Talbot County, Maryland

09/30/2026

Category: County Manager’s Office

Talbot County Government recognized 51 employees for milestone years of service during Employee Appreciation Week, celebrating a combined 645 years of service to Talbot County and its residents.

Council Members Pete Lesher and Dave Stepp joined County staff leadership in recognizing this year's honorees and thanking them for their dedication to public service.

"Talbot County is successful because of the dedicated employees who serve our residents each day," said County Manager Clay Stamp. "Whether they've been with the County for five years or 35 years, each employee plays an important role in delivering the services our community depends on. Employee Appreciation Week gives us an opportunity to recognize their commitment and thank them for making Talbot County a great place to live, work and visit."

This year's honorees also included County Manager Clay Stamp, who was recognized for 15 years of service to Talbot County. Stamp began his County career with the Department of Emergency Services before being appointed County Manager, where he now oversees County operations and works with the County Council to deliver services and advance initiatives that benefit residents.

The following Talbot County employees were honored: 35 Years of Service: Kevin Wilson; 30 Years of Service: Holley Guschke, Brian Micheliche; 25 Years of Service: Edward Fontana, Elisa Deflaux, Karen Greene, David Larmore; 20 Years of Service: Milton Cornish, Raymond Conrad, Lisa Dukes, Donna Haddaway, Drew Dickerson, Benjamin Diefenderfer, Claude Joyner, Matthew Lewis, Derek West; 15 Years of Service: Clay Stamp, Cindy Green, Taylor Leeson; 10 Years of Service: Brandon Brewer, Taylor Lowery, Russell Lease, Emily Gilmer, Vernon Cephas, Tia Slaughter, Stephen Elliott, Ciana Bailey, Scott Collins, Cody Lomax, Melody Whitley, Rachael Cox, Catherine Stichberry; 5 Years of Service: William Parks, Darrin Wheatley, Lee Martinson, Jeffery Lankford, Joseph Hughes, Jamez Justice, Jacqueline Blake, Chelsea Endzel Hill, Colin Barnett, Robin Connolly, Kevin Genna, Deborah Chase, Kathleen Diefenderfer, Connor Flaherty, Katelyn Killian, Ethan Koslosky, Ray Morris and Chelsea Reid.

“It was a pleasure to recognize so many of our wonderful employees and the many years of dedicated service they’ve given to Talbot County,” remarked Stepp.

Office of County Manager: From left: Council Member Dave Stepp, County Manager Clay Stamp (15 yrs), Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Assistant County Manager Jessica Morris, Human Resources Director Donna Pardieu.

Technical Services: IT Director Tommy Haddaway, Council Member Dave Stepp, Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Derek West (20 yrs), County Manager Clay Stamp.

Facilities: County Manager Clay Stamp, Council Member Dave Stepp, Darrin Wheatley (5 yrs), Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Roads and Facilities Superintendent Brian Moore.

Roads: County Manager Clay Stamp, Council Member Dave Stepp, Kevin Wilson (35 yrs), Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Roads and Facilities Superintendent Brian Moore.

Roads: County Manager Clay Stamp, Council Member Dave Stepp, Taylor Lowery (10 yrs), Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Roads and Facilities Superintendent Brian Moore.

Roads: County Manager Clay Stamp, Council Member Dave Stepp, Brandon Brewer (10 yrs), Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Roads and Facilities Superintendent Brian Moore.

Roads: County Manager Clay Stamp, Council Member Dave Stepp, Milton Cornish (20 yrs), Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Roads and Facilities Superintendent Brian Moore.

Planning and Zoning: Council Member Dave Stepp, County Manager Clay Stamp, Elisa DeFlaux (25 yrs), Planning and Zoning Director Brennan Tarleton, Council Vice President Pete Lesher.

Building Codes: Council Member Dave Stepp, County Manager Clay Stamp, Edward Fontana (25 yrs), Planning and Zoning Director Brennan Tarleton, Council Vice President Pete Lesher. Not pictured: William Parks (5 yrs).

Sanitary District (Not Pictured): Lee Martinson (5 yrs), Russell Lease (10 yrs).

Easton Airport: Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher, Jeffrey Lankford (5 yrs), Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Council Member Dave Stepp, County Manager Clay Stamp.

Parks and Recreation: Council Vice President Pete Lesher, David Larmore (25 yrs), Emily Gilmer (10 yrs), Council Member Dave Stepp, County Manager Clay Stamp.

Corrections: Raymond Conrad (20 yrs), Cindy Green (15 yrs), Jamez Justice (5 yrs), Vernon Cephas (10 yrs), Corrections Director Joe Hughes (5 yrs), Lisa Dukes (20 yrs), County Manager Clay Stamp, Council Member Dave Stepp, Council Vice President Pete Lesher. Not pictured Tia Slaughter (10 yrs).

State’s Attorney Office: State Attorney Joe Coale, County Manager Clay Stamp, Jacqueline Blake (5 yrs), Karen Greene (25 yrs), Council Member Dave Stepp, Council Vice President Pete Lesher. Not pictured Chelsea Endzel Hil (5 yrs).

Sheriff’s Office: Council Vice President Pete Lesher, County Manager Clay Stamp, Cpl. Colin Barnett (5 yrs), Major Stephen Elliott (10), Robin Connolly (5 yrs), Cpl. Kevin Genna (5 yrs), Sgt. Taylor Leeson (15 yrs), Council Member Dave Stepp, Sheriff Joe Gamble.

Emergency Services: Council Member Dave Stepp, Council Vice President Pete Lesher, Donna Haddaway (20 yrs), Melody Whitley (10 yrs), Holley Guschke (30 yrs), Connor Flaherty (5 yrs), Cody Lomax (10 yrs), County Manager Clay Stamp, Emergency Services Director Brian LeCates. Not pictured: Ciana Bailey (10 years), Scott Collins (10 years), Deborah Chase (5 years), Kathleen Diefenderfer (5 years), Katelyn Killian (5 years), Ethan Koslosky (5 years), Ray Morris (5 years), Chelsea Reid (5 years), Scottie Riddle (5 years), Rachael Cox (10 years), Catherine Stichberry (10 years), Drew Dickerson (20 years), Benjamin Diefenderfer (20 years), Claude Joyner (20 years), Matthew Lewis (20 years) and Brian Micheliche (30 years).

Employee Appreciation Week recognizes the dedicated individuals who provide essential services to Talbot County residents every day. The Talbot County Years of Service Awards are coordinated annually by the County Manager’s Office and Administrative Services teams.

For more information about Talbot County Government and its departments, visit www.talbotcountymd.gov.

council highlights employee appreciation week years of service