"Innovations in State Government" Event, February 2025

Outstanding Agency Evaluator -- Rob Geddis, Department of Fish and Wildlife

Evaluators serve as subject matter experts to review the merits of suggestions. Rob reviewed several suggestions from his own agency, and several submitted from other agencies that would affect DFW. He was judicious in his assessments, and finished his evaluations before their deadline, ensuring a timely response to suggesters.

Outstanding Agency Coordinator -- Ann Green, Department of Corrections

In 2024, more than 35 suggestions were submitted by the DOC -- winning the agency an award for Outstanding Large Agency, with more than 500 employees -- and demonstrating Ann’s success in promoting the Employee Suggestion Program.

The DOC also received the award for Maximizing State Resources. Employee Wyatt Hull in Aberdeen suggested the agency donate used corrections officer coats to charities and agencies that cannot afford coats, reducing DOC destruction and dumping costs.

Ann is pictured with Productivity Board Member Mandeep Kaundal.

Washington State Gambling Commission -- Outstanding Small Agency with fewer than 100 employees

Coordinator Troy Kirby accepting with (from left) Jeneva Cotton, Deputy Director; Tina Griffin, Executive Director; and Tricia Guillon, Legislative Director.

Office of Financial Management -- Outstanding Medium Agency with fewer than 500 employees

State Human Resources Deputy Chief Cultural Officer Mia Navarro accepting for OFM.

Washington State School for the Blind -- Outstanding Medium Agency with fewer than 500 employees

Danya Boroski (left) and Scott McCallum accepting for the Washington State School for the Blind; Productivity Board Member Mia Navarro (center) presenting.

Washington Student Achievement Council -- Outstanding Medium Agency with fewer than 500 employees

Accepting for the Washington Student Achievement Council were, left to right, Rubi Diaz, Grace Nelson and coordinator Crystal Hall; Productivity Board Member Mia Navarro presenting.

Teamwork Incentive Savings Award -- Liquor and Cannabis Board and Office of Administrative Hearings

The Teamwork Incentive Savings Award went to team members from the Liquor and Cannabis Board and Office of Administrative Hearings.

This team partnered to create efficiencies with a project that will save more than $44,000 annually by improving the exchange of information between the agencies.

Accepting was Liquor and Cannabis Board Director Will Lukela (left), with Productivity Board Member Shad Bell presenting.

Statewide Services Impact Award and Top Suggestion Achieving Highest Savings Award -- Employment Services Department

The Employment Services Department received the Statewide Services Impact Award, for implementing employee Hollyann Dahlberg's idea for ESD to use pre-translated letters in different languages to speed customer service. The suggestion is anticipated to save over $225,000 a year. Hollyann received the Top Suggestion Achieving Highest Savings Award.

Accepting both awards were ESD Commissioner Cami Feek and Chief of Staff Daniel Zeitlin, with Productivity Board Member Ashley Fueston (right) presenting.