Long-Time Employee Spotlights
April 2024
Gary Hughes
Position: Maintenance Crew Leader
Department: Parks & Conservation Resources
How long with Pinellas County? 30 years.
How long have you been in this position? I was promoted to Maintenance Crew Leader in 2022.
Describe your job in 25 words or fewer: I maintain the landscape of County parks, from mowing lawns and trimming trees, to maintaining the overall cleanliness and attractiveness of the parks.
Please describe your career path with Pinellas County: My career with Pinellas County started in 1994 as a Maintenance Worker at Fort De Soto Park. I was promoted in 2000 to Automotive Equipment Operator. In 2012, my position was reclassified to a Park Maintenance Worker. My most recent promotion was to Maintenance Crew Leader in 2022.
What has been the biggest change over the years since you started? City Works has been the biggest change that has made a significant impact on our day-to-day responsibilities.
What are some of your achievements that you are most proud of during your time with Parks & Conservation Resources? I’ve taken advantage of a multitude of training opportunities over the years and have received several certifications in using various equipment that has enabled me to perform and remain versatile in performing my day-to-day responsibilities.
What advice do you have for people looking to get into your field? Whether they are looking to get into my field or just having a career with Pinellas County, take advantage of the multitude of training opportunities and have a retirement plan.
What is something that most people don’t know about your job that you would like them to know? Although it may seem like riding a mower is an easy job, there are so many other aspects that we must always keep in mind: safety protocols for staff and the general public, the impacts of prolonged exposure to the Florida sun, the importance of protective gear; and most importantly, the public relations aspect when approached by citizens while performing our duties.
What have you enjoyed most about working for Pinellas County? I have enjoyed the multitude of opportunities to learn and gain experience and knowledge in working with employees that have impacted me in many ways over the years.
Most memorable moment/story: Implementation of City Works. It was a big change for field employees but forward progress with technology is always a good thing.
Pamela Leasure
Position: Environmental Program Manager 2
Department: Parks & Conservation Resources
How long with Pinellas County? Almost 36 years.
How long have you been in this position? 22 years.
Describe your job in 25 words or fewer: Responsible for protection, restoration, and maintenance of the natural resource within the south county parks, preserves, and management areas.
Please describe your career path with Pinellas County: I started in 1988 as a temporary Environmental Specialist II for the Department of Environmental Management, Watershed Management until the position became permanent in 1989. In 2002, I transferred to the department’s Environmental Lands Division to manage the south county preserves and management areas. A couple of position upgrades over the years and my position is now Environmental Program Manager 2.
What has been the biggest change over the years since you started? Any document that required Board approval was hand carried to each department for review and signature. We now have a number of programs to process these reviews and signatures.
What are some of your achievements that you are most proud of during your time with Parks & Conservation Resources? Working on restoration projects from beginning to completion and monitoring these sites throughout the years.
What advice do you have for people looking to get into your field? It can be very challenging protecting our natural resources using proven best management practices. Stay positive and keep the enthusiasm of protecting the natural resources that attracted you to work in land management.
What have you enjoyed most about working for Parks & Conservation Resources? It’s great to see many co-workers that are dedicated to protecting our natural resources. I enjoy helping my co-workers understand more about what we do to protect our natural resources. With more information, they are able to alert us to potential problems, which is a big help.
Most memorable moment/story: Since 1988, my work requires a great deal of time in the field. Whether in the marine or upland environments, I’ve had the opportunity to witness so much of our wildlife that most people never experience. My files are full of so many pictures to help me forever remember these experiences.
4/25/24