Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 12-27-19

Features
Former Elected Official, School Superintendent Dies
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A former Hillsborough County Public School Super- intendent and Supervisor of Elections passed following a lengthy illness. Dr. Earl Lennard died on December 23rd, at the age of 77.
A native of Hillsborough County, Dr. Lennard served as the School Superin- tendent from 1996 to 2005. He began his journey to that position as a classroom teacher. During his tenure, as Superintendent, his leader- ship further established Hillsborough County Public Schools as a state and na- tional leader in K-12 educa- tion. He is also credited with
DR. EARL LENNARD
overseeing the District progress into one of the top ten in the nation. He also oversaw the construction of several dozen new schools.
Then Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Dr. Lennard to serve out the term of Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Phyllis Busansky, who died in office in 2009.
Dr. Lennard also served in leadership roles with sev- eral community organiza- tions including the Greater Riverview Chamber of Com- merce, Boys & Girls Clubs, Hillsborough County Fair, Brandon Community Foun- dation and many more.
“We are all heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dr. Earl Lennard. His impact on our school district and community was immeasura- ble. So many educators and citizens have been positively influenced by his incredible leadership and character. It is incumbent on all of us, who were fortunate enough to know him, to carry on his legacy of honor and respect. We will keep his family in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time,” Jeff Eakins, Superintendent of Hillsborough County Public Schools said.
Dr. Lennard graduated from Brandon High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Florida.
His first teaching assign- ment was at Ruskin Elemen- tary School. He retired after 41 years of service. Lennard High School is named in his honor. It opened in August 2006.
F.B.I. Special Agent Enjoys His Role As Investigator
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Special Agent Alqualios Hammonds was hired by the Federal Bureau of Inves- tigations in 2009. He joined the Bureau 99 years after the first African American was hired by the agency.
In December 1919,
James Wormely Jones
applied to be a special agent with the Bureau of Investiga- tions, which was the forerun- ner of the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
Hired just 11 years after the creation of the agency, Jones had served in the mil- itary and was an expert in ex- plosives, and had worked as a police officer. Although records are incomplete, it is believed that Jones was the first African American with the agency.
His employment set the stage for others to follow.
In 2008, Special Agent Hammonds joined the Bu- reau after serving in the U. S. Air Force for 7 years. He relo- cated from his native Ala- bama, to the Tampa Division in Orlando.
Agent Hammonds cur- rently conducts criminal in- vestigations and national security. When asked why he
decided to apply with the F. B. I., Agent Hammonds said college roommate had applied and that “kind of planted the seed” while he was still in the military. With encouragement from his fra- ternity brothers and family members, he saw it as a new challenge.
Agent Hammonds said he applied and within a month began the hiring process. He entered the pri- vate sector and obtained em- ployment before he was hired. However, that time al- lowed him the opportunity to research the agency.
“I have been given the op- portunity to do things that I have never done before. I re- ally enjoy my job,” he said.
Today, Agent Ham- monds encourages others who may be interested in joining the Bureau to re- search the field, talk to other agents, look for opportunities and move full speed ahead.
The position does require periodic relocations, but for now, Agent Hammonds works out of the Orlando Of- fice.
Married and the father of two children, Agent Ham- monds enjoys spending time with his family, reading, working out, sports as both a spectator and participant.
F.B.I. Emblem
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2019