10/30/2026
Town of Culpeper Receives 2026 DARS Employer Champion Award
The Town of Culpeper has been recognized with the 2026 DARS Employer Champion Award as part of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) Champions of Disability Employment awards. The award recognizes the Town's commitment to creating meaningful employment opportunities and working collaboratively to ensure all employees have the tools and support necessary to succeed.
The recognition extended beyond the Town of Culpeper. Darion Romeo was also honored with the 2026 DARS Consumer Champion Award, recognizing his own accomplishments and the commitment he demonstrated throughout his journey toward employment. The dual recognition highlights the collaborative effort between Darion, the Town, DARS, and community partners to create a successful employment opportunity.
The Employer Champion Award was presented by Crystal Berry, Vocational Counselor with the DARS Culpeper Office, during a ceremony held October 29, 2026, at the Culpeper DARS office. Representing the Town of Culpeper at the presentation were Town Treasurer/Finance Director Howard Kartel, Business Operations Supervisor Raven Logan, Town Manager Chris Hively, and Human Resources Director Mary Jones.
The Town's recognition stems from its hiring of Darion Romeo as a Customer Service Representative in the Treasurer's Office in November 2025. Darion was selected through a competitive recruitment process from a pool of 47 applicants. Following an initial screening and two rounds of interviews, his qualifications, prior experience, and outgoing personality distinguished him as the ideal candidate for the position.
Once Darion was selected, the Town worked collaboratively with him to identify and address accommodations that would allow him to comfortably access his workplace and perform the essential functions of his position.
Those efforts included renovating the front lobby of the Treasurer's Office to lower the customer service counter and associated service window, retrofitting the office where Darion works, modifying doorways to reduce resistance and improve accessibility, and adding an accessible parking space and ramp. The parking improvements were designed not only to provide adequate accessibility for Darion, but also to ensure that accessible parking remained available for citizens visiting the Treasurer's Office. The renovations were completed in-house by the Town's Public Works staff.
“Darion's hiring is a wonderful example of what can happen when we focus on an individual's abilities, experience, and potential, while also being willing to remove barriers that may stand in the way of success,” said Town Manager Chris Hively. “We believe in creating a workplace where talented individuals have the opportunity to contribute, succeed, and build a career, and Darion has certainly done that.”
Darion has become a valued member of the Treasurer's Office team and a familiar, friendly face to citizens who visit the office. In his role as a Customer Service Representative, he assists citizens with questions and transactions, processes payments, answers phones, and helps provide the welcoming customer service that is an important part of the Treasurer's Office.
While the Town's efforts began when Darion was hired, his path to employment started well before he applied for the position. Darion had been working with DARS since November 2023, receiving vocational rehabilitation support and assistance throughout his journey toward employment. DARS staff provided services directly and connected Darion with community partners who helped him prepare for employment, develop job-readiness skills, navigate the employment process, and obtain the resources and support necessary to reach his goals.
The Town recognizes the contributions of Crystal Berry, Vocational Counselor; Crystal Lyon, Placement Counselor; and Allison Miller, Placement/Vocational Counselor, with the DARS Culpeper Office, as well as Buddy Blatz of Career Support Systems, for their advocacy and partnership in helping Darion reach this milestone.
