Employee Service Awards February 3, 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:

Convention Center Management Information Systems

Rick was born in Waltham, MA, raised in Hollywood, FL and moved to Orlando in He graduated from Hollywood Hills High School and private college. Richard F. LeBlanc 20 Years Rick was hired in 1989 to work at ISS as a Computer Specialist. He worked there for 7 years before transferring to the Convention Center. In 2006, Rick was promoted to Database Administrator.

Rick LeBlanc – 20 Years Rick has worked on several projects including: Installation of a server computer room, SAN Storage, SQL clustering, EBMS Management System, OCCC.net web environment along with many hardware and software upgrades. Most recently, he was involved with the design and implementation of a Building Information Network for connectivity of several building automation systems. Rick has been married to Ruth for 9 years and they have two children: Logan, 7; and Luke, 4. They have one step-daughter: Tiffani, 17. Rick enjoys boating, baseball, camping, working with the Cub Scouts and spending time with his family. *

Community & Environmental Services Parks and Recreation

Jim was born in Essexville, MI and moved to Florida in He graduated from Garber High School and attended Delta College. James L. Paradise 25 Years Jim was hired by Orange County after leaving Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources where he worked as a Park Ranger. His first job with Orange County was at Kelly Park. Jim was promoted to Supervisor after four months and moved to Barnett Park.

Jim Paradise - 25 Years Jim got his “own” park after a year and a half – Warren Park. As the only employee, he worked five 12 hour days and a maintenance worker covered for him on his two days off. He then moved to Lake Cane Marsh Park (today called Shadow Bay Park) as a resident park supervisor. After a couple of years, Jim went back to Kelly Park, then on to Trimble Park in Tangerine. Jim has been married to Diane for 27 years and they have two children: Robby, 19, a Florida Gator; and Katie, 16, a Junior at University High School. Jim and his wife bought their future retirement home in Tangerine about 12 years ago just in time for Jim to move to Moss Park on the other side of the county, where he remains today.

Jim Paradise - 25 Years Over the course of the past 25 years with Orange County, Jim has been involved in numerous projects and he has worked with thousands of volunteers, and staff. Volunteers at Moss Park, many of them from corporate service giving groups, have been instrumental in providing trees, camping plots, picnic tables, roadway improvements and parking lot enhancements. They have saved the County more than a million dollars in much needed improvements. Jim says his job has never been boring and he has some great stories to tell. *

Fire Rescue Logistics

Bill originally started as a Volunteer Firefighter with the Pine Hills Fire Department in He became a paid firefighter in Bill has been promoted to Engineer, Lieutenant, and he is now a Battalion Chief. William E. Moran IV - 30 Years Bill was born in New York City and moved to Pine Hills when he was 3 years old. He graduated from Evans High School.

Bill Moran – 30 Years Bill has worked on many projects, including: * Driver’s Training Program * Mobile data installations in the emergency units * Recruit Training Officer Program * Promotional Process Coordination * 2004 Hurricane Audit Team Member * Statewide Emergency Response Plan Liaison * Battalion Chief of Special Operations He is currently the Chief of the Fleet Maintenance Unit. Bill has been married to Debbie for 28 years and they have two daughters: Ashley and Allison. In his spare time, he and his wife fly hot air balloons, and have toured the country with the Walt Disney Balloon. *

Fire Rescue Operations

John graduated from Osceola High School and Valencia Community College. He was hired in 1989 as a Firefighter and has worked the majority of the time in south Orlando. He was promoted to Engineer in 2001 and Lieutenant in John E. Byrne - 20 Years John was born in Toronto, Canada, lived in Long Island until he was 15. His father retired from the New York Fire Department after 21 years of service.

John Byrne – 20 Years John has worked the following stations: 50, 52, 53, 54, 66, 83. He has been assigned to Station 70 for the past 5 ½ years. He has been married to Susanne, an Orange County music teacher at John Young Elementary School, for 23 years. They have four children: P.J., 18; Maddi, 13; Abbi, and Molli, both 9. John loves all kinds of sports, especially hockey, and used to play on the Central Florida Firefighter Ice Hockey Team. *

Health & Family Services Head Start

She was hired in 1989 as a Ward Clerk in Medical Records at Corrections. In 1992, Gail transferred to Head Start as a Teacher’s Aide. She was promoted to Teacher Assistant in 1993 and Teacher in Gail L. Mercer – 20 Years Gail was born in Alexandria, VA and moved to Central Florida in She graduated from Bishop Moore High School and Valencia Community College.

Gail Mercer – 20 Years Gail has assisted with several projects including: Shoe Harvest, that provides new shoes for the needy, Candle Tree, that gives Christmas presents to Head Start families and the Gift of Swimming. She has been married to Dean for 19 years, and they have two children: Kaileigh, 17; and Kristen 15. Gail has been a co-leader to the Citrus Council, Girl Scouts of America, for 6 years. *

Public Works Roads and Drainage

Ferdinand was born in San Juan, PR, moved to Hammond, IN and then to Orlando in He graduated from James Madison High School. Ferdinand Salicrup 20 Years Ferdinand was hired in 1989 as a Maintenance Person I with the MSTU Retention Pond Crew at Public Works. He has been promoted to Equipment Operator I, II, and III and much of this time has been with the MSTU Unit.

Ferdinand Salicrup – 20 Years Ferdinand has completed numerous safety, FEMA, and equipment operations courses. He was instrumental in the recovery efforts during the 2004 Hurricanes. He has been married to Mayra for 5 months – He says he’s still on his honeymoon. He has one daughter, Leslie, 11. In his spare time, Ferdinand enjoys fishing, football, barbecuing, and shopping for bargains. *

Ellis was born in Lake Placid, FL and moved to Orlando in He graduated from Evans High School and attended the California University of Pennsylvania. Ellis L. Pugh – 25 Years Ellis played semi-pro Football with the Orlando Bears from 1980 to He was hired by Orange County in 1984 to work in the Roads and Drainage Division. Ellis has been promoted to Equipment Operator III, and IV, his current position.

Ellis Pugh – 25 Years Ellis operates various heavy equipment for the Paving Crew. He has received recognition for the following: * Meritorious Award (1997) * Driver Safety & Awareness Certificate (2002) * Preparing For & Responding To Terrorism Certificate * Maintenance of Traffic Equipment Certificate from the Florida Safety Council Ellis has been married to Joanne for 11 years and they have one daughter: Ebony. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, listening to music, playing bass guitar and of course -- football. *

Fred was born in Covington, KY and moved to Florida in He graduated from Apopka High School. Fred W. Justice 25 Years Fred started with the Orange County Highway Department in 1975 and was assigned to the Three Points Maintenance Facility as a Motor Vehicle Operator I. He left Orange County for a short while in 1981 only to return to work at the Three Points Facility.

Fred Justice – 25 Years Fred has also worked at the Bithlo and the John Young Maintenance Facilities. He has been promoted to Equipment Operator III and is now a Highway Utility Repair Person. Fred has many trade certifications, including: Operating Engineer; OSHA; HAZMAT, and MSDS. He has been an active member of the Public Works Safety Committee for the past 10 years. Fred is an up and coming entrepreneur, founder of “Justice Electronic Training & Manufacturing Services, Inc.”, which specializes in training military, aeronautical, aerospace and government personnel with electronic devices, including simulation systems. He married Lucy twenty-two years ago onboard the Empress Lilly at the Walt Disney Village. Fred and Lucy enjoy boating, fishing, cruises and just relaxing at the beach. *

Awards Presentation Convention Center Management Information Systems: Rick LeBlanc20 Years Community & Environmental Services Parks & Recreation: Jim Paradise25 Years

Awards Presentation Fire Rescue Logistics: Bill Moran30 Years Operations: John Byrne20 Years

Awards Presentation Health and Family Services Head Start: Gail Mercer20 Years Public Works Roads and Drainage: Ferdinand Salicrup20 Years Ellis Pugh25 Years Fred Justice25 Years

Employee Service Awards February 3, 2008