City Recognizes Eight Employees

At Newark City Council’s eight of the city’s newly hired and promoted employees were recognized.

Here are there bios as provided by the City of Newark:

JASON AVERY:

Jason Avery was hired as a General Laborer for the Public Works Maintenance division in August. Avery grew up in Half Moon Bay. He moved to the East Bay about six years ago from Santa Cruz. Avery worked part time for the City of San Lorenzo for almost five years. He currently lives in San Lorenzo and enjoys surfing with his wife and two sons.

ROYA GONZALEZ:

Roya Gonzalez was hired as a senior Administrative Support Specialist for the Public Works Maintenance and Building divisions in September. Gonzalez was born and raised in Walnut Creek. After finishing high school, she moved to San Jose to attend San Jose State University. After a few years of attending San Jose State University she was hired as an administrative assistant in the College of Education. Before joining the City of Newark, Roya was the District Office Manager at a Charter School in Newark. She now lives and Milpitas with her husband and son.

JOSE RODRIGUEZ:

Jose Rodriguez was hired as a General Laborer for the Public Works Maintenance Division in September. Jose lived most of his life in Milpitas, until three years ago when he bought a house near Tracy. Rodriguez worked as an Architectural Illustrator for 20 years and at Davey Tree Company for over a year. Most recently, he worked in the Public Works Department for the City of East Palo Alto. Jose enjoys reading, watching football, barbequing with his family and attending his son’s high school basketball games.

RENNY LAWSON:

Renny Lawson was promoted to Police Commander in October and will serve as the Field Operations Commander, overseeing the Patrol Division, Traffic, K9, Animal Control, Vehicle Abatement, the Reserve Program, the Field Training Officer Program, Technology and the Range. Lawson grew up in Pittsburg, California and attended Pittsburg High School. He obtained his Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from Excelsior College. Lawson was hired as a Police Officer in 1987.  While serving as an officer, he was assigned to the Patrol Division and served as a Property Detective. Lawson was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1999 where he worked as a Patrol Sergeant, Detective Sergeant, and Administrative Sergeant. Lawson has held many collateral duties such as SWAT member, SWAT Team Leader, Trauma Support Team Member, Range Master, Field Training Officer, Field Training Program Coordinator, and CERT Team Member. Lawson has trained in a variety of martial arts, Krav Maga, and kickboxing.  In his spare time he enjoys working out, reading, playing chess, and watching Raiders football. He has plans this spring to take sky diving lessons with his daughters.

CHOMNAN LOTH:

Chomnan Loth was promoted to Sergeant in October and will serve as a Patrol Sergeant. Lorh was born in Cambodia and came to the United States as a refugee in 1988.  He became a naturalized US citizen in 1998.  Loth graduated with honors from Milpitas High School and received a biology teaching scholarship. He left California State University East Bay, in 2002, to accept a Police Officer position in Newark. Loth attended school part time and has a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies and a Master’s of Science in Emergency Services Administration from California State University Long Beach. Loth is currently pursuing a PhD in Business Administration. During his tenure as a Police Officer, Loth’s duties have included being a POST certified Assistant Team Leader for SWAT, Field Training Officer, Sniper, Chemical Agent Instructor and Defensive Tactics Instructor.  Loth spent four years as a Detective with the Southern Alameda County Major Crimes Task Force, and eventually became the task force assistant team leader. While with the task force, Loth specialized in gang enforcement and investigations.  Loth is a court recognized expert in the area of gangs. Loth is married to his high school sweetheart and has a beautiful 1-year-old baby boy.  Loth enjoys spending his free time with family and friends and being in the outdoors.

VINCENT KIMBROUGH:

Vincent Kimbrough was hired as a Newark Police Officer in June. Kimbrough was born and raised in Irving, Texas.  He graduated from Douglas D. MacArthur High School.  He has attended college courses at Bethany College (Lindsburg, Kansas), Modesto Junior College, and American River College (Sacramento, CA). Vincent served in the United States Marine Corps for two years. He was worked for the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department, the Modesto Police Department and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department. During Vincent’s 15 years of law enforcement he has worked in a variety of assignments including Field Training Officer (FTO), police academy recruit training officer, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, FTO sergeant, and a POST instructor in firearms, Emergency Vehicle Operations Course, and the 40-hour FTO course. Vincent is married to his best friend, Jennifer.  They have a son, Jake, who is a sophomore and a daughter, Landrie, who is in 7th grade.    Vincent loves baseball and duck hunting.  He says he is either working or duck hunting between mid-October and February. 

JEFF REVAY:

Jeff Revay was hired as a Newark Police Officer in May.  Revay was raised in Fremont and attended Washington High School.  He received his Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts from Ohlone College and a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology with an option in Social Services from California State University, East Bay. Revay started with the Newark Police Department as a Police Service Aide, assigned to Patrol and Traffic Division.  He was appointed as a Police Officer Trainee in 2010. Revay attended Evergreen Academy where he finished fourth overall in his class. Revay spent a year working for the San Francisco Police Academy as a role player. He spent two years as the Varsity Wide Receivers Coach at Washington High School.  Revay has worked as an intern for the Bay Area Outreach Recreational Program helping young children with orthopedic impairments stay active. In his spare time, Revay enjoys being active in recreational sports, competing in football, basketball, and baseball.  He also enjoys coaching youth and high school sports.

MICHAEL TAYLOR:

Michael Taylor was hired as a Newark Police Officer in July. Taylor was born and raised in Fresno.  He graduated from McLane High School in Fresno and took college courses at California State University Fresno.Taylor began his career in law enforcement as a reserve officer with the Fresno Police Department.  In 2007, Taylor was hired as a police officer with the Sanger Police Department.  In 2009, Taylor was assigned to work in the gang unit where he was highly trained in Hispanic gangs.  He worked in this assignment until joining the Newark Police Department. Taylor is fluent in Spanish and has an extensive financial background from his previous careers in the mortgage and banking businesses. In Taylor’s free time he enjoys playing volleyball, hiking, biking, reading, and working out.