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Today's honorees are recognized for outstanding service and dedication in their respective departments. Learn about their accomplishments and years of service in this article.
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Employee Service Awards June 3, 2008
Board of County Commissioner’s Employee Service Awards • Today’s honorees are recognized for outstanding service and dedication.
Lona M. Fleming20 Years • Lona was born in Landstuhl, Germany, while her father served in the Air Force. • She graduated from Palatka High School and St. Johns River Community College. • Lona is a licensed Practical Nurse. • She was hired in 1988 to work in the Corrections Medical Department and successfully completed the Corrections Officer Academy.
Lona Fleming – 20 Years • Lona was promoted to Corporal in 1995. • She has received several team awards and special awards in suicide prevention. • Lona has helped rewrite policies and procedures. • She was assigned to the transition team for the grand opening of the new Booking & Release Center. • Lona has been married to James, who is retired from the military, for 7 years, and they have two sons, a daughter, and two grandchildren. • Lona’s favorite pastime is reading and singing. • She is also an active member of a non-profit Christian outreach ministry that teaches biblical principles and feeds the homeless. *
Renee Belinda Leonard-Blunt 20 Years • Renee was born in Lake Worth and moved to Orlando in 1988. • She graduated from Santa Fe Community College and the University of Florida. • Renee started her career with Orange County in 1988 working in the Corrections Medical Unit. • She has been promoted from RN to Nursing Unit Supervisor, to Director of Nurses in 2006.
Renee Leonard-Blunt – 20 Years • Renee has received several teamwork awards. • In 2001, she was transferred from Corrections to Health and Family Services. • She has been married to Bruce for 19 years, 11 months and they have three children: Bruce Jr., JeCory and Cadmar; and 2 twin, 7 month old grandsons. • In her spare time, Renee enjoys photography, church and family. *
Debra S. Kirby - 30 Years • Debra was born in Valdosta, GA and moved to Central Florida in 1978. • She graduated from Valdosta High School, and Valdosta State University. • Debra was hired in 1978 as a key punch operator in Orange County’s Data Center. • In 1979, she transferred to Great Oaks Village as a Youth Care Worker.
Debra Kirby – 30 Years • Debra was hired by Court Alternatives in 1983 and worked as a Probation Officer. • In 1996, she transferred to Pre-Trial Diversion and a year later, Debra was selected to help form the Pre-Trial Mental Health Unit. • Debra currently works with DUI offenders. • She has been married to Mike for 25 years and they have two children: Melanie, 23, who attends Hillsong International Leadership College in Sydney, Australia; and Kyle, 20, a sophomore at Samford University in Birmingham, AL on a football scholarship. • In her spare time, Debra enjoys reading, writing, working out, going to the beach, traveling and singing in the Baptist Sweetwater Oaks Choir. *
Bennie L. Watson - 25 Years • Bennie was born in Bartow, FL and moved to Central Florida in 1980. • He graduated from Bartow High School, Valencia Community College and Columbia College. He is currently attending Mountain State University, working toward a Master’s in Art and the Science of Leadership. • Bennie was hired by Corrections in 1983 and earned promotions to Corporal and Sergeant.
Bennie Watson – 25 Years • Bennie also served for 22 years in the Army Reserves as a Combat Medic. He retired in 2002. • He has been married to Wilhelmenia for 29 years and they have a son, Bennie Jr., 22 and a daughter, Monae Dionne, 19, who’s at UCF. • In his spare time, Bennie enjoys fishing & golf and he supports the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs. *
Joseph C. Washington - 20 Years • Joe was born and raised in Orlando. • He graduated from Oak Ridge High School and the University of Phoenix. • Joe served for 4 years in the Air Force. • He was hired by Orange County in 1988, was promoted to Lieutenant in 1993 and appointed Acting Division Chief in Safety & Risk in 2000. Joe is currently the Battalion Chief for Safety & Wellness.
Joe Washington – 20 Years • Joe has many accomplishments, including: * Developing and implementing inventory control and records request tracking systems. * Obtaining a hazard mitigation grant for $268K to purchase station hurricane shutters. * Chairing the Orange County Vehicle Requirement Utilization Committee. * Coordinating the implementation of an accountability system for emergency incidents. * Re-Developing the Fire Department Newsletter. * Coordinating the opening of 7 new Fire Stations. * Winning two NACO Awards for the Wellness Program and Mobile Fitness Unit. * Coordinating the implementation of Incumbent Physical Ability Testing for current firefighters. * Joe is scheduled to begin the National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program this fall.
Joe Washington – 20 Years • Joe is currently on Orange County’s Risk Committee and he serves on the Board of Directors for the Goldenrod Area Chamber of Commerce. • He is married to Melissa and they have three children: Joseph, Barry and Brandon and a grandson: Julius. • In his spare time, Joe enjoys watching sports, preferably… *
Rita R. Brothers - 25 Years • Rita was born and raised in Orlando, graduated from Bishop Moore High School and the University of Central Florida. • Rita came to Orange County in 1982 as an original hire on the Convention Center team. • She worked at the new Convention Center for 2 years before moving to Corrections.
Rita Brothers – 25 Years • Rita worked at Corrections for 16 years and has been with Fire Rescue for 7 more. • She has been certified as a Professional in Human Resources since 1998. • Rita has been married to Pete for 18 years and they have one child: Burke. • Rita loves to travel. She has visited 25 different countries to date. She also loves to read. • She has donated her hair to the Beautiful Lengths program that provides wigs to cancer patients. *
Jay Brian Morrow - 20 Years • Jay was born in Pottstown, PA and moved to Central Florida in 1985. • He graduated from Spring Ford High School and Loch Haven University in PA. • Jay was hired in 1988 by Orange County Fire Rescue. • He has served as Program Manager at the Central Florida Firefighter Academy and is a member of IFSTA Development Council.
Jay Morrow – 20 Years • Jay was Captain of the Friendship Fire Company in Pennsylvania for 4 years. • He was promoted to the rank of Battalion Chief with Orange County 4 years ago. • Jay has a 13 year old daughter, Kelsey, who attends St. Charles Middle School. • His hobbies include sports & travel. He especially likes attending Navy Football games. *
John F. Duke - 20 Years • John was born and raised in Orlando and graduate from Oak Ridge High School. He attended Valencia Community College and Rollins College. • John was hired in 1988 and promoted to Engineer in 2004.
John Duke - 20 Years • John received a special Fire Chief’s Award last year for work that he did on the EMS Supply program. • He has been married to Heather for 19 years and they have three children: Rebecca, 16; Madison, 12; and Daniel, 9. • In his spare time, John enjoys sailing, surfing, fishing, and working on computers. *
Douglas F. Oliver - 20 Years • Doug was born in Miami and moved to Orlando in 1988. • He graduated from Miami Norland High and Miami Dade College. • Doug was hired by Orange County in 1988. • He has worked at stations 40, 29, 64, 54, 41 and 27.
Doug Oliver – 20 Years • Doug was promoted to Engineer in 2003. • In his spare time, Doug spends as much time as possible with his father fishing. *
Gary L. Brannock - 20 Years • Gary was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Apopka in 1968. • He graduated from Apopka High School and attended Lake County Vo-Tech when he earned his firefighter and EMT Standards. • Gary was hired by Orange County in 1988 and started at Station 73. • He was transferred to Station 71, and has been in Battalion One ever since.
Gary Brannock – 20 Years • Gary has been married to Mimi for 23 years and they have 3 children: Marla, 18 who attends Seminole Community College; Hillary, 16; and Chase, 14, both attending Pine Ridge High School. • On his days off, Gary enjoys spending time on the water, fishing and with his family. *
Marlin Ellis - 20 Years • Marlin was born and raised in Orlando. • He lived in the Lockhart area until his teen years, then moved to Forest City. • He graduated from Lake Brantley High School. • Marlin was hired by Orange County in 1988 from Leesburg Fire Rescue. • He graduated from the paramedic program in 1990.
Marlin Ellis – 20 Years • Marlin worked at Station 36, and in 1994 he entered the Chase Medical Helicopter Program. • In 2003, he was promoted to Engineer and in 2004 to Lieutenant. • He currently serves at Station 55. • Marlin has two children: Joshua, and Lindsey and one grandson, Hagen. • Marlin enjoys fishing and boating and he’s active in union activities. *
Joseph L. Silvestris - 20 Years • Joe was born in Rochester, NY & moved to Central Florida when he was 6 months old. • He graduated from Evans High School. • A friend talked him into looking into the fire department as a career. Joe took one EMT course and was hooked. • He was hired in 1988 as assigned to the South Side of Orange County. • Joe‘s career goals included becoming a Paramedic on FireStar and to be a Battalion Chief.
Joe Silvestris – 20 Years • After becoming a paramedic, Joe was transferred to Station 50 and trained to be a Special Operations Technician on Squad One. • In 2002, he was promoted to Lieutenant and in 2004 to Battalion Chief. • He is now the Special Operations Chief. • Joe has received numerous commendations, including the Distinguished Meritorious Award for assisting a family during the Winter Garden Tornadoes. • He has also saved many victims of house fires and rescued a child from an apartment fire just prior to being promoted to Battalion Chief. • Joe has been married to his high school sweetheart for 20 years and they have three sons: Alex, Brandon, and Camden. • Joe loves waking his 16 year up every weekday to go to the gym with him. *
Michael J. Farides - 20 Years • Michael was born in Hempstead, New York and moved to Florida in 1984. • He graduated from Each Meadow High School, Pasco/Hernando County Community College and the University of Phoenix. • Mike was hired by the Garden City Fire Department in 1980 and the Northwest Hernando Fire District in 1986, before joining Orange County Fire Rescue in 1988.
Mike Farides – 20 Years • Mike was initially assigned to Truck 42, and was transferred to Engine 42, 30, 31, 53 and 50. • He is currently assigned as an Incident Command Technician and is in charge of personnel accountability on fire scenes. • In his spare time, Mike enjoys boating and water sports. • The worst moment of his career was searching for two brother firefighters at the Palm Parkway Fire. • His best moment has been every day since. *
Carrie Beth Allard - 20 Years • Carrie was born in Worcester, Massachusetts and moved to Orlando in 1973. • She graduated from Boone High School and Valencia Community College. • She was hired by Orange County in 1988 as a dispatcher. • Carrie became a dispatch trainer in 1991, promoted to Assistant Supervisor in 2000 and is currently the Acting Supervisor for “B” Shift.
Carrie Allard – 20 Years • Carrie is a member of the peer-to-peer CISM Team and she is EMT and EMD Certified. • In 1988, her mother Jean Page, who works in Growth Management, told Carrie about a great opportunity in Fire Rescue Dispatching. • She has received numerous Letters of Commendation, Recognitions and Meritorious Pins. • Her best career achievement was the successful training of other dispatchers over the years. • Carrie has enjoyed making a difference for the citizens of Orange County and helping people through the 911 System. • She has been married to Bob, a EMS Chief in Titusville, for 10 years and they have three children: Megan, Rob and Hanna. • Carrie’s hobbies include: watching the Red Sox, attending musical performances by Rob, cruising, reading, writing and any craft involving painting or yarn. *
Dawn M. Ober - 30 Years • Dawn was born in Michigan and moved to Central Florida when she was 6 months old. • She graduated from DeLand High School. • Dawn was hired by the Conway Fire Department in 1978. • She has worked in dispatch for several significant events, such as the 1998 wildfires, the hurricanes of 2004 and the tornadoes that struck Winter Garden.
Dawn Ober – 30 Years • Dawn was promoted to supervisor in 1999. • She has also earned certification as an EMT. • She has one daughter: Katie. • In her spare time, Dawn enjoys crafts, playing on the computer and spending time with family and friends. *
Larry T. Davis - 30 Years • Larry was born in Baltimore, MD and moved to Central Florida in 1978. • He graduated from Essex Community College and LeMillet School for Commercial Arts. • Larry started with Orange County in the Planning Department as a Planning Aide. • He was promoted to Graphic Supervisor and then transferred to the Housing and Community Development Division as a Community Development Assistant.
Larry Davis – 30 Years • Larry currently works a Project Coordinator, and serves on numerous planning committees, including: Education and Media Committee for the Coalition for a Drug Free Community; Transportation and Mobility 20/20; “Our Children’s Legacy”; and many more. • He is member of the Masonic, and Scottish Rite Lodges. • Larry has won several awards including: Employee’s Choice Award, Employee of the Month and Quarter, and Chairman’s Award. • Larry has been married to Carolyn for 35 years and they have two daughters: Heather and Stephanie; and 2 grandsons: Austin and Alex. • Larry’s hobbies include: deep sea fishing, photography, golf, playing the congas, island music, the beach and spending time with family and friends. *
Roy A. Zarefoss - 20 Years • Roy was born in Milwaukee, WI and moved to Central Florida when he was 2. • He graduated from Colonial High School and has earned an Associate’s Degree in Water Distribution. • He served in the Army for four years. • Roy was hired by Water Distribution in 1988.
Roy Zarefoss – 20 Years • Roy spent 12 years in Water Distribution and he was a Pubic Works Inspector for 6 years. He is now working in Water Reclamation. • Roy helped with the conversion of the old laboratory at Eastern Wastewater Facility into office space for the East-West Transmission split. • He has been married to Gloria for 25 years and they have two sons: Roy Jr., and Ryan. • Roy’s hobbies include: Boating, fishing, water skiing and wood working. *
Dennis G. Knight - 20 Years • Dennis was born in Clarksburg, WV and moved to Central Florida in 1959. • He graduated from Winter Park High School, Valencia Community College and he’s attended UCF. • Dennis was hired in 1987 to work in the Utilities Customer Service Division as a Meter Reader. • He was promoted to Customer Service Field Representative and Senior Field Representative.
Dennis Knight – 20 Years • Dennis has been recognized numerous times for Outstanding Customer Service. • He has been married to Diane for 25 years. • They have one daughter: Jennifer, who works for a plastic surgeon. • In his spare time, Dennis enjoys boating and volunteering with his church youth group. *
Awards Presentation Corrections In-Custody Support: • Lona Fleming 20 Years Health Services: • Renee Leonard-Blunt 20 Years Community Corrections: • Debra Kirby 30 Years
