Orange County Employee

Service AwardsMAY and JUNE 2015

J U N E 30th 2 0 1 5

MAYOR

ORA

NGE COUNTY, FLORIDA

Thank Youfor Your Service

Greetings,

One of the highlights of my job as Mayor is visiting with our employees, learning more about you and your families, and hearing how much pride you have in serving the citizens of Orange County. You are my heroes and a constant source of inspiration.

Our employees are on the front lines interacting with the thousands of citizens, businesses and tourists in Central Florida. Today we are recognizing some of our most dedicated employees — those who are celebrating more than 20 years of service to Orange County Government. I’m honored to stand alongside you as a public servant.

I want to acknowledge and thank you for the outstanding work that you do for Orange County and our citizens. I am proud to serve our community with you, and recognize that your passion and work ethic has a direct impact on our wonderful quality of life and helps to make our region one of the best places in the world to live, learn, work and raise a family.

Sincerely,

Teresa Jacobs Orange County Mayor

Orange County

employees

recognized for

outstanding service

and dedication

Lonnie K. BassBuilding Safety, 25 yearsCommunity, Environmental & Development Services

Lonnie was born in Tucson, Arizona, but was raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He graduated from McDonough Senior High School and the University of Southwestern Louisiana earning a Bachelor of Architecture.

He was hired by Orange County Building Safety in 1990 as a Plans Examiner. Lonnie was promoted to Deputy Chief Plans Examiner in 2006. Currently, he is a Deputy Chief Plans Examiner. He is licensed as a certified Plans Examiner and Building Inspector by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Lonnie has been married to Tracy Clark for 10 years. They have two children: Kyndall, nine and Dylan, seven. He also has a 26 year old daughter. He has been a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc since 1982. Lonnie along with his Fraternity serve our community through the following programs: achievement week, scholarships, social action, talent hunt, memorial service, reclamation and retention, college endowment fund, health initiatives, voter registration and NAACP.

Lonnie has been a member of the Orlando Rugby Club since 1991. Our motto is to “give blood, play rugby”. These days, he is playing more golf than rugby.

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Kris S. ShoemakerConvention Center, 30 yearsFiscal & Operational Support

Kris was born in Herkimer, New York and moved to South Florida in 1962. He graduated from UCF in 1984 with a BSBA in Accounting and earned an MBA in 1994.

He started his Orange County career as a Fiscal Clerk on April 15, 1985, which is an appropriate hiring date for an Accountant. Currently, Kris is the Chief Financial Officer for the Convention Center and oversees the Lease Administration, Contract Administration, Finance Administration and parking areas of the Convention Center.

Kris has been an adjunct professor at UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management since 2001 and received the Adjunct Professor of the Semester Award. He is active in the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association, serving on several local and global committees, as the local chapter president and on the global board of directors and received the global Member of the Year Award. He has been married to his lovely wife Sabrina for two and a half years and they have two boys Ricco and Snow (a Shiatsu and Jack Russell). When they are not remodeling houses, they like to travel, golf and fish.

Gizele WallaceCommunity Corrections, 25 yearsCorrections

Gizele was born in Prestwick Scotland, raised between multiple European countries and different American states.

Gizele started her Orange County career in 1990 as a Front Desk Receptionist. She was promoted to Officer Aide in the Probation Unit and to Community Corrections Officer in the Pre-trial Release Unit. After a year, she took another position in the Probation Unit where she had the opportunity to perform caseload management on a number of specialized teams. She also worked in the Home Confinement Unit and Inmate Programs Unit. Gizele has received a Performance Award, Teamwork Award, Most Valuable Person Award, and the Great Employee/Citizen Award for responding to a defendants collapse during a probation appointment. In her spare time, she enjoys multiple craft and music arts, gardening, reading and Sudoku. She has a certified therapy dog named Luke. They visit various nursing homes and hospitals together.

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De Ann L. CarrCommunity Corrections, 30 yearsCorrections

De Ann was born in Sacramento, California, at Mather Air Force Base (her father was a retired Air Force pilot). Soon after graduating from Mira Loma High School in Sacramento, she moved to Orlando and received a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Central Florida, with a minor in Childhood Development.

She began her Orange County career at Great Oaks Village in 1985. In December of 1985, she was promoted to a Community Corrections Officer (Probation Officer) position in the Community Corrections Probation unit. She earned another promotion within the Probation unit, as well as working in the Community Corrections sister units, ACS and Pre-Sentence Investigation. In the early 1990s, she was promoted to a position in Offender Services. She was also given an opportunity to work at the Work Release Center as a Treatment Counselor.

She has been married for 29 years to Bob, Jr. They have two sons: Brendan, a drummer who passed away in 2014 and Michael, 25, who attends Columbia University in New York City. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, camping, hiking and outdoor activities.

William Jackson, Jr.In-Custody Support Services, 30 yearsCorrections

William was born in Sanford, Florida. He graduated from Oviedo High School; Seminole Community College earning an Associate of Arts degree; and the University of Central Florida earning Bachelors of Science degrees in Political Science (pre-law) and Allied Legal Services.

He started with the Orange County Sheriff Office as a Corrections Officer (trainee). His first assignment was at the old main jail in downtown Orlando until he went to the corrections academy at Mid-Florida Technical Institute.

After completing the Academy, he was assigned to the 33rd Street Complex. In 1990, he was selected to become the “B” Law Library Officer under the Inmate Affairs Department. His division received several teamwork awards for their record keeping endeavors and operations of the Emergency Operations Command Center during the 2004 hurricanes.

He has been married to Earnestine for 23 years and they have four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. William’s hobbies include gardening, reading, home improvement projects, fishing, traveling, cooking, and assisting within the community.

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Catherine LaoYouth and Family Services, 20 yearsFamily Services

Catherine was born in the city of Orani, in the province of Bataan, Philippines. She moved from the Philippines to Minneapolis, Minnesota and later moved to Orlando. She graduated high school from Jose Rizal Institute in Orani Bataan, Philippines. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Psychology at the Far Eastern University in Manila, Philippines.

In 1995, she started working at the Youth Shelter as a Youth Resident Program Worker. In 1997, she transferred to the JASP Diversion Program as a Case Manager. In 2000, she moved back to the Youth Shelter as a Youth Resident Supervisor. In 2003, she transferred to Great Oaks Village as a Family Teacher. In March of 2015, she started working for the Great Oaks Village Education Department as an Education Residential Services Supervisor.

She has been married for 28 years to Ricardo, III and they have three children. Cristina, 27 studied Graphic Design at Valencia and is now taking an online course in Information Technology. Carmina, 25 is currently studying Occupational Therapy at Keiser University. Ramiro, 23 also studied graphic design at Valencia. He was awarded a scholarship to further his studies in graphic design at the Savannah College of Arts and Design.

Sheryl L. ZigglerCitizen Resource & Outreach, 25 yearsFamily Services

Sheryl was born in New York City, NY. She worked for the state of Florida before she started her Orange County career in 1990. She worked one year as a PAS in a temporary position. Currently, she is an Administrative Support Clerk. Over the years, she has continued to grow professionally by taking Passport training classes.

She is a member of Christ Gospel Church. She enjoys being active with the church. She attends The Hope Church and is involved in a couple ministries. She even had the pleasure of serving Mayor Teresa Jacobs at a Prayer Breakfast at The Hope Church.

Sheryl has a daughter and a son. Her daughter earned a Bachelor of Science Degree and her son will be earning his degree in July. She also has two grandsons.

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Richard S. StrebyFire Operations, 30 yearsFire Rescue

Richard was born in Youngstown, Ohio then moved to Orange County, Florida in 1963. He became a Fire Explorer at Pine Castle Fire Department at age 14.

Richard follows in the footsteps of his step father LZ Patton, retired Lieutenant Orange County Fire Rescue.

Richard started his Orange County career in 1985 as a Firefighter/EMT assigned at Station 41. After one year, he completed pump ops to become a Relief Engine Driver. He was recruited to work with Chip & Dale, and Sparky the Fire Dog demonstrating fire safety at Orange County elementary schools. He has been married to Molly for 20 years, and together they have five daughters and one son. Megan, 19; Madelynn, 17; Marielle, 14; Samuel, 12; Martha Rose, 9 and Mercy, 6. On his days off, he enjoys spending time with his family, swimming, frisbee, bicycling, camping, bowling, tinkering and educating his children. He has a musical family that sings and play various instruments for worship at church.

David Eugene DeanCustomer Service, 25 yearsUtilities

David graduated from Rose High School in Greenville, North Carolina. He joined Orange County in 1990 as a Mail Courier in the General Services Department. He transferred to Utilities as a Meter Reader I in 1994 and was promoted to Meter Reader II in 1995. David takes pride in training and mentoring new meter readers.

He enjoys watching and attending sporting events. He is an avid sports enthusiast and his college football allegiance is to the University of Alabama. He enjoys the outdoors and participating in numerous outside activities.

David follows Florida high school football throughout the state and attends the Florida High School State Football Championships at the Citrus Bowl every December. His two favorite Major League Baseball teams are the Baltimore Orioles and the San Francisco Giants. In his spare time, he also loves to play golf, often at Swiss Fairways Country Club in Clermont.

Teresa JacobsOrange County Mayor

S. Scott BoydDistrict 1

Bryan NelsonDistrict 2

Pete ClarkeDistrict 3

Jennifer ThompsonDistrict 4

Ted B. EdwardsDistrict 5

Victoria P. SiplinDistrict 6

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