John Paul Yanes is Town Employee of the Year

Community By Alexandra Herrera, Reporter Wednesday, October 30, 2024

     In just 18 months as Miami Lakes’ Special Project Manager, John JP Yanes demonstrated leadership skills that won him the town’s Employee of the Year award.

     Among his attributes described by Deputy Manager Tony Lopez are his respect for the public; excellence in his work product, teamwork; having an innovative spirit and unwavering dedication to public service.

     The recognition, with a $500 bonus, came during Mayor Manny Cid’s 2024 State of the Town address. 

     Lopez also said Yanes is someone who helps colleagues, stays late to finish work to the highest standard and makes residents feel valued as he serves the Neighborhood Service Districts, School Crossing Guard Program; Emergency Management; Park Administration and arbor care.

     “Thank you to my parks department and my co-workers, you guys are incredible,” Yanes said. “Thank you to [Town Manager] Ed [Pidermann] to Tony [Lopez] thank you very much [Parks & Recreation Director] Jeremy [Bajdaun] for always supporting me and believing in me,” Yanes said.  He also thanked his wife, daughter and parents who were present.

     Pidermann was out of town and sent congratulations via a video.

    “You never cease to amaze the rest of us,” Pidermann said. “Great job and I know you’re going to go far in the Town of Miami Lakes.”

     Cid is term-limited and will step down on Nov. 5, along with at least two council members, Luis Collazo and Marilyn Ruano.

     He gave keys to the town to them as well as to his longtime assistant, Joseph Sosa. He also recognized former Grants and Governmental Affairs Manager Reneé Wilson, who obtained $26 million in grants for the town.  Cid said recent councils he served with have accomplished a lot for residents, including most of the transportation, drainage, parks and infrastructure goals from the Imagine Miami Lakes 2025 master plan.  

     Department heads described other accomplishments: helping 200 new businesses open; police acquired five new license plate readers to screen traffic for criminals; the building department issued 2,719 permits, started 1,600 code cases and resolved 76% without citations; road and drainage projects continue; installed lights at Miami Lakes Optimist Park tennis courts and a playground in Veterans Park and began improving 15 pocket parks. 

     Other award winners were JetStream Federal Credit Union, Business of the Year: Jim Hamilton, Volunteer of the Year and Miami-Dade Police Maj. Jose Gonzalez, Vendor Employee of the Year. 

     The Town’s Youth Activity Task Force gave Barbara Goleman Senior High School senior Kaitlyn Hernandez its Youth Leadership Award.