OPA honors workers for service time

(Jan. 5, 2020) Ten Ocean Pines employees were honored for their service time of five, 10, 15, 20 and 25 years during a virtual ceremony last month.  

Honorees were:  
 

• Five years:  
  • Tammy Cherrix (Police) 
  • Katelynne Hunt (Recreation and Parks) 
  • Nate Wilkins (Public Works)  
• 10 years: 
  • Debbie Donahue (Recreation and Parks) 
  • Lisa Jarman (Public Works) 
• 15 years: 
  • Earl Hall (Public Works) 
• 20 years: 
  • Jessica Conaway (Recreation and Parks) 
  • Nobie Violante (Public Works)  
• 25 years: 
  • James Brasure (Police) 
  • Robert Grant (Public Works) 

Department heads weighed in on what each veteran worker has meant to their staff.  

Police: 

Chief Leo Ehrisman said Cherrix finished a full career in the emergency communications field before joining Ocean Pines Police. 

“She currently serves as a full-time emergency dispatcher, our departmental secretary, and office administrator and records clerk, as well as the chief’s administrative assistant,” he said.  

Ehrisman said Brasure has taken on many rolls during his 25 years with the Association.  

“Brasure is one of the department’s senior officers that aids in field training and instructions for new graduate officers, as well as being a crime scene tech,” he said. “Brasure has been trained in many fields, such as advance interview and interrogation methods and other advanced training that makes him a great asset to the department and the community.” 

Public Works: 

Public Works Director Eddie Wells said Wilkins started on the grounds crew and worked his way up the ladder.  

“He makes signs in our sign shop and has done some IT work for us. Most recently he was moved to CPI as an inspector, where he is doing a great job,” Wells said. 

Wells said Jarman previously worked at the Administration front desk and now handles phone calls and purchase processing for Public Works.  

“She always has an upbeat attitude,” he said. 

Hall serves on the drainage crew and previously worked on mowing in Ocean Pines easements, Wells said.  

“He is very dependable,” Wells added. 

Violante is the Public Works operations manager and Wells’ second in command.  

“Nobie has been here longer than I have and he is one of the most reliable and dedicated employees I have,” Wells said. “He is in charge of the daily operations, scheduling the work that needs to be done. He is also in charge when I am out. He is knowledgeable in all aspects that Public Works is responsible for.” 

Grant has been with the Association for 25 years and started under the food and beverage operation, later moving to Public Works, Wells said.  

“Now, he is a very big part of taking care of the Racquet Sports complex,” Wells said. “Bob always does what is asked of him.” 

Recreation and Parks: 

Recreation and Parks Director Debbie Donahue said Hunt “has been here five years working directly with the customers, handling day-to-day processing of registrations and Marina processing, and she has taken on new responsibilities with our new software program.” 

“She welcomes everyone with a smile,” Donahue said. 

Donahue said of Conaway, “Jessica has been here for 20 years working directly with the customers.” She also handles registration and Marina processing.   

“Jessica has a great working relationship with the Ocean Pines community organizations,” Donahue said.  

“I am lucky to have both employees, with their experience and dedication to my department and to our community,” she added. 

Ocean Pines General Manager John Viola said Donahue worked her way up from program supervisor, to managing a busy and complex operation at Recreation and Parks.  

“We are grateful for the service of everyone on our team, and Debbie has definitely been one of the standouts,” Viola said. “Debbie has taken on a lot of responsibility and accomplished a great deal during her time as a director, and I appreciate all the hard work she’s put in. She’s a wonderful asset to our team.”