Governor M. Jodi Rell today commended East Hampton resident Richard (Dick) Edmonds on being named one of three awardees of the 2007 Connecticut Distinguished Managerial Service Award.  Edmonds, an employee at the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH), received the award last Friday at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville as part of the state’s annual “Manager’s Day.”

“Throughout his distinguished career, Dick has proven himself to be a true asset to DPH and to the people of Connecticut,” Governor Rell said.  “Dick’s outstanding managerial skills and superior knowledge of public health make it possible DPH to succeed in its mission of disease prevention and overall health education.  He is well deserving of this honor.”

“As Chief of the DPH Public Health Initiatives Branch, Dick has ultimate responsibility and oversight of twenty federal grant programs, more than 200 employees, and approximately $100 million in federal and state public health funding,” said DPH Commissioner J. Robert Galvin.

An awards committee established by the State of Connecticut Management Advisory Council considers nominations for the Connecticut Distinguished Managerial Award program.  Among the criteria considered is the nominee’s service to his or her agency, and to the people the agency itself serves, the nominee’s record of career growth, and volunteer work performed by the nominee.

Edmonds began his career in state service in 1977 as a direct care aide at the former Mansfield Training School with the Connecticut Department of Mental Retardation (now the Department of Developmental Services).  Over his 30 years with the state, Dick moved from that position to become an inspector, a facilities inspection supervisor, a residential manager, a Division Director, and a Bureau Chief prior to being named Public Health Initiatives Branch Chief in 2005.  Edmonds’ volunteer service includes soccer coach, tutor, and a various internal DPH committees.

“Dick is respectful of everyone he works with both internal to DPH and the public,” wrote Ellen Blaschinski, Chief of the DPH Branch for Regulatory Services, in her nomination letter.  “Many staff consider him a mentor and seeks his professional guidance on how to handle challenging assignments and how to manage their own careers within state government.”

“It is Dick’s interpersonal skills and emphasis on staff development that make him among the very best of state managers,” Blaschinski continued.  “He always has an open door and takes the time to listen to concerns from constituents and staff. He is constantly on the watch to improve programs, make modifications to situations to improve service delivery and supports his staff and co-workers. Dick works tirelessly to get the outcomes that have the biggest impact.”

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