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