Employee Service Awards March 10, 2009

Board of County Commissioner’s Employee Service Awards Today’s honorees are recognized for outstanding service and dedication.Today’s honorees are recognized for outstanding service and dedication.

Administrative Services Fleet Management

Gary was born and raised in Orlando. He graduated from Edgewater High School and Valencia Community College. Gary A. Landry - 25 Years Gary attended factory training for the Cummins Onan Generator Certification Program. In 1984, he was hired by Orange County to work at Fleet Management as the Power Generator Electrician.

Gary Landry – 25 Years Gary later transferred to the Fleet Management Generator Maintenance Section. He has worked with Health and Family Services to provide generator power for three Homeless Connect Programs. Gary has been married to Wanda for three years. He has three children: Greg, Katie and Tyler. His hobbies include: Hunting and fishing. He is also a licensed Ham Radio Operator. *

Ronnie was born in Trinidad, West Indies and moved to Central Florida in He graduated from Trinidad West Indies High School and Saparia Senior Comprehensive School. Ronnie Thomas - 20 Years Ronnie also attended the Apex Technical School in New York. He was hired in 1989 to work at the landfill. Ronnie transferred to Fleet Management six months later to work as a Equipment Mechanic.

Ronnie Thomas – 20 Years Ronnie has earned an Employee of the Month award. He was instrumental during hurricane recovery efforts after the big storms of Ronnie has assisted his division with numerous interviews for new hires and promotions. He will have been married to Jane for 2 years on April 29 th. He has two children: Ronnie Jr., 18 and Tempestt, 16. In his spare time, Ronnie enjoys playing music, cards and traveling. *

Corrections Professional Services

Paula was born in Buffalo, NY and moved to Florida in She graduated from Sweet Home Senior High in Amherst, NY. Paula Eileen Aldiva 20 Years Paula was hired by Corrections in 1989 to work in the Inmate Store/Money Room as a Correction’s Aide. She received the Orange Award in 1997 for detecting counterfeit $100 bills.

Paula Aldiva - 20 Years Paula was promoted to Community Corrections Officer in She has been married to Miguel for 2 years. *

Corrections Fiscal Services

Linda was born in Buffalo, NY, and moved to Florida in She graduated from Bennett High School. Linda A. Farrell 20 Years Linda was hired by Orange County in 1989 as an Accounting Clerk and in 1999 transferred to the Cashier’s Office. She was later transferred to the Fiscal Department. In 2002, she completed the Supervisory Development Program.

Linda Farrell - 20 Years Linda has been married to Correctional Officer Joseph Farrell for 20 years and they have two sons: Joseph and Jason. In her spare time, Linda enjoys her 3 grandchildren, ages 9 months, 3 and 4 years old. *

Edwin is a native Floridian born in Winter Park. He graduated from Winter Park High School – “Go Wildcats!” He has also attended Seminole Community College and Columbia College. Edwin F. Johnson 20 Years Edwin was initially hired by Orange County in 1989 to work as a Control Desk Monitor for Central Booking. Edwin retired from the US Army after serving 28 years, including a tour in Iraq.

Edwin Johnson - 20 Years Edwin received a commendation for preventing an escape from Central Booking. He has been promoted to Gate Operator and is currently a Property Clerk. Edwin is engaged to Jennifer Jackson. He has three children: Edwin, Patisha and Grace. In his spare time, Edwin enjoys bowling, fishing, and grilling. *

Ivon was born at Fort Sill, OK and moved to Central Florida in She graduated from Mt. Diablo High School in Concord, CA. Ivon Rodriguez 20 Years Ivon was hired by Orange County Corrections in 1989 to work as cashier in the Fiscal Commissary Section. She was promoted in 1999 to Senior Accounting Clerk.

Ivon Rodriguez - 20 Years Ivon was reclassified to Fiscal Coordinator and transferred to Administration to help the database transition team. She enjoys working at Corrections. She says it’s not just a job, it’s a family. Ivon has received support from fellow workers during difficult times, especially her supervisor, Frank Priola. She has been married to her wonderful husband, Jesus for 20 years and they have 3 children, 5 step- children and 12 grandchildren. Ivon enjoys fishing and motorcycle riding with the Latin American Motorcycle Association. *

Health & Family Services Youth and Family Services

She started with Orange County in 1989 as a Youth Resident Worker. She was selected by the staff as the Youth Resident Worker of the Year in Nereida Laureano – 20 Years Nereida was born in Juncos, Puerto Rico. She moved to Orlando in 1989 with her family. Nereida graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with a degree in Education.

Nereida Laureano – 20 Years Nereida was honored for her hard work with a special presentation in Tallahassee. She has three very special children: Juan, 35, who has three daughters; Jose, 33, who has a daughter; and Alex, 30, also has a daughter. Nereida enjoys cooking, traveling and remodeling one of her many exquisite homes. *

Public Works Roads and Drainage

Mike was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from Colonial High School. He now lives in St. Cloud. Michael L. Church 20 Years Mike was hired in 1989 by the Roads and Drainage Division as a Maintenance Person. He was promoted to Equipment Operator III, IV and in 2002 to Engineering Inspector II. He oversees the contracted services for the Division.

Michael Church – 20 Years Mike is a qualified Stormwater Management Inspector and Asphalt Paving Technician. He oversees the road rehabilitation maintenance contracts for Roads and Drainage. Mike has been married to Donna for 19 years and they have two children: Aaron, 18, and Matthew, 9. Mike enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his family. *

Herman was born in Costa Rica, moved to New York in 1969 and then to Florida in He attended New York City Community College and the New York City Culinary School while studying to become a chef. Herman Sandoval – 20 Years Herman also served in the US Army. He was hired in 1989 as a Trades Helper to work at Roads and Drainage.

Herman Sandoval – 20 Years Herman was soon promoted to Equipment Operator IV while delivering concrete to the road crew. In 1989, Herman was promoted to Foreman of the Roads and Drainage Support Team. He is involved with the Great Oaks Village campaign every year along with the employee appreciation day that is celebrated at Public Works. Herman was married to a great woman, Gladys for 34 years. Herman has two sons: Herman Jr., and Daniel, both UCF graduates. Herman enjoys French cooking and Italian cuisine, playing soccer, listening to country music and healthy walking. *

Mark was born in Winter Park and moved to the Pine Hills and Ocoee areas. He graduated from West Orange High School. Mark J. Herrmann 20 Years Mark served for six years with the US Marines and he was with the Army Reserves for three years. He was hired in 1989 as an Equipment Operator II to work in the Stormwater Section of Public Works. Mark was promoted to Equipment Operator III in 1990 and Foreman in 1994.

Mark Herrmann – 20 Years He has attended several FEMA courses: Debris Management, Recovery & Mitigation and Preparedness and Response. Mark is currently the Foreman for the #1 Mowing Crew in the Drainage Section. He helped extensively during the 2004 hurricane recovery effort. Mark has worked on the Public Works Employee Appreciation Day; and he’s a member of the Right-of- Way Mowing Committee for Roads and Drainage. Mark has two children: McKenzie and Jake. His hobbies include: woodworking and gun collecting. He volunteers with the Cub and Boy Scouts. He’s coached soccer and Little League baseball. *

John was born in Brownsville, PA and moved to Florida in He graduated from Mid- Florida Tech. John A. Hughes – 30 Years John has attended many carpentry courses and safety programs through Orange County Government. He was hired in 1979 to work with the Parks Department. In 1987, John was promoted to Equipment Operator II at Stormwater Management.

John Hughes – 30 Years John was promoted to Equipment Operator III in 1989 with the Canal Crew. He transferred to the Three Points Maintenance Facility for 2 years. He’s been with the MSTU Retention Pond Maintenance Team for the past 15 years. He worked diligently with the 2004 hurricane recovery clean-up team. John was married for 20 years until his wife passed away in He re-married in 2008, to Angela. John volunteers in numerous church functions with the Church of Latter Day Saints. *

Utilities Customer Service

Magrudher was born in Milagros, Ecuador and moved to Central Florida 21 years ago. He served 10 years in the US Army. Magrudher Vizueta – 20 Years Magrudher was hired in 1989 as a meter reader. Over the years, he has maintained an accuracy rate of or better. He enjoys his job and his fellow co-workers.

Magrudher Vizueta - 20 Years Magrudher has three children: Bruce, 29; Saulo, 26; and Dalila, 25. In this spare time, he enjoys soccer, reading, movies, dancing and attending church. *

Awards Presentation Administrative Services Fleet Management: Gary A. Landry25 Years Ronnie Thomas20 Years Corrections Professional Services: Paula Aldiva20 Years

Awards Presentation Corrections Fiscal Services: Linda Farrell20 Years Edwin Johnson20 Years Ivon Rodriguez20 Years Health and Family Services Youth & Family Services: Nereida Laureano20 Years

Awards Presentation Public Works Roads and Drainage: Michael Church20 Years Herman Sandoval20 Years Mark Herrmann20 Years John Hughes30 Years Utilities Customer Service: Magrudher Vizueta20 Years

Employee Service Awards March 10, 2009