Employee Service Awards October 16, 2012 Board of County Commissioners Employee Service Awards

Employee Service AwardsEmployee Service AwardsOctober 16, 2012October 16, 2012

Board of County Board of County Commissioners Commissioners

Employee Service Employee Service AwardsAwards

County County AdministrationAdministration CommunicationsCommunications

• Judi was born in Ann Arbor, MI and was raised in Pensacola before moving to Orlando in 1988.

• She has a B.A. in communications from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College in VA and earned an A.S. in graphic design from Valencia College.

Judi K. Kerr 20 Years

• Judi was hired by Community Corrections in 1992 as a Life Skills Specialist.

• She was promoted to Social Worker at Health and Family Services, then joined the Citizen’s Commission for Children as a Marketing/Event Coordinator.

• In 2007, Judi came over to the Communication Division as Multimedia Special Projects Coordinator to oversee internal employee communications including the Orange Spiel.

Judi Kerr - 20 Years• Judi’s projects won NACIO Excellence Awards in 2003

and 2004 for Graphic Design and a Florida Image Award in 2004.

• She received a Distinguished Service Award for her work during the 2004 hurricane season and was honored at a Mayor’s Coffee for her work on the 2006 Avian Flu Summit.

• Judi was instrumental in the design and creation of the Spiel Extra website.

• She graduated from the OC Employee Academy in 2008, and is a member of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

• As a shutterbug, it’s not unusual to find Judi taking photos at various county functions.

Judi Kerr - 20 Years• Judi plays guitar, sings in the shower, goes to

concerts, dances and loves to shop!• She is a weekend rock star, and manager of her

own band: Neon Dream, which has entertained at various clubs and private events since 1999. *

CorrectionsCorrections Security Operations Security Operations

• Wynnette was born and raised in Orlando, graduated from Wymore Vo-Tech and has attended Valencia College and UCF.

Wynnette Bryant Hinkle 25 Years

• She was hired in 1987 to work with the Medical Department in the Main Facility at Corrections.

• Wynnette was transferred to the Administrative Department as a Clerical Specialist and is now an Administrative Specialist.

• She is a charter member of Club Orange Toastmasters.

Wynnette Hinkle – 25 Years• Wynnette is a certified Notary Public.• She earned a Distinguished Service Award for her

assistance during the hurricanes of 2004.• She has mentored at Cherokee and Richmond

Heights Schools, where she enjoys reading to the children.

• Wynnette has four children: Robbie, Rosilyn, Roberta, and Charles; 10 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

• Her hobbies include: Singing and traveling, especially cruising. *

Family Family ServicesServicesHead StartHead Start

• Khadija was born in Galveston, TX and moved to Central Florida in 1976.

• She graduated from Winter Park High School and UCF with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and a master’s degree in public administration.

Khadija Cynthia Pirzadeh - 20 Years

• Khadija was hired in 1992 to work with Community Affairs, was promoted to Community Social Worker, then to Research and Planning Specialist. She is now a Contract Administrator at Head Start.

Khadija Pirzadeh – 20 Years

• Khadija has earned numerous awards including: Grants Professional Network Excellence, Certificate of Appreciation as a volunteer with GPN Board of Directors, Manager’s Can Do and Head Start’s Conference and Scholarship Committee awards.

• She is committed to enhancing services for low-income children and families.

• In her spare time, she enjoys classic movies, reading, listening to music, culinary arts, singing Italian opera, dancing, Middle-Eastern politics, Islamic events and international travel.*

Fire RescueFire Rescue

Office of the Fire MarshalOffice of the Fire Marshal

• Verna was born in Jacksonville, moved to Orlando in 1983 where she graduated from Jones High School and attended Mid-Florida Tech and Valencia College.

Verna Denette Watson 20 Years

• She was hired in 1992 as an Administrative Specialist at Animal Services and was promoted to Dispatcher.

• She transferred to Fire Rescue as a Dispatcher I in 1996 and is currently a Municipal Fire Inspector in the Fire Marshal’s Office.

• She earned her Emergency Medical Dispatcher certification in 2006.

Verna Watson – 20 Years• Verna completed the Municipal Fire Inspector

Certification in 2000 and her EMT Certification in 2002. • She finalized fire safety plans for: - Darden Corporate Office (2009) - NBA All-Star Weekend (Jam-Fest-2012) - International Plastics Showcase Convention (2012)• Verna has three children: Dwayne, 21; and twins: Alexis

and Angel, 9 yrs.• She is an active member of St. Mark AME Church

where she is a choir and praise team member.• She has been the Fire Marshal’s Office United Way

Coordinator for 2 years and helps coordinate the Central Florida Hotel Lodging Association’s drive for Homeless Children. *

• Kim was born in North Vietnam, where she graduated from Van Hoc High School and attended Van Khoa college in Saigon.

Kim T. Nguyen 30 Years

• In 1975, her family fled the country and spent some time at an American Air Force Base in Thailand before entering the U.S.

• They were transferred to refugee camps in Guam and Arkansas before coming to Florida.

• Kim joined Orange County Social Services in 1982.

Kim Nguyen – 30 Years• Kim moved to the Orange County Fire Department

in 1987 as a Building Technician II.• She is currently a Permit Analyst at the Fire

Marshal’s Office.• Kim has been married to Vinh Dao for 41 years and

they have four children: Hung, who works for Lockheed Martin; Uyen and John, both doctors; and Diana, a regional manager in medical sales.

• Kim enjoys music, reading and cooking. She loves doing volunteer work and fundraising for Teresa Charities and Children’s Home of Nepal.

• She would like to express her gratitude for the warmth and generosity this country has provided her family. *

Fire RescueFire RescueOperationsOperations

• Robert was born in Weymouth, MA, moved to Boston, then to Orlando in 1986.

• He graduated from Silver Lake High School and Seminole Community College.

• He is a state certified Fire Officer, Fire Instructor, Incident Safety Officer, Vehicle Machinery Rescue Technician and Rope Technician.

Robert L. Wilcox- 25 Years

• Robert attended the National Fire Academy.• He was hired in 1987 to work Station 52.

Robert Wilcox – 25 Years• Robert has received 28 Letters of Commendation, a

few Unit Citations, the Fire Chief’s Award and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2006.

• He works at Station 54 (SeaWorld), has served as the Training Officer, and is now assigned to the East Side Bronto Truck 83 – the 114 foot aerial in Waterford Lakes.

• He is part of the team that sets up the Unified Command Class for the Fire Rescue Department and the Sheriff’s Office.

• Bob spends a lot of time with his friend Viviene and he has two children: Daina, and David.

• He loves sports, especially the Red Sox, Patriots, and the Bruins and playing the drums. *

• Tom was born in Seattle, WA, and moved to Orlando while in the 6th grade. He graduated from Bishop Moore High School and paramedic school in 1990.

• He was hired by Orange County in 1987.

Thomas D. Sawyer - 25 Years

• Tom became paramedic qualified in 1990, promoted to Engineer in 1994 and Lieutenant in 2003.

• His very first fire call resulted in a victim rescue at an apartment complex off of Orange Blossom Trail.

• Tom was awarded a Meritorious Service Award for his first responder duties at a fire in Avalon.

• He has worked at several fire stations and has served as a floating Engineer on the east side.

• Tom has served on the Diversity Committee and with the Boat Rescue Training Unit.

• He has been married to Lynn for 30 years and they have three children: Kristin, Becca, and Thomas Jr., who is also a Firefighter at Fire Rescue.

• In his spare time, Tom enjoys fishing, spending time with his grandson Thomas, BBQ or anything that involves cooking and some construction work.

Thomas Sawyer - 25 Years

*

• Jon was born in Anderson, IN and moved to Central Florida in 1986. He graduated from Hamilton Southeastern and Valencia College.

• He is a Special Operations/ Hazardous Materials Instructor.

Jon M. Haskett - 25 Years

• Jon was hired by Orange County in 1987 and assigned to Truck 66.

• He won the Fire Chief’s Award in 2007. • Jon was recognized for a special deployment to

Mississippi for the hurricane recovery effort.

Jon Haskett – 25 Years• Jon was on the crew recognized on “Good Morning

America” Segment for a sinkhole rescue in Apopka.• He has worked with stations 42, 50, 53, 66, 83,

squads 3 and 4 and battalion 10.• He has been a HazMat Team Member for 10 years

and helped develop the Surface Water Rescue Program.

• He was a “Back to Basics” Fire Instructor for 2009, a Wildland Fire Instructor, Recruit Instructor, Master Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Instructor with the State of Florida.

• John has been married to Alisa for 12 years and they have three children: Dax, Jessica, and Derik.

• In his spare time, Jon is a Cub Scout Leader.*

• Dennis was born in Hialeah and moved to Orlando in 1973. He graduated from Lyman High School and Seminole Community College.

• He is state certified as a Firefighter and EMT, as well as a Smoke Diver, Dive Master, and has a cavern certification.

Dennis E. Tillman Jr. - 30 Years

• Dennis started his fire career with the Deland Fire Department and was hired by Orange County in 1982.

• He was promoted to Engineer in 1989 and has worked at stations 81, 82, and 83.

Dennis Tillman Jr. – 30 Years• Dennis has received four Unit Citations, two in

connection with the 1987 and 1998 wildfires.• He has driven various engines, quints, truck ladder,

wood trucks, tankers, and squads.• He was a founder of the Station 83 quint.• Dennis has been married to Suzanne for 21 years

and they have two children: Matt, attending UCF; and Daniel, 18, who just graduated from Oviedo High School.

• In this spare time Dennis teaches Fire Safety at schools and he enjoys fishing, gardening, traveling, collecting guns and he especially likes cooking at the station. *

UtilitiesUtilities Customer ServiceCustomer Service

• Patty was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from Colonial High School.

• She was hired by Orange County in 1987 to work at the Convention Center.

Patricia Jane Spear - 25 Years

• Patty moved to Utilities as a Meter Reader I in 1990, promoted to Meter Reader II in 1991, Customer Account Analyst in 1997, Billing Specialist in 2001, and Utility Services Specialist in 2012.

Patricia Spear – 25 Years• Patty has worked as the Customer Service

Division’s subject matter expert for meter reading and field operations; the lead design and implementation team member for the Water Audit Program; lead for the Upgrade/Maintenance Itron Meter Reading Software Program and the lead for the implementation team for Syclo, a customer service mobile work program.

• She has been married to Dean for 23 years, and they have three children: Amber, 22; and twins: Dean and Danielle, 17.

• She loves Zumba and is pursuing her Microsoft Office Specialist Certification. *

• Isaiah was born in St. Petersburg and moved to Gainesville where he graduated from Gainesville High School. Isaiah came to Orlando in 1981.

• He joined Orange County in 1982 as a bus driver for Head Start.

Isaiah P. Dunbar - 30 Years

• Isaiah moved to Utilities and was promoted to Meter Reader I in 1985. He rose to Meter Reader II in 1986 and he’s now a Field Representative.

Isaiah Dunbar – 30 Years

• Isaiah won the Utilities Customer Service Twinkling Star Award in May 2012.

• He has been married to Annie for 28 years and they have three children: Penny, Christopher, and Andre and one granddaughter: Zandrea.

• Isaiah is very active with this church during his free time. *

UtilitiesUtilities Field ServicesField Services

• Willie was born in Winter Park and became a born again Christian in 1983.

• He was hired by Orange County in 1987 to work at Waste Water Pumping as an Equipment Operator II.

Willie Lemon - 25 Years

• Willie has been promoted several times and is currently an Equipment Operator IV.

• He is always willing to help his teammates and never fails to give 110% of himself.

Willie Lemon – 25 Years

• Willie has been married to Phyllis for 27 years and they have four children.

• In his spare time he loves to read and study the Word of God and teach Sunday School. *

• Walter was born in Pittsburgh, PA and moved to Central Florida in 1980.

• He graduated from Gateway High School and served in the Army for 3 years.

Walter S. Richards Jr. 30 Years

• Walter was hired in 1981 as an Equipment Operator II at the Water-Sewer Division.

• He holds a class “A” certification as an Wastewater Collection Technician and Operations Specialist and a class “C” Water Distribution Technician certificate.

Walter Richards Jr.– 30 Years• Walter was promoted to Equipment Operator III,

IV, Operations Specialist, Foreman II and is now a Senior Utilities Maintenance Coordinator.

• He has worked on the On-Site Mechanic program, VAC-On program and multiple equipment maintenance programs.

• His dad and uncle were involved with equipment in civil construction and mining.

• In his spare time, Walter enjoys fishing, going to the movies and spending time with his fiancée - Gladys.

• He volunteers his time delivering boxed food items to people at his church during the holidays. *

Awards Presentation

County AdministrationCommunications: • Judi K. Kerr 20 Years

CorrectionsSecurity Operations:• Wynnette Bryant Hinkle 25 Years

Awards Presentation

Family ServicesHead Start:• Khadija Pirzadeh 20 Years

Fire RescueOffice of the Fire Marshal:• Verna Watson 20 Years• Kim T. Nguyen 30 Years

Fire RescueOperations:• Robert Wilcox 25 Years• Thomas Sawyer 25 Years• Jon Haskett 25 Years• Dennis Tillman Jr. 30 Years

Awards Presentation

UtilitiesCustomer Service: • Patricia Spear 25 Years• Isaiah Dunbar 30 Years

Field Services:• Willie Lemon 25 Years• Walter Richards Jr. 30 Years

Awards Presentation

Employee Service AwardsEmployee Service AwardsOctober 16, 2012October 16, 2012