Employee Service Awards January 6, 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.

Office Of Public Safety 911 Communications

Brenda was born in New Orleans and moved to Orlando in She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. Brenda J. Brooks – 30 Years She was hired by Orange County in 1979 to work in the personnel office of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) Program. In 1983, Brenda transferred to Fire Rescue Supply, working in Inventory and Records.

Brenda Brooks – 30 Years Since 1997, Brenda has been 9-1-1’s Master Street Address Guide Coordinator. She approves street names and plats for new subdivisions and works with the addressing database. Brenda has one son: Andray, 36; and had one daughter deceased at age 34, with 16 years in the US Navy: Tremise Dyson. Brenda has cared for her mother since She was the Chief Deputy of Supplies for the local American Red Cross chapter from Brenda has also served on the Board of International Association of Black Professional Firefighters since Brenda loves to travel. *

Corrections Community Corrections

Meg was born in Evanston, IL and moved to central Florida in She graduated from Seton Hill College. Margaret Janis Hughes – 25 Years Meg was hired by Orange County in 1984 as a Correctional Officer to work with female inmates. She was promoted to Classifications in 1987 and was the first Classification Officer assigned to the Horizon Facility.

Meg Hughes - 25 Years Meg’s first experience inside a jail was going to the Old Main Jail and the downtown Annex to interview inmates. The jail was dark, lonely and had BIG HEAVY doors. * Meg spent 11 years in a high risk position before she was promoted to Senior Community Corrections Officer. She has worked at the Assessment Center, Central Intake, and Community Service and she is currently a field officer for Home Confinement. Meg is married to Dennis, whom she met in an elevator at the jail. He was the Assistant Manager for Medical. They have two daughters: Jamie and Lindsey. Meg’s outside interests include: traveling and shopping with her daughters.

Corrections In-Custody Security

Pam was born in Altoona, PA and moved to Tampa in She attended Hillsborough Community College with the intention of working in the Medical Field, but moved to Orlando in 1979 to take care of her mother. Pamela Teufel Fedele – 25 Years Pam was hired by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office in 1984 to work in the downtown old Main Jail. She was one of the first female officers to “work on the floor” with maximum security male inmates.

Pam Fedele – 25 Years Pam was recognized in 1990 as one of the first female road crew officers in several articles in law enforcement magazines. She is an instructor at Mid Florida Tech. Pam was instrumental in initiating, organizing and participating in multiple community projects to demolish abandoned crack houses, special neighborhood clean-ups and other projects in Orange County. She has received numerous awards for her diligence and hard work. Pam is married to Fritz and they have one son, Edwin, 24. Today would have been their son, Adam’s 23 rd birthday, and they wish him a special “Happy Birthday”. Pam loves deep sea fishing, snow skiing and spending time with her 3 grandchildren. She looks forward to her Big Retirement Day in the near future. *

Fire Rescue Department Office

Mike was hired by Orange County in 1989 and has been promoted to Lieutenant, Captain and now Battalion Chief. Michael J. Wajda - 20 Years Mike was born in Springfield, MA and moved to Orlando in He graduated from Lake Mary High School, Valencia Community College and he is currently enrolled at UCF working toward a degree in Public Administration.

Mike Wajda – 20 Years Mike has been involved in numerous projects, including: * Vehicle Pre-emption – The system that turns traffic lights green for responding emergency vehicles. * Mike was a member of the financial analysis team that documented more than $4.5 million worth of County expenses during the 2004 hurricane season. * He assisted with the phase-in of mobile data computers in emergency vehicles. * Mike was also a founding member of the Bike Patrol/Paramedic Team. Mike has been married to Siria for 11 years and they have two sons: Mike, 9; and Adam, 6; and two step sons: Daniel, 22; and Ozzy, 19. His hobbies include attending UCF Football games, going to the beach and telling his kids to stop complaining, because he has more homework than they have! *

Fire Rescue Operations

Rodolfo graduated from Forest Lake Academy and attended Southern Adventist University. He received his EMT from Broward College and his Paramedic certification from Valencia Community College. Rodolfo Prado - 20 Years Rodolfo was born in Santa Clara, Cuba. He moved to Nashville, TN in 1967 and to Forest City, FL in 1973.

Rodolfo Prado – 20 Years Rodolfo was hired by Orange County in He has received the following awards: * Meritorious Service Award * Three Unit Citations * Letter of Commendation Rodolfo’s first assignment was Station 42. Then he was transferred to the Bike Patrol. He assisted with recovery efforts in South Florida after Hurricane Andrew. Rodolfo has been married to Millie for 28 years and they have two wonderful daughters: Jocelyn, 18; and Roselin, 15. He loves to sing in his church choir and his greatest joy is his family and friends. *

Tom was hired by Orange County Fire Rescue in He has been promoted to Engineer, Lieutenant, and Captain. Thomas R. Ping - 20 Years Tom was born in Buffalo, NY and moved to Central Florida in He graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in Cheektowaga, NY. He has served in the Army and Air Force Reserves.

Tom Ping – 20 Years Tom is a member of the Incident Safety Officer Program. He has been married to Elske for 26 years. They met and were married in Frankfurt, Germany. They have one son: Phillip, 18, who attends the Central Florida Fire Academy; and one daughter, Alexandra, 15, who attends Wekiva High School. Tom’s hobbies include: Jet skiing and rebuilding a vintage dirt bike. He also belongs to the Eustis Gun Club and enjoys target and skeet shooting. *

Growth Management Zoning

She has worked in every section within the Building Division and says she feels privileged to help citizens meet their building needs. Jean has also guided builders and homeowners through the inspection process for every trade discipline. Anita Jean Riggs – 20 Years Jean was born and raised in Miami and claims to be a 5 th generation Floridian. She began her employment with Orange County in the Building Division in 1988.

Anita Jean Riggs – 20 Years In 2001, Jean began working with the Zoning Division to learn more about land, lot splits, residential construction, accessory buildings, research and reviews of architectural drawings. Since the death of her husband in 1989, Jean has raised her three sons, watching with pride as they faced their own challenges and making her a grandmother of three. After a period of study, Jean took vows to become a Roman Catholic nun, as a Sister for Christian Community. She also serves as a Chaplain with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. *

Health & Family Services Head Start

She was hired in 1989 as a bus chaperone and is currently a Teacher Assistant at the Taft Head Start Center. Martha was recognized as the Head Start Employee of the Year in Martha Avalo – 20 Years Martha was born in Bogota, Colombia and moved to Central Florida in She first came to Head Start as a Parent Volunteer.

Martha Avalo – 20 Years Martha has been married to Santiago for 38 years. They have two children: Carolina and Priscilla. They are expecting their first grandchild in February. Martha volunteers as the Treasurer of her church, and is a member of the Church Community Services Department. She also serves in the Woman’s Ministry. In her spare time, Martha enjoys sewing, cooking and photography. *

Utilities Solid Waste

Gene was born in Miami, (actually in the parking lot of a Coral Cables bank delivered by his dad!) He moved to Orlando in 1977 and graduated from Colonial High School. Gene J. Pedreira – 20 Years Gene was hired by Orange County in 1988 to work at Facilities Management. In 2006, he was promoted from Environmental Technician to Environmental Specialist II. Gene holds certificates in Level B Industrial Pretreatment and Hazardous Waste & Emergency Response.

Gene Pedreira – 20 Years Gene received the Employee of the Month award and special recognitions for the hours he worked during many emergency activations. He instituted a new incentive to complete the McLeod Road Transfer Station Industrial User Discharge Permit and Orange County Landfill Wastewater Discharge Permit, in- house instead of outsourcing to another agency – a savings of $40,000. Gene has worked on many projects including: * Permit Sampling * In-House Compliance Inspections * Division Guidelines * Remote Monitoring System * Download Information from Weather Stations * Organization of Title V Air Permit Inspections * GIS Survey Equipment Operation

Gene Pedreira – 20 Years Gene is one of the original members of the Emergency Message Center and has been active for 13 years. During an activation, Gene is one of the most integral members of the Emergency Response Teams coordinating thousands of calls from citizens, government agencies and emergency response partners. Gene has been married to Debbie for 17 years and they have 6 “children”: Sonya, Rogue & Loki – all dogs and Phoenix, Eva, and Mouse – all cats. In his spare time, Gene enjoys playing poker, golf and spending time with his family. *

Awards Presentation Office of Public Safety 911 Communications: Brenda Brooks30 Years Corrections Community Corrections: Meg Hughes25 Years In-Custody Security: Pam Fedele25 Years

Awards Presentation Fire Rescue Department Office: Michael Wajda20 Years Operations: Rodolfo Prado20 Years Thomas Ping20 Years

Awards Presentation Growth Management Zoning: Anita Jean Riggs20 Years Health and Family Services Head Start: Martha Avalo20 Years

Awards Presentation Utilities Solid Waste: Gene Pedreira20 Years

Employee Service Awards January 6, 2009