Standing before 80 guests, Police Officer Mark Doyle received accolades from the Milpitas Rotary Club and fellow Milpitas city employees at Rotary's 18th Annual Gene Schwab Memorial "Service Above Self" Awards Luncheon. Doyle is a 20 year veteran police officer, who graduated from San Jose State University in 1992.
He is noted for his work with Milpitas "at risk" youth and students and is an active member of the Milpitas Hostage Negotiation Team. Mark volunteers with Milpitas Junior Giants Police Athletic League, the 4-H Program, and San Jose Youth Ballet. He has also been seen mentoring and singing at local convalescent homes.
This year's nominees - Planning and Neighborhood Services Assistant Planner Cindy Hom, Building and Safety Permit Technician Gary King, and Recreation Department Program Coordinator Samu Tiumalu were honored at this event.
On hand to present their recognitions, certificates, and plaques were Milpitas Rotary Club President Mark Tiernan, Mayor Jose Esteves, 3rd District Supervisor Dave Cortese, Andre Macapinlac representing Assemblyman Bob Wieckowski, Samantha Davis representing State Senator Ellen Corbett, and Lenine Umali for Representative Mike Honda.
Tiernan read letters from US Senator Dianne Feinstein and US Senator Barbara Boxer expressing congratulations to Mark Doyle and their regrets for not being free to attend.
Several past Gene Schwab honorees were in attendance. A committee of past winners chooses the next honoree.
Officer Mark Doyle expressed his thanks to all for these honors.
Gene Schwab's widow, Bernita, said hi to all from the Oklahoma Panhandle in an earlier conversation with Gene Schwab Chair Frank De Smidt. She also sent a congratulatory card to Mark Doyle.
Milpitan Louise Schwab, Gene's sister-in-law, attended the luncheon.
Gene Schwab was a Milpitas City employee for over 25 years and an active member of the Milpitas Rotary Club for over 8 years. He worked his way up from the position of street sweeper to being the city's Finance Director after continuing his education at Santa Clara University.
He was revered as a fair and conscientious man who practiced "Service Above Self" and in his honor this award was established by the Milpitas Rotary Club.
Milpitas Information Services Public Information Specialist Eliren Pasion screened a short informative video about Gene Schwab and his life.
MCTV 26 Station Manager Debra Whitlock Lax and her cameraman were on hand to record this event for future broadcasts.
Earlier Milpitas Rotary International Director Norm Lacroix gave his brief report on Milpitas Rotary's project to send a shipping container full of desperately needed medical supplies to a hospital in the very poor community of Chinandega, Nicaragua.
