Employee Service Awards
August 11, 2009
Board of County
Commissioner’s
Employee Service
Awards
• Today’s honorees are recognized
for outstanding service and
dedication
County
Administration
Information Systems
and Services
Gary Snow - 20 Years
• Gary was born in Brooklyn, NY and
moved to Central Florida in 1989.
• He graduated from Tilden High
School.
• Gary joined Orange County in 1989
as a Computer Operator in the old
Department of Information
Technologies (DOIT) Division.
• He was responsible for monitoring the County’s technical
systems.
• In 2001, he transferred to the Service Center to handle calls
for technical assistance from employees.
• In 2002, Gary became the Desktop Support Team Coordinator
where he issues and distributes work from the Service Desk
to the technicians.
Gary Snow – 20 Years
• Gary is the lead for the Countywide Printer
Initiative to inventory printers in a costeffectiveness program.
• He has been married to Eileen for 7 years and
they have one son: Jack, who is the center of
their universe.
• Gary enjoys music, playing computer games
with Jack, spending time with and traveling
with his family.*
Resa J. Canter - 20 Years
• Resa was born and raised in
Brooklyn and went to school
at the Brooklyn Conservatory
of Music where she received
her degree in Secondary
Education.
• She then taught at New Dorp
High School on Staten Island.
• Resa joined Orange County in 1989 as a clerk with
Animal Services. She was promoted to Dispatcher,
Road Officer and Project Administrator.
• In 1999, she was promoted to Information Systems
and Services Supervisor of the Corrections Business
Unit.
Resa Canter – 20 Years
• Resa was promoted in 2001 as the Supervisor of the
Desktop Computing Team and in 2006, she joined
the ISS Asset Management Team.
• Over the past several years, Resa made a life changing transformation by losing 150 pounds. She
is now actively involved in many wellness initiatives,
including completing the MS Citrus 110 mile bike
tour. Resa is now the Wellness Coordinator for ISS.
• Resa loves to travel and she has visited: China,
Scotland, Great Britain, Hong Kong and Hawaii. *
Administrative
Services
Facilities Management
Victor M. Velez
20 Years
• Victor was born in Caguas,
Puerto Rico and moved to
Central Florida in 1988.
• He served in the 301st United
States Military Police
Company.
• After retiring from the police, Victor was hired by
Orange County in 1989 as a Trades Helper for
Facilities Management.
• Victor was promoted to Maintenance Technician
and after obtaining his Journeyman Electrician
License he was promoted to that position.
Vector Velez – 20 Years
• Victor is currently an Operations Technician IV at
the Corrections Facilities Management District.
• During the 2004 hurricanes, he served on the
Community Emergency Response Team, assisting
Orange County citizens during the recovery.
• Victor has been married to Violeta for 38 years and
they have three children: Brenda, Daniel and
Ivellise.
• He provides volunteer maintenance assistance to
his church in his spare time.
• Victor enjoys camping, fishing and snorkeling. *
Administrative
Services
Fleet Management
Fred F. Tumin Jr. - 30 Years
• Fred was born in Bethesda,
MD and moved to Orlando in
1975.
• He graduated from Walter
Johnson High School, attended
Montgomery College and
Brevard Community College.
• Fred is certified in Automotive Service Excellence as
a Master Mechanic for automobiles and light trucks.
• He was originally hired in 1979 as a Mechanic and
earned a promotion to Mechanic III.
• Fred has won the Orange Award and he was elected
Chief Steward for L.I.U.N.A. Local 517.
Fred Tumin – 30 Years
• Fred has served as Fleet Management’s Chief
Steward for 30 years and now serves as a
Delegate to the District Council.
• He was a member of the Orange County Hurricane
Recovery Team in 2004.
• Fred serves on the United Way Campaign
Committee.
• He has been married to Lynda for 26 years (27 on
August 14) and they have two children: Mary Beth,
and Kristin.
• In his spare time, Fred enjoys gardening, growing
vegetables and plants and volunteering for the
Democratic Party. *
Corrections
Community Corrections
Charles R. Smedley – 30 Years
• Bob was born in Orlando,
graduated from Colonial
High School in 1974 and
Florida Technological
University (now UCF) in
1978. He has a degree in
Criminal Justice.
• Bob began his career with Orange County as a
college intern in Court Alternatives.
• He was hired in 1978, through the CETA Program.
• Bob worked for eight years as a Pre-Trial Diversion
Treatment Counselor.
Charles “Bob” Smedley – 30 Years
• Bob was transferred to Supervised Release, then the
Probation Unit.
• He currently serves as a Senior Community Corrections
Officer and served as the Chair of the Domestic Violence
Task Force from 2003 - 2005.
• Bob has received numerous awards including: Line Officer of
the Year (2005 and 2006), and Victim Services Coalition
Commitment to Victims Award (2003).
• He is a Training Consultant for the Florida Coalition Against
Domestic Violence and a member of the Florida & Legal
Policy Council. He now serves on the Advisory Board for
Harbor House.
• Bob has also volunteered as a docent at the Orange County
History Center.
• He is an active gardener and a member of the Central Florida
Bromeliad Society. *
Donell E. Bjoring
30 Years
• Don was born in Harrisburg, PA,
and moved to Central Florida in
1953.
• He graduated from Winter Park
High School, the University of
South Florida and UCF.
• Don was hired in 1979 to work in Court Alternatives.
• He has served in a variety of positions, including:
Probation Officer and Manager of several different
divisions. He is currently the Manager of Community
Corrections and Professional Services.
Don Bjoring – 30 Years
• Don was the senior Corrections representative on
the team that designed and built the Phoenix facility,
the Female Detention Center and the Booking and
Release Center.
• He was a staff representatives for the Mayor’s Jail
Oversight Committee in 2001.
• Don has been married to Meg for 30 years and they
have two children: Alan, 26, a mason; and Nick, 21,
who is serving in the Navy.
• In his spare time, Don enjoys golfing, boating,
camping and reading. *
Corrections
Security Operations
Cheryl Olivia Blunt
20 Years
• Cheryl was born in
Flemington, FL and moved to
Central Florida in 1989.
• She graduated from Manatee
High School.
• Cheryl was hired in 1989 as a Control Desk Monitor
in Central Booking where she worked for eight years.
• She has also worked in Work Release, Horizon and
is presently assigned to Genesis.
• Cheryl has received several letters of appreciation
and commendation.
Cheryl Blunt - 20 Years
• Cheryl received a letter from former
Corrections Chief Tim Ryan in 2004 for her
professionalism.
• In her spare time, she enjoys reading and
traveling, loving life, family, friends and
people.
• She volunteers with the Black History,
Hispanic and Multi-Cultural Diversity
Celebrations. *
Fire Rescue
Operations
David W. Provau
20 Years
• Dave was born in New Orleans and
moved to Pine Hills in 1963.
• He graduated from Evans High School,
Valencia Community College, the
University of Phoenix and he is currently
in graduate school.
• Dave served in the Army for six years.
• He has completed the Orange County Basic SWAT School,
earned a Tactical Paramedic Certificate, attended the Florida
and Georgia Police Academies and he is a volunteer high
school teacher.
• Dave joined Orange County in 1989, was promoted to
Lieutenant in 2000 and Battalion Chief in 2004. He transferred
to Field Operations as a Battalion Chief in 2006.
Dave Provau – 20 Years
• He received a Meritorious Service Award in 1993, 1st Place
Team Captain in the International Advanced Life Support
Competition.
• Dave developed the rank of Captain for EMS Supervisors and
created the Medical Emergency Response Team in 2004 for
the presidential race in conjunction with the Secret Service.
• He was responsible for Orange County obtaining a number of
grants, including: AutoPulse and the Nitrous Oxide Units.
• Dave has served on many deployments, including the Katrina
Recovery Team.
• He had one son, Scott, whom he lost last year at the age of
23.
• In his spare time Dave helps raise funds for the Children’s
Burn Foundation of Florida. *
Robert J. Lee - 20 Years
• Bob was born in Miami and
moved to Orlando in 1989.
• He graduated from Western High
School in Davie and he’s currently
attending Columbia College to
earn a degree in Business
Administration.
• Bob was hired by Orange County Fire Rescue in
1989 as a Firefighter/EMT.
• He has received numerous citations and letters of
commendation for outstanding service.
• Bob has been assigned to several stations during
his career including: 41, 30, and 81.
Robert Lee – 20 Years
• Bob served one year in the training division
working with new recruits and providing in-service
training.
• He is currently a Battalion Chief working the South
OBT area, but he stays heavily involved in training
and developing the management and incident
command schools.
• Bob has been married to Dawn Lee for 10 years
and they have one daughter, Rebecca.
• In his spare time, Bob enjoys the outdoors and
working around his small ranch in Tennessee,
where he plans to retire one day. *
Daniel J. Horan - 20 Years
• Dan was born in Detroit, MI and
moved to Florida in 1987.
• He served in the Army for 4 years
as a jet engine Mechanic.
• He attended St. Pete Vo-Tech to
obtain his Fire Standards and St.
Pete Junior College for EMT.
• Dan started as a volunteer firefighter with the
Oldsmar Fire Department and was then hired by
Orange County Fire Rescue in 1989.
• He was promoted to Engineer in 2003.
Dan Horan – 20 Years
• Dan has received a Unit Citation in 2000 for
working a fire at an adult assisted living
facility, helping to evacuate 170 patients.
• He was awarded another Unit Citation in
2005 for his work involving an automobile
accident with heavy entrapment at Sand Lake
and John Young Parkway.
• But, he says his biggest accomplishment was
getting his wife to marry him. *
David A. Rathbun - 20 Years
• Dave was born in Fort
Lauderdale and moved to
Central Florida in 1988.
• He graduated from South
Plantation High School and the
University of Phoenix.
• He served four years in the Navy.
• Dave was hired by Orange County Fire Rescue in
1989 as a Firefighter.
• He was promoted to Lieutenant in 2000, Battalion
Chief in 2001 and Assistant Chief in 2008. Dave is
currently the Interim Division Chief.
• He coordinated the logistics section of the Field
Operations Center during the 2004 hurricanes.
David Rathbun – 20 Years
• Dave is responsible for the management and
oversight in the Logistics Division, which includes:
Fleet, Warehousing and Supplies, Facilities, Capital
Assets Inventory and Public Information and Life
Safety.
• He was responsible for developing and implementing
the first apparatus replacement plan.
• Dave is a member of the Fire Rescue Association
Team.
• He has been married to Michele for 10 years and he
has two sons: Alan, 17, Jonathan, 14 and three stepchildren: Sean, 25, Kaci, 20, and Tori, 17.
• Dave’s hobbies include: Fishing, camping, snow skiing
and watching the Minnesota Vikings. *
Jose P. Gainza Jr. - 20 Years
• JoJo was born in Coral
Gables and moved to
Orlando in 1988.
• He graduated from
Archbishop Curley NotreDame High School, attended
the University of Florida and
graduated from Barry
University.
• JoJo served in the Navy for ten years as Hospital
Corpsman with the Marines, serving tours on the
USS Okinawa, Saipan and Guadalcanal (all
amphibious landing ships).
Jose Gainza – 20 Years
• JoJo also served in Desert Storm and played on the All-Navy
Soccer Team.
• He was hired in 1989 to work with Fire Rescue’s Operations
Division.
• He was one of the first EMS Supervisors.
• JoJo was promoted to Lieutenant in 1999, and Battalion Chief
in 2006 and served as the EMS Chief for 2 ½ years.
• He has received numerous awards including: Fire Chief Award;
Distinguished Service Award; Community Service Award;
Letters of Commendation. He also served as member of the
Honor Guard that won the Florida statewide competition in
1994.
• JoJo has served on several committees including; EMS
Transport; EMS Report Writing; Fire Department Accreditation,
and Air Methods for FireStar Service.
• He is married to Laurie, a Fire Rescue Dispatcher.
Jose Gainza – 20 Years
• JoJo has four children: JP, 19, who attends UCF; Ellery, 16, a
Junior at Lake Highland Prep; Tom, 21, who attends Florida
State, and Nick, 19, who attends Seminole Community College
Fire School.
• In his spare time, JoJo enjoys fishing, going to the beach,
playing soccer and coaching. He is a die hard soccer fan.
• He has a National “D” license in soccer coaching and has
volunteered as a soccer coach for the Central Florida United
Soccer Club for 15 years.
• JoJo has been a member of the Honor Guard since 1991. *
Public Works
Transportation Planning
Linda Lorentz Ramsey - 20 Years
• Linda was born and raised in
Texas.
• She graduated from
Sharpstown High School and
Valencia Community College.
• She was hired in 1989 to work
at Public Works Engineering.
• Linda transferred to the Stormwater Management
Division and later to the Building Division.
• She has held several positions including:
Dispatcher, Permit Technician, Permit Analyst and
Building Plans Examiner.
Linda Ramsey – 20 Years
• Linda currently serves as the Planning and
Development Assistant in the Transportation
Planning Division.
• She is certified with the Southern Building Code
Congress and is licensed with the State of Florida as
a Building Inspector and Building Plans Examiner.
• Linda has been married to Ray, who has worked with
the Fire Marshall’s Office for ten years, and they
have one son: Christopher.
• In her spare time, Linda enjoys cooking, quilting, web
surfing, gardening, boating and fishing.
• She volunteers with the Paint the Town Program, the
local food bank and she provides child care at her
church. *
Utilities
Water Division
Klell D. Hollar
20 Years
• Klell was born and raised in
Orlando and graduated from
Oak Ridge High School.
• He holds an American Water Works Association
certification and a C&B Industrial Pretreatment
certification license.
• Klell started with Orange County Water Distribution
in 1989 as a Trades Helper and has been promoted
to Maintenance Technician and Maintenance
Coordinator.
• He has also served as a Focus Group Leader and
has participated many times in the Meter Madness.
Klell Hollar – 20 Years
• Klell has won first place in the Fun Tap
competition and third place at the Meter
Madness.
• He is married to Suzan and has two children:
Klell Christopher and Sheyenne.
• In his spare time, Klell enjoys fishing, teaching
bass fishing, working on his farm and spending
time with his family.*
Awards Presentation
County Administration
ISS:
• Gary Snow
• Resa Canter
20 Years
20 Years
Administrative Services
Facilities Management:
• Victor Velez
20 Years
Fleet Management:
• Fred Tumin
30 Years
Awards Presentation
Corrections
Community Corrections:
• Bob Smedley
• Don Bjoring
30 Years
30 Years
Security Operations:
• Cheryl Blunt
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Fire Rescue
Operations:
•
•
•
•
•
Dave Provau
Robert Lee
Dan Horan
Dave Rathbun
Jose Gainza
20 Years
20 Years
20 Years
20 Years
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Public Works
Transportation Planning:
• Linda Ramsey
20 Years
Utilities
Water Division:
• Klell Hollar
20 Years
Employee Service Awards
August 11, 2009