Gaithersburg, MD – (July 11, 2022) The Gaithersburg Employee Recognition Committee (ERC) named Economic Development Manager Sharon Disque as the 2021 Carl Webb Employee of the Year and the Elections Support Team as the 2021 Team of the Year. The awards will be presented at a future Mayor and City Council meeting.

The Carl Webb Employee of the Year award is named in honor of a former Public Works employee who exemplified the ideals of hard work, integrity, honesty, and enthusiasm.

Sharon Disque, Economic Development Manager with the City Manager’s Office, was named the Employee of the Year for her service as Interim Chief of the Housing and Community Development Division since the retirement of the former manager in October 2021. While continuing to serve as Economic Development Manager, Sharon ensured that City clients were served without delay, deadlines were met, and reporting requirements were satisfied. As a result, affordable housing tenants and those seeking rental assistance were served quickly and effectively. With Sharon’s guidance, the City continues to participate in the Council of Government’s fair housing analysis and to meet Community Development Block Grant deadlines. Sharon has served with dedication, professionalism, patience, and the same level of expertise she always displays in serving the public.

The Elections Support Team, was named the Team of the Year for its extraordinary effort in developing and implementing the City’s new hybrid election process in 2021. Despite the pandemic, this new system led to the highest voter turnout since 2007 and required extra hours of work prior to and on Election Day. Team members include Lauren Klingler, Wes Rhodes and Aishah Mills-Pherigo of the City Attorney’s Office, Mark Kober, David Arthur, Charles Reed, Sean Sorandes, Mark Shaffer, George Smith, Jeffery Sirk, and David Outman of the Department of Public Works, Michelle Betancourt and Doris Stokes of the City Manager’s Office, Chief Mark Sroka, Lt. Chris Vance, Lt. Shawn Eastman and Lt. Ray Campbell of the Gaithersburg Police Department, Brian Helms, Andrew Barnes, Mike Hober and Rick Rowles of the Department of Information Technology, Britta Monaco of the Department of Community and Public Relations, and Tam Castillo of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture. City Attorney Lynn Board was recognized for her leadership and guidance in developing and successfully implementing this new model for the City Election.

Made up of peers from each department, the ERC reviews nominations for individuals and teams on a quarterly basis. These winners are then eligible for the annual Employee and Team of the Year Awards.

For more information about the Employee Recognition Awards please contact the Office of the City Manager at 301-258-6310 or visit the City’s website at www.gaithersburgmd.gov.