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Recognition ceremony for exemplary long-standing employees: Christie Ann “Carol” Vahedian, Yvonne C. Matos, Reginald H. Crawford, Bobby J. Scott
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Employee Service Awards December 4, 2007
Board of County Commissioner’s Employee Service Awards • Today’s honorees are recognized for outstanding service and dedication:
Christie Ann “Carol” Vahedian - 20 Years • Christie, who goes by the name Carol, was born in Sioux Falls, SD and moved to Central Florida in the ’60’s. • Her dad had a small café a block away from the original Ron Jon’s Surf Shop. • Carol graduated from East Central University in Ada, OK. • After graduation, she was certified for Medical Records and Hospital Management.
Carol Vahedian – 20 Years • Carol was hired in 1987 to work at the Orange County Convention Center as a Clerical Support Typist. She was promoted to Secretary and Administrative Assistant. • In 1997, she became Event Staff/Security Coordinator. • Carol has completed the Supervisory Development Program. • In 1988, she started the first orientation class for casual labor personnel. • Carol has been married for 28 years to Mohammad, and they have two children: Ashley, 24, and Amelia, 20. • In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, water sports, movies, reading, and gardening. • She also enjoys helping the seniors in her subdivision. *
Yvonne C. Matos - 20 Years • Yvonne was born in the Bronx, graduated from Rockaway High School and attended Lehman Community College. • She was hired by Orange County Corrections in 1987 as a Correctional Officer. • Yvonne was originally assigned to Orlando Annex. • She has worked at the Main Facility, Horizon and Whitcomb. • In 1991, she was promoted to Corporal and transferred to the Whitcomb Complex B-Shift.
Yvonne Matos – 20 Years • In 1994, Yvonne requested re-assignment to the Orlando Annex Shift A. • In 1995, she coordinated the development of a female orientation process, testing and assessment. • Since 1996, Yvonne took on added responsibilities as the complex Law Library Officer, Disciplinary Review Officer and Juvenile Tour Coordinator. • From 2001 to 2003, Yvonne served on the Department Security Threat Group, which gathers information on active gang affiliation/recruitment within Orange County. • She collects data on gang members and files reports with the Threat Group. • Yvonne was selected for the Department Master Correctional Officer Program.
Yvonne Matos – 20 Years • Yvonne has won several awards: • Teamwork Award for Hispanic Heritage Month. • Certificate of Appreciation for Orange TV presentations on “Female Inmate Population.” • Teamwork Award for United Way Campaign. • Yvonne is also a certified Fire Safety and Sanitation Officer and she has trained in “Interview and Interrogation Techniques.” • She has two daughters and two grandchildren. • She enjoys her Vespa Scooter, Kung Fu, Tai Chi and Chi-gong. • Her twin sister, Carmen, is also a Correctional Officer, and her daughter, Marianne, is a Detention Service Officer. *
Reginald H. Crawford - 20 Years • Reginald was born and raised in Orlando. He graduated from Jones High School and Bethune Cookman College. • He was hired by Corrections in 1987 to work at the Main Facility. • He has received numerous awards including: Division & Department Employee of the Month; Certificate of Appreciation; Teamwork Awards. He also got his photo in the American Corrections Association Magazine for an article on “Women in Corrections.”
Reginald Crawford – 20 Years • Reginald was promoted to Corporal in 2001 and Sergeant in 2005. • He has also served as a Training and Probation Officer. • He has been married to Evelyn for 13.5 years, and they have three children: LaRhonda, Jennifer and Christian; and one grandson, Jordan. *
Bobby J. Scott - 20 Years • Bobby was born in Tuskegee, Alabama, where his parents were sharecroppers. • He moved to Apopka when he was six years old. • Bobby attended Phyllis Wheatley High School and graduated from Apopka High School. He was one of the first African-Americans to graduate with a basketball scholarship to Lake - Sumter Community College. • He worked for one year with the Eatonville Fire Department before joining Orange County’s Fire Rescue Department in 1987.
Bobby Scott – 20 Years • Bobby has received several merit and citizen awards during his career. • He worked his first 15 years at fire stations in Goldenrod, Bithlo and Christmas. • He now works at Stations 28 & 29 in Apopka where he strives to make a difference in the community. • Bobby has been married for more than 20 years to Sheron, a teacher at Princeton Elementary School. • Their children have grown and moved away, but they are raising two grandchildren: Ke’Shawn, 13 and Jada, 12. • Bobby is an avid Magic fan, and enjoys volunteering with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life. • He is also an officer and active member of the St. Paul A.M.E. Church where he serves on the Finance Committee and Stewardship Board. He is Chairman of the Sons of Allen men’s ministry. • His goal is to set a positive example for all local minorities. *
Boyd Dean Smith - 30 Years • Dean was born and raised in Virginia. • After a 30 year career at the District Nine Medical Examiner’s Office, Dean says he’ll be retiring soon. • He spent three years in the Army with a Hercules anti-aircraft missile battery and was successful in keeping Virginia Beach from being attached by enemy aircraft.
Dean Smith – 30 Years • After the Army, Dean moved to Florida to work as an attendant in a funeral home. • He was hired in 1977 as one of three investigators, who worked 24 hours on and 48 hours off. • Once, when he applied for credit at a local store, the store called the M E’s Office to verify his employment. Someone told the store no one named “Dean” worked there. Dean thought he’d been fired only to find out that his coworkers knew him as “Boyd,” not Dean. • Dean has held various positions at the M E’s Office and he is an Associate Member of the National Association of Medical Examiners and a member of the Florida Medical Examiner’s Association. • He has received thanks from many Orange County families who appreciated his assistance and concern after the death of a loved one. • Dean has been married to Judy for 41 years and they have a son, Clay. They are grandparents of two kids: Haley, and Kody and there’s one more on the way. • Upon retirement, Dean plans to play golf and enjoy more time with his grandchildren. *
Francis L. Lewis - 20 Years • Frank was born in Worcester, MA and moved to Central Florida in 1968. • He served in the Marines for four years. • Frank was hired by Public Works Engineering in 1987 as a sign installer. • After just 3 months on the job, Frank was promoted to Foreman and transferred to the Thermo Crew, where he has worked for 20 years.
Frank Lewis – 20 Years • Frank has achieved certification in liquefied gas, traffic safety and the Rollins College Leadership Program. • He has received the Employee of the Month Award 12 times and won Employee of the Year in 1989. • Frank has worked on several projects including: Convention Center speed zone markings and projects with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. • He has been married to Elizabeth for 10 years. • He has three children: Cheryl, Robert and Edward. • In his free time, Frank enjoys fishing and restoring cars. *
Joseph Jackson - 20 Years • Joe was born in Midway, AL and graduated from Union Springs High School. • He was hired in 1987 to work for the Traffic Engineering Department as a Maintenance Person I in the Sign Shop. • He has been promoted to Level 1 and 2 as a Paint Crew Member and was the Crew Leader for the Paint Crew. He is currently on the Thermo Plastic Crew.
Joe Jackson – 20 Years • Joe was part of the crew that changed all the street signs in Eatonville. • He has two children: Chanelle, 29; and Courtney, 19. • In his spare time, Joe enjoys… *
Michael S. Watts - 20 Years • Mike was born in Norristown, PA and graduated from North Penn High School. • He served for four years in the Air Force in Panama, Central and South America. • He was hired in 1987 to work with the MSTU Section of Public Works. • He has completed the Rollins College Supervisory Training Program and many Federal Emergency Management Agency emergency response courses.
Mike Watts – 20 Years • Mike has held many positions including: Maintenance Person, Equipment Operator, Drainage Foreman for the Drainwell and Pump Station. He is now the MSTU Senior Foreman with a team of 30. • Mike is a youth football and track coach in Winter Park. • He has also served as the Central Coordinator for the AAU Track and Field Event. • Mike has been married to Maxine for 16 years and he has two children: Alan and Willie. • Mike loves to travel with his wife, fish, and attend sporting events, especially when his son was playing football at Ole Miss and Illinois State. • He has been a United Way Coordinator and key player in the GOV fundraisers for the MSTU Section. • Mike takes pride in always doing whatever it takes to help others. *
Ralyne E. Westenhofer - 35 Years • Ralyne was born in Maryland and raised in Michigan. • She graduated from Detroit College of Business and attended Wayne State and Michigan State Universities, where she studied music. • Ralyne was hired in 1972 as a Secretary II in the Engineering Department. • In 1974, she was promoted to Secretary III and reclassified to Administrative Secretary. • In 1991, she was reclassified to Executive Assistant. • Ralyne’s entire career has been in Public Works and she has worked for five directors: Tom Hastings, George Cole, Ajit Lalchandani, Bill Baxter and Mark Massaro.
Ralyne Westenhofer – 35 Years • Ralyne joined the Central Florida Genealogical and Historical Society in 1977 and she has served as an officer for 22 years, including two as President. • She has been a member of Florida Women in Government for 30 years and was honored with the President’s Member of the Year Award in 2003. • She is the first person from Orange County Government to serve as President. She is currently their Immediate Past-President, Historian and Newsletter Editor. • Ralyne has played for several seasons with the Volusia Community Band and the Orange County Community Band. • She joined a social club to learn ballroom dancing and has won a number of trophies. • She was instrumental in tutoring Public Works personnel to earn their GED. • Ralyne has baked as many as 25 dozen cookies during the holidays for bake sales.
Ralyne Westenhofer – 35 Years • Ralyne has been the point person at Public Works for all Great Oaks Village fund raisers. • She completed the Rollins College Leadership Program in 2001 and a special writing course for Engineers through the American Society of Civil Engineers. • Her love of genealogy has taken her across the United States and Canada researching in libraries, attending conferences, and stomping through cemeteries. • In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, reading, writing, poetry, and baking. • Her brother Lee and sister-in-law Sharon are here today to congratulate Ralyne for her 35 years of service with Orange County Government. *
Mark A. Robinson - 20 Years • Mark was born and raised in Orlando. • He graduated from Edgewater High School and Valencia Community College. • In 1987, he joined Orange County’s Wastewater Division as a Maintenance Person II. • He has been promoted to Operator Trainee, Operator IC/IB/IA and Plant Specialist I, II & III. • Mark is a member of the “Orange Crush” Operation’s Challenge Team that recently competed in the National Operations Challenge.
Mark Robinson – 20 Years • Mark has worked his entire 20 years in Water Reclamation. • He has been married to Kimberle for 19 years and they have six children: Mark Jr., 21, who attends East Carolina University, is a senior on a football scholarship; Trinity, 18, who attends Prairie View A&M, is a freshman on a basketball scholarship; Loren, 17, and Andre, 15, attend Lyman High School; and Morgan, 13, and Xavier, 12, attend Markham Woods Middle School. • Mark enjoys fishing, basketball and attending his children’s football and basketball games. *
Christina R. Beatham - 25 Years • Chris was born in Stuttgart, Germany and moved to Central Florida in 1980. • She graduated from the Village of Armada, MI. • She was hired in 1982 as the first female engineer for Utilities. • She has been promoted several times: Engineer II, Project Coordinator, Assistant to the Director, Acting Construction Division Manager and she is currently the Assistant Project Manager.
Chris Beatham – 25 Years • Chris served a member of the team that developed the County’s Wellness Program. She was the Utilities Department Representative for the Chairman Chapin Targeted Community Initiatives in Bithlo, Winter Garden, South Apopka, and Taft areas. • Chris created the Utilities Sewer Assessment Program. • She was one of the original members of the County’s Contingency Group that trained in Mt. Weather. • Chris was instrumental in guiding the creation of ESF-20 during emergency activations. • She implemented the County’s Lakes and Wetlands Monitoring Program to support water consumption. • She has been with Alan, her life partner, for 30 years. • Her outside interests include: Gardening, cooking, photography, reading, traveling (especially to National Parks), and enjoying her Shetland sheepdog and cat. *
Awards Presentation Convention Center Sales and Events: • Carol Vahedian 20 Years Corrections In-Custody Security: • Yvonne Matos 20 Years • Reginald H. Crawford 20 Years
Awards Presentation Fire Rescue Operations: • Bobby J. Scott 20 Years Health and Family Services Health Services: • Boyd Dean Smith 30 Years
Awards Presentation Public Works Traffic Engineering: • Frank Lewis 20 Years • Joe Jackson 20 Years Roads and Drainage: • Mike Watts 20 Years
Awards Presentation Public Works Department Office: • Ralyne Westenhofer 35 Years Utilities Water Reclamation: • Mark Robinson 20 Years
Awards Presentation Utilities Engineering: • Christina Beatham 25 Years
Employee Service Awards December 4, 2007
