John J. Farkas Liaison Person of the Year

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John J. Farkas Liaison Person of the Year
2004

• Presented by Florida Utilities Coordinating
  Committee
• August 2004
• Marco Island, Florida

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John J. FarkasLiaison Person of the Year
This award is presented to a member who
demonstrates commitment to the betterment of
utility coordination through actions and
leadership.
The nominee must receive a majority vote of the
Awards Committee
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Past Recipients

• 1986 Dennis LaBelle FPL
• 1987 Ken Brown Tampa Electric
• 1989 John Farkas Southern Bell
• 1990 Terry Vogel FPL
• 1992 P. Kalzorowski FDOT
• Dennis LaBelle FPL
• 1993 Ray Afeld GTE Florida
• 1994 Larry Claxton Tampa Electric
• 1995 Dan Buol ATT
• 1996 Jim Weeks FDOT
• 1997 Mark Sweet FPC
• 1998 Tom Kennedy FPC
• 1998 Ken Weldon FDOT
• 1999 Billy Hattaway FDOT
• 2000 Carlos Solis Pinellas Utilities
• 2001 David Kuhlman FPL
• 2002 Cheryl Ritter SSOC
• 2003 Earl Christian BellSouth

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John J. Farkas

• University of Florida
• B.S. Degree EE
• BellSouth Support Manager
• Engineering Honor Society
• Director SSOCOF Board
• Promoted Liaison between utilities and the
  Governmental Agencies

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Biography of John J. Farkas

• He was a Bridge Builder between utilities
• He was a Bilingual employee
• Understood all aspects of communication
• Could talk to anybody on their level.
• Legal Eagles
• Thought of as an unofficial legal expert
• Vice President of Unusual Affairs
• Modern Day Wizard
• Firm believer in the 4 Cs of Liaison
• Coordination, Communication, Cooperation,
  Commitment

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2004 Nominee
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I want to be Mr. America!
Years Ago ..
Born 11/19/49 He grew up in Pittsburg, Pa He
liked to show off his muscles
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He was the baby of the family
Paul
Lenny
Mary Ann
FUCC Inductee
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He liked to wear COOL Sweaters
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Became a Team Player early in life.
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He also was a sharp dresser.
Won the award for
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Graduated from Taylor Allderdice High
School Pittsburg, PA In 1967
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Learned to ride a bike late in life.
He needed help steering.
Editorial Note The training wheels were removed
the day before the picture was taken.
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In the 70s
Joined the Hippie Movement
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Finally he had to go to work.
They gave him the best van in the Service Center.
Telephone Installer
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He always discussed business with his mentor.
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Known as Mr. GQ around the office
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He has his own custom made GOLF CART
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Family Man
Wife Cindi Sons Todd Sam
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Education

• Taylor Allderdice High School
• Allegheny Community Barry Colleges

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Career

• Started work with BellSouth in 1971
• Career Advancements
• Telephone Installer - 1971
• Cable Repair Technician - 1973
• OSP Facilities Designer - 1979
• Manager Project Implementation 1997
• Worked in 2 BellSouth Districts
• Transferred to West Palm District to straighten
  out Larry M. mess.

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Quotes from fellow employees

• Has never met a meeting he did not want to attend
  or run.
• Never met a mirror he hasn't looked into.
• Known as Mr. GQ around the office. You can wear
  shorts to a meeting and he will show up in a
  shirt and tie.
• Hasn't met a diet he hasn't tried.
• Runs, bikes and exercises everywhere!!
• Thinks he is the golf pro of the office.
• Adores his wife and both sons talks about them
  all the time.
• Great family man !

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District

• Chaired the Broward County Coordinating Committee
• Made presentations on telecommunication
  operations to FDOT.
• Actively works with other utilities and highway
  consultants to resolve coordination problems.
• Is a firm believer in upfront coordination.

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Florida Utilities Coordinating Committee

• Chaired the Telecommunications Interest Group
• Served as the Telecommunication Steering
  Committee representative
• Active member of the Joint Use Committee
• Attendee since 1994
• Help setup various workshops and participated in
  the Undergrounding of Utilities Utility Work
  Schedule Workshops

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The 2004 John J. Farkas Liaison Person of the
Year is ....
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2004 FUCC
John J. Farkas Liaison Person of the Year
Bob Lowen
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Special Thanks

• Earl Christian
• Dennis La Belle
• Cindi Lowen
• and a host of his fellow workers