Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 12-2-16 Online Edition

Local
BEAUTY UNLIMITED
ABIGAYLE
This week’s Spotlight feature is Abigayle. It’s been a long time since a feature with natural beauty has been spotlighted, and what better choice than this young woman. Abigayle is very comfortable in front of the camera, and has a burning desire to be successful. She also is very motivated, and fo- cused on what she wants and how to get it. Congratulations to Abigayle as this week’s Spotlight feature.
HART Official To Retire After 31 Years
Birthday
Local
Tampa General Hospital CEO Says He Was Pushed Out
JIM BURKHART
Tampa General Hospital CEO told the local daily on Wednesday that he was pushed out as head of Tampa General Hospital.
Jim Burkhart resigned his position on Tuesday. He had been at the hospital since early 2013. He told the Tampa Bay Times that TGH’s board of directors wanted to go in another direction and had concerns about finances.
The hospital’s CFO, Steve Short will serve as acting CEO.
Wishing Eric A Happy Birthday
Eric Vidana, Jr. is turning 1. Among those who are also wishing him a happy birthday are: Auntie Joann, great-grandmom, Liz, grandmom, Carmen and cousin, Big Dee.
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Today, December 2, 2016, is a special day for Rickey Kendall. It’s a reminder that he was hired 31 years ago as a bus operator for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) Authority. That was December, 1985. However, it may be bitter- sweet because on December 30, 2016, he’ll join the ranks of the retired.
Kendall, who currently manages a staff of 8, is retir- ing as HART’s Director of Risk and Safety.
Hailing from Flint, Michi- gan, Kendall found his way to Tampa through the mili- tary – being stationed at MacDill Air Force Base.
He has had an awesome journey in this community. Starting as a bus operator, Kendall was on a mission to move up the ladder. He was not just satisfied to operate the bus.
“I tell young people all the time that there is more to working for the bus company than driving a bus – so much more, especially now when it’s an exciting time for trans- portation.”
It didn’t take long before he was promoted to Transit Su- pervisor, the Internship Pro- gram, and the Risk Management Dept., where he became a Risk Specialist 3. In December 2006, he became the Director of Risk Manage- ment and Safety.
Kendall’s educational pursuits began with earning a B. S. degree in Criminology
RICKEY KENDALL ...Retiring from HART after 31 years
from the University of Tampa; MBA from Florida Metropolitan University and attending numerous insti- tutes for certifications related to positions on the job.
Kendall is not an ‘all work and no play’ guy. He goes on mission trips to Central America, specifically Guatemala; he’s an active volunteer with the Central City YMCA, The Straz Center and Tampa International Airport. He studies the Bible at Bell Shoals Baptist Church and serves on the Risk Insur- ance Management Society (RIMS) board.
At other times, Kendall enjoys spending time with his wife of 40 years, Ada, his daughter, Porsha and grandchild, Kenya.
When asked about advice he offers to younger drivers, he said: “Educate yourselves to be prepared when called upon or when an opportunity arrives. Stay strong and be humble. Situations may arise that you may not agree with, but remain humble and see the situation through.”
FYI
Book Signing
Kitt Swanson will hold a book signing Saturday, Dec. 3, 12 noon to 4 p. m. at Book Swap of Carrollwood, 11738 N. Dale Mabry, Tampa, 33618.
The book is Troubles Don’t Last Always, You Do, an inspi- rational book.
For more information, go to www.kittswanson.com.
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2016