Employee Service Awards
December 17, 2013
Board of County
Commissioner’s
Today’s honorees are recognized for
outstanding service and dedication
Administrative
Services
Fleet Management
Sandra L. Lyons
20 Years
• Sandra was born in Dover, New Jersey
and moved to Central Florida in 1977.
• She graduated from Newton High
School and has attended the Florida
Fire College for fire inspection.
• Sandra was hired in 1993 in Fleet Management where she
started as a parts runner.
• She was promoted to Data Entry Clerk, Fleet Management
Specialist, Fiscal Coordinator, and is now the Warehouse
Supervisor.
• Sandra feels her biggest accomplishment has been rising
through the ranks in a job traditionally filled by men.
Sandra Lyons - 20 Years
• Sandra was greatly involved in the 2004 Hurricane
recovery efforts. She ordered every possible supply item
needed by the Community Action Response Teams.
• She has been married to Joseph for 37 years (a retired
County employee) and they have four children: Theresa,
Laurie, Ruthie and Joey.
• In her spare time, Sandra takes part in Civil War reenactments with the Third Maine Civil War Unit.
• She loves to go on cruises and has been to Honduras,
Belize, Mexico and Costa Maya.
• In her spare time, she volunteers with CARE, a cat rescue
unit. *
James A. Justice
40 Years
• James was born and raised in Orlando
and graduated from Evans High School.
• He was originally hired by the Sheriff’s
Office in 1973, and in 1976 the Fleet
Maintenance Unit moved under Orange
County.
• James holds an Emergency Vehicle Technician certification.
• He was hired as a mechanic, has filled in for the Shop
Foreman, and in 2005 promoted to Emergency Support
Coordinator.
• James is on the 24-hour service team for the Fire
Department’s Rescue Unit vehicles and Fleet’s emergency
generator.
James A. Justice - 40 Years
• James was deployed for two weeks in Mississippi
for Hurricane Katrina under the State’s Mutual
Aid Agreement.
• He has been with Sherry for 16 years, and has
twin boys: Jimmy and Jeff; and one grandson:
Hutch.
• In his spare time, he enjoys drag racing, playing
golf, and spending time with his family. *
Corrections
Community Corrections
Reuben Leon Smith
20 Years
• Reuben was born in Jersey City,
NJ, attended Tidewater
Community College, St. Leo’s
College, and Florida Southern.
• He served in the US Navy for 20
years, and is a retired Senior
Chief Operations Specialist.
• Reuben was hired by Orange County Corrections
in 1993 as a Substance Abuse Counselor,
promoted to Community Corrections Officer, and
has facilitated critical and behavior modification
courses.
Reuben Smith – 20 Years
• Reuben was promoted to Community Surveillance Intake
Officer in 1994.
• He has held many positions, including: Program
Coordinator, Classification/Case Management Unit
Manager, Vocational Placement Counselor, Probation
Officer, Drug Testing Officer, and is a Certified Hostage
Negotiator.
• Reuben was awarded two Community Corrections Orange
Awards for the Local Jail Incarceration Program.
• Reuben has been married to Mildred for 37 years and they
have two children: Amanda and Christopher.
• In his spare time, Reuben enjoys reading, bowling,
billiards, basketball, and coaching. *
Beverly Denise Holmes
25 Years
• Beverly was born in Ft. Pierce and
moved to Orlando in 1963.
• She graduated from Jones High
School and attended Valencia
Community College.
• In 1988, she was hired as an Administrative
Specialist in the Community Corrections Division.
• In 1991, she was promoted to Community
Corrections Aide.
• She has worked as a Security Officer since receiving
her license in 1993.
Beverly Holmes - 25 Years
• Beverly has also earned her Real Estate License
and a certification with H & R Block to prepare
taxes.
• She has been married to Richard for 27 years,
and they have one son: Robert, a DeVry
University graduate.
• Beverly enjoys cruising, traveling to exotic
countries and experiencing different cultures and
foods.
• She also enjoys writing poetry and reading
romance novels. *
Corrections
Security Operations
Roberto Cruz Jr.
20 Years
• Roberto was born in Havana,
Cuba and moved to Florida in
1970 and graduated from
Winter Park High School.
• He enlisted in the US Army in 1982 and served with
the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany, and 2nd
Armored Unit until 1986.
• He earned the Army Achievement Medal with Oak
Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal, Good
Conduct, and Overseas Service ribbon.
Roberto Cruz – 20 Years
• Roberto was hired by Orange County Corrections in
1993.
• He has been a member of the Honor Guard,
Security Threat Group, and has served as a Field
Training Officer, Fire Arms Instructor, and presently
on the Jail Perimeter and Hospital team.
• He has received numerous team work awards and
letters of achievement.
• Roberto has been married to Sally for 13 years, and
they have one son: Matthew, 9 years old.
• His hobbies include: volunteering with his church,
collecting fire arms and rare coins and currency,
and studying World War II history.
*
Tracey Y. Fortune
20 Years
• Tracey was born and raised in
Orlando, graduated from Jones
High School, and attended
Valencia Community College.
• She received her Corrections Certification from Lake
County Vo-Tech.
• Tracey was hired in 1993 as a Control Desk Monitor
and worked in the Main Facility and Horizons.
• In 1995, she was promoted to Youth Care Officer and
worked at the Juvenile Assessment Center.
Tracey Fortune - 20 Years
• Tracey was promoted in 1997 to Corrections Officer.
• In 2008, she transferred to the Whitcomb Facility
overseeing the inmate workers.
• She currently works in Genesis with the GED and
Life Skills Programs.
• Tracey received special recognition for saving two
youth offenders from committing suicide and
numerous other awards throughout her career.
• She has been married to Rosevelt for 27 years and
they have three children: Terralynn, Rahmad, and
Roshard.
• Tracey enjoys reading, volunteering as a Team
Mom for her son’s football team, and spending
*
quality time with her family.
Alfred Forenzo Watts
25 Years
• Alfred was born and raised in
Orlando, graduated from West
Orange High School and served
in the US Army.
• He is a graduate of the Criminal Justice Institutes’ 31st
recruitment class and received the Board of Trustee’s
Award.
• In 1988, he was hired to work in E-Building of the Main
Facility.
• Alfred was later assigned to the Main Facility Pods to
oversee the juvenile population.
Alfred Watts - 25 Years
• Alfred has also worked the A-Shift, D-Building, Phoenix, and
today serves on the Perimeter Security Team on the A-2
Squad.
• He has received several Team Work Awards, Meritorious
Service Awards, and commendations for excellence
performance.
• Alfred is a certified Master Correctional Officer and serves in
the Department’s Honor Guard Unit.
• He is also an Assistant Public Information Officer and has
completed the FDLE Public Information Officer Course.
• Alfred has been married to Forrester for 20 years, and they
have two children: Ashton, Alston, and niece Shatreka.
• In his spare time, Alfred has served as a mentor, coach, and
defensive coordinator of the West Orange Wildcats.
• He is currently assisting the Ocoee Bulldogs Pop Warner
Football Association and enjoys playing golf. *
Family Services
Head Start
Colette Renee Johnson-Thomas
20 Years
• Colette was born in Terrytown, GA
and moved to Central Florida in
1973.
• She graduated from Jones High
School, Columbia College, and is
working on a master’s at Capella
University for a degree in Mental
Health Counseling.
• She was initially hired by Orange County in 1993 to work in
Head Start’s Health Unit where she was responsible for
testing the children’s vision, dental health, and blood
pressure.
Colette Johnson-Thomas – 20 Years
• Colette was transferred to the Head Start Social Services Unit
where she assisted parents in finding employment and
educational services.
• She was promoted to Senior Community Services Worker in
the Disabilities Unit and is currently a Senior Community
Services Supervisor.
• She has assisted with the Completed Incredible Years
Parenting Program that services families through Head Start
and Corrections.
• Colette is the co-founder of the Lady Ambassadors Mentoring
Program which focuses on helping 4th and 5th grade girls get
ready for Middle School.
• She has three children: Shamella, Lorenzo, Jai, and one
granddaughter: Ahri.
• Colette’s hobbies include: Playing basketball, running, speed
walking, reading, and playing with her granddaughter.
*
Diana A. Lashley
20 Years
• Diana was born in Barbados, West
Indies, and moved to Orlando in
1993 after living in London and New
York.
• She graduated from Queens College, the School of Nursing
in King Edward Memorial Hospital, London and Columbia
College.
• Diana is a State Registered Nurse in England, Wales, New
York, and Florida.
• She was hired by Orange County in 1993 to work in the
Community Affairs Department.
Diana Lashley – 20 Years
• Diana was responsible for rewriting all health policies
and procedures for the Head Start Medical, Dental and
Health Services Unit.
• She completed the Orange County Supervisory
Development Program.
• Diana has one daughter: Dr. Claudia Debois.
• In her spare time she enjoys reading, crossword
puzzles, brain teasers, relaxing on the beach, and is
interested in health and wellness related information. *
Fire Rescue
Planning and Technical
Services
William R. Bonta Jr.
30 Years
• Bill was born in Harrodsburg,
KY, he moved to Orlando in
1953 and graduated from
Evans High School.
• He was hired by Orange County Community Affairs in
1983 under a grant program.
• Bill believes his ability to type 104 words per minute
helped him secure a job as a Clerk Typist to work at
the Lake Beauty Drive Center, where he worked for
15 months.
• He was then transferred to the Fire Department to
work as a Supply Clerk.
William Bonta – 30 Years
• Bill was promoted to Store Keeper, Supply Expediter, and
Supply Supervisor.
• At the age of 57, Bill returned to school to obtain a Fire
Inspector Certificate.
• He attended Florida State Fire College in Ocala and was
hired as an inspector in 2007.
• Bill has been married to Myra, who works in Code
Enforcement, for 40 years.
• They have three children: Jason, David, and Allison, and four
grandchildren.
• Bill’s hobbies include refinishing and upholstering furniture,
and MANY church activities—he says: “I can’t blow any
whistles as God gets all the glory!”
• Bill is currently in the DROP program and will retire in 2 ½
years. *
Utilities
Customer Service
Daniel W. Vlas
25 Years
• Daniel was born in Hesperia,
Michigan and moved to Central
Florida in 1988.
• He graduated from Valencia
Community College with an
associate’s degree in Legal Aid.
• Daniel served in the US Army for 21 years and has traveled
to numerous locations in Europe and Asia.
• He was hired by Utilities as a Wastewater Treatment Plant
Operator in 1988.
• Dan was transferred the same year to Customer Service
where he now serves as a Customer Service Coordinator.
Daniel Vlas – 25 Years
• Dan was selected as a core member of the CIS
Team for the upgrade to the Customer Information
and Services Billing application.
• He has been married to Tatyana for 13 years and
he has two children: Jeffrey and Jamie, and one
granddaughter, Sarah.
• Dan loves to travel and fish, and works around the
house. *
Guy L. Fowkes
25 Years
• Guy was born in Honolulu and
moved to Central Florida in
1975.
• He graduated from Lake
Howell High School.
• Guy was hired in 1988 to work in the Storm Water
Drainage Department and transferred to the Utilities
Department in 1994 where he worked as a Meter
Reader.
• He was promoted to Senior Meter Reader in 1996,
and to Customer Service Field Representative in
2005.
Guy Fowkes – 25 Years
• Guy completed the Supervisory Development
program in 2004.
• Over the course of his time with Orange County,
Guy has been instrumental in the training of new
staff members and has participated in several
pilot programs including the Field Order
Management System for the Automated Meter
Reading System.
• Guy has a fox terrier named Stella, loves to surf,
workout, and enjoys the outdoors.
• He has traveled to Napa Valley, Costa Rica,
Spain, Germany, France, and Italy. *
Sharrow Katrina Fullwood
25 Years
• Sharrow was born and raised
in Orlando and graduated
from Jones High School.
• She is currently attending
Valencia Community College.
• Sharrow was initially hired as an Administrative
Assistant to work in Utilities’ Customer Service
Division in 1988.
• She was promoted from Account Assistant
Supervisor to Account Supervisor in 2004.
• She was awarded Employee of the Month in June
1993.
Sharrow Fullwood – 25 Years
• Sharrow was given the STAR performer award in
Spring 2013 with Utilities.
• She was on Valencia’s Dean list for Spring 2013.
• Sharrow has three children: Portia, 30, April 29,
and Kayla, 24; and two grandchildren: Jonathan,
10, and Justice 5.
• In her spare time, Sharrow enjoys spending time
with her grandchildren and helping as an
Administrative Assistant at her church. *
Awards Presentation
Administrative Services
Fleet Management:
• Sandra Lyons
• James Justice
20 Years
40 Years
Corrections:
Community Corrections:
• Reuben Smith
• Beverly Holmes
20 Years
25 Years
Awards Presentation
Corrections:
Security Operations:
• Roberto Cruz
• Tracey Fortune
• Alfred Watts
20 Years
20 Years
25 Years
Family Services:
Head Start:
• Colette Johnson-Thomas
• Diana Lashley
20 Years
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Fire Rescue:
Planning and Technical Support:
• Bill Bonta Jr.
30 Years
Utilities:
Customer Service:
• Daniel Vlas
• Guy Fowkes
• Sharrow Fullwood
25 Years
25 Years
25 Years
Employee Service Awards
December 17, 2013