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Hanover: People, Tradition & Spirit! |
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Outstanding Employees!
Terry Havens
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| Terry received the inaugural Bill Taliaferro Memorial Award for Teamwork and Commitment to Excellence. Bill was a longtime CSB employee who passed away in 2006. |
Terry Havens’ job title with Hanover Community Services is Training Specialist. But that only scratches the surface of what he contributes every day to the operation at Hanover Recycling and Hanover Industries on Dow-Gil Road in Ashland.
“I do a little bit of everything,” he admits. “I make sure the warehouse operation is running efficiently. I help out with the clients on the production line. I go to businesses and pick up their recycling. I also fill in as a relief driver when needed.”
Terry has worked with Hanover CSB for about six years, and with the Hanover Department of Public Works for two years before that. It’s all good to him. “I love coming to work every day,” he says.
Recently, Hanover CSB Employment Services held their annual recognition banquet. Terry received the inaugural Bill Taliaferro Memorial Award for Teamwork and Commitment to Excellence. Bill was a longtime CSB employee who passed away in 2006.
Terry and Bill were friends who worked together. “This means everything to me,” he says.
“Bill was an incredible person,” Terry recalls. “He had the kind of personality that he could walk into a room and all of a sudden the level of productivity and cooperation would go up in that area. He had a great manner about him. I’ll never forget how he would come in and say, ‘what can I do to help you today?’ And whatever he did, it was always done just right.”
According to his colleagues, Terry shows some of the same characteristics. Comments made from those who nominated him include “strong commitment to program and consumers”, “always willing to help co-workers”, “works well with business partners to ensure quality” and “willing to mentor new employees about the program and operational practices.”
“Terry’s daily work performance mirrors the spirit and tradition of the Hanover County Community Services Board,” a nominator wrote.
Terry is quick to pass the credit along to others.
“I received the award, but it was the clients and my fellow staff that made it possible,” he says. “They are the ones that did all the work. We have a very multi-talented staff here and we all work together as a team.”
Terry helps supervise about 14 clients directly in Hanover Recycling. All have disabilities and recycle mixed paper and/or computers, taking the latter apart piece-by-piece. “We train them, we make sure that they are OK and we work with them to increase their ability,” he explains.
“I’m often amazed at what they are capable of doing,” he says. I think what we do here very critical for the county. We provide opportunities for people with disabilities to come in and have meaningful employment.”
Sharon Williams
Community Services
December 2, 2009
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| Sharon Williams does her own job so well that she recently received the Pat Thacker Power of Team Award for her leadership in the program. |
Sharon Williams is one of the training specialists employed by Hanover Community Services to help people with disabilities find and keep jobs. She does her own job so well that she recently received the Pat Thacker Power of Team Award for her leadership in the program.
“Sharon is always there for me,” said one client who nominated her for the award. “When I need help, I know all I have to do is call and she will be there.”
Sharon works with the Employment Services program, which helps clients get jobs with employees in the private sector. Right now she has about 15 clients in different stages of the process, from job training to job development to long-term follow-along.
“I work closely with clients at every step,” Sharon explains. “First I try to determine what kind of jobs they are interested in and assess their skills. I help them submit their applications, prepare and go on their interviews and advocate for them with their employers. If they get the job, I then train and do everything I can to keep them employed.” About 70 local employers are currently participating in the program.
In this economy, finding jobs can be tougher than ever. “We even have to compete with unemployed post-graduates,” she says. “We use every avenue we can think of – the internet, cold calling, networking, going through newspapers, constantly looking for every opportunity.”
But the job also has great satisfactions. “Some of my clients really depend on me and are very appreciative,” she says. “Developing relationships with them is a real joy. One of my clients travels abroad several times a year, and she always sends me postcards. I received a poem she had written about me and how she loves her job coach”
“I love this kind of work,” she adds. “It’s so rewarding. I want them to feel like I’m someone they can trust and someone they can feel comfortable with.”
Sharon is one of six training specialists on her team. Others include Robin Zimmerman, Torrie Goodman, Roberto Chavarria, Ryan Maddox and LaDonna Hayes. “We are all very close, and we could not achieve the successes that we do without the help we give each other,” she says.
Sharon has been with Hanover Community Services for about 3 years. She lives in Ashland with her husband Wayne. They have two sons, Chris and Courtney, and two grandchildren, Sam and Ellie.
The Pat Thacker Power of Team Award recognizes those who exemplify the dedicated leadership of Pat, who retired two years ago after 24 years of service to the County’s residents. As Director of Mental Retardation Services, Pat was directly responsible for the growth and development of the CSB’s employment programs and all of the CSB’s residential options for persons with mental retardation.
Jim Totty
Purchasing
November 19, 2009
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| Jim Totty of the Purchasing Department has become one of only 58 in the nation to earn Lifetime Certification as a Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO). |
Jim Totty of the Purchasing Department has become one of only 58 in the nation to earn Lifetime Certification as a Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO).
Since its inception in 1964 only 1813 people have been certified as CPPO’s. Jim received his CPPO certification in 1991 and was the 632 person to be certified. This certification is also recognized in Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland and Australia.
The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing is responsible for granting Lifetime Certification. In order to qualify, an applicant must have at least 15 years of public purchasing experience and have reached the age of 62.
Jim has been in public purchasing for a quarter-century, working for the City of Richmond, Commonwealth of Virginia and Hanover County. He is in his 14th year with the County.
As Deputy Purchasing Director, Jim is responsible for all of the County’s purchasing programs. He supervises three employees in the Purchasing Department and eight when the Director of Purchasing and General Services is out of the office.
“This is the highest certification for public purchasing officials that I can obtain,” Jim says. It also means that he never has to re-certify regardless of how many more years he decides to work; others who have not received a lifetime certification have to be re-certified every five years.
“This is something you work towards your whole career and hope someday you get there,” Jim adds.
Jim was also awarded a lifetime certification as a Certified Purchasing Manager in 2001 by the Institute of Supply Management, Inc.
“Jim’s two lifetime certifications are not only very special achievements, but also evidence of his dedication to the purchasing profession,” said Alan Wright, Director of Purchasing and General Services. “He is an excellent resource to those he supervises and the County departments and vendors he works with. Jim always finds a way to make funds available so his staff is able to get needed training. I congratulate him on this lifetime certification.”
Barbara Horlacher
Finance
November 5, 2009
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| Barbara Horlacher started out in Hanover as a part-time Budget Technician and was promoted to Budget Analyst in 2006. |
Barbara Horlacher of the Finance Department has taken what may be an unusual career path – starting out as a nurse, she’s now a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)!
Now an Accountant III in Finance, Barbara worked as a nurse for several years after getting her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. She then returned to college to get an MBA from the University of Connecticut, and ended up working for a bank and an IT company before she and her husband David moved here from Troy, Michigan, in 2003.
Barbara continued to work part-time as a nurse while raising their children, Jessica and Ben, before being hired by Hanover County in 2004. She started out in Hanover as a part-time Budget Technician and was promoted to Budget Analyst in 2006.
“I have to thank the people who supervised me, Chris Sorensen and Terry Stone, for my progress and success,” she says. “They recognized that I could do much more and moved me into the Budget Analyst position.”
Barbara took the next step in her professional development by enrolling in VCU’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program. That enabled her to take all of the business and accounting courses she needed to sit for the CPA exam.
“That took me two years,” she says. “I worked during the day and went to school in the evenings.”
The CPA examination consists of four parts, which she took separately over a year’s time. “It was very hard,” she says. “But it was also very exhilarating in a way because it was like exercise for the mind. It kind of ‘cleared the cobwebs.’ But I’m glad it’s over!”
She recently learned that she had passed the final part of the CPA exam. “I was very excited and relieved,” she said, “adding with a laugh, “relieved probably would be the better word.”
“Barbara has a strong customer service focus, combined with excellent accounting and budgetary skills,” notes her supervisor, Accounting Division Director Craig Eastman. “She adds a new layer of strength to Hanover’s already high-performing Finance function. Her quick passage of the CPA exam is completely in character for her, and our congratulations are due for her achievement of this important credential.”
Barbara might seek her CPFO (“Certified Public Finance Officer”) national certification in the future, but plans to wait a while. “I’m taking a break from studying right now,” she laughs.
Barbara is one of three CPA’s in the Finance Department, joining Vivian McGettigan, Finance Director, and Craig.
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| From left to right, Melissa Thorne, Tennant Frost and Torrie Goodman. Not pictured is Nancy Langley.. |
Management Certificate recipients
August 12, 2009
Hanover County offers a Management Certificate recognizing managers and supervisors who complete 38 hours of training in these areas:
- Ethics in the workplace
- Give ‘em the pickle (customer service training)
- Harassment prevention
- Interviewing skills
- Online recruitment system
- Performance management
- Spirit of teams
- Substance abuse
- Supervisors’ accountability
- Supervisory skills
Recently, the fourth group of managers to complete the training received plaques recognizing their accomplishment. Those receiving the Management Certificates were:
- Tennant Frost, Utility Supervisor for Public Utilities, who has been with the County since 1994.
- Torrie Goodman, Training Specialist for Community Services, who has employed by Hanover County since 1998.
- Nancy Langley, Communications Supervisor for Emergency Communications, who has been with Hanover since 2002.
- Melissa Thorne, Office Manager for the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, who has been with the County since 2001.
Stacy Reaves
Fire/EMS
August 6, 2009
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| Since being hired by Hanover Fire/EMS in July 2006, Stacy has distinguished himself in many ways. A rookie with no EMS experience when hired, within two years he earned his paramedic certification, a challenging two-year process. |
Unlike many of his colleagues, Stacy Reaves was not ‘born into’ a family tradition of the fire service. “I’m a first-generation firefighter,” he says.
But he’s made up for ‘lost time’, becoming a leader who is greatly respected by those with whom he serves.
“Stacy is an individual who cares about others with a strong desire to serve and make a difference,” wrote one respected Fire/EMS staffer when Stacy applied to be a career firefighter in 2006. “You could easily see that he lives our mission and values.”
Before being hired by Hanover, Stacy was a volunteer firefighter in Powhatan County for several years. His profession at the time was construction manager.
“I never in a million years imagined I would be a firefighter, much less a paramedic,” Stacy recalls. “I grew up a farmer and then went into the construction business.”
A few years ago, he became aware of what firefighters did and the contribution they made in the community. He was intrigued.
“I had some spare time so I decided to go down to the firehouse and volunteer,” he recalls. “I told them I could do things like wash the trucks. Of course, you know how that goes. They told me they didn’t need me to wash trucks, they needed me to run calls, and before long I was on the truck. After that first incident, I was hooked.”
Since being hired by Hanover Fire/EMS in July 2006, Stacy has distinguished himself in many ways. A rookie with no EMS experience when hired, within two years he earned his paramedic certification, a challenging two-year process. He was a member of the Department’s first paramedic graduation class in the spring of 2008. (He graduated from Hanover’s Fire Academy in 2006).
Stacy took on the paramedic training at the same time he was taking on many other responsibilities at Henry Station #6, including managing the station’s maintenance program and the sew shop. He has also served as a mentor in the department’s recruit academy program. This spring, he served on the department’s strategic planning committee.
He was recently transferred to Station #7 (Mechanicsville) as part of the department’s implement of the Quick Vehicle Response (QVR) system, which is intended to get the appropriate medical assistance to callers as quickly as possible.
“Stacy is highly motivated and eager to take on any project with ease,” said Lt. Matt Newell of Station #6. “I look for him to be a great instructor for our future BLS (Basic Life Support) and ALS (Advanced Life Support) students.”
“Hanover really places a great emphasis on education and training,” Stacy observes. “Not every place is like that. I think it is one of the things that make Hanover great.”
He’s not quite ready to be an instructor, he says, but in a way he’s already serving that function.
“In this industry you have to be a teacher,” he explains. “If you’re not, the people who are behind you will fall behind. You should always have the goal of teaching every single thing that you know. The more people that know everything you know, the better the chance you have of getting the job done.”
He also continues to volunteer in Powhatan when he can because he’s a big believer in the volunteer system. “I have a great respect for volunteers,” he says. “We have to continue to have volunteers here in Hanover County.”
Stacy and his wife Stephanie have two children, daughter Erin and son Daniel.
Kara Dunleavy
Community Resources
July 22, 2009
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| Kara Dunleavy has been honored by the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia Inc. with its Community Recognition Award. |
Kara Dunleavy, Youth Service Specialist for the County’s Department of Community Resources, has been honored by the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia Inc. with its Community Recognition Award.
“A big part of Girl Scouts is community service and Kara does a beautiful job providing opportunities for girls to give back to our community,” said Theresa Henderson, Field Executive, Rural Team for the Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia. “We particularly appreciate the opportunities she has provided through Global Youth Service Day, which has become very popular with our Girl Scouts.”
Hanover County has participated in Global Youth Service Day for the past two years. This year, thousands of Hanover County youth completed a total of 33 projects as part of GYSD. Their activities are coordinated through Kara and the Department.
“The Department of Community Resources is proud to support the work of The Girl Scout Commonwealth Council in providing young women with opportunities for leadership, citizenship and community service,” said Lisa Adkins, Program Coordinator for the Department. “Kara has great talents and passion for collaborating with organizations such as the Girl Scout Council as they seek to be involved in service to our community.”
“One of the best parts of my job is the satisfaction of seeing young people turned on to community service,” Kara says. “There are so many ways that all of us can help make Hanover a better place throughout the year and getting involved in Global Youth Service Day is a great way to start.”
The Department of Community Resources coordinates volunteer services in Hanover. As Youth Service Specialist, Kara has lots of duties, including working with the Hanover Youth Services Council and the Hanover Youth Perspective, a Planning Department-initiative which invites young people to get involved in the planning process. She also was the lead staff person in the applications for “100 Best Communities for Young People” recognition, which Hanover County received for two consecutive years.
Kara is currently around kids even more than usual. She is one of the County employees from various departments who are helping the Parks and Recreation Department with the ever-popular Youth Summer Program.
The Girl Scout Commonwealth Council of Virginia, Inc. is one of four Girl Scout councils in Virginia and serves more than 16,000 girls and 5,700 adults in 30 counties and the cities of Richmond, Emporia, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Fredericksburg and Petersburg. Their office is at 7300 Hanover Green Drive in Mechanicsville.
Jaime Stoops
Pamunkey Regional Library
July 9, 2009
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| Jaime Stoops is manager of the Mechanicsville Branch Library, now a beautiful new building at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place. |
Jaime Stoops loves books. And she finds herself in exactly the right place: manager of the Mechanicsville Branch Library, now a beautiful new building at 7461 Sherwood Crossing Place.
“It’s light, bright and inviting,” she says with enthusiasm. “That’s one of the things we told the architect we’d like to see in the new building. I love giving tours. People are just amazed at what we have here.”
The new library opened last month. In June, 975 new users registered for a free Pamunkey Regional Library card. “We used to get maybe 150 new applications a month,” Jaime says.
There are many more computers in the new library and usage has increased dramatically, from about 2,000 a year ago in June to nearly 4,800 in June 2009. And the community meeting room – much larger than the one in the old branch – is already in constant use.
She gets perhaps the most comments about the expanded children’s area. “I’ve seen kids cry because they don’t want to leave,” she says.
“To see these ideas that we had come to fruition and use is exciting,” Jaime says.
As if opening a new library branch wasn’t challenging enough, Jaime was also working hard to obtain her Master’s degree in Library Science from Florida State University, which she earned in May. But she didn’t commute to and from Tallahassee – she took all 36 hours of classes online.
“It took me three years,” she says. “I went to classes online at night with people from places like Italy and Japan. I actually had more contact with my professors than I had had with some of my classes when I was obtaining my undergraduate degree.”
Jaime received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Anthropology from James Madison University in 2001. Because of her love for books, her first job was managing the Barnes and Noble bookstore in Manassas. Eventually she worked her way back home, managing the Barnes and Noble branches at Virginia Center Commons and Short Pump before applying for the Mechanicsville Library Branch Manager position in 2003.
Needless to say, she got the job and loves it. “Our whole staff loves working here,” Jaime says. “The staff has been together for a long time now. It’s so different than retail. It’s more about helping people here as opposed to the first concern being profit margins.”
Jaime is a ‘hometown girl’, having graduated from Lee-Davis High School in 1996. She and her husband Ricky live in Mechanicsville and are expecting their first child. Her parents, John and Jenny Weaver, live nearby.
“All of us at the Library are proud of Jaime,” says Fran Freimarck, Director of the Pamunkey Regional Library. “She coordinated the big community move into the new Mechanicsville Library. She was instrumental in planning the new service model, new technologies and staff assignments in the library and has handled the overwhelmingly positive community response to the library with professionalism and grace.”
Pam Bland
Animal Control
June 30, 2009
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| Pam Bland has been named Hanover County Animal Control’s Officer of the Year. |
Pam Bland has been named Hanover County Animal Control’s Officer of the Year. She received the “Fleming Blunt Award”, which honors excellence in service and dedication to duty. This award was named for Fleming Blunt, who was Hanover County’s first Animal Control Officer.
Kevin Kilgore, Chief of Hanover County Animal Control, said Bland led the department in several important categories, including number of responses to calls, wild or exotic animals captured and total animals captured. She also participated in 90 cruelty investigations last year and was involved in 891 enforcements of County ordinances and laws.
“Pam is a well-rounded officer who is very professional,” Kevin said. “She has set the standard for other Animal Control officers in this department. I have a high regard for her as a good example of the new generation of Animal Control professionals.”
Pam is an animal lover. She and her husband Barry have eight pets, including three dogs and five cats. It was
Barry (a Hanover Sheriff’s Deputy) who encouraged her to apply for the Animal Control job two and a half years ago.
It was a good decision, Pam says.
“I love being able to help animals,” she says. “We protect the animals from people that aren’t nice and protect people from animals that aren’t nice.”
Others recognized in the Department’s annual awards ceremony were Susan Wade as Rookie of the Year; Allan Smith for most dogs saved; Jeff Parker for most cats saved; Pam Bland for most wildlife captured; and Martha Fuller as the Outstanding Volunteer.
Norman Burnett
Public Works
June 22, 2009
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| Norman designed a new tool in his home workshop that can push the recycling materials up to the very top of the recycling containers and get more cans and bottles into each container. |
Hanover County encourages recycling of many materials at its solid waste service convenience centers. Norman T. Burnett Sr. is one of the employees who helps to see that the system is cost-efficient and maximizes the amount of recycled materials.
One of Norman’s responsibilities as an attendant at the Courthouse Solid Waste Convenience Center is to keep bottles and cans within the designated containers. Most of the cost associated with the recycling of these materials is the transportation; if the containers are full, both the County and the environment benefit.
Norman had a tool that would push the bottles and cans into the container, but it wasn’t great. “The pole I had was about four feet long and with my short arms I wasn’t able to get the materials up in there far enough,” he explains. “Plus I was always scraping my elbows against the side of the container.”
So Norman designed a new tool in his home workshop. With the help of his son Tommy, he took a sheet of aluminum and using a backhoe on his tractor bent it around a drum to create a shovel. He then bolted the shovel to a plate and welded the plate to the shovel. A seven-foot pole completed the new tool.
With this new tool, Norman and other attendants can push the recycling materials up to the very top of the recycling containers and get more cans and bottles into each container. Steve Chidsey, Chief of Solid Waste Operations for the Department of Public Works, liked the new tool so much that he got a local machine shop to make multiple copies of Norman’s invention for use at all of the convenience centers.
Materials collected have increased from 1.2 to 1.5 tons per load because of Norman’s invention. That will save the County about $5,000 per year.
"Norman takes great pride in the solid waste operations at his location and is always looking to improve the system,” said Steve Chidsey. “In addition, his great attitude results in many compliments from the public."
“I’m happy for the recognition but there are a lot of people here who deserve it more than I do,” said Norman modestly. “I am just trying to do a better job.”
Norman started with the County on a part-time basis in 2003 and was promoted to full-time in 2005. He started his employment at the Mechanicsville Solid Waste Convenience Center and has been working at the Rt. 301 convenience center for two years now.
Norman and his wife Carolyn live in Ashland and have three children: son Tommy and daughters Bonnie and Cathy.
Amanda Parrish
Emergency Communications
June 3, 2009
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| Amanda Parrish was recently named Telecommunicator of the Year by the Virginia Chapter of APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials).. |
Amanda Parrish has been recognized as the best in the State at what she does. She was recently named Telecommunicator of the Year by the Virginia Chapter of APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials).
It was no surprise to Charlie Udriet, Deputy Director of the Communications Department. “Amanda’s performance is second to none,” Charlie said. “She can be depended upon to accomplish any task assigned to her. Her willingness to assist others in any capacity instills high morale and a strong sense of esprit de corps among her co-workers.”
A Communications Officer III, Amanda had remarkable scores in 2008. She had an EMD (Emergency Medical Dispatch) compliance score of 98.10% and an EMD customer satisfaction score of 99.63%, well above the 95% standard. EMD is the protocol system that Hanover Emergency Communications uses to classify calls by type and priority.
“Officer Parrish’s scores were the highest in the department and reflect her outstanding professionalism,” said Phil Heins, Director.
She was nominated by co-workers for the APCO honor. One of them wrote: “Amanda has always shown a high level of proficiency at every radio position in the center…She can always be counted on to have a cool head in times of crisis and in high-priority situations.”
Her supervisors knew she was getting the award, but Amanda didn’t. “I was totally surprised,” she said. “I didn’t know I had won until I was called up front in the ceremony. Bill Perry (Operations Manager) said he wished he could have taken a photo of my face at that moment.”
APCO’s criteria for Telecommunicator of the Year include demonstrating professionalism and willingness to improve personal knowledge of the profession and share with others and displaying exceptional courage, foresight, faithfulness and perseverance in the highest tradition of public safety service.
“Being a Communication's Officer has been a very personal job to me because my husband (Jeff) is a Deputy,” Amanda says. “I strive in my daily operations to be the best that I can be and to get everyone home safely. I want to give every Deputy/Officer, Fire Fighter, Medic and Animal Control officer the attention to detail I would want someone to provide my husband while on-duty. I am one person that can say I love my job and I can only hope that the passion shows through my work.”
“I do thank Hanover Co. ECC and every user agency for recognizing my hard work by awarding me the CO of the Year, CTO of the Year and Telecommunicator of the Year awards. I will uphold what those awards mean throughout the rest of my career.”
Amanda has been with Hanover Emergency Communications since 2004. She was previously a Communications Officer in Caroline County, where she also volunteered as a firefighter for the Ladysmith Fire Department.
Amanda and Jeff have two children, daughter McKenzie and son Rylan.
Chris Garber
Public Utilities
May 28, 2009
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| Chris Garber, a Senior Electrical and Mechanical Technician for the Department of Public Utilities, has been named Maintenance Technician of the Year by the Virginia Rural Water Association.. |
Chris Garber, a Senior Electrical and Mechanical Technician for the Department of Public Utilities, has been named Maintenance Technician of the Year by the Virginia Rural Water Association.
Chris provides service to one water treatment plant, four wastewater treatment plants, 40 wastewater lift stations and 15 water pump stations. His supervisor, Tennant Frost, notes that maintenance, repairs and recordkeeping for these facilities requires great knowledge of not only pumps and motors but also the systems associated with this equipment. By cross-referencing inventoried parts and using particular products, Chris has saved the system’s ratepayers money and time.
“Chris is conscientious and pays close attention to detail,” according to Tennant. “The number of comebacks in his 17 years can probably be counted on the fingers of one hand. Through the years he has modified many pieces of equipment to obtain the reliability we require when the equipment did not live up to manufacturers’ claims.”
“Chris is an outstanding Hanover County employee and the operation of the Utilities Department would be much more difficult without his dedication and his skill,” Tennant added. “His work ethic and dedication cannot be measured.”
Chris is a 17-year DPU employee, having started in June 1992 as a pump and motor mechanic. He also spent four years in the electrical apprenticeship program and now holds a Virginia Journeyman License. He also is the Department’s trainer for forklift safety and certification, a program which is offered annually not only to DPU employees but to those in other departments that use forklifts in their operations.
“I didn’t do it all myself, I have had a lot of help,” he says. “We all do a lot of different jobs around here and it takes all of us to do it. Everybody here does a little bit of everything and when you put us all together we make a pretty good team.”
Chris’ work ethic continues when he gets home. He helps operate his family’s 320-acre farm in New Kent County, raising about 80 head of cattle. “I get off work to get back to work,” he said with a laugh.
Chris is the second Hanover DPU employee to win the VRMA’s “Maintenance Technician of the Year” award in two years. Earl Spradlin won the award in 2008.
Russell Snook
Sheriff’s Office
May 21, 2009
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| Deputy Russell O. Snook, an integral member of the High Risk Entry Team and the Honor Guard, has been named Officer of the Year by the Hanover Sheriff’s Office.. |
Deputy Russell O. Snook, an integral member of the High Risk Entry Team and the Honor Guard, has been named Officer of the Year by the Hanover Sheriff’s Office. The recognition took place during the Sheriff’s 9th Annual Awards Program on May 12.
Deputy Snook was re-assigned from Street Crimes to the Patrol Division on Day Shift last March and reaffirmed himself as a leader and top performer on the shift. In 2008, his number of calls and arrests made and traffic stops conducted all exceeded the shift average.
In January of this year, he was awarded a Challenge Coin from Col. V. Stuart Cook, Sheriff, for his role in helping to quickly solve a residential breaking-and-entering that took place last October.
As a Field Training Officer, Deputy Snook trained three new deputies and volunteered his services twice, above and beyond his normal rotation, to assist in field training two other news officers. Deputy Snook has consistently shown that he cares about the new deputies he is training and pushes them to be the best that they can be.
Deputy Snook is also a leader among the deputies on the shift and continuously motivates those he works with to do their best.
Deputy Snook is well known and liked by many citizens and merchants in the “downtown” Mechanicsville area where he consistently keeps his finger on the pulse of activity in his assigned beat. He also participates in the Adopt-a-Senior program and last year visited 22 senior citizens.
Sheriff Cook notes that Deputy Snook truly embodies the spirit of being “a part of, and not apart from, the community.”
Deputy Snook was one of several Hanover County Sheriff’s Deputies to be recognized for outstanding service during the May 12 awards ceremony. Among the other individuals receiving awards were:
- Deputy Christopher J. Stem was named Rookie of the Year. His supervisors see him as a consummate professional in all areas who has shown a maturity and confidence level beyond his years.
- Sgt. James Miles was named Reserve Officer of the Year. In 2008 Sgt. Miles logged 263 hours (71 more than required of Reserve Officers), answered 50 calls for service, conducted 128 property checks and participated in 20 special assignments.
- Explorer Lt. Stephanie A. Pegram was named Explorer of the Year. She has been a member of the Explorer Post program for more than three years and has given more than 120 hours of community service. Last summer she was part of the Post 606, Team A that won 3rd place in the Traffic Stop Scenario in the National Conference and placed in the top 10% of teams competing in the Burglary in Progress Response.
- Winning Meritorious Service Awards were Sgt. Timothy Sutton, Sgt. Doug Patterson and Deputies Pete Carrasco, David Collier, Patrick Murphy, Daniel Angelidis and Timothy Hallock. Investigator David Klisz and Ms. Joyce Lamb also won Meritorious Service Awards.
- The Safe Streets Unit won the Unit Citation Award. The Safe Street Unit was partially credited for a 55% reduction in robberies in 2008.
- Col. James C. Willett, Superintendent of the Pamunkey Regional Jail, was cited for his Excellent Service to Law Enforcement.
- Mr. Justin Wynne received the Certificate of Citizen Recognition Award for 2008.
Tina Chamberlain and Leigh Harcum
Human Resources
May 4, 2009
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| Tina Chamberlain (left) and Leigh Harcum of Human Resources recently earned their Professional Human Resources (PHR) certification. |
Tina Chamberlain and Leigh Harcum of Human Resources recently earned their Professional Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Society for Human Resource Management. Awarded by the HR Certification Institute, this certification signifies that individuals have passed a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of theoretical as well as practical knowledge in the human resource management field.
Candidates are given four hours to answer 225 multiple-choice questions. The areas cover the following six functional areas: strategic management, workforce planning and employment, human resource development, total rewards, employee and labor relations and risk management.
To be eligible to sit for the PHR exam, an individual must have two years of professional human resource management experience. Tina, an HR Specialist, started in the Hanover Treasurer’s Office in 2005 and went to HR the next year. Leigh, an HR Analyst, also started with HR in 2006.
Just preparing for the PHR exam is a major undertaking. Both Tina and Leigh took a class consisting of 40 hours of course material and quizzes in the six functional areas of HR Management.
To maintain the PHR credential, Tina and Leigh also must re-certify every three years through continuing education activities. Recertifying demonstrates a commitment to stay abreast of changes taking place in the human resource management field.
“The HR Team is proud to recognize Tina Chamberlain and Leigh Harcum for receiving their PHR (Professional Human Resources) certification,” said Kelly C. Kapolka, Assistant Director of Human Resources. “We are very fortunate to have such exceptional employees as Leigh and Tina. Their knowledge, work ethic, outstanding customer service, and great teamwork add greatly to our Human Resources Department. Tina and Leigh exemplify true competence and professionalism.”
Kelly and Amy Ash, HR Coordinator, had previously received the PHR certification.Barry Bland
Sheriff’s Office
April 8, 2009
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| The National Sheriffs’ Association named Barry the 2009 Law Enforcement Post Advisor of the Year. . |
Barry Bland got an early start in public service. He was a Junior Member at the Henry Volunteer Fire Company at age 13 and at age 14 was helping his parents run rescue calls for the Ashcake Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Pete and Nellie Bland were among the founding members of the Ashcake Volunteer Rescue Squad in the early 1960’s. “My dad rode on the ambulance and my mom answered the phone – we had an emergency phone line in our house that calls would come in over,” Barry recalls. “This was in the days before 911. She had to call everybody else to go get the ambulance. No one stayed at the station.”
But when it came time to choose a career, Barry ended up going into law enforcement. He started with the Richmond City Police in 1986 and in 1989 began work with the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office.
In 1990 Sheriff Cook formed Explorer Post 606, a career program for young men and women, ages 14 to 20 years old, who are interested in law enforcement as a career. He asked Barry to help get the program up and running.
Nearly 20 years have passed, and Barry is still running Explorer Post 606. Recently, the National Sheriffs’ Association named Barry the 2009 Law Enforcement Post Advisor of the Year.
“I teach them the good, the bad and the ugly about being a police officer,” Barry says. “My goal is to expose them to everything so that they can make a good decision about whether or not they should pursue law enforcement as a career.”
Post 606 Explorers help with crime prevention activities and act as role players during the Police Academy. They provide assistance to officers at safety checkpoints and participate in service projects. Last year, they participated in a national competition and one of the Hanover teams won third place in the Traffic Stop competition.
“I try to teach the kids leadership and life skills,” Barry says. “Something I grew up with was if you’re on time you’re late; you need to be five minutes early. You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That point really comes home to them when the judges at our competitions remark on how sharp they are. I think it makes a big difference.”
Hundreds of young people have been Explorers over the decade and some are now working for the Sheriff’s Office. Judson Flagg was Barry’s first Explorer in 1990 and on Friday he will be appointed Lieutenant in the Sheriff’s Office. Other graduates of the Explorer program now working for the Sheriff’s office include Robbie Stevens, Danny Pittman and John Parrish.
Barry will be presented with the award at the National Sheriffs’ Association Conference in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in June.
Now a Crime Prevention Specialist, Barry was formerly a School Resource Officer for many years and off-duty has served as Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 535 in Mechanicsville and Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 706 in Montpelier.
He and his wife Pam have also found the time to raise children of their own: son Craig, daughter Ashley Crisp and stepdaughter Leigh Tresco. They have one granddaughter and another on the way.
Marvin Fletcher
Fleet Services
March 18, 2009
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| Marvin Fletcher has been elected to serve as a Vice President of the NAFA Fleet Management Association. NAFA stands for National Association of Fleet Administrators and Marvin has been an active member for 18 years.. |
Marvin Fletcher, Director of Fleet Services for Hanover County, has been elected to serve as a Vice President of the NAFA Fleet Management Association. NAFA stands for National Association of Fleet Administrators and Marvin has been an active member for 18 years.
Marvin will serve a one-year term. He was previously Secretary, serving three terms in that elected position.
“Serving as NAFA secretary the last three years has been a great learning experience and I’m looking forward to continuing to serve on the Board of Trustees in a different capacity,” Marvin says. “I see this as an opportunity to try and repay some of the many benefits I’ve received during nearly 18 years of NAFA membership.”
“I’m very grateful to the Hanover County Administration, the Fleet Services staff and my fellow NAFA members for their support and encouragement, all of which has allowed me to contribute to NAFA,” he adds.
Marvin earned the distinguished Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) designation in 1993. He also is a charter member of NAFA’s Old Dominion Chapter and has served that organization as Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer.
NAFA is a not-for-profit, individual membership professional society serving the needs of members who manage fleets of automobiles, SUVs, trucks, vans, and a wide range of specialized mobile equipment for organizations around the world.
Marvin has served NAFA at the national level as a member of the Board of Governors, as Vice Chair of the Membership Committee and as the Advisory Council Chair of FleetED, NAFA’s online educational portal. He currently serves as the Reporting Officer for FleetED and NAFA’s Public Safety Group. As Vice President, he will serve as Reporting Officer for NAFA’s Education Development Committee.
Marvin has been with Hanover County since 1989 and has been Director of Fleet Services since July 1998. His 27-member staff provides fleet management and maintenance services for about 1,200 County and School vehicles as well as maintenance and related services for mobile and portable radio equipment.
Marvin and his wife Pat live in Mechanicsville.
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| first row from left to right: Tammy Weaver, Corina Nuckols, Augusta Reel and Jean Coleman-Gaines. 2nd row: Brian Gentilini, Jude Dawson and Rodney Gentry.. |
Management Certificate recipients
March 5, 2009
Hanover County offers a Management Certificate recognizing managers and supervisors who complete 38 hours of training in these areas:
- Ethics in the workplace
- Give ‘em the pickle (customer service training)
- Harassment prevention
- Interviewing skills
- Online recruitment system
- Performance management
- Spirit of teams
- Substance abuse
- Supervisors’ accountability
- Supervisory skills
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above: Mike Whitley and Nancy Martin |
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Recently, the third group of managers to complete the training received plaques recognizing their accomplishment. Those receiving the Management Certificates were:
- Jean Coleman-Gaines, Systems Administrator for Social Services, who has been with the County since 1980.
- Jude Dawson, Supervisor for Emergency Communications, who has employed by Hanover County since 2000.
- Brian Gentilini, Assistant Chief Building Official with the Building Inspections office, who has been with Hanover since 1987.
- Rodney Gentry, Support Manager for Emergency Communications, who has been with Hanover since 1995.
- Nancy Martin, Human Resources Coordinator, who has been employed by Hanover County since 1991.
- Corina Nuckols, Senior Supervisor for Emergency Communications, who has been employed by Hanover County since 1995.
- Augusta Reel, Office Manager for Fleet Services, who started here in 1979.
- Tammy Weaver, Customer Service Manager for Building Inspections, who has been with the County since 1990.
- Mike Whitley, Utility Superintendent for Public Utilities. Mike has been employed by Hanover County since 1982.
- Marshall Wright, Eligibility Worker for Social Services, who has been with Hanover since 2001.
Brian Gentilini
Building Official’s Office
January 29, 2009
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| Brian Gentilini has been elected Chair of the Virginia Amusement Device Technical Advisory Committee, which reviews regulations on amusement rides and recommends new ones when needed.. |
Brian Gentilini is Hanover’s Assistant Chief Building Official, responsible for all inspections including building, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, gas, and property maintenance. It’s a big responsibility. But he also gets to ride roller coasters at Kings Dominion as a ‘fringe benefit’ of sorts – to make sure they are safe.
Brian has been inspecting KD’s rides for about 21 years. He’s been certified as an amusement device inspector by both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials (NAARSO). Now he’s been elected Chair of the Virginia Amusement Device Technical Advisory Committee, which reviews regulations on amusement rides and recommends new ones when needed.
“They all have different challenges,” says Brian of the rides at KD. “There’s a lot to look at and the technology to inspect these rides is always changing along with the rides. It’s challenging but I enjoy it.”
Brian and his team of Andy Marchetti, J.D. Duvall and Andrew Lewis inspect the rides at KD twice a year, once before the park opens in the spring and once in mid-season. Each inspection takes many hours and in some cases takes Hanover’s intrepid inspectors more than 150 feet into the air. “It’s a long ways down,” Brian laughs.
Training is continual. “The industry is in a state of constant change,” Brian says.
Before coming to the Hanover Building Official’s office in 1987, Brian was superintendent for Brooks & Company General Contractors. “The last job I did was the renovation of the Hanover Branch Library,” he recalls. A hand injury led him to change careers.
Hired as primarily a residential inspector, he was surprised when in 1988 he was asked by then-Chief Building Official Ed Bowles if he wanted to inspect amusement devices.
“I didn’t know really what that meant but I said ‘sure’,” Brian recalls. “I didn’t know what I was getting into.”
He’ll never forget his first day at KD. He dressed ‘for work’ and went to inspect the Rebel Yell. His contact a KD looked at him quizzically and asked if he wanted some coveralls. “I said, no, I’ll be fine,” Brian recalls.
“I got up there and the wind was blowing and I was freezing to death,” Brian says. “My patent leather shoes were all scuffed up. Needless to say, the next time I went up, I was in blue jeans and boots. You live and learn.”
He has great compliments for the KD maintenance staff.
“They take a great deal of pride in making sure that their rides are safe,” he says. “During the winter they are up there on that cold steel looking at tracks and checking bolts and connections. I give them credit for going above and beyond. And when we see something they haven’t seen, they don’t take offense. They know that another set of eyes is even better.”
Brian and his wife Debbie live in Mechanicsville. They have three children, daughters Lauren and Andrea and son Michael.
Mike Biamonte
Fire/EMS
December 16, 2008
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| Mike Biamonte was recently named “Instructor of the Year” by the Old Dominion Emergency Medical Services Alliance Inc (ODESMA), a regional organization including members from 22 counties and six cities in central Virginia.. |
Mike Biamonte has deep roots in both Fire and Emergency Medical Services. His dad was a New York City firefighter for 30 years and Mike has many fond memories of riding on the ‘big red truck’ with his father. He was one of the first New York City firefighters to become an Emergency Medical Technician. He served in the first Gulf War as a Navy Corpsman treating injured Marines, and returned home to run calls in the shadow of the Twin Towers.
Now the Long Island native and Florida transplant is here in Hanover County making a new reputation. He was recently named “Instructor of the Year” by the Old Dominion Emergency Medical Services Alliance Inc (ODESMA), a regional organization including members from 22 counties and six cities in central Virginia.
Mike arrived in Hanover in Nov. 2006 after moving from Brevard County, Florida. Before coming to Hanover Fire/EMS, he worked for the Richmond Ambulance Authority. He also became an adjunct faculty member for J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where he helped develop a program to organize, coordinate test and evaluate his students that was adopted by JSRCC as their standard procedure for EMS classes.
In May 2007 Mike graduated from his Hanover Fire/EMS Fire Academy class at Valedictorian. Hanover’s Fire Academy has held “Fire Recruit” graduation ceremonies for a decade and that got him to thinking that paramedics deserved the same kind of ceremony.
So earlier this year, Hanover Fire/EMS held its first annual Paramedic Class Graduation at Randolph-Macon College. Forty-six young men and women from all over the area were honored for completing a five-semester course which qualifies them for a Virginia/National Paramedic certification.
“We have the largest Paramedic class in the area,” says Mike, who teaches all Advanced Life Support (ALS) classes certified by JSRCC. He has about 100 students enrolled in his current classes, which started in September.
Classes are held at the Harman-Taylor Fire Training Center west of Ashland. It’s a two-year program; the current class will graduate in 2010.
Some of the people in his classes are current Hanover County career and volunteer firefighters who are being cross-trained in EMS. Others are people who already work 9-5 at different jobs. His 2008 graduating class, for example, included a flight attendant from Maine who wanted to pursue a different career and ended up being one of his outstanding students.
He enjoys teaching. “There’s no greater satisfaction that teaching someone who knows nothing about the subject and seeing the light bulb come on,” he explains.
And he knows well the thrill of the emergency services. “I come to work every day knowing something might happen today that’s never happened before,” he says.
His life experiences have reinforced that idea. After serving in the Gulf War as a combat medic with the Marine Corps infantry, Mike returned to his native New York City in 1993 to work as a paramedic in the lower east side of Manhattan. “There was a hospital basically in the shadow of the World Trade Center and I transported people there every night,” he recalls.
But by 1999, the stress of running medical calls in New York City had him willing to consider other opportunities. When his parents moved to Florida, he decided to join them.
Had he not moved, on the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, “I would have just gotten off work,” he says. “Imagine my horror when I saw those images on TV.”
“Being a Firefighter/Paramedic is a thankless job 9 times out of 10,” he says. “You’re seeing people on their worst day. But every now and then you get a handshake or a smile, a thank you. That’s what keeps me going. I like to think I’m helping someone. By doing the right thing for someone else, I hope that one day someone will do the same for me.”
“Mike has a personable way of teaching the information to the students,” says Wayne Woo, Battalion Chief/ Paramedic/Safety Officer for the Training and Safety Division and Mike’s supervisor. “He has an ability to explain the information in a way that is easy to understand. In my 30 years in Fire and EMS with over 25 years of teaching, I have not met anyone who is as knowledgeable and skilled in EMS instruction as Mike.”
“He gives so much of himself emotionally and physically when he teaches,” Wayne says. “We have students that travel from all over the state and some wait over a year for an opening in Mike's class because of his instruction skills and compassion for EMS. Mike is always striving to be the best he can be.”
Mike and his wife Mayra have two sons, Vincent and Steven.
Ellen Gilley
Community Services
December 4, 2008
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| Ellen was recently presented with the first annual “Pat Thacker Power of Team Award for Leadership” by Hanover Community Services.. |
Hanover County has a Supported Employment program which helps those with disabilities maintain their jobs in community businesses. A key part of that assistance is providing transportation. Ellen Gilley, Transportation Supervisor, makes sure that happens. But she does so much more.
Ellen was recently presented with the first annual “Pat Thacker Power of Team Award for Leadership” by Hanover Community Services. Amy Thomas, coordinator of the Supported Employment program, notes that Ellen’s day often begins at 5 a.m. and ends well past 5 p.m.
“She doesn’t just take them to work; she takes them to other places,” Amy says. “She takes them out on weekends. On her own time, in her own vehicle.”
“She really makes our transportation system run because she cares for each client,” Amy adds. “She makes sure they have their lunch. If they don’t have a good lunch, she makes sure they shop for the food to get a good lunch. She remember their birthdays, fixes bicycle tires, cries when they are upset and rejoices in their accomplishments.”
“There’s nothing that you can’t ask her to do that she won’t always do her best.”
Robin Zimmerman, Senior Training Specialist and one of Ellen’s co-workers who nominated her for the award, says she is amazed at Ellen’s dedication and care for the clients.
“She always has a smile on her face,” Robin says. “I don’t know how she does it. She takes what looks like an impossible situation and somehow makes it work. She is really kind-hearted. It amazes me the things she will do to juggle her schedule and make sure everyone is where they need to be.”
“She is an inspiration to all of the staff,” Amy agrees.
Ellen started with the County eight years ago. She had been a typesetter for about 15 years, and then worked from home for about 8 years.
“I wanted to do something that made a difference and when I heard about this job that transported people with disabilities, I said, ‘I can do that’”, Ellen recalls.
Hanover is a big county and her routes extend from Old Church to Beaverdam. She also supervises four part-time drivers.
“I am very thankful to have such wonderful colleagues on my team and in this agency that help me on a day-to-day basis by providing me the support I need to succeed in the world of transportation,” Ellen says. “Together, we can make good things happen’’.
Ellen and her husband Ed have a son, Bobby, and a daughter, Renee.
Pat Thacker, for whom the award is named, retired last year after 24 years of service with the CSB. As Director of Mental Retardation Services, Pat was directly responsible for the growth and development of not only the Supported Employment Program, but Hanover Recycling, Hanover Industries, the Hanover Day Health and Rehabilitation Program, the creation of the screen printing business previously known as Logo-motion, and all of the CSB’s residential options for persons with Mental Retardation.
Tommy Eaves
Sheriff’s Office
November 24, 2008
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| Deputy Sheriff C. Thomas Eaves, a 21-year veteran of the Hanover Sheriff’s Office, was honored last week with a prestigious Valor Award.. |
Deputy Sheriff C. Thomas Eaves, a 21-year veteran of the Hanover Sheriff’s Office, was honored last week with a prestigious Valor Award.
Deputy Eaves was one of 11 police officers, firefighters and sheriff's deputies from across the Richmond region honored at the 19th annual Valor Awards breakfast at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
He received a Bronze Award for his actions on September 12, in which he subdued a Hanover High School student who attacked him. “Tommy”, as he encourages people to call him, is a School Resource Officer at Hanover High School.
“Deputy Eaves, after being injured, was able to take control of the situation and showed great restraint in doing so,” said Col. V. Stuart Cook, Sheriff, who nominated Tommy for the award.
The Sheriff noted that Tommy was attacked by the student after he tried to place the student under arrest for disorderly conduct. The student had been previously removed from the school due to criminal and violent behavior.
According to the Sheriff, the student “reacted violently and tackled Deputy Eaves, knocking him to the ground and striking his head against a door frame. Momentarily stunned, Deputy Eaves found himself on the ground with the suspect over him, holding his head in a chokehold.” The Sheriff said that Deputy Eaves “felt the suspect fumbling in the area of his firearm.”
Tommy was able to flip the student over his shoulder. The struggle continued, with the student scratching and hitting the Deputy’s face and neck, but Tommy ultimately succeeded in restraining the student and placing him in handcuffs.
The Sheriff said that Deputy Eaves received several injuries as a result of the attack, including an injury to his elbow which required stitches and an injury to his head which required staples. However, he did not miss any time from work, returning to his job the next day.
Sheriff Cook commended Deputy Eaves for his “determination and commitment to a safe and secure educational environment even at the risk of personal injury.”
This is the third time that Tommy has won the Valor Award. He also won in 2002 (Silver) and 2003 (Bronze).
“It’s an honor to accept this for all the police officers on duty,” Tommy said. “They all deserve it. Those guys do it every day.”
The region’s Valor Awards are presented by the Retail Merchants Association.
Deputy Eaves has been with the Hanover Sheriff’s Office since July 1988. He has served in the patrol division on all shifts and as a Street Crime Investigator conducting surveillance on high-risk locations and suspects prior to joining the Youth Services Division as a School Resource Officer.
He was named Officer of the Year in 1993 and has received three excellent service awards, a dedication to duty award, a unit citation award, a Purple Heart, a commendation from the Virginia House of Delegates and countless citizen commendations.
“Deputy Sheriff Tommy Eaves is an outstanding law enforcement officer in every sense of the word but more importantly, he is an outstanding human being who has an undying love for his family and community,” says Sheriff Cook.
Fran Freimarck
Pamunkey Regional Library
November 20, 2008
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| Fran was recently presented with the Association’s George Mason Award. The award is presented to an individual or organization who has “contributed to the development, growth and extension of library and information services in the local community, the state, or the nation.”. |
Fran Freimarck, Director of the Pamunkey Regional Library system, has received a prestigious honor from the Virginia Library Association.
Fran was recently presented with the Association’s George Mason Award, named after the Virginia-born Founding Father who is called “The Father of the Bill of Rights”. This award is presented to an individual or organization who has “contributed to the development, growth and extension of library and information services in the local community, the state, or the nation.”
“In her more than 35-year career as a Virginia librarian, Fran Freimarck proved herself to be a strong advocate for library support, on both a local and a statewide level,” according to Lisa Lee Broughman, Chair of the Awards Committee. “Ms. Freimarck is highly respected for her ability to provide the best resources and customer services possible during times of stretched budgets, while building strong alliances with county officials and State legislatures in order to promote an understanding about the importance of the library’s role in the community.”
“In her tenure, Ms. Freimarck has shown to the community, to the county governments, and to the state legislature not only what a library system can be and how it can serve its citizens, but with equal importance she has also demonstrated how valuable a Library Director can be in her inspiration, dedication and service to her Board, her staff and her patrons.”
Fran started as Director of the Pamunkey Regional Library on January 1, 1977. At that time the Pamunkey Regional Library system included Hanover, Goochland and King William and the only buildings in Hanover were the Hanover Branch Library and storefront operations in Ashland in the Arts and Activities Center and on Elm Drive in Mechanicsville. The system now includes King and Queen County and there are six branches in Hanover – Ashland, Atlee, Hanover, Mechanicsville, Montpelier and Rockville.
“I’m really grateful and it’s very satisfying to have your work recognized and validated,” Fran said. “The Library Association has been a big part of my professional life. It’s through the Library Association that I’ve gotten a lot of great ideas and it has given me the opportunity to meet many people and work on issues that affect more than just our local libraries, but libraries throughout the state and nation.” For example, Fran served on a committee that helped establish standards for libraries throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Fran served as president of the Virginia Library Association in 1990 and as secretary in 1981 and 1982. She has also served as an active member of the Association’s legislative committee.
“We who are involved with the Pamunkey Regional Library have always known that Fran Freimarck is remarkable,” said Anne G. Cross, Chair of the Pamunkey Regional Library Board. “It is nice to know that her peers across Virginia also recognize her many talents and accomplishments. We are very proud of her.”
Brian Gildea
Internal Audit
November 13, 2008
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| Brian Gildea of the Internal Audit Office has received the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) professional designation from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).. |
Brian Gildea of the Internal Audit Office has received the Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) professional designation from the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA).
Brian passed a two-day, four-part test, each section lasting 3 ½ hours. The CIA designation is the only globally accepted certification for internal auditors and remains the standard by which individuals demonstrate their competency and professionalism in the internal auditing field. Internal Audit professionals are required to complete 80 hours of continuing education every two years to comply with the requirements of the Government Auditing Standards.
Brian and other recipients of the CIA designation were recognized at the IIA District Conference last month. Brian is also a member of the Virginia Local Government Auditors Association and the national Association of Local Government Auditors.
“Brian has demonstrated a commitment to the County and the Audit profession by his dedicated approach to professional development,” said Kathy Seay, Director of Internal Audit for Hanover County. “Brian’s work is respected by the departments that he audits. He has participated in audits of the County, Schools, the Pamunkey Regional Jail, Constitutional Officers and special projects. He is often called upon by other employees to assist them in resolving operational or accounting issues.”
It’s been a big year for Brian. In July, he received his Master’s degree in Accounting from Liberty University. A 2007 graduate of the University of Richmond, he majored in accounting and minored in English.
Brian actually was hired by Hanover County prior to his graduation from UR. He started working part-time for the Internal Auditor’s Office in February 2007 before going full-time in June 2007.
Brian has enjoyed working in Hanover County.
“Being in Internal Audit, we get to work closely with people in the various departments throughout the year,” he says. “We’re always looking for ways we can help the departments be more efficient in their work and do a better job.”
“Everyone has been great to work with,” he says. “Everyone from the County Administrator on down is very supportive in everything that we do.”
His next goal is to obtain his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. That’s another two days of testing, probably next spring.
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| Michele Elliott – Program Coordinator – CSB – 8/20/1990 Harold Stills, Jr. – Plan Examiner – Building Inspections – 2/16/2003 . |
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Management Certificate Recipients
October 16, 2008
Hanover County offers a Management Certificate recognizing managers and supervisors who complete 38 hours of training in these areas:
- Ethics in the workplace
- Give ‘em the pickle (customer service training)
- Harassment prevention
- Interviewing skills
- Online recruitment system
- Performance management
- Spirit of teams
- Substance abuse
- Supervisors’ accountability
- Supervisory skills
Recently, the second group of managers to complete the training received plaques recognizing their accomplishment. Those receiving the initial Management Certificates were:
- Bob Whisner, Utility Supervisor for Public Utilities. Bob has been employed by Hanover County since 1976.
- Michelle Elliott, Program Coordinator for Community Services. Michelle has been employed by Hanover County since 1990.
- Cheryl Buchanan, Senior Supervisor for Emergency Communications. Cheryl has been employed by Hanover County since 1992.
- Arlene Sharpe, Senior Supervisor for Emergency Communications. Arlene has been employed by Hanover County since 1992.
- Kimberly Mitchell, Purchasing Officer Senior for Purchasing. Kimberly has been employed by Hanover County since 1993.
- Crystal Howk, Customer Service Supervisor for Building Inspections. Crystal has been employed by Hanover County since 1998.
- Dawn Drewry, Senior Supervisor for Emergency Communications. Dawn has been employed by Hanover County since 1999.
- Pam Teates, Analyst Senior for Human Resources. Pam has been employed by Hanover County since 1999.
- Keith Buchanan, Master Firefighter/Medic for Fire/EMS. Keith has been employed by Hanover County since 2001.
- Shanika Reed, Eligibility Supervisor for Social Services. Shanika has been employed by Hanover County since 2001.
- Harold Stills, Jr., Plan Examiner for Building Inspections. Harold has been employed by Hanover County since 2003.
- Stacey Adams, Senior Supervisor for Emergency Communications. Stacey has been employed by Hanover County since 2004.
- Monica Chenault, Program Coordinator for Social Services. Monica has been employed by Hanover County since 2006.
Sterling Rives
County Attorney
September 10, 2008
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| Sterling E. Rives III has been appointed by Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine to the State Air Pollution Control Board.. |
Hanover County Attorney Sterling E. Rives III has been appointed by Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine to the State Air Pollution Control Board.
The Air Board is responsible for adopting and implementing regulations involving air quality in Virginia and for issuing permits for businesses and industries with substantial air discharges. It is one of three regulatory boards responsible for the environmental regulations that are administered by the Department of Environmental Quality.
Sterling is one of seven board members. He will serve a four year term that will expire on June 30, 2012.
“The Department of Environmental Quality and the Air Pollution Control Board have been instrumental in the slow but steady improvement in Virginia’s air quality,” Sterling says. “I look forward to being part of the team that will continue that progress.”
Sterling has been the Hanover County Attorney since 1987. He is a former president of the Local Government Attorneys of Virginia, Inc., an organization consisting of more than 600 private and public sector attorneys who represent cities, counties and towns in Virginia. He also is a member of the Bench-Bar Relations Committee of the Virginia State Bar and was chair of the Committee from 2005 to 2007.
Since 2003, Sterling has served on the Board of Directors of Campaign Virginia, an environmental organization that focuses on issues related to waste management policies. Campaign Virginia has actively opposed the shipment of trash on barges on the waters of the Commonwealth and supported federal legislation to give greater authority to states to regulate trash imports.
Sterling and his wife Nancy have two sons, Edward and Henry.
Mike Whitley
Public Utilities
September 2, 2008
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| Mike Whitley has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its Award for Excellence in operating a large public water drinking system.. |
Mike Whitley, a 25-year employee with Public Utilities, has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with its Award for Excellence in operating a large public water drinking system.
Donald S. Welsh, mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator for the EPA, presented the award to Mike prior to the Board of Supervisors meeting on August 27.
“Public drinking water plant operators like Mike Whitley are our first line of defense against waterborne diseases and contamination that can cause serious, even fatal, illnesses,” Welch said. “This award honors the excellence of highly qualified, trained professionals who have the expertise to operate water treatment plants and improve water quality.”
The EPA administrator noted that Mike has made “exceptional contributions” to the Hanover County Department of Public Utilities and within the community.
Mike is the Designated Operator in Responsible Charge of 15 water systems in Hanover, including the County’s main distribution system in its Suburban Services Area. Through his leadership and direction, these water systems have maintained perfect compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act for 8 consecutive years.
Mike was chosen from nominees from the EPA’s Region 3, which includes Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, Pennsylvania and Delaware. It is the first time that a Certified Operator of a Large Drinking Water System in Virginia has won the regional award.
“I spend a lot of time catching people who do something wrong,” Welsh said. “It’s great to be able to come down here and recognize someone who has done a lot of things right.”
Mike was nominated for the award by the Virginia Department of Health. Dr. Karen Remley, the State’s Health Commissioner, also spoke at the recognition ceremony.
Joining Mike as he received the award was his wife Colleen. They have a daughter, Chelsea, and live in Partlow.
Karen Epps
Economic Development
July 31, 2008
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| Karen is Business Assistance Coordinator for the Department of Economic Development.. |
Hanover’s economic health depends largely on the small businesses throughout the County that provide jobs and services to residents and visitors. Karen Epps works with those small businesses (and larger ones too) in helping them reach their potential.
Karen is Business Assistance Coordinator for the Department of Economic Development. In that role she does things like researching and scheduling business seminars, coordinating interviews with business owners, publishing a twice yearly newsletter that is mailed to every business in Hanover, and building relationships with businesses for support of the Hanover Career Student Resource Career Guide.
“Between 70 and 80% of the new jobs not only in Hanover County but nationwide come from existing businesses,” she says. “Working with them is just as important if not more so than attracting new businesses. Existing businesses are your best salespeople.”
One of the relatively new services offered to existing businesses is the “Business First - Hanover” program, in which Karen and business professional volunteers visit with business owners and interview them on a variety of topics. It’s really a business intelligence fact gathering meeting. It allows the economic development staffs locally and regionally to learn about these companies and how we can help them grow. In the last 18 months, “Business First - Hanover” has met with 125 businesses employing more than 5,700 people.
Karen and her colleagues at Economic Development help businesses with permit requirements, workforce training and development, financing, expansions, and relocation. “We offer seminars on topics that I never would have dreamed of when we first started with the seminars series,” she says. “For example, later this year the Martin Agency will come in and offer two free marketing seminar/workshops to anyone that wants to take advantage of it, and who wouldn’t!” Other seminar topics range from developing a business plan, doing business with the federal government, smart ways to control cost, and immigration just to name a few. “We can hold anywhere from 10 to 20 seminars a quarter”, she says.
Karen has worked extensively with Hanover Career Student Resource (HCSR), a 501© 3, to develop a Career Guide for Hanover County students to use for career exploration. HCSR recently published the fourth edition of its Career Guide, which is a directory of area businesses offering job and career training opportunities.
“There is nothing like this Career Guide in the Commonwealth of Virginia,” Karen says. “And based on our research there is nothing like this in the United States that we can find.”
And now they’ve gone online. “HCSR just received a $12,000 grant from the Virginia Department of Business Assistance to develop an e-guide,” she says. “At www.hanovercareers.org, we have an online data base that students can go to access every business that has participated in the Career Guide and businesses can list their career opportunities and current job openings.”
Karen, a member of the Board of Directors for HCSR, and current President, joined Celeste Hall from Hanover Public Schools in presenting this project at the National Career Pathways Network Conference in Louisville, KY. NCPN is the national organization for K-12 and Community College technical career education professionals.
“Karen is an important member of the Economic Development team,” says Marc Weiss, Director. “She is actively involved in workforce development through the Hanover Career Resource Guide and has provided valuable service to the business community as a board member of the Hanover Association of Businesses and Chamber of Commerce.”
Karen is currently in her second term as a board member with the HABCC and was just appointed State Chair of Business Retention and Expansion International. She was certified as a Master Consultant in Business Retention by BREI in 2001.
Karen has worked with Economic Development since 1995. A Hanover native, she and her husband Floyd live in the Atlee area. They have a son, Matt, a daughter, Karol Wilson, and a granddaughter, Abigail Wilson.
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