A good time was had by all at the annual SAM of the Year ceremony held earlier this month. The American Association for the Advancement of Sciences (1200 New York Avenue) hosted the event, which featured inspirational speeches, a special guest appearance by Assistant D.C. Police Chief Diane Groomes, a comedy skit performed by Downtown Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) employees, and a huge shout out to this year’s SAM of the Year awardees. In addition, Ebony Walton, the DowntownDC BID’s communications project coordinator, who often works closely with the SAMs, received a special award for her contributions to the SAM Program.
During the ceremony, Richard H. Bradley, the BID’s executive director, compared the SAMs to the Washington Nationals, using such words as “SAMitude” and “Natitude” to make his point. “Just like the Nats,” he said, “you’re proving that you’re a world-class team.”
No new SAMs graduated this year. Typically, a graduating class joins existing BID staff who present a visible, professional and welcoming face in Downtown by patrolling and maintaining the 138-block area between Union Station and the White House seven days a week. The last graduating class was in 2011 because the BID has fulfilled its requisite number of SAM employees. All told, there are now 85 SAMS, who offer directions, notify police when trouble arises; provide after-hours escort service to garages or public transportation; engage the homeless; and remove litter, trash and graffiti.
The 2013 SAM of the Year awards went to Oyoo Okumu and De’Marco Head. The award is given to two SAMs who best represent what the BID’s clean and safe program is all about. Workers are judged based on their morale, attendance, letters of recommendations, appearance, and other factors, including having been recognized as a SAM of the Month at least once during the past year. Here’s a little information about this year’s winners:
Oyoo Okumu joined the SAM Program in April 2011 and has received three SAM of the Month honors. The Ugandan native is very dependable. He has outstanding attendance, and he’s always on time and proactive. In fact, he finally took time off recently—his first break since joining the SAM Program in 2011—but only after considerable urging. In his free time, Oyoo finds comfort in the library and watching movies and professional basketball games. His family still resides in Uganda.
De’Marco Head has also been recognized as a SAM of the Month employee on three separate occasions. But no one is surprised. He constantly works hard and strives to reach new heights. Plus, he has a good role model: his stepfather, Timothy Hillie, was a SAM of the Year recipient in 2011. A consummate “gadget guy,” Head, who works the 7:30 a.m. shift, is fond of computers and electronics. He enjoys going to the movies, shopping and spending time with family and friends.
Congratulations to Okumu and Head!