SERVICE RECOGNITIONS

Bob Rinehart, 20 Years
Bob began his career with Lake County February 2, 1987. He is the Assistant Mosquito and Aquatic Plant Management Director with the Department of Environmental Utilities, Aquatic Plant Management.

Bob is always willing and able to tackle any job or task he is assigned, or handle anything else he sees needing to be done. His background knowledge and skills, along with his ability to continue expanding his capabilities within the division, have been outstanding. Bob’s computer skills and technical fortitude have enabled him to completely automate the office procedures, allowing for easy reporting and invoicing procedures to outside agencies. Bob has taken on the responsibility as the in-house safety manager. He has developed a successful safety monitoring program for the division requiring staff member’s participation. Bob is extremely dedicated to his job and has given the division exceptional service. Bob is a great asset to Lake County.

Phyllis Hegg, 10 Years
Phyllis began her career with Lake County February 24, 1997. She is an Office Associate V with the Department of Public Works, Funding and Production.

Phyllis began her career with the Department of Solid Waste Management and in 1998 came to work for the Department of Public Works. It is no secret that she is the go-to person for the Department. If you need anything, Phyllis is the one to see, as no job is too overwhelming or minute. Phyllis will be the first to take the lead on any project when no one else will take the role. She is instrumental in keeping the massive amount of paperwork and communication flowing through the Department. Phyllis is also a key component representing the Department in the County's Emergency Operations Center. Phyllis is to be commended on successfully keeping track of her boss, Jim Stivender. Anyone who knows him will tell you this is no easy feat. He will even agree that he doesn't know how she puts up with him. Regardless, Phyllis' military background and strong-willed personality has made her a great match with her boss and a great asset to the Department and County.

Caryl Harris, 5 Years
Caryl began her career with Lake County February 25, 2002. She is a Librarian II with the Department of Community Services, Library Services.

Caryl began her career with Lake County as a volunteer in 2001. In 2002, Caryl transferred to Cooper Library, to what she thought was a quaint and quiet library. It turned out to be quite the opposite. The library closed in late 2003 because of mold; citizens were in an uproar, the manager left, and Caryl was asked to step in. Although she thought it would be a short stint the library didn’t re-open for over a year. In 2005, Caryl received the Supervisor of the Quarter award for her Herculean efforts in getting the Cooper Memorial Library re-opened. She was told the library would open in three weeks… never mind that the staff was scattered in other locations, books were still being cleaned and the building wasn’t ready. She was a true example of grace under fire. Following their leader’s example, the entire staff of the library received Workgroup of the Quarter. Caryl tirelessly answers hundreds of questions every day ranging from how to file e-government forms to how to locate a long lost member of a wedding party. Caryl gladly connects people to the information they need, knowing she is enriching citizens lives every day.

Lorena McCarroll, 5 Years
Lorena began her career with Lake County February 25, 2002. She is an Associate Planner Trainee with the Department of Growth Management, Zoning. 

Lorena is a self-starter who enthusiastically approaches new challenges and is always willing to lend a helping hand. She handles situations with tact and professionalism and consistently offers suggestions with regards to improving service and efficiency.   Lorena is courteous and polite and goes above and beyond in an effort to provide excellent customer service. She always exhibits a pleasant attitude with the customers and treats everyone with respect. Lorena is an excellent team player who is dedicated toward her job.  She is an asset to her department and the county.

Greg Mihalic, 5 Years
Greg began his career with Lake County February 11, 2002. He is the Director of Tourism and Business Relations with the Department of Tourism and Business Relations.

Greg and his staff create brochures such as the event guide, restaurant guide, wedding planner and many more to distribute to visitors and residents alike.  Greg has brought all advertising, public relations and marketing in-house and has assisted in forming the Information Outreach Department to oversee this role. Greg has been instrumental in forming the Business Resource Center with Lake Sumter Community College. He has re-energized the United Chambers by starting monthly meetings and providing materials needed to assist them with visitors and the business community. Greg has increased Tourism revenue 165% by adding Ads in television, radio and electronic formats, and most recently partnering with Radio Disney. Greg oversees the Christopher C. Ford Commerce Park, located off U.S. Highway 27, which is almost complete in selling of the parcels and has produced $15 Million in revenue for Lake County. Greg has partnered with Leesburg, Lake Sumter Community College, Hickory Point, and the National Training Center for funding of the new sports infrastructure.  Greg is truly dedicated to making the department a success.

RETIREMENT RECOGNITION

Ava Kronz, 22 years

Ava began her career with Lake County September 4, 1986. She is the Special Programs Director with the Department Tourism and Business Relations.

Ave began her career in Emergency Management. She then spent several years in the County Manager’s Office and later supervised the operations in the Commission Office. In 1997, as the Quality Director, Ava led the County employees in the Sterling process and the development of the County Vision, Mission and Values statements. The quality program, Destination Excellence, was kicked off with the first ever employee breakfast. During this time the FACT Team (Finding Answers thru Commitment and Teamwork) went to regional competition in Cocoa Beach. Other projects developed and initiated during Ava’s tenure were the Citizens Academy, the first State of the County presentation, Lake County Days in Tallahassee, the first employee lunch, first volunteer recognition, and the first Holiday Lunch. She has been instrumental in the development and publication of several brochures. One of the most beneficial is the Citizens’ Handbook. In her current position Ava handles such items as sales in the CC Ford Industrial Park, working with the Industrial Development Authority and the Architectural Review Board, and processing and monitoring dollars awarded through the Jobs Growth Investment Trust Fund. Ava’s plans for the future include continuation of her decorative painting hobby and maybe establishing some new hobbies as well. Her plans also include traveling with her husband as they soon celebrate their 38th wedding anniversary. Ava has asked that we thank all of the employees she has worked with over these 22 years for helping her achieve these successes and accomplishments. She stated that none of the above could have been accomplished by one person alone.

Thank you, Ava, for your service to the citizens of Lake County. We wish you a healthy and happy retirement.

David Block, 20 years/8 months

Dave began his career with Lake County September 4, 1986. He was a Firefighter/EMT with the Department of Public Safety, Fire Rescue.

Dave spent just over twenty years with Lake County Fire Rescue and saw many changes. During his career he worked in many different areas of the County. For the first half of his career he was in a station by himself. He accepted the challenge and answered the call just as all of his fellow firefighters did.

Thank you, David, for your service to the citizens of Lake County. We wish you a healthy and happy retirement.