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FKAA recognizes long-term service

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority recently honored several employees for their combined 193 years of service.

Thomas Dixon and Acelia Plans were recognized for their 35 years with the water utility.

Dixon joined in 1973 as a general laborer for the Maintenance Department and later advanced to his current position of senior contract field representative for the Engineering Department.

Plans, who is retiring, joined in 1973 as a junior cashier after arriving from Cuba with her family. She quickly advanced to her current position of assistant director of customer service, where she managed customer service activities and worked daily with customers. Plans is active in St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, where she is a member of the choir and plans to devote more of her time in service to the community.

Also recognized were Maggie Anderson for 25 years of service and Eric Hall for 20 years of service.

Anderson, administrative and development coordinator in the Engineering Department, joined the utility in 1983 as a file clerk. She is known within the community as a long-term volunteer in youth activities and is very active in her church and the choir.

Hall was hired in 1988 as a pipe fitter for the Maintenance Department and now serves as Stock Island Pump Station operator. Hall is active in youth activities and coaches youth sports.

Damarys Garcia and Margaret "Peggy" Medina were recognized for 19 and 17 years of service, respectively. Both women are retiring.

Garcia is leaving the Customer Service Department, where she worked as the administrative assistant.

Medina joined in 1991 as a secretary after 18 years with the Monroe County School Board. She currently serves as administrative and contracts supervisor in the Engineering Department. Medina also is active in youth sports and a variety of community events through FKAA. She is the key organizer in employee activities for the utility and designer of the annual holiday float.

Lastly, Cheryl Sargent and Cindy Bunch were honored for 15 years of service. Bunch, the senior clerical assistant for the Customer Service Division, joined in 1993 as a combination clerk.

Sargent joined in 1993 as the benefits coordinator and now works as benefits and risk manager. Sargent is active in local fundraising activities for the American Cancer Society and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training. Sargent also was recognized for her leadership in coordinating the utility's reimbursement process after Hurricane Wilma.

Roe named hospital volunteer of year

Pat Roe of Islamorada has been named the Mariners Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer of the Year. Roe has volunteered 1,170 hours since she joined the auxiliary in 2001. The majority of those hours were spent in assisting the nurses in the outpatient department, greeting visitors in the Tassell Building and working in the hospital gift shop.