Employee Service Awards November 13, 2007

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:

Corrections Community Corrections

Sue was born in Detroit and moved to Central Florida in She graduated from UCF in Sue C. Feenberg - 20 Years She was originally hired in 1987 to work at the Main Detention Facility. She was transferred to Probation in 1989.

Sue Feenberg – 20 Years Sue was then promoted to the Community Corrections Office. In her spare time, Sue enjoys reading, going to church and mentoring. She adores her dachshunds. * Sue just returned from a 7 day trip to Washington State and Alaska and she’s planning her next trip to Washington, DC and Canada.

Sue was born in Louisville, KY and graduated from Butler High School. She moved to Central Florida in Sue was hired in 1987 to work for Court Alternatives/Probation. Sue F. Mitchell - 20 Years She is a certified Notary Public and has a Florida Crime Information/National Crime Information Center certification.

Sue Mitchell – 20 Years Sue has been married to Richard for 38.5 years and they have three children: Robert, William, and Sandy. They also have 8 grandchildren. In her spare time, Sue enjoys Texas Hold’em, bingo, bowling and traveling with her husband to Niagara Falls, New Mexico and cruising with Disney. *

Fire Rescue Communications

Dennis was born in the hometown of the famous Groundhog: Punxsutawney, PA, and moved to Central Florida in He graduated from Evans High School. Dennis L. Snyder - 30 Years Dennis joined the US Navy for four years as a Communications Technician and never served on a ship. He worked for WLOQ Radio from 1972 to 1977.

Dennis Snyder – 30 Years Dennis was hired by the Killarney Fire Department and also served as a volunteer firefighter/EMT from 1974 to In 1977, he was hired as a dispatcher and in 1979, promoted to Dispatch Supervisor. Dennis has worked through many disasters including: hurricanes, tornadoes and wildfires. His hobbies include: Model trains and railroads; bass fishing and radio station/music history. *

Fire Rescue Operations

Edgar was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from Jones High School before joining the US Army. After four years in the Army, he was hired by the Killarney Fire Control District. Edgar Williams - 30 Years In 1982, he was promoted to Engineer. In 1991, he was promoted to Lieutenant and in 2003 Edgar rose to the rank of Battalion Chief.

Edgar Williams – 30 Years Edgar is a member of the Jupiter Masonic Lodge; a Shriner with the Malta Temple #143; Knights Templar with Mars Hill Lodge #11; a Royal Arch Mason with Bethel Lodge #37; and a member of the City Beautiful Consistory #297. He has been married to Diane for more than 29 years, and they have one daughter: Shena, and one granddaughter: Shania. Edgar is honored to be among such dedicated firefighters and to work with such highly professional personnel. *

Tom was born in St. Louis, MO and moved to Central Florida in He graduated from Edgewater High School, and Valencia Community College. Charles T. Ruffing - 30 Years In 1977, Tom joined the Holden Heights Fire Department. In 1978, he was named Fireman of the Year by the American Legion.

Tom Ruffing – 30 Years Tom has received numerous Letters of Commendation and he’s placed 1 st in the Public Safety Divers National Championships. He is one of the original Haz-Mat Team Members. Tom was promoted in 1979 to Engineer, and has spent 22 years at Station 50; 5 years on the Haz- Mat Team; and 8 years at Station 41. Tom is married to Darlene and they have two children: Rae Ann, and T.J. He enjoys playing racquetball and was State Champion from 1996 to *

William was born and raised in Orlando and graduated from Evans High School. Both his father and uncle are retired from the Orlando Fire Department. William E. DuRant - 30 Years William started his career at the Killarney Fire District. In 1982, he was promoted to Engineer. He was one of the creators of the Haz-Mat program, and truck company operations.

William DuRant – 30 Years William was on the 1 st Search and Rescue Dive Team. He is also a charter member of the Dixie Bass Busters and the Fire & Iron Motorcycle Club. * William is married to Lisa and they have four children: Josh (currently enrolled in firefighter school), Kayla, Grayson and Ronnie. In his spare time, William coaches Little League in Mt. Dora, and he’s a Lake County School Volunteer. Above all he is Daddy when he is off duty. As a family, the DuRant’s enjoy all Central Florida has to offer.

Health & Family Services Youth & Family Services

Harriet was born and raised in Orlando. She graduated from Oak Ridge High School, the University of Central Florida and Barry University. Harriet was hired in 1987 to work at Great Oaks Village. Harriet T. Mathis - 20 Years She has received five promotions and in 2005 she was named Program Manager of the Year by the Florida Network of Children and Families.

Harriet Mathis – 20 Years During her career, Harriet has been a live-in house parent, supervisor, counselor and program manager. In 2000, Harriet was a finalist in the Pillsbury Bake-Off held in California. * She enjoys reading, shopping, and cooking.

Public Works Development Engineering

Pedro was born in San Sebastian, PR and graduated from the College of Engineering in Mayaguez. He moved to Orlando in In 1987, he joined Orange County as an Engineer II in the Highway Construction Department. Pedro Cruz - 20 Years In 1992, Pedro transferred to the Design Section. After passing the Professional Engineer exam, he was promoted to Engineer III. He then supervised the Permitting and Platting Section.

Pedro Cruz – 20 Years Pedro was promoted to Engineer III and in 1997 he was promoted to Senior Engineer. He has seen tremendous growth in Orange County throughout the years and he has approved hundreds of commercial and subdivision projects. Pedro has been married to Profilda for 45 years, and they have two sons: Eric, and Yamil; two grandchildren: Stephanie, and Eric Noel. In his spare time, he enjoys dancing with his wife and watching basketball and baseball. He has been the Treasurer of his Home Owners’ Association for the past 9 years. *

Public Works Roads & Drainage

Stanley was born in Joplin, MO and moved to Central Florida in He graduated from Colonial High School and Florida Metropolitan College. Stanley L. Bell - 30 Years In 1977, Stanley joined the Water Department of Public Works (now Roads and Drainage). Stanley worked with the Hand Crew, operating small gas powered tools and he subsequently became the Crew Leader. In 1981, he was promoted to the Tractor Crew, operating farm tractors with mower decks.

Stan Bell – 30 Years In 1986, Stanley was promoted to Drain Well Leader, where he ensures the proper water flow around drain wells. Stanley is married to Donna and they have two daughters: Christina and Becky, who is now in the US Marine Corps. They also have a grandson. Stan enjoys working with the Little League Baseball program where he has helped coach youngsters over the years. The love of baseball was passed on to him from his father who played for the New York Yankees. Stan also enjoys writing poetry and inspirational verse. He has won 1 st, 2 nd, and 3 rd place awards in an Art and Poetry Magazine in Paris, where his work was published. Stan also enjoys doing volunteer work with different churches and families in the local area. *

Public Works Fiscal & Administrative

John was born in St. Croix, VI, moved to Miami and graduated from Lindsey Hopkins High School. He is also a graduate of the University of Phoenix and Webster University. John Poleon - 20 Years John was hired in 1987 to work in the Utilities Engineering Department, Drafting Section. His first job was to draft all county utility lines into Mylar for record keeping and for use in line location. He was one of the first persons selected to work in a new section: Geographic Information System (GIS). John worked with Utilities for 10 years.

John Poleon – 20 Years In 1998, John joined Stormwater Management. In 2007, he was promoted to Senior Engineering Technician and tasked with inventorying the County’s retention ponds, canals, guardrails, pump stations, street sweeping and many more. He is now working in the Fiscal and Administrative Department. John was one of the original Employee Academy members, and believes that this is one of the best programs in the County that helped crystallize his role and responsibilities in the organization. He has been married to Cicely for 11 years. They have four children: Denis, Jahmaal, Maalik and Madejah. John’s hobbies include; Camping, cycling, basketball, photography, oil painting and traveling. He is also the building chairperson for his church. He coaches a church basketball team and makes weekly calls to senior citizens. *

Utilities Water Division

Tom was born and raised in Orlando, graduated from Colonial High School and attended college in Texas. He says he grew up on a gentleman’s farm at the corner of Curry Ford and Semoran, back when that was in the “sticks”. Thomas M. Brien - 20 Years In 1987, Tom joined Orange County’s Water Distribution section of Utilities on Thanksgiving week. He got two days off his first week and said “This is a great place to work!”

Tom Brien – 20 Years Tom has been with the Water Department his entire career. He started as a Trades Helper, digging holes to repair water mains and worked in hydrant repair. Tom has an “A” certification in Water Operations. He worked with the Hurricane Recovery Teams after the 2004 storms. Tom was a member of the Employee Academy and got to meet the legendary Earl K. Woods, who has served as Tax Collector since we were Mosquito County. He has been married to Kim for 25 years. Kim worked for Great Oaks Village for 17 years. They have two children: Jessica, currently working in Representative Tom Feeney’s Office; and Michael, who attends Boone High School. Tom enjoys fishing, golfing, going to concerts, watching movies and more golfing. *

Awards Presentation Corrections: Community Corrections: Sue C. Feenberg20 Years Sue F. Mitchell20 Years Fire Rescue: Communications: Dennis L. Snyder30 Years

Awards Presentation Fire Rescue: Operations: Edgar Williams30 Years Charles T. Ruffing30 Years William DuRant30 Years

Awards Presentation Health & Family Services: Youth & Family Services: Harriet T. Mathis20 Years Public Works: Development Engineering: Pedro Cruz20 Years

Awards Presentation Public Works: Roads & Drainage: Stanley L. Bell30 Years Fiscal & Administrative: John Poleon20 Years Utilities: Water: Thomas M. Brien20 Years

Employee Service Awards November 13, 2007