Employee Service Awards
February 5, 2008
Board of County
Commissioner’s
Employee Service
Awards
• Today’s honorees are
recognized for outstanding
service and dedication:
Administrative
Services
Department Office
Cherylee Linda Ann Metzgar - 20 Years
• Cherylee was born in Corning,
NY. She moved to Jacksonville
in 1970 and to Orlando two
years later.
• She graduated from high
school in Albany, NY.
• Cherylee joined Orange County in 1988 as a Correction’s
Food Services Storekeeper.
• Back in the day, she remembers driving a 2 ½ ton stake truck
for deliveries to the downtown Courthouse, Main Jail and the
Correctional Facility.
Cherylee Metzgar – 20 Years
• Cherylee eventually transferred to the Facilities
Management warehouse and got promoted to
Administrative Specialist in the Fiscal Department.
• In 2003, she was promoted to Fiscal Coordinator.
• Cherylee has been married to Dennis for 20 years.
• In her spare time, she enjoys horseback riding,
dancing, water aerobics and staying healthy in
general.
• She really likes her job at Facilities where she can
assist in paying people while getting paid at the
same time. She says “It’s a great place to work and
the people are great too!” *
Community &
Environmental
Services
Code Enforcement
Robert Paul Spivey Jr. - 20 Years
• Bob was born in Orlando,
but lived in Jacksonville
until moving back in 1988.
• He graduated from
Wolfson High School, the
University of Florida and
Florida State, so he’s both
a Gator and a ‘Nole.
• Bob was hired in 1988 to work as a Management
Analyst in the Office of Management and Budget.
• Some of the jobs he’s held: Assistant to the County
Administrator, Assistant to the Director of Public
Safety, Assistant Manager of Code Enforcement and
now Manager of Code Enforcement.
Bob Spivey – 20 Years
• Bob is certified Level I and II by the Florida Association of
Code Enforcement.
• During his time with Orange County, Bob has accomplished
the following:
- Managed consultants that detailed improvements for the court system and
the Sheriff’s Office
- Managed County contracts with governmental relations, including
establishing Orange County’s governmental relations program in Washington D.C.
- Managed County programs providing mental health and substance abuse
services, including establishment of the County’s Drug Court to reduce the jail
population.
- Assisted in the creation of the Drug Free Community Awareness Division.
• Bob has been married to Jeannette for 12 years and they have
two sons: Matthew, 7; and Daniel, 4.
• In his spare time, Bob enjoys golf, playing piano, composing
songs, reading, Civil War History and the Florida Gators. *
Community &
Environmental
Services
Environmental Protection
John W. Pierce - 30 Years
• John was born in Cook County,
IL and moved to Winter Park
when he was 8 months old.
• He was hired by Orange
County in 1978 as a Spray
Technician in the Aquatic Plant
Control Section of Orange
County Pollution Control.
• He was promoted to Environmental Specialist and is now a
Senior Environmental Specialist.
• John is a member of the Florida Aquatic Plant Management
Society. He won the 1983 and 1995 “Applicator of the Year
Award”.
John Pierce – 30 Years
• John won EPD Employee of the Month 6 times and
Employee of the Quarter once.
• He received the Public Service Certificate of
Excellence award in 1996 for the Aquatic Plant
Program.
• John has worked his entire career with the EPD
spray section, but in the 1980’s, he assisted with
permitting and compliance activities as well.
• He is very proud of this son: Cody, who is following
in his father’s footsteps as a star high school
football player, great surfer and fisherman.
• In his spare time, John enjoys deep sea fishing,
surfing and biking. *
Community &
Environmental
Services
Parks & Recreation
Daniel Paul Milliken - 20 Years
• Dan was born in Berrien
Springs, MI (1 square mile in
size) and moved to Central
Florida in 1967.
• He graduated from Eustis
High School and took several
vocational - technical classes.
• Dan was hired by Parks and Recreation in 1988.
• He has worked at Trimble Park, with Fleet
Management and at the Parks and Recreation
Support Facility.
Dan Milliken – 20 Years
• Dan has been instrumental in many
campground - lakefront clearing projects, as
well as nature trail renovation projects at
Trimble Park.
• He has one son: Tyler, 14 years old.
• Dan’s hobbies include: Riding motorcycles,
bowling, tennis, and snow skiing. *
Community &
Environmental
Services
Department Office
Patricia A. Bythwood - 20 Years
• Pat was born in Mobile, Al and
moved to Central Florida in 1979.
• She has a Bachelor’s degree in
Political Science from Knoxville
College and a Master’s in Public
Administration from UCF.
• Pat was hired in 1988 as a Management and Budget Analyst in
the Office of Management and Budget.
• She has been promoted to Senior OMB Analyst, Revenue
Coordinator and Administrator.
• In 2004, she was promoted to Assistant to the Director of
Community & Environmental Services. Pat is now the the
Manager of Fiscal & Human Resources.
Pat Bythwood – 20 Years
• Pat as served as the Chairman of the Court Revenue
Collections Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Criminal
Justice Coordinating Council; Chairman of the County’s
Deferred Compensation Committee which increased
participation to 51%.
• She has served as the County’s liaison with the Florida
Association of Counties for the implementation of Revision 7
to Article V of Florida’s Constitution.
• Pat has coordinated fee revisions and development of new
fees. One revision was increasing the fine to $250 for
handicap space parking violations.
• She served as the lead in implementing the County’s
Performance Based Measurement System developing a
reporting format that is still used today.
• Pat has written staff reports and made presentations to the
Board on: The Living Wage, Implementing Revision 7 to
Article V, and the Animal Services 90 Day Report.
Pat Bythwood – 20 Years
• Over the years, Pat has been recognized for her service and
commitment by receiving such awards as: Chairman’s
Award; OMB Employee of the Month; Growth Management’s
Victims Service Center Task Force and many more.
• She has made many presentations to various groups and
organizations, such as: Florida Association of Counties;
National Forum for Black Public Administrators; and
Friendship Force International.
• Pat has been married to Aaron for 31 years and they
recently vacationed in Hawaii.
• She is a member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church
where she chaired a committee for new construction.
• Pat is also a member of the Florida Government Finance
Officers Association, the Central Florida Human Resource
Association and she’s an alumni of the YMCA Adult
Achiever’s Program. *
Corrections
In-Custody Support
Marinda Shonagh Willis
20 Years
• Marinda was born in King
Mountain, NC and moved to
Central Florida in 1962.
• She graduated from Edgewater
High School.
• Marinda was hired by Orange County in 1988 to
work at Corrections as a Detention Service Officer.
• She has worked at Central Booking, Genesis,
Phoenix, Horizon, the Female Detention Center
along with the Main and Perimeter Facilities.
Marinda Willis – 20 Years
• Marinda received a Letter of Recognition for
exemplary customer service in 1994.
• She has been married to Vince for three
years.
• She has two daughters: Sherlonda and
Ja Rhonda.
• Marinda’s hobbies include: reading, traveling,
dancing, exercising and going to church. *
John Davis - 20 Years
• John is a native of Orlando and
graduated from Apopka Memorial
High School.
• He joined the US Army in 1975,
and used the G.I. Bill to earn
degrees from Valencia
Community College and the
University of Central Florida.
• John was hired by Orange County in 1988 to work in
the Modular Housing Area.
• He has also worked in the Annex, the Main Facility,
Horizon, Phoenix and the Medical Section. He is
currently employed at the Booking Release Center
with Inmate Affairs.
John Davis – 20 Years
• John has worked as an Intelligence Officer for the Anti-Gang
Enforcement Group, CAGE,
• He is a key member of the Emergency Operations Center
Staff Group, able to respond during natural or man-made
disasters. John is National Incident Management System
certified.
• Over the past four years, John has been assigned to
investigations involving closed protective custody requests,
and processing inmate grievances.
• In 2006, he was appointed to the position of Disciplinary
Hearing Officer.
• John has been married to Rose Marie for 14 years.
• His hobbies include: Surf fishing for blues and sharks,
predator and bird hunting.
• John is also known to help a political candidate or two
running for office. *
Corrections
Community Corrections
Brady J. Pawson - 30 Years
• Brady was an Air Force
dependent born in
Chester, England. He
moved to Satellite
Beach in 1968 and
Orlando in 1970.
• Brady is a graduate of Satellite High School and the
University of Central Florida.
• In 1983, he graduated from the JC Stone Memorial
Police Academy and became an Orlando Police
Reserve Officer.
• Brady joined Orange County in 1978 at the
Emergency Services Department.
Brady Pawson – 30 Years
• In 1981, Brady transferred to the Community Corrections
Department as a Probation Officer.
• He later moved to the Pre-Trial Diversion Unit. Brady is
currently a Field Officer supervising offenders in the Home
Confinement Unit.
• As a sworn Reserve Sergeant with OPD, Brady supervises a
squad of 10 other reserve officers.
• He has been married to Barbara for 11 years and they have
two sons: Connor, 10, and Logan, 7.
• Brady also has two daughters: Joanne, and Kathleen.
• They are also foster parents to a 9 month baby girl: April.
• In his spare time, Brady, a licensed private pilot, enjoys
flying. He is also a licensed ham radio operator.
• Brady helps with his son’s activities including: Scouts,
soccer, basketball and Karate lessons. *
Corrections
Inmate Programming
Cheryl Sneed Clark - 20 Years
• Cheryl was born and
raised in Orlando.
• She graduated from Jones
High School and BethuneCookman College.
• Cheryl was hired in 1988 to work at the Dockets
Department of Corrections now known as Inmate
Records.
• She started as a Clerical Specialist and was
promoted to Correctional Release Specialist and
Correctional Aide. She is now a Community
Corrections Officer.
Cheryl Clark – 20 Years
• Cheryl is certified as a member of the Emergency
Response Team.
• She has been married to Milton for 11 wonderful
years and they have two children; Winston and
Jasmine.
• When she’s not working, Cheryl enjoys spending
quality time with her family, shopping, traveling,
and reading. She is actively involved with her
church, Christ Centered Christian Church, as a
Youth Counselor. *
Dennis J. White - 30 Years
• Dennis was born in
Bloomsburg, PA and
moved to Central Florida
in 1973.
• He graduated from UCF in
1979.
• Dennis was hired by Orange County in 1976
through the CETA Program to work in Court
Alternatives as a Counselor’s Aide.
Dennis White – 30 Years
• He has been promoted several times to: Program
Counselor, Work Release Operations Supervisor,
Work Release Programs Supervisor, Senior
Probation Officer and Pre-Trial Diversion
Supervisor. He is currently the Senior Evaluation &
Monitoring Coordinator.
• Dennis has been married to Carla for 26 years and
they have one daughter: Ashley, who attends
Nursing School.
• In his spare time, he enjoys motorcycle riding (1999
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy), traveling, photography,
and music. *
Fire Rescue
Operations
Martin L. Cyphers III - 25 Years
• Martin was born in Dayton,
Ohio and moved to Florida
in 1971.
• He graduated from
Colonial High School.
• He was hired in 1983 by
Orange County Fire Rescue.
• Martin was promoted to
Engineer in 1989 and
Lieutenant in 2000. He is
currently on the Battalion Chief
Promotion List.
Martin Cyphers – 25 Years
• Martin is a certified Safety Officer and Command School
Instructor. He is also Fire Instructor/Fire Officer certified.
• He has been married to Donna, an Engineer at Station 80, for 9
years.
• Martin has a daughter, Morgan, who just received her Master’s
from UCF in Sports Business Administration. His son Tyler is
also pursuing a Master’s Degree. (Great – Martin will never be
able to retire).
• Martin’s hobbies include; hiking, biking and enjoying his family.
He competed in the Florida Firefighter Olympics for 25 straight
years playing basketball, softball and volleyball.
• He says he has been truly blessed with a wonderful family,
great friends and a profession for which he still has a great
passion. *
Joseph J. King - 25 Years
• Joe was born in
Binghamton, NY and
moved to Central
Florida in 1968.
• He graduated from
Colonial High School.
• Joe was hired by Orange County in 1983 to work
at Station 50. He was later assigned to Station 52.
• Joe was promoted to Engineer in 1992 and
transferred to Station 80.
• He has also worked at Stations 51, and 70.
Joe King – 25 Years
• Joe has received several Unit Citations and Letters
of Commendation.
• He has been married to Fran for 23.5 years and
they have one daughter, Denise.
• In his spare time, Joe enjoys golf, fishing and
boating. *
Health & Family
Services
Head Start
Charlene U. Register - 20 Years
• Charlene was born and
raised in Orlando. She’s a
graduate of Jones High
School.
• She also attended Florida
State University and is
currently enrolled at Valencia
Community College.
• Charlene began her career with Orange County
as a part-time Bus Chaperone. She was later
hired as a Teacher’s Aide.
Charlene Register – 20 Years
• Charlene was promoted to Teacher Assistant
and is currently a Teacher at the Pine Hills
Head Start Center.
• She is the daughter of a retired Head Start
employee.
• Charlene has six children: Shaana, Correy,
Khadija, Ashanti, D’Mya and Robert.
• In her spare time, Charlene enjoys shopping,
clipping coupons and watching westerns and
action movies. *
Loretta Alexis - 25 Years
• Loretta was born and
raised in Orlando.
• She was a parent
volunteer with the Head
Start program while her
children were enrolled.
• Loretta was hired by Orange County in 1983 as a
Teacher’s Aide and was later promoted to Teacher.
• She is now the Center Manager at two Head Start
sites.
Loretta Alexis – 25 Years
• Loretta is a graduate of Columbia College and a
member of the National Association for the
Education of Young Children.
• She is married to William and they have four
children: Lovetta, Lisa, Ralphael and Latoya.
• She is very active in her community and church
where she serves as a Deaconess. She is also
President of the Women’s Auxiliary.
• In her spare time, Loretta enjoys shopping and
traveling. *
Gwendolyn Sibert - 30 Years
• Gwen was born in
Ashburn, GA and moved to
Orlando when she was 2
years old.
• She graduated from
Orlando Vo-Tech and
attended Valencia
Community College.
• Gwen is currently enrolled at Palm Beach Atlantic
University and she’s working toward a Bachelor’s
Degree in Business Management.
Gwen Sibert – 30 Years
• Gwen joined Orange County in 1977 with the
CETA Program.
• She was hired as a regular full-time Teacher’s
Aide. She has been promoted to Teacher
Assistant, Teacher and she’s now Center
Supervisor at the new Taft Head Start Center.
• Gwen is active with her church, where she serves
as a Girl’s Club counselor.
• She volunteers with numerous community
organizations.
• She has been married to George for over 20 years
and they have 5 children and 2 grandchildren.
• Gwen enjoys shopping, relaxing at home and
traveling. *
Awards Presentation
Administrative Services
Department Office:
• Cherylee Metzgar
20 Years
Community & Environmental Services
Code Enforcement:
• Bob Spivey
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Community & Environmental Services
Environmental Protection:
• John Pierce
30 Years
Parks and Recreation:
• Daniel Milliken
20 Years
Department Office:
• Pat Bythwood
20 Years
Awards Presentation
Corrections
In-Custody Support:
• Marinda Willis
• John Davis
20 Years
20 Years
Community Corrections:
• Brady Pawson
30 Years
Awards Presentation
Corrections
Inmate Programming:
• Cheryl Clark
• Dennis White
20 Years
30 Years
Awards Presentation
Fire Rescue
Operations:
• Martin Cyphers III
• Joe King
25 Years
25 Years
Health & Family Services
Head Start:
• Charlene Register
• Loretta Alexis
• Gwen Sibert
20 Years
25 Years
30 Years
Employee Service Awards
February 5, 2008