Employee Service AwardsEmployee Service AwardsDecember 17, 2013December 17, 2013

Board of County Board of County Commissioner’sCommissioner’s

Today’s honorees are recognized for Today’s honorees are recognized for outstanding service and dedicationoutstanding service and dedication

Administrative Administrative ServicesServices

Fleet ManagementFleet Management

• Sandra was born in Dover, New Jersey and moved to Central Florida in 1977.

• She graduated from Newton High School and has attended the Florida Fire College for fire inspection.

Sandra L. Lyons 20 Years

• Sandra was hired in 1993 in Fleet Management where she started as a parts runner.

• She was promoted to Data Entry Clerk, Fleet Management Specialist, Fiscal Coordinator, and is now the Warehouse Supervisor.

• Sandra feels her biggest accomplishment has been rising through the ranks in a job traditionally filled by men.

Sandra Lyons - 20 Years

• Sandra was greatly involved in the 2004 Hurricane recovery efforts. She ordered every possible supply item needed by the Community Action Response Teams.

• She has been married to Joseph for 37 years (a retired County employee) and they have four children: Theresa, Laurie, Ruthie and Joey.

• In her spare time, Sandra takes part in Civil War re-enactments with the Third Maine Civil War Unit.

• She loves to go on cruises and has been to Honduras, Belize, Mexico and Costa Maya.

• In her spare time, she volunteers with CARE, a cat rescue unit. *

• James was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from Evans High School.

• He was originally hired by the Sheriff’s Office in 1973, and in 1976 the Fleet Maintenance Unit moved under Orange County.

James A. Justice 40 Years

• James holds an Emergency Vehicle Technician certification.• He was hired as a mechanic, has filled in for the Shop

Foreman, and in 2005 promoted to Emergency Support Coordinator.

• James is on the 24-hour service team for the Fire Department’s Rescue Unit vehicles and Fleet’s emergency generator.

James A. Justice - 40 Years

• James was deployed for two weeks in Mississippi for Hurricane Katrina under the State’s Mutual Aid Agreement.

• He has been with Sherry for 16 years, and has twin boys: Jimmy and Jeff; and one grandson: Hutch.

• In his spare time, he enjoys drag racing, playing golf, and spending time with his family. *

CorrectionsCorrections

Community Corrections Community Corrections

• Reuben was born in Jersey City, NJ, attended Tidewater Community College, St. Leo’s College, and Florida Southern.

• He served in the US Navy for 20 years, and is a retired Senior Chief Operations Specialist.

Reuben Leon Smith 20 Years

• Reuben was hired by Orange County Corrections in 1993 as a Substance Abuse Counselor, promoted to Community Corrections Officer, and has facilitated critical and behavior modification courses.

Reuben Smith – 20 Years• Reuben was promoted to Community Surveillance Intake

Officer in 1994.• He has held many positions, including: Program

Coordinator, Classification/Case Management Unit Manager, Vocational Placement Counselor, Probation Officer, Drug Testing Officer, and is a Certified Hostage Negotiator.

• Reuben was awarded two Community Corrections Orange Awards for the Local Jail Incarceration Program.

• Reuben has been married to Mildred for 37 years and they have two children: Amanda and Christopher.

• In his spare time, Reuben enjoys reading, bowling, billiards, basketball, and coaching. *

• Beverly was born in Ft. Pierce and moved to Orlando in 1963.

• She graduated from Jones High School and attended Valencia Community College.

Beverly Denise Holmes 25 Years

• In 1988, she was hired as an Administrative Specialist in the Community Corrections Division.

• In 1991, she was promoted to Community Corrections Aide.

• She has worked as a Security Officer since receiving her license in 1993.

Beverly Holmes - 25 Years

• Beverly has also earned her Real Estate License and a certification with H & R Block to prepare taxes.

• She has been married to Richard for 27 years, and they have one son: Robert, a DeVry University graduate.

• Beverly enjoys cruising, traveling to exotic countries and experiencing different cultures and foods.

• She also enjoys writing poetry and reading romance novels. *

CorrectionsCorrections

Security OperationsSecurity Operations

• Roberto was born in Havana, Cuba and moved to Florida in 1970 and graduated from Winter Park High School.

Roberto Cruz Jr. 20 Years

• He enlisted in the US Army in 1982 and served with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, and 2nd Armored Unit until 1986.

• He earned the Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct, and Overseas Service ribbon.

Roberto Cruz – 20 Years• Roberto was hired by Orange County Corrections in

1993.• He has been a member of the Honor Guard,

Security Threat Group, and has served as a Field Training Officer, Fire Arms Instructor, and presently on the Jail Perimeter and Hospital team.

• He has received numerous team work awards and letters of achievement.

• Roberto has been married to Sally for 13 years, and they have one son: Matthew, 9 years old.

• His hobbies include: volunteering with his church, collecting fire arms and rare coins and currency, and studying World War II history.

*

• Tracey was born and raised in Orlando, graduated from Jones High School, and attended Valencia Community College.

Tracey Y. Fortune 20 Years

• She received her Corrections Certification from Lake County Vo-Tech.

• Tracey was hired in 1993 as a Control Desk Monitor and worked in the Main Facility and Horizons.

• In 1995, she was promoted to Youth Care Officer and worked at the Juvenile Assessment Center.

• Tracey was promoted in 1997 to Corrections Officer.• In 2008, she transferred to the Whitcomb Facility

overseeing the inmate workers.• She currently works in Genesis with the GED and

Life Skills Programs.• Tracey received special recognition for saving two

youth offenders from committing suicide and numerous other awards throughout her career.

• She has been married to Rosevelt for 27 years and they have three children: Terralynn, Rahmad, and Roshard.

• Tracey enjoys reading, volunteering as a Team Mom for her son’s football team, and spending quality time with her family.

Tracey Fortune - 20 Years

*

• Alfred was born and raised in Orlando, graduated from West Orange High School and served in the US Army.

Alfred Forenzo Watts 25 Years

• He is a graduate of the Criminal Justice Institutes’ 31st recruitment class and received the Board of Trustee’s Award.

• In 1988, he was hired to work in E-Building of the Main Facility.

• Alfred was later assigned to the Main Facility Pods to oversee the juvenile population.

• Alfred has also worked the A-Shift, D-Building, Phoenix, and today serves on the Perimeter Security Team on the A-2 Squad.

• He has received several Team Work Awards, Meritorious Service Awards, and commendations for excellence performance.

• Alfred is a certified Master Correctional Officer and serves in the Department’s Honor Guard Unit.

• He is also an Assistant Public Information Officer and has completed the FDLE Public Information Officer Course.

• Alfred has been married to Forrester for 20 years, and they have two children: Ashton, Alston, and niece Shatreka.

• In his spare time, Alfred has served as a mentor, coach, and defensive coordinator of the West Orange Wildcats.

• He is currently assisting the Ocoee Bulldogs Pop Warner Football Association and enjoys playing golf.

Alfred Watts - 25 Years

*

Family ServicesFamily Services

Head StartHead Start

• Colette was born in Terrytown, GA and moved to Central Florida in 1973.

• She graduated from Jones High School, Columbia College, and is working on a master’s at Capella University for a degree in Mental Health Counseling.

Colette Renee Johnson-Thomas 20 Years

• She was initially hired by Orange County in 1993 to work in Head Start’s Health Unit where she was responsible for testing the children’s vision, dental health, and blood pressure.

Colette Johnson-Thomas – 20 Years• Colette was transferred to the Head Start Social Services Unit

where she assisted parents in finding employment and educational services.

• She was promoted to Senior Community Services Worker in the Disabilities Unit and is currently a Senior Community Services Supervisor.

• She has assisted with the Completed Incredible Years Parenting Program that services families through Head Start and Corrections.

• Colette is the co-founder of the Lady Ambassadors Mentoring Program which focuses on helping 4th and 5th grade girls get ready for Middle School.

• She has three children: Shamella, Lorenzo, Jai, and one granddaughter: Ahri.

• Colette’s hobbies include: Playing basketball, running, speed walking, reading, and playing with her granddaughter.

*

• Diana was born in Barbados, West Indies, and moved to Orlando in 1993 after living in London and New York.

Diana A. Lashley 20 Years

• She graduated from Queens College, the School of Nursing in King Edward Memorial Hospital, London and Columbia College.

• Diana is a State Registered Nurse in England, Wales, New York, and Florida.

• She was hired by Orange County in 1993 to work in the Community Affairs Department.

Diana Lashley – 20 Years

• Diana was responsible for rewriting all health policies and procedures for the Head Start Medical, Dental and Health Services Unit.

• She completed the Orange County Supervisory Development Program.

• Diana has one daughter: Dr. Claudia Debois.• In her spare time she enjoys reading, crossword

puzzles, brain teasers, relaxing on the beach, and is interested in health and wellness related information. *

Fire RescueFire Rescue

Planning and Technical Planning and Technical

ServicesServices

• Bill was born in Harrodsburg, KY, he moved to Orlando in 1953 and graduated from Evans High School.

William R. Bonta Jr. 30 Years

• He was hired by Orange County Community Affairs in 1983 under a grant program.

• Bill believes his ability to type 104 words per minute helped him secure a job as a Clerk Typist to work at the Lake Beauty Drive Center, where he worked for 15 months.

• He was then transferred to the Fire Department to work as a Supply Clerk.

William Bonta – 30 Years• Bill was promoted to Store Keeper, Supply Expediter, and

Supply Supervisor.• At the age of 57, Bill returned to school to obtain a Fire

Inspector Certificate.• He attended Florida State Fire College in Ocala and was

hired as an inspector in 2007.• Bill has been married to Myra, who works in Code

Enforcement, for 40 years.• They have three children: Jason, David, and Allison, and four

grandchildren.• Bill’s hobbies include refinishing and upholstering furniture,

and MANY church activities—he says: “I can’t blow any whistles as God gets all the glory!”

• Bill is currently in the DROP program and will retire in 2 ½ years. *

UtilitiesUtilities

Customer ServiceCustomer Service

• Daniel was born in Hesperia, Michigan and moved to Central Florida in 1988.

• He graduated from Valencia Community College with an associate’s degree in Legal Aid.

Daniel W. Vlas 25 Years

• Daniel served in the US Army for 21 years and has traveled to numerous locations in Europe and Asia.

• He was hired by Utilities as a Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator in 1988.

• Dan was transferred the same year to Customer Service where he now serves as a Customer Service Coordinator.

Daniel Vlas – 25 Years

• Dan was selected as a core member of the CIS Team for the upgrade to the Customer Information and Services Billing application.

• He has been married to Tatyana for 13 years and he has two children: Jeffrey and Jamie, and one granddaughter, Sarah.

• Dan loves to travel and fish, and works around the house. *

• Guy was born in Honolulu and moved to Central Florida in 1975.

• He graduated from Lake Howell High School.

Guy L. Fowkes 25 Years

• Guy was hired in 1988 to work in the Storm Water Drainage Department and transferred to the Utilities Department in 1994 where he worked as a Meter Reader.

• He was promoted to Senior Meter Reader in 1996, and to Customer Service Field Representative in 2005.

Guy Fowkes – 25 Years• Guy completed the Supervisory Development

program in 2004.• Over the course of his time with Orange County,

Guy has been instrumental in the training of new staff members and has participated in several pilot programs including the Field Order Management System for the Automated Meter Reading System.

• Guy has a fox terrier named Stella, loves to surf, workout, and enjoys the outdoors.

• He has traveled to Napa Valley, Costa Rica, Spain, Germany, France, and Italy. *

• Sharrow was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from Jones High School.

• She is currently attending Valencia Community College.

Sharrow Katrina Fullwood 25 Years

• Sharrow was initially hired as an Administrative Assistant to work in Utilities’ Customer Service Division in 1988.

• She was promoted from Account Assistant Supervisor to Account Supervisor in 2004.

• She was awarded Employee of the Month in June 1993.

• Sharrow was given the STAR performer award in Spring 2013 with Utilities.

• She was on Valencia’s Dean list for Spring 2013.• Sharrow has three children: Portia, 30, April 29,

and Kayla, 24; and two grandchildren: Jonathan, 10, and Justice 5.

• In her spare time, Sharrow enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and helping as an Administrative Assistant at her church.

Sharrow Fullwood – 25 Years

*

Awards PresentationAdministrative ServicesFleet Management:• Sandra Lyons 20 Years• James Justice 40 Years

Corrections:Community Corrections: • Reuben Smith 20 Years• Beverly Holmes 25 Years

Awards PresentationCorrections:Security Operations: • Roberto Cruz 20 Years• Tracey Fortune 20 Years• Alfred Watts 25 Years

Family Services:Head Start: • Colette Johnson-Thomas 20 Years• Diana Lashley 20 Years

Awards PresentationFire Rescue:Planning and Technical Support:• Bill Bonta Jr. 30 Years

Utilities:Customer Service:• Daniel Vlas 25 Years• Guy Fowkes 25 Years• Sharrow Fullwood 25 Years

Employee Service AwardsEmployee Service AwardsDecember 17, 2013December 17, 2013