Governor's Team Excellence Award
The Governor's Team Excellence Awards (GTEA) are presented annually to teams of up to 20 state employees and encourage teamwork by recognizing groups of state employees for their efforts to use continuous quality improvement tools to excel in leadership, team dynamics, and communication to produce superior customer service and tangible results. Governor Carney encourages employees to work across state agencies for a more effective and responsible state government.
The nomination and award selection criteria are outlined in the nomination guidelines. Nominations for the award are due by January 15 each year.
Governor's Team Excellence Award Recipients
For their dedicated work and success in making Delaware state government more innovative and efficient, Governor John Carney announced the recipients for this year’s Governor’s Team Excellence Award Program.
GEAR P3 Innovation and Efficiency Award Recipients
This award recognizes teams that serve as role models in their application of continuous improvement techniques and achievement of outstanding results.
Combating Delaware’s Teacher Shortage Team
Department of Education
This team from the Department of Education successfully implemented a statewide initiative to reduce the teacher shortage by increasing staffing, improving salaries, and strengthening career pathways. Through multiple work groups, they were able to partner with educators, advocacy groups, state agencies, and legislators to create a sustainable framework for continuous improvement. As a result of their efforts, new teacher recruitment and retention efforts have expanded, leading to increased participation in programs like Teacher Residencies, Registered Teacher Apprenticeships, and "Grow Your Own"" initiatives. Their work on competitive salary initiatives and improved working conditions have led to a more attractive profession which contributed to a reduction in vacancy rates. Annual reporting and stakeholder engagement ensure that progress is tracked, and adjustments are made to maximize impact of their work. Overall, the team’s efforts have strengthened Delaware’s education workforce, improving stability and long-term student success.
Updated Retention Schedules Team
Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families
The DSCYF Updated Retention Schedules Team successfully updated the records retention schedule for the Division of Prevention and Behavioral Health Services, reducing storage time in alignment with industry standards. This initiative identified 900 boxes of business records eligible for destruction, resulting in a projected annual cost savings of $540,000 for the State of Delaware. To date, over 400 boxes have been destroyed, already saving the state more than $20,000 per month. The team collaborated with the Delaware Public Archives and the DSCYF Deputy Attorney General to implement these changes. Their work reflects lean thinking principles, optimizing state resources while maintaining compliance with best practices. The framework used by this team is now being applied to other DSCYF divisions, and its success has other State agencies looking to collaborate on similar projects. The Records Unit ensured smooth implementation by engaging records officers, assessing storage needs, and providing ongoing support to staff. This project exemplifies efficiency, fiscal accountability, and the proactive stewardship of state resources.
Champions Award Recipients
This award recognizes teams that demonstrate a superior use of continuous quality improvement tools to achieve exceptional results in process efficiency, customer service, and cost savings.
Bridge Design Competition Team
Department of Transportation
Recognizing a decline in student interest in STEM fields, particularly engineering, and the growing challenge of hiring entry-level engineers, the DelDOT Bridge Design Team launched an annual bridge design competition in 2018. The competition, which began with just 10 teams, has grown exponentially, attracting 120 teams and over 600 attendees in 2024. As a result of their success, several schools have incorporated the event into their STEM curriculum or developed bridge design clubs, fostering long-term engagement with engineering concepts. The initiative has directly contributed to workforce development, with former participants securing internships and full-time engineering positions at DelDOT. The program’s impact extends beyond the department, garnering industry-wide support and inspiring similar efforts in other states. Through innovation, collaboration, and dedication, the team has made a lasting impact on Delaware’s engineering pipeline and STEM education.
Election Security Team
Department of Technology and Information, Delaware National Guard, and Department of Elections
The Election Security Team played a pivotal role in safeguarding Delaware’s electoral process, demonstrating an unparalleled commitment to cybersecurity and democracy. Comprised of experts from the Department of Technology and Information, the Department of Elections, and the Delaware National Guard, this team worked tirelessly to identify, mitigate, and respond to cyber threats that could compromise election integrity. By leveraging intelligence sharing, interagency collaboration, and real-time threat monitoring, they significantly reduced vulnerabilities from hundreds of thousands to only a few hundred that could be effectively managed and neutralized. Their ability to rapidly detect and respond to potential attacks, reducing reaction time from days to minutes, ensured the integrity and public trust in the election process. This unprecedented collaboration has set a national example, with other states looking to Delaware’s model for securing elections. The team's relentless dedication, strategic planning, and innovative use of resources exemplify the highest standards of excellence in public service.
Division of Communications Team
Department of Safety and Homeland Security
This team from the Division of Communications demonstrated exceptional teamwork and technical expertise in relocating and upgrading the State’s critical 800 MHz communication system while ensuring uninterrupted service for First Responders. Despite challenges such as aging equipment, a short relocation timeline, and staff turnover, the team executed a seamless transition in just over eight hours. Their proactive planning, including prewiring systems and prioritizing GPS synchronization, minimized downtime and maintained system reliability with less than one percent downtime. Additionally, the team trained new staff on both legacy and modern technologies, ensuring a sustainable workforce while saving the state thousands of dollars. Their success serves as a model for future relocations and highlights their vital role in maintaining 24/7 public safety communications.
