Employee Service Awards
April 7, 2009
Board of County
Commissioner’s
Employee Service
Awards
• Today’s honorees are recognized for outstanding
service and dedication.
Administrative
Services
Facilities Management
Jose J. Sonera - 20 Years
• Jose was born and raised in Puerto
Rico.
• He and his family moved to New York in
1972 and then to Central Florida in
1987.
• In 1989, Jose was hired at the Meadow
Woods Water Treatment Plant, where
he remained until the plant was decommissioned.
• Jose transferred to the Alafaya Plant and then moved to the
President’s Drive facility until 1998.
• Jose later joined Facilities Management as a jack of all
trades, where he ran the bucket truck, changed lamps and
ballasts and performed other electrical work.
Jose Sonera – 20 Years
• Jose was promoted to Refrigeration and Heating
Mechanic I and worked the West District for many
years. In 2008, he moved over to the East District.
• Jose prides himself in his “can do” attitude, that
helps him get along with everyone.
• He has been married to Filomena for 40 years
and they have three children: Roberto, Brenda,
and Rosalina; and five grandchildren: Kayla,
Caesar, Isabell, Jacob and Sophie.
• Jose loves to fish, and spend special moments
with his loved ones. *
Corrections
Professional Services
Catherine Roberts - 30 Years
• Catherine was born and
raised in Orlando. She
graduated from Jones
High School and has
attended Valencia
Community College and
Webster University.
• Catherine was originally hired by Orange County
under the CETA Program as an accounting clerk.
• In 1987, she was transferred to Corrections as a
Dockets Clerk and she is currently an
Administrative Specialist in Inmate Records
Management.
Catherine Roberts - 30 Years
• Catherine is a single mom to Catrina, 20,
who attended Dr. Phillips High School.
• In her spare time, Catherine enjoys
cooking, grilling and baking.
• She serves as a Youth Supervisor with
her church and loves helping children,
and the elderly. *
Corrections
Security Operations
Benito Arzon
20 Years
• Benito was born in New York
City, lived in Puerto Rico, then
moved to Orlando in 1984.
• He was hired by the Department
of Corrections in 1989.
• Benito started at the jail’s Main Facility.
• He was one of the first to finish the Field Training
Officer Program and is still active in that program.
Benito Arzon - 20 Years
• Benito was a Chaplain for the Fraternal Order of
Police for eight years and he remains an active
board member.
• He has worked in all Corrections facilities.
• Benito has two sons: Christian, 23 and Matthew, 14.
• His hobbies include: Camping and anything
outdoors.
• He volunteers with the Boy Scouts of America,
Troop 551 in Clermont where he serves as the
Assistant Scoutmaster. *
Louis A. Quinones Jr.
20 Years
• Louis was born in the Bronx,
NY and moved to Central
Florida in 1979.
• He is currently attending college and will graduate
this semester with a degree in Criminal Justice
Administration. Next fall, he will begin the Master’s
Program in Strategic Leadership.
• Louis was hired in 1989 to work at the Adult
Booking Facility.
• He was promoted to Corporal in 1995 and assigned
to the Municipal Justice Building.
Louis Quinones - 20 Years
• Louis was promoted to Sergeant in 2000 and moved to the
Main Facility.
• In 2007, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to
Direct Supervision.
• He has received numerous awards and citations.
• Louis is a certified Jail Inspector for the Florida Model Jail
Standards Program. He is also a certified Jail Manager.
• He is currently attending the Certified Public Manager’s
Program.
• Louis has been married to Zanoni for 8 ½ years and they
have two children: Carissa, 20; and Bianca, 15.
• He loves all sports, especially golf.
• Louis works with a youth program to develop future Hispanic
leaders.
• He says his top priority is spending time with his family. *
Fire Rescue
Department Office
Daniel K. Kucik – 20 Years
• Dan was born in Gary, IN and
moved to Central Florida in 1973.
• He graduated from Merrillville
High School, Structural Pipefitter
Apprenticeship Training and
Barry University.
• Dan started with Orange County in 1989 as a
Municipal Fire Inspector in the Fire Prevention
Bureau.
• In 1990, he was promoted to Inspector I - Staff
Lieutenant with the Office of the Fire Marshal.
Dan Kucik – 20 Years
• In 1995, Dan was promoted to District Chief, Group
Supervisor - responsible for all new construction
projects.
• In July 2001, he was promoted to Assistant Fire
Chief to manage fire prevention activities.
• Dan has received numerous awards: Employee of
the Month; Unit Citation; Fire Chief’s Award; and
many letters of appreciation.
• He has been involved in several noteworthy new
construction projects including: Rosen Shingle
Creek Complex; Marriott World Center and Grande
Lakes; Intrawest High-Rise; Wyndham Bonnet
Creek Resort; Waldorf-Astoria, and Hilton Hotels at
Bonnet Creek.
Dan Kucik – 20 Years
• Dan has established partnerships with various groups and
organizations: Central Florida Construction industry
Council; Economic Development Committee; Architectural
& Engineering Professionals; CF Hotel & Lodging
Association; CF Apartment Association; CF Automatic Fire
Sprinkler Association; and many other local and state
organizations.
• Dan has been married to Gwen for 21 years and they have
two barkless dogs (Basenji)-Penny and Kelly.
• He likes to dedicate his spare time to area
charities.
• Dan like to camp, hike, fish, travel, and make
people smile.
• Dan’s advice to everyone is “You make your
own happiness and have a wonderful life!” *
Fire Rescue
Training
LaRon S. Graham
20 Years
• LaRon was born in Miami
and moved to Orlando in
1987.
• He graduated from Miami
Norland High School.
• LaRon attended Florida A&M and Valencia
Community College. He graduated from Barry
University with a degree in Professional Studies.
• LaRon was hired as a Firefighter in 1989. He was
promoted to Lieutenant in the Public Education and
Information Bureau in 1994.
LaRon Graham – 20 Years
• LaRon created the 1st fire service television show, “Safety
Matters” for Orange TV.
• He has presented Fire Safety Awareness information to
more than 100,000 Orange County students.
• LaRon was promoted to Battalion Chief in 2001.
• He has received numerous Letters of Commendation and
awards.
• He has been married to Mildred for 21 years and they have
one daughter: La Rondra.
• LaRon volunteers with the Black History Month Committee,
United Way, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Masonic
Lodge and the Elk’s Lodge. He is also Vice President of the
Central Florida Progressive Firefighter Association. *
Fire Rescue
Operations
Terrance B. Darby
20 Years
• Terrance was born and
raised in Orlando.
• He graduated from Oak
Ridge High School with
honors in R.O.T.C.
• Terrance attended Mid-Florida Tech for automechanics and Valencia Community College.
• He was originally hired in 1989 as a Firefighter
Recruit.
• He achieved certification as a Paramedic in 1993,
and was promoted to Lieutenant in 2003.
Terrance Darby – 20 Years
• Terrance is a CPR Instructor and a Trainer for the
implementation of LOTUS Notes EMS Report
Writing System.
• He participates with the Orange County Teach-In
Program every year.
• He has been married to Sondra since 1988 and
they celebrated their anniversary with a Renewal
Ceremony at Union Hall.
• They had three children, two of whom are now
deceased, and 11-year old-Terrance Jr.
• In his spare time, Terrance enjoys music, martial
arts, golf, family, community involvement. He is
also an ordained minister.*
Growth
Management
Building Division
Alan C. Plante
25 Years
• Alan was born in Providence,
RI and moved to Central
Florida in 1972.
• He graduated from Oviedo
High School and attended
Valencia Community
College.
• Alan holds the following state licenses: Building
Code Administrator, Building/Mechanical/Plumbing
Plan Examiner, Building/Mechanical/Plumbing
Inspector.
• He was hired in 1984 by the Building Department as
a Residential Plans Examiner.
Alan Plante – 25 Years
• Alan was promoted to Commercial Plans Examiner in 1984,
Chief Plans Examiner in 1989, Acting Deputy Building
Official in 2003; and in 2006, he was appointed the Orange
County Building Official.
• He received the County Chairman’s Excellence Award in
1994.
• Alan is the current Treasurer of the International Code
Council’s Gulf Coast Region IX; and Vice President and
President-Elect of the Central Florida Chapter of the
Building Official’s Association of Florida.
• He has been married to Cynthia for 21 years and they have
one son: Christopher, who attends Timber Creek High
School.
• In his spare time, Alan enjoys coaching baseball, fishing,
and woodworking with the tools his dad gave him. *
Public Works
Roads and Drainage
Allan K. Middlebrooks
20 Years
• Allan was born and raised in
Orlando and graduated from
Evans High School.
• He was hired by Orange
County in 1989.
• Allan came to work for Orange County as a
Maintenance Person I with the Highway Department
and has been promoted Equipment Operator I, II, III
and IV.
• He has worked with the MSTU hand crew, inmate
crew, as a Jetter Truck Operator and with the
Support Crew as a concrete truck driver.
Allan Middlebrooks – 20 Years
• Allan attended the “Future Leaders of America” program at
Rollins College.
• He is certified in CPR and the Driver’s Safety Program.
• He has been married to Antoinette for 11 years and they
have three children: Allan Jr., 19, currently in the Air Force;
Demarco, 22, who works for Orange County; and Kadejha,
15, who attends Robinswood Middle School.
• Allan is involved in numerous charity events, including
Black History Month, United Way and Great Oaks Village.
• He coaches football at the West Oaks Academy and for a
youth football league at the Northwest Center.
• Allan enjoys playing football and basketball and looks
forward to early retirement. *
Public Works
Highway Construction
Johnnie L. Workman – 30 Years
• Johnnie was born in
Charleston, WV, moved to
Texas and then to Florida
in 1969.
• He served in the Marines
for 4 years and worked for
the Orlando Police Dept.
for 3 years.
• Johnnie graduated from UCF with a major in Math.
• He was hired in 1979 at Public Works as a Trades
Helper and has since been promoted to
Engineering Inspector II and III. He was recently
promoted to Senior Engineering Inspector.
Johnnie Workman – 30 Years
• Johnnie has been in charge of the Sidewalk Construction
Program and has built over 50 miles of sidewalk and
handicap ramps over the past 5 years.
• He has also worked on a number of projects including:
Installation of essential guardrails and a river diversion
program.
• He is now responsible for the Highway Construction
Division’s North and West areas of Orange County and a
$35 million road project contract.
• John is married to Judy. They have 4 grown children:
Thomas, a Sheriff’s Detective in East Virginia; a daughter
that works with the Florida Dept of Transportation in Bartow;
and two daughters that are stay-at-home moms.
• Everyone in the family is an avid football fan, and Friday
night, Saturdays and Sundays revolve around all kinds of
football games. *
Public Works
Fiscal and Administration
Yvette Caldwell - 20 Years
• Yvette was born and raised
in Orlando. She graduated
from Evans High School
and Columbia University.
• She was hired in 1989 to
work at Corrections as an
Administrative Specialist.
• Yvette was promoted and transferred to the Utilities
Customer Service Division where she worked in
the Call Center and Delinquent Accounts.
• She was then promoted to Human Resources
Technician, Fiscal Coordinator and is currently a
Senior Fiscal Coordinator.
Yvette Caldwell – 20 Years
• Yvette has received numerous appreciation awards for her
work with the Great Oaks Village, Black History Month,
Junior Achievement and United Way.
• She has been married to Darryl for over 21 years and they
have 3 beautiful children, daughters: Shayla, Shanelle and
a son: Deion. They also have one grandson: Cordero, 4.
• Yvette has two dogs, both boxers: Winston and Chester.
• In her spare time, she enjoys movies on Lifetime and AMC;
watching sports on ESPN; weightlifting and going to the
“Fun Spot” with her daughter and being on the football field
with her son.
• She attends the Kingdom Hall for worship, service and
community involvement.
• Overall, Yvette says it’s a pleasure working for Orange
County, where she has met a lot of people. She says she
loves being around her colleagues. *
Utilities
Customer Service
Kathy Ann Gibson
20 Years
• Kathy was born in York, PA,
and moved to Central Florida
in 1988.
• She graduated from William
Penn High School and
served 4 years in the
Marines.
• Kathy joined Orange County in 1989 as a Clerk
Typist in Public Utilities.
• She was promoted to Customer Service
Representative, Account Analyst, Senior Utility
Account Representative and Account Supervisor.
Kathy Gibson - 20 Years
• Kathy has received several awards, including:
Employee of the Month, Employee of the Quarter, a
Letter of Commendation from former Deputy County
Administrator Byron Brooks. She is also a winner of
the prestigious Jefferson Award for volunteerism.
• Kathy has been married to David for 3 ½ years. He’s
a 2nd grade school teacher. They have a son: Jerry;
three daughters: Kaylesha and twins: Zion and Zoe.
• Kathy is actively involved in her church and is an
ordained minister.
• She is also “K.C.” the clown in her spare time,
providing face painting and balloon art.
• Kathy has a real passion for serving others. *
Awards Presentation
Administrative Services
Facilities Management:
• Jose Sonera
20 Years
Corrections
Professional Services:
• Catherine Roberts
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Corrections
Security Operations:
• Benito Arzon
• Louis Quinones
20 Years
20 Years
Fire Rescue
Department Office:
• Daniel Kucik
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Fire Rescue
Training:
• LaRon Graham
20 Years
Operations:
• Terrance Darby
20 Years
Growth Management
Building:
• Alan Plante
25 Years
Awards Presentation
Public Works
Roads and Drainage:
• Allan Middlebrooks
20 Years
Highway Construction:
• Johnnie Workman
30 Years
Fiscal and Administration:
• Yvette Caldwell
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Utilities
Customer Service:
• Kathy Gibson
20 Years
Employee Service Awards
April 7, 2009