Employee Service Awards

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Employee Service Awards November 3, 2009
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Board of County Commissioners Employee Service
Awards

• Todays honorees are recognized for outstanding
  service and dedication

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County AdministrationCommunications
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Guariemas Benjamin 20 Years

• Benji was born in Trinidad, West Indies and moved
  to Florida in 1988.

• He graduated from New York University with a
  degree in Computer Technology and he attended the
  New York School of Printing.
• Benji was hired by Orange County in 1989 as a
  Traffic Technician I at Traffic Engineering.
• He was promoted to Traffic Tech II in 1992.

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Guariemas Benjamin 20 Years

• Benji has completed the Orange County Supervisory
  Development Program.
• He takes great pride in the work that he does for
  all Orange County Departments. That includes
  printing, collating and binding brochures,
  flyers, booklets, reports and forms.
• Benji has been married to Annie for 38 years and
  they have four children Sergio, Beverly, Fatisha
  and Joshua.
• In his spare time, Benji enjoys working out and
  golfing.
• He also volunteers his media skills at his
  church.

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Corrections Security Operations
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Deborah Yvette Harvey20 Years

• Deborah was born at the Naval Training Center
  Hospital here in Orlando and moved around with
  her family until settling down in Orlando in 1965.

• She is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School and
  Valencia Community College.
• Deborah has also earned licenses as a barber,
  cosmetologist, licensed practical nurse, massage
  therapist and nutritionist.

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Deborah Harvey - 20 Years

• Deborah was hired by Orange County in 1989 as a
  Correctional Officer and Licensed Practical Nurse
  to work in the Medical Department.
• In 1993, she became a Field Training Officer and
  was promoted to Corporal in 1996.
• She made Sergeant in August, 2000 and became a
  Crisis Intervention Team Officer in 2002.
• Deborah has worked at nearly all Corrections
  facilities and she is currently an Inspector at
  Logistics.
• She has been married to James for 7 years and 3
  months.
• Deborah has five children Jeffrey, Terrance,
  Antonio, Stephen and Arieana.
• In her spare time, Deborah loves to learn new
  things and help others.

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John Nicholas Costello Jr.20 Years

• John was born in Brooklyn, NY and moved to
  Florida in 1989.
• He was hired that year by Orange County to work
  at Central Booking.

• In 2006, John transferred to the new Booking and
  Release Center and became a trainer for new
  staff.
• Three years later, he transferred to the
  Emergency Management Section at Corrections.

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John Costello - 20 Years

• John has completed numerous FEMA courses. He is a
  certified SCUBA Diver and a licensed HAM radio
  operator.
• He received an award for his work with the 150th
  Corrections Anniversary Program and historical
  display.
• John has been recognized for his timely response
  to prevent two suicides and for sounding the
  alert regarding a potential inmate escape.
• He will celebrate 20 years of marriage to Geri
  next February. She works in Inmate Records.
• In his spare time, John enjoys assembling living
  history and educational displays and he is very
  involved with experimental archaeology pertaining
  to Ancient Rome.

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Corrections Professional Services
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Sandra Ambrose Jennings 20 Years

• Sandra was born in Manhattan, NYC and moved to
  Florida in 1979.
• She graduated from Walton High School and Faith
  Christian University with a degree in Theology.

• Sandra was hired by Orange County in 1989 to work
  at the Dockets Division, which is now Inmate
  Record Management. Within three years she was
  promoted to Correctional Release Specialist.
• Sandra was later promoted to Special Release
  Officer where she works with other law
  enforcement agencies.

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Sandra Jennings - 20 Years

• Sandra reviews arrest paperwork, notary entries,
  official documents and jail track computer system
  entries.
• She is married to Darrel has one son Gilbert.
• Her hobbies include traveling, sightseeing,
  visiting historical locations, reading and
  cooking.
• In her spare time, she provides voluntary
  counseling through the Jail Ministry Program to
  women in the Female Detention Facility.

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Mary A. McMillan- 30 Years

• Mary was born in Quincy, FL, and moved to Orlando
  in 1967, the day after she was married.
• She was hired in 1978 with the CETA Program as a
  Clerk-Typist.

• In 1980, Mary was promoted to a regular full-time
  position as an Administrative Aide II.

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Mary McMillan - 30 Years

• Mary has earned several promotions Clerk Typist
  III, Dockets Clerk II, Correctional Service
  Officer, Docket Specialist and Correctional
  Release Specialist.
• In 2005, she transferred to the Court Team.
• Mary was married to Elijah for 35 years before he
  passed away on June 27, 2002.
• She has three children Tammy, Brian and
• Elijah II.
• Marys hobbies include Sewing, church work and
  being entertained by her grandchildren.

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Family Services Head Start
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Gail Einson Davis - 20 Years

• Gail was born in New York City and attended the
  Art and Design High School there.
• She graduated from Bronx Community College and
  New York State University.
• In 1977, Gail boarded a train and headed for
  Orlando to make it her home.

• The County hired Gail in 1989 as a Senior Teacher
  for the Enhanced Head Start Program. It served
  as a model for what the traditional Head Start
  Program aspired to be.
• Gail was responsible for coordinating all special
  events and field trips for the students and she
  attended several live performances of the Orlando
  Civic Theater.

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Gail Davis 20 Years

• She also developed a partnership with Walt Disney
  Worlds International Student Program that
  provided Head Start with several multicultural
  festival and events.
• Gail was promoted to Resource Teacher in 1996 and
  was awarded Teacher of the Year.
• In 2008, she returned to the classroom at the Oak
  Ridge YMCA Head Start where she serves today.
• Gail was recognized at the Mayors Coffee in 2009
  for her outstanding service and dedication.
• She is the proud parent of a daughter Shannon,
  24, who is a former Head Start student and now
  attends the University of South Florida.
• Gail enjoys the theatre, museums and galleries
  and she is a big fan of American Idol. She
  volunteers her time for Harbor House, the
  American Heart Association and the Leukemia and
  Lymphoma Society.

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Family Services Youth Family Services
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Rochelle Prioleau Tompkins 20 Years

• Rochelle was born and raised in Richmond Heights,
  and moved to Sumter, SC when she was 16 to live
  with her grandmother.

• She graduated from Maywood HS and received
  certification as a Home Health Aide from Sumter
  Area Technical College, an Associates of Science
  Nursing Degree from Southern Technical College
  and she is currently attending Herzing University
  to pursue a Bachelors degree in nursing.

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Rochelle Tompkins 20 Years

• Rochelle worked for two years at the Sumter
  County Health Department with the Home Health Aid
  Agency.
• She moved to Orlando in 1988 and was hired by
  Orange County in 1989 to work with the Head Start
  Program, where she worked for ten years.
• In 1999, she was promoted to Caseworker Aide with
  Health Family Services with the Independent
  Living Program at Laurel Hill.
• In 2003, Rochelle transferred to the Orange
  County Youth Shelter and in 2009, she moved back
  to Laurel Hill.
• She is married to Emmett and they have a
  daughter Dominique, 25 a son, Emmett, 4 and a
  grandson Bralyn, who is 4 months old.

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Rochelle Tompkins 20 Years

• Rochelle enjoys swimming, bike-riding, roller
  skating, golfing, playing basketball, football
  and watching a good movie. She is an active
  member of The Temple of Faith.
• She is the President of the Board of Directors of
  Tonis Touch Inc., a program geared to early
  education for children that focuses on language
  and literacy.
• Rochelle also fills in as a substitute teacher at
  the Nap Ford Community School Extended Day
  Program.

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Family Services Community Action
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Nora Mae McGill 20 Years

• Nora was born in Jasper, FL, graduated from
  Hamilton County High School and moved to Orlando
  in 1973.

• She joined Orange County in 1989 at Facilities
  Management and in 2001, she was promoted and
  moved to Community Action.
• Nora has received numerous awards from
  organizations, including the Boy Scouts of
  America Center of Hope Ministries Abundant Life
  Ministries and the Central Florida Office of the
  US Department of the Treasury.

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Nora McGill 20 Years

• Nora has participated in many back to school
  fairs at the East Orange Community Center,
  Thanksgiving food drives and health fairs.
• She has received personal enrichment from helping
  family and friends of the Community Action
  Division.
• Nora is married to Jerome and they have one son
  Antonio.

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Fire Rescue Operations
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William A. Dike 25 Years

• Bill was born at Winter Park Memorial Hospital
  and lived in Deltona until 1986.

• He graduated from Lake Howell High School.
• Bill was hired by Orange County Fire Rescue in
  1984 to work at Station 53.
• He later moved to the HazMat team at Station 51.
• Bill completed all of the officer required
  classes during his first year with Orange County.
• He was promoted in 1988 and transferred to Tanker
  73.

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William Dike 25 Years

• Bill has served on Engine 70, Truck 51, Engine 41
  and he is currently assigned to Engine 29.
• He is a certified Peer Fitness Trainer and holds
  a special certification as a Specialty Contractor
  in Construction.
• Bill has assisted with a Risk Analysis for
  accreditation, pre-fire plans, the Wellness
  Program, the Paramedic Physical Ability Test and
  IPAT and CPAT testing.
• He has been married to Jama for 20 years and they
  have two daughters Hannah, and Emily.
• Bills hobbies include Fishing, motorcycle
  building and riding.
• He built more than 70 of his home himself along
  with five Habitat for Humanity homes in Volusia
  County.
• Bill volunteers at his church and even drives the
  church bus.

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Linda Jean Lord 25 Years

• Linda was born in Mesa, AZ, and moved to Seminole
  County in 1981 from Ft. Collins, CO.

• She attended Seminole High School and served as a
  volunteer firefighter at the Lake Mary Volunteer
  Fire Department through the Boy Scouts
  Firefighter Explorer Program.
• Linda was thrilled ride on the tailboard of a
  fire truck at the age of 16. You might say she
  was hooked.

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Linda Lord 25 Years

• Linda completed her firefighter and EMT training
  in 1983 at Seminole Community College and she was
  hired by Orange County two weeks before her 19th
  birthday.
• She attended Valencia Community College where she
  earned an Associates degree in Emergency Medical
  Services and Nursing.
• Linda became a Registered Nurse at Florida
  Hospitals Altamonte Springs Emergency Department
  and is now pursuing a Bachelors degree in
  Nursing.
• She has been married to retired firefighter
  Lieutenant Keith for 29 years and they have two
  children Tara, and Robert.

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David J. Craig 25 Years

• Dave was born in Sanford and graduated from
  Seminole High School and Seminole Community
  College.

• He was hired by Orange County in 1984 to work on
  Truck 66, where he spent 9 years. He then moved
  on to Station 63.
• Dave has also worked at Station 82 and hes
  currently stationed at the new Station 86 in
  Wedgefield.

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David Craig 25 Years

• Dave has worked several structure fires while on
  the Truck Company, including large apartment and
  warehouse fires.
• His busiest time was while working Station 63 in
  the Goldenrod/ UCF area.
• Dave worked many of the brush fires around the
  Bithlo area.
• He has received 4 citations and several Letters
  of Commendation and in 1987, Dave received
  special recognition for saving the life of victim
  of a a house fire.
• Dave enjoys participating in the Firefighter
  Olympics playing basketball and golf and once won
  a silver medal in basketball.
• He has been married to Donna for 5 years and has
  one daughter Krista, along with a
  grand-daughter, McKenna.
• Daves hobbies include golf, poker and fishing
  with his grand-daughter.

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Jeffery Scott Wood 25 Years

• Jeff was born in Red Bank, NJ and moved to
  Merritt Island in 1975.
• He graduated from Merritt Island High School.

• Jeff attended Mid-Florida Tech for firefighter
  standards and hes also a graduate of Valencia
  Community College and Columbia College.
• Jeff was hired by Orange County in 1984 as a
  Engineering Technician.

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Jeff Wood 25 Years

• Jeffs first job with Orange County was to update
  Fire Rescues map book, graphics and work on
  special projects.
• He transferred to Operations in 1986. Jeff was
  promoted to Lieutenant in 1999 and Captain in
  2006.
• Jeff has two children Jenna, who graduated as a
  nurse from UCF and is now working at Winnie
  Palmer Hospital and Alec, a freshman at Center
  Academy, who is a Fire Explorer with the City of
  Orlando.
• Jeffs hobbies include Running 5ks and training
  for the upcoming Disney Half Marathon in January.

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Robert D. Barrett 30 Years

• Bob was born and raised in Orlando. He graduated
  from Apopka High School.

• He is certified in all phases of firefighting and
  is a certified EMT and Scott Air Pack Repair
  Technician.
• Bob started with Orange County in 1979 working at
  Station 50 - Holden Heights Fire Station.

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Robert Barrett 30 Years

• Bob was promoted to Engineer in 1982. He worked
  with the SCUBA unit for five years as a search
  recovery diver and repair technician.
• He is a certified smoke diver and holds a
  certification in Arson Detection and
  Investigation
• He has been married to Kim for 28 years and they
  have two sons Jason, and Kyle.
• In his spare time, Bob volunteers with his
  church.
• He also works on computers, enjoys racing and he
  is looking forward to retirement and spending
  more time with his family.

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Public Works Traffic Engineering
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Leslie R. Cauthen 20 Years

• Leslie was born in Pageland, SC and moved to
  Central Florida in 1968.
• She graduated from Seminole High School.

• Leslie has studied at Seminole and Valencia
  Community Colleges.
• She was hired by Orange County in 1989 to work as
  the USDA Clerk for Community Affairs, where she
  was known as the Cheese Lady.

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Leslie Cauthen 20 Years

• Leslie was promoted and move to the Utilities
  Customer Service Division where she worked for 12
  years.
• She has been honored at the Mayors Employee
  Coffee on many occasion for her excellent
  customer service.
• Leslie was promoted in 2001 to Project
  Coordinator at Traffic Engineering in Public
  Works.
• She has been on the executive team for United Way
  for the past 15 years.
• Leslie is a proud mother of two sons Robert, 15,
  who attends Pine Ridge High School and Cameron,
  12, a 7th grader at Heritage Middle School. Both
  are honor students.
• In her spare time, Leslie enjoys reading and
  helping with mission work. She serves as Chairman
  of the Trustee Board of her church where she
  oversees a very large budget.

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Utilities Customer Service
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Lowell Kemal Lawson 20 Years

• Lowell was born at the Clark Air Force Base in
  Manila, Philippines and graduated from the
  Manhattan School of Music.

• He was hired by the Orange County Comptrollers
  Office in 1989, was promoted and transferred to
  the Division of Information Technologies in 1993.
  Lowell has also worked at Orange TV, EPD, Animal
  Services, the Convention Center and the Mayors
  Office. He has been working in the Utilities
  Customer Service Division since 2008.

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Lowell Lawson 20 Years

• Lowell is always eager to assist with special
  programs or projects. Among them The post 9/11
  ceremonies, Mayors breakfasts and luncheons,
  United Way events, talent shows and Commissioner
  District Programs. Lowell has also sung the
  National Anthem at Orlando Magic games.
• He won 1st place in the County Talent Show twice
  and finished 2nd once.
• Lowell has been married to Dilcia for 33 years
  and they have one son Byron, who has served in
  the Air Force for 10 years.
• They also have a grand-daughter Giselle.
• In his spare time, Lowell sings, plays the flute
  and guitar, and volunteers at the Church of
  Latter Day Saints.

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Awards Presentation

• County Administration
• Communications
• Guariemas Benjamin 20 Years
• Corrections
• Security Operations
• Deborah Harvey 20 Years
• John Costello Jr. 20 Years

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Awards Presentation

• Corrections
• Professional Services
• Sandra Jennings 20 Years
• Mary McMillan 30 Years

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Awards Presentation

• Family Services
• Head Start
• Gail Davis 20 Years
• Youth Family Services
• Rochelle Tompkins 20 Years
• Community Action
• Nora McGill 20 Years

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Awards Presentation

• Fire Rescue
• Operations
• William Dike 25 Years
• Linda Lord 25 Years
• David Craig 25 Years
• Jeffery Wood 25 Years
• Robert Barrett 30 Years

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Awards Presentation

• Public Works
• Traffic Engineering
• Leslie Cauthen 20 Years
• Utilities
• Customer Service
• Lowell Lawson 20 Years

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Employee Service Awards November 3, 2009