Outer Banks Times

County Of Dare issued the following announcement on Aug. 6.  

Nine Dare County employees were recognized with a service pin presentation at the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting that was held at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 2, 2021. 

Three employees who work for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office received 10-year service pins: George Fockler, Roy Ambrose and Orman Mann Jr.

George Fockler, Deputy Sheriff Sergeant for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, was presented with a service pin commemorating his 10 years of service to Dare County by Dare County Sheriff Doug Doughtie.   

Fockler began working for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office in 2011 after retiring from the Maryland State Police. In Dare County, Fockler currently works with Galaxy, a three-year-old black Labrador retriever who is trained as an explosive detection dog. 

“If anybody knows George, George loves every kind of animal there is,” said Doughtie, who told the Dare County Board of Commissioners that, in addition to Galaxy, Fockler also has a duck, turtles and “about nine cats” at home.   

“He might not want me telling you this, but I’m going to do it anyway, just to show you the kind heart he’s got,” said Doughtie. “He treats everybody the same. Anybody that loves animals is going to love a human, and he shows that all the time. George is just that kind of guy.”

Doughtie also commented on Fockler’s strong work ethic and praised his dedication to his daily duties and the many accomplishments he has achieved over the years. 

“George is involved in everything. If we’ve got something going on, George is going to be involved in it,” said Doughtie. “ He went to Highway Patrol school, and that’s a very, very hard school to pass—and he did it with flying colors. He was a great find for us. We couldn’t have done better. He’s been here 10 years, and I hope he stays here a whole lot longer. [Galaxy’s] got a lot of good life in her, so we’re going to make sure George stays until the dog gets out.” 

Roy Ambrose, who serves as a detention officer for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized with a 10-year service pin. Ambrose, who is affectionately called “Chief” by staff and inmates alike, performs protective service work and ensures the safety and security of inmates within the county jail. His colleagues say that can always be counted on to do anything that is asked of him without any hesitation. Ambrose is a lifelong resident of Dare County, and on his time off, he enjoys spending time on the water with his wife, Melissa, and their children.

Orman Mann Jr., who serves as a senior facility maintenance technician for the Dare County Sheriff’s Office, was recognized with a 10-year service pin. Mann is tasked with overseeing the day-to-day maintenance of the Dare County Detention Center, which means he serves as a plumber, electrician, painter and all-points repairman. According to his colleagues, “He is a hard worker who is always willing to come into work at a moment’s notice to tend to something that has broken or is in need of repair. Orman is just as dedicated to his family and enjoys spending time away with his wife, Rebecca, and their three children.”

Brett Barnett, an emergency medical technician (EMT) paramedic for the Dare County EMS Department, was presented with a 10-year service pin by Dare County EMS Director Jennie Collins.

Barnett initially got into EMS as a first responder when he started serving as a junior member of the Easton Volunteer Fire Department in Easton, Maryland.  

Barnett obtained his EMT certification in 2007 during his senior year of high school and volunteered in Maryland for several years.

After getting the opportunity to fly with the Maryland State Police Trooper 6 medevac helicopter, Barnett was “bit by the bug” and decided that his career goal was to be a flight paramedic. 

In the spring of 2009, he moved to Hatteras with the intention of getting a job with Dare County EMS. Barnett served as a volunteer for the Dare County EMS Department for two years while he worked to obtain his EMT-Intermediate certification. In addition, he also volunteered with the Hatteras Island Rescue Squad at the Hatteras Volunteer Fire Department. 

Barnett was hired as a full-time EMT-Intermediate for Dare County EMS in 2011, and in 2013 he was promoted to the position of paramedic after obtaining his certification. In 2017, he achieved his career goal when he was assigned to Dare MedFlight. In his time off, Barnett keeps busy spending time with his 5-year-old son, Grayson.

Pamela Kaiser, who works as an in-home aide for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division, was presented with a 15-year service pin by Mandi Ferguson, in-home aide nurse supervisor for the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ Social Services Division.

Kaiser’s typical job duties consist of assisting Dare County’s elderly and disabled population with essential errands, light housekeeping and personal care in order to help keep them safe and supported within their homes. She also steps up regularly to help precept and orient the agency’s new hires.

“She not only completes those job duties, but she always goes above and beyond,” said Ferguson. “She gives 110 percent all the time. She really does make a tremendous difference to our program and our entire agency.” 

In addition to her typical duties, Kaiser also helps prepare for hurricanes—even when not asked to—helps clients who need assistance troubleshooting their electric wheelchairs so they can continue to get around safely, sets up for Dare County Department of Health & Human Services board meetings and also strongly advocates for her clients so they can enjoy a better quality of life.   

When she’s not working, Kaiser enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark, who she has been with for 39 years, and her son, Mason. She enjoys crafting, reading and making the community a better place with her acts of service.

“Pam is a huge asset to our program, and I hope she will stay with us for many, many, many years to come,” said Ferguson.

Travis Rodeheaver, who serves as a ground maintenance worker for the Grounds Maintenance Division of the Dare County Public Works Department, was recognized with a service pin commemorating his 15 years of service to Dare County.

Rodeheaver started as an activity coordinator within the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department and was soon promoted to the position of activity specialist. Seeking to broaden his knowledge of all aspects of Parks and Recreation, he took a job as a park maintenance worker. A few years later, Rodeheaver was promoted again, this time to the position of park maintenance crew leader. 

Four years later, Rodeheaver wanted to gain even more knowledge, so he transferred to the Grounds Maintenance Division of the Dare County Public Works Department, where his colleagues say he continues to thrive every day. 

According to Greg Fiala, grounds maintenance superintendent for the Grounds Maintenance Division of the Dare County Public Works Department, “All of our organizational achievements are made possible because of employees like Travis, who are hardworking and value a true teamwork atmosphere.”

When he’s not working, Travis enjoys fishing, hunting and spending time with his daughter.

Dustin Respass, who serves as a distribution system specialist for the Dare County Water Department, was recognized with a service pin commemorating his 15 years of service to Dare County. 

According to his colleagues, “Dustin is very thorough when it comes to the quality and details of his work, and he is conscientious in his job and task performance. He has become very knowledgeable about the distribution system in his daily work and locating water lines for underground utility construction work. He provides professional service and presents a positive disposition when interacting with customers.” 

His colleagues also say that he is never hesitant to assist coworkers during work hours or after hours on emergency water line leak repairs and that he can successfully operate the equipment used within the department.

Pam Midgett, who serves as an administrative assistant for the Dare County IT Department, was recognized with a service pin commemorating her 25 years of service to Dare County.

Midgett began working for the county when the IT Department was known as Data Processing. Over the past 25 years, she has been responsible for managing a number of different tasks, including cell phone billing, making updates to the county’s various websites, providing elections and help desk support, as well as assigning addresses to properties located within the unincorporated areas of Dare County. 

During the past year, Midgett has also volunteered to learn the AV system in the Dare County Board of Commissioners meeting room in order to help support the increased number of livestreamed meetings that have been held since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Midgett also sits on a number of employee committees with the goal of improving the services provided by Dare County for its citizens and employees.

Lisa Heath, who serves as the dance program supervisor for the Roanoke Island Division of the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department, was presented with a service pin in recognition of her 35 years of service to Dare County. Heath’s service pin was presented to her by Dare County Public Services Director Tim White.

“I calculated how many young ladies she has come into contact with in those 35 years, and it’s 5,200 children,” said White. “That’s quite an accomplishment, and I can tell you that probably 5,199 of those children love her.”

In addition to her daily duties as the leader of the dance program, Heath also assists with an array of other tasks both inside and outside of the Dare County Parks and Recreation Department. 

“Never when I’ve asked her to do something outside of Parks and Recreation has she said no,” said White. “In fact, she comes to me quite often and says, ‘Is there something you need me to do outside of teaching dance?’”

From assisting the Dare County Department of Health & Human Services’ COVID-19 unit with calling to remind individuals of their vaccine appointments and ensuring they received their second shot, to volunteering to drive one of the vans that transported members of the N.C. Highway 12 Task Force during a trip to Hatteras and Ocracoke islands to examine the seven hot spots along the roadway, to volunteering with the Meals of Wheels program to deliver food to homebound residents during the COVID-19 crisis, Heath’s efforts and dedication to Dare County go well above and beyond the dance program. 

“That’s the kind of person she is,” said White. “She’s just a wonderful person. She’s very compassionate. You can’t have a better leader of a dance program than Lisa Heath.”

Original source can be found here

Source: County Of Dare