of whom were honored at Friday’s event.

“Through the commitment, dedication and work ethic of state employees like Bill Kraemer, we are making our government work for Maryland families,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “I am pleased to join DNR Secretary John Griffin and his staff in recognizing their colleagues who continually go above and beyond the call of duty.”

Bill Kraemer, who currently serves as the maintenance supervisor at Sandy Point State Park, has worked for the Maryland Park Service for over a quarter century. In his formal nomination, Bill’s colleagues commended him for his work ethic and people skills, as well as his efficient use of available resources to provide park patrons with a safe, clean facility. His unique ability to diagnose and repair equipment – acting as engineer, plumber, heavy equipment operator, marine and auto mechanic – has made him an irreplaceable asset to the park. He and his wife currently reside on Kent Island.

“I am still in shock at receiving this honor,” said Kraemer. “I would like to thank Jay Kenty for nominating me and the entire staff of Sandy Point State Park that I have the pleasure of calling my co-workers.”

DNR’s Employee of the Year program is run by the agency’s all volunteer Employee Activities Committee, which currently has over 20 members.

“At DNR, our people are by far our greatest resource,” said Secretary Griffin. “I’d like to publicly extend my thanks and congratulations to Bill, our other outstanding nominees and the folks who manage this important effort. Leading a group of exceptional employees who continually strive for excellence is an honor and a pleasure.”

Click here for a high resolution photo of Bill Kraemer.

Following is a complete list of the DNR 2007 Employee of the Year nominees:
 

Mike Bilek Dan Boward Jennifer Cline Kevin Coyne Gene Deems Karen DeStefano Thomas Dowd Gladys Downs Joseph S. Garrison Steve Goodmuth David Heilmeier Ed Hurley Allen Jones Bill Kraemer Pat Luchansky Sgt. David Marple Deborah O’Dea Gene Piotrowski Kevin Smith Ann Wheeler Katherine Witter Cpl. Daniel Yankie

Chesapeake & Coastal Watershed Service Resource Assessment Service Maryland Park Service Chesapeake & Coastal Watershed Service Office of Communications Human Resources Service Land Acquisition and Planning Licensing & Registration Service Resource Assessment Service Land Acquisition & Planning Wildlife & Heritage Service Engineering and Construction Maryland Park Service Maryland Park Service Maryland Forest Service Maryland Natural Resource Police Maryland Natural Resource Police Office for a Sustainable Future Chesapeake & Coastal Watershed Service Chesapeake & Coastal Watershed Service Maryland Natural Resource Police Maryland Natural Resource Police

---

May 20, 2008

Contact: Olivia Campbell 410-260-8016 office I 410-507-7525 cell ocampbell@dnr.state.md.us

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov