Sunday, October 18, 2009

AIDS Help recognizes employees

AIDS Help recently had three employees attain five years of employment with the agency, including Director of Client Services Patrice Pelletier-Sanders, Lead Case Manager Joy Thompson and Case Manager Jason Hatch.

Pelletier-Sanders holds a bachelor's degree in social work from Salem State College in Massachusetts and a master's degree in public health from the University of South Florida. She had a 15-year career in nursing home administration before moving to the Florida Keys eight years ago.

Thompson, a Keys resident for seven years, has worked in the social services field for the past nine years. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in social work from Indiana University.

Hatch served as a case manager for Monroe County Social Services before joining the AIDS Help team. A 10-year resident of the Keys, he holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Northern Colorado.

First State's Lewin celebrates 18 years

Kurt Lewin, First State Bank of the Florida Keys executive vice president and senior lending officer, is celebrating 18 years with the bank.

Lewin joined the bank in 1991 as vice president/loan officer. He was promoted to commercial loan officer and later to senior vice president/senior lending officer before assuming his current position in 2006.

Lewin holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida. In 2006, he was named to the Property and Casualty Insurance Technical Advisory Committee by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush.

FKAA names employee of quarter

The Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority recognized Jillian Cranney-Gage, senior accountant, as Employee of the Quarter.

Gage has been employed with the utility for three years and has progressively worked her way to her current position. She was nominated by her co-workers for her excellent attendance, outstanding attitude, capacity as a role model and overall contributions to the advancement of the water/wastewater utility.

KEYS' Carey to retire after 29 years

Keys Energy Services' Michael "Blink" Carey will retire after nearly 30 years of service to the utility.

Carey has been employed by the utility since 1980, when the company was still known as City Electric System. Throughout his tenure, he has held numerous positions within the utility, including oiler and auxiliary operator prior to his current position as general helper at the Stock Island Generation Facility.

Acker named Key Largo chamber director

Nola Acker has been named to the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce board.

She currently is employed as First State Bank's assistant vice president and Key Largo branch manager

As a board member, Acker will work with the chamber to promote Key Largo as both a tourist destination and business-friendly community, advocating for new job stimulation and business development.

Acker also serves as a Key Largo Community Preservation Foundation board member, Take Stock in Children member and Key Largo Recreation Committee member.