Public Service Recognition Week Means So Much More As Beneficiaries are Recognized

Left to right Tony Burns-Preston and Omar Howard guest speakers and in the center Denise Cleveland-Leggett, Regional Administrator thanking them for attending and for their uplifting life story.

HUD team members attend Public Service Recognition Week and Award Ceremony in the Atlanta Regional Office's Montalvo Conference Room.

HUD employees recently participated in Public Service Recognition Week and Awards Ceremony in the Atlanta Regional Office and were moved to hear from two beneficiaries of affordable housing and HUD services after which eighty-three HUD team members were recognized for their years of service as well. This was all part of the effort to thank HUD team members for their public service during Public Service Recognition Week.

Eighty-three HUD team members were recognized by the HUD SE Regional Administrator Denise Cleveland-Leggett and Deputy Regional Administrator Christopher Taylor for their years of federal service to HUD which totaled an amazing 1712 combined years of service. Highlighting the award ceremony was a special thank you to Gayle Knowlson of the Atlanta Homeownership Center for 52 years of federal service. 

Tony Burns-Preston and Omar Howard were the two keynote speakers who took time from their busy lives to share their heartfelt gratitude for those that helped them positively change their lives.

Tony grew up under austere conditions and while very young found out that she was HIV positive. Those results devastated her, and she was not prepared emotionally for what that meant and how to best deal with it. Over time and with the help of those that cared about her, access to low income health care services and Continuum of Care supportive services for the homeless were able to assist her with much needed medical care and housing. Now Tony has a place to call home where she is feeling better and is physically doing well with access to improved healthcare services and outcomes.

Omar shared his heartfelt experiences and gratitude as a returning citizen who reshaped his life thanks to those who believed in him and his own personal faith. Incarcerated for over 15 years at the age of 18 he eventually served his time, left the system and entered the new world.  What he realized almost immediately was that inspite of being 33 he felt as if he was still 18 as he was unaware of the world outside of prison until then. Unable to find employment and housing initially he felt defeated but his strength of purpose to make a better life for himself and with the help of family and those that cared about him he never lost total hope. Eventually he found employment and housing and serves as a prison chaplain and social counselor for returning citizens. He thanked everyone for what they do and asked that HUD work to find affordable housing options for those deserving returning citizens that want a second chance and need housing as a platform of stability and hope for a better future.

"Tony and Omar are examples of why we serve… we are making a difference in people's lives and we are grateful to be able to help", said Denise Cleveland-Leggett, HUD SE Regional Administrator. "In fact, when Omar participated in the Georgia Reentry Roundtable we hosted in late February there were two other returning citizens one of which needed housing and during the roundtable a property management company stepped up and offered to help."

"I am proud of our Region IV team as they go about their work each and every day in a caring and professional manner," said Cleveland-Leggett. "What they are doing is making a difference and they are our difference makers."

The program concluded with an award recognition ceremony for eighty-three HUD team members thanking them for their service and dedication in helping to strengthen lives and build self-sufficiency for those HUD serves. HUD team members and their time in service awards are listed below:

Five (5) Years:

1. Lisa Gibson
2. Deborah Jackson
3. Edward Wallace Jr.
4. Karen Ostrye
5. Angelica Curry

Ten (10) Years:

1. Cynthia Nobles
2. Virgil Tetsworth
3. Donald Wooten
4. Linda Wiggs
5. Kristin Frantz
6. Regina Montgomery
7. Georgianna Baker-Gay
8. Curtis Barnes
9. Robert Bright
10. Linda Clayton
11. Robert Zayac Jr.
12. Melissa Ramile
13. Kareem McNair
14. Stephanie Williams
15. Cynthia Zarate
16. Presselyne Alcin-Abraham
17. Sharron Bohannon
18. Cora Byrd
19. Arlin Coleman Jr.
20. Gwenda English
21. Nicole Turner
22. Reuben Clemons
23. Mark Williams
24. Barry Bennett
25. Kiara Griggs
26. Jennifer Jones
27. Carolene Allen
28. Cheryl Brown
29. Heidi Sanchez
30. Edward Davis Jr.
31. Ronda Odom
32. Vickie Race
33. Gloria Miranda
34. Chuck Melton
35. James Westmoreland
36. Carl Heckman

Fifteen (15) Years:

1. Jesseka Williamson
2. Lewis Boggan
3. Kia Johnson
4. Marcus Williams
5. Sonje Jackson
6. Loretta Lewis
7. Jeanette Lambert

Twenty (20) Years:

1. Clyde Roberts III
2. Keith Burbank
3. Sophina Lane
4. Donald Winston
5. Sharon Law
6. Sharon Walker
7. Janet Ellison
8. Craig Karnes
9. Ottina Strong
10. Vickie Johnson

Twenty (25) Years:

1. Carolyn Cooperwood
2. Jennifer Trice-Russell
3. Cecilia Sosa-Kaba
4. Michelle Moore

Thirty (30) Years:

1. Terri Betts
2. Wanda Harmon
3. Barbara Brock
4. Donna Edmunds
5. Terrhonda Mills
6. Susan Brooke
7. Joyce Spruill
8. Bridgette Zellous-Preston
9. Sharon Washington
10. Stephanie Allen
11. Valerie Jackson
12. Allen Lewis
13. Clifford Johnson

Thirty-Five (35) Years:

1. Sabrina Baskin

Forty (40) Years:

1. Yolanda Perez Lopez
2. Vanessa Bowles
3. Kevin Shearer
4. Renee Matthews
5. La Joyce Peeples

Forty-Five (45) Years:

1. Daniel Abel

Fifty-Two (52) Years:

1.  Gayle Knowlson

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