2010 Civilian of the Quarter

January through March | Dean McWhorter

Congratulations for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Civilian Employee of the Quarter from January thru March of 2010.

When Court Liaison Dean McWhorter walked into a Subway restaurant to get some lunch, the manager was asking a sleeping man to leave the shop. As Dean waited to place his order, the man returned and attempted to throw a chair through the glass window. Dean then told the man to leave and an employee followed while calling 911 for assistance. Lt. Michael Roden was driving by in his patrol car and the employee flagged him down. Lt. Roden confronted him and was struck by the man’s backpack.

Dean then rendered assistance to Lt. Roden as he utilized his pepper spray in an attempt to place the man under arrest. As they struggled with the man, Lt. Roden asked Dean to get on the radio and call for backup. The man was arrested and charged with Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer.

April through June | Viviana Pastrana-Ghindoc

Congratulations for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Civilian Employee of the Quarter from April through June of 2010.

Viviana Pastrana-Ghindoc is the Administrative Secretary assigned to the Troop E Headquarters. Major James Brierton, her supervisor, has noted that she has over 25 years of experience and exhibits loyalty, dedication and enthusiasm. Administrative Secretary Pastrana-Ghindoc does an excellent job of coordinating activities and projects between Troop E, the district offices and Chief Miguel Guzman’s office. She often takes on large tasks such as troop reorganization and handles all necessary personnel changes and paperwork with ease.

Major Brierton also noted that Ms. Pastrana-Ghindoc is a friendly person that is willing to help others both inside and outside of the organization. She displays quality customer service when dealing with the public and initiative when troop members request her assistance.

July through September | Valerie Pavlas

Congratulations for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Civilian Employee of the Quarter from July thru September of 2010.

Valerie Pavlas has exhibited many qualities essential for the position of Administrative Assistant. She has been instrumental in assisting Major Eddie Johnson in the Troop A Strategic Safety plan and STAR Presentation. Ms. Pavlas has also been an outstanding liaison with retired members of the Troop as well as local community leaders.

Ms. Pavlas has also shown unselfishness with her time, duties and responsibilities. This was evident when a clerical position was eliminated from the Panama City District. Ms. Pavlas stepped in and handled crash records, front desk duties, as well as her own duties with a positive attitude.

October through December | Madelin Gonzalez

Congratulations for being selected as the Florida Highway Patrol Civilian Employee of the Quarter from October thru December of 2010.

Madelin Gonzalez serves as the Court Liaison for the Troop L-Davie area. During this time she has had added stress placed upon her by a transition to an electronic subpoena system. Ms. Gonzales has worked very hard to comply with a deadline given to the district and has assisted command staff with the implementation of the system through her effective communication and organizational skills. Ms. Gonzalez took on the additional workload and added pressure without complaint.

Madelin Gonzalez continuously goes above and beyond her job duties to make Troop L run efficiently. Her actions help better the Florida Highway Patrol and the community.