Gov. Brian Schweitzer announced Wednesday the 2006 recipients of the Governor's Award for Excellence in Performance.

In its 17th year, the awards program is a way to publicly recognize outstanding state employees.

"These state employees are dedicated to the people of Montana," Schweitzer said. "They go above and beyond to make sure the families in this state are receiving the best possible service from their government. I am proud to be a part of the state government team."

The recipients received their awards during a ceremony at Carroll College. The 2006 award winners listed by agency are:

Governors Office WIRED Team -- Ingrid Childress; Emily Lipp Sirota; Brad Eldredge; Tyler Turner; Major Robinson; Michelle Robinson: Gary Morehouse: Arlene Parisot; Chad Lee; Justin Hager.

Secretary of State's Office --Alan Miller

State Auditor's Office -- Timothy Morris

Office of Public Instruction -- Linda Vrooman Peterson

Justice Department -- Len Knutson; Justice Montana End-of-Life Registry Alder Locke; Joan Eliel; Jack Marks; Judy Beck; Ray Crowder

Board of Public Education -- Megan Kerzman

Commissioner Of Higher Education --Janice Kirkpatrick

School for Deaf and Blind MSDB Support Specialists -- Chris Gutschenritter; Kathy Johnson; Monica Sayler; Pam Stuckey; Marilyn Brasch; Stephanie Annis; Laurie McRae

Montana Arts Council -- Stefanie Flynn

Montana State Library -- Lee Madison

Montana Historical Society -- Damon Murdo

Fish, Wildlife and Parks -- Tom Palmer; Ryan Rauscher; Fish, Wildlife and Parks Alberton Gorge Project Team Lee Bastian; Adam Brooks; Rebecca Cooper; Sue Dalbey; Darlene Edge; Allan Kuser; Walt Timmerman; Hugh Zackheim; Scott Blossom

Environmental Quality -- Steve Welch; Environmental Quality Source Water Protection Program Joe Meek; Carolyn DeMartino; Jeffrey Herrick; Eric Sivers; Jim Stimson; Carol Gilmore

Transportation Department -- Beartooth Highway Team Mac McArthur; Cameron Kloberdanz; Richard Jackson; Mark Wissinger; Stefan Streeter; Jean Riley; Paul Ferry; Bob Weber; David Leitheiser; James A. Walther; Jay Muhlbeier; Emily Peterson; Jeff Dyekman

Livestock Department -- Janet Nick

Natural Resources and Conservation -- Ann Bauchman

Revenue Dpartment -- Steve Sprague; Department of Revenue Mail Room Team Roger Chovanak; Clifford Booth; Wes Toney; Dennis Eccleston; Floyd Moore

Administration Department -- Bill Gianoulias; Administration Montana Lottery RFP Team -- John Tarr; Jeri Duran; Carol Swick; Paul Gilbert; Laurie Felch; Marlene Teel; Jo Berg; Terry Street

Montana State Fund Montana State Fund Facilities Team -- Dwight Bernard; Chuck Crawford; Fred Lubke; Gary Martinez

Agriculture Department Noxious Weed Management Section -- Carol Bearden; Dave Burch; Kim Johnson; Tonda Moon

Corrections Department -- Julie Buchman; Albert R. Hust; Corrections Infirmary Staff -- Cindy Hiner; Cathy Redfern

Corrections Department Collections Unit Managerial Staff -- Kimberly Timm; Lisa Grady

Commerce Department Multifamily Program -- Mathew Rude; Gerald Watne; Mary Bair; Justin Schedel

Commerce Department -- Penny Cope

Labor and Industry -- Lisa Barton; Pamela Watson;

Labor and Industry Jobs for Montana's Graduates Staff -- Drea Brown; Jim Lambert; Sandra Hare; Cathy Yetter

Health and Human Services -- Susan Day; Shirley Briese; Gwen Knight; Annette Marron; Sue Miller; Jeff Sturm; Mary Pat Brown; Health and Human Services MT Stroke Initiative Team -- Michael McNamara; Crystelle Fogle; Carrie Oser