Decades of Dedication: 79 City Employees Celebrate More Than 2,600 Total Years of Service

Top: Kim Lowe-Breiner (left), Claiborne Cofer (left), Frank D'Angelo (middle), Brian Proctor (left); Bottom L-R: Cindy Goodman (left), Sean Alston (left), Colin Elliot (left), Jim Coughlin (left)

The City of Virginia Beach annually honors the commitment of employees who reach service milestones ranging from 30 to 55 years. This year, 79 devoted employees were celebrated at the 55th Service Awards ceremony on Dec. 4 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Together, the total tenure of employees honored this year is 2,680 years of service. 

Commitment to Public Service 

Many of the employees receiving service awards have dedicated decades of service to the community and departments in which they live and work. Recognized this year are: 

• John Roberts Jr., Public Works (55 years): Roberts (pictured above) was celebrated for the longest service milestone this year — the second employee in City of Virginia Beach history to reach 55 years.

• Kim Lowe-Breiner, Public Libraries (45 years): Lowe-Breiner works at theWindsor Woods Library Help Desk. Having grown up in the neighborhood she now serves, many of her customers are also longtime neighbors. “I love working with the public. I’m familiar with the issues the neighborhood faces, which can be an asset on the job.” 

• Brian Proctor, Public Works (40 years): Proctor manages the Traffic Calming Program and strives to advance and procure state-of-the-art safety measures such as variable speed limit school signs. “The best part of my job is seeing real-world improvements that make our roads safer and more efficient for everyone. I take pride in creating solutions that benefit the community.” 

• Claiborne Cofer, EMS (35 years): A native of Virginia Beach and a Kempsville High School graduate, Cofer began his City career as a firefighter at Station 11 in 1989. He joined Emergency Medical Services to oversee the Operations Division and now serves as the deputy chief of EMS. “I enjoy working where I grew up and helping our citizens with their emergent needs.” 

• Cindy Goodman, Human Services (35 years): Goodman is a Case Management Unit team leader where she supervises staff, performs auxiliary duties and coordinates and monitors services for the individuals they serve. “I enjoy serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and ensuring they have their needs met, so they may lead the life they desire.”   

• Sean Alston, Public Works (30 years): Alston is the Assistant Superintendent and supports the superintendent of Waste Management. This includes maintaining policies and procedures for more than 110 employees and 60 fleet vehicles to provide weekly services to 125,000 customers. Alston appreciates his team and performing a job well done. He most enjoys “the camaraderie with the employees and the service we provide for the City.” 

• Frank D’Angelo, Housing & Neighborhood Preservation (30 years): D’Angelo determines eligibility for the Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program in the department’s Housing Development division. The program funds home rehabilitation for low- and moderate-income homeowners, and accessibility modifications for disabled homeowners. He has enjoyed “the opportunity to impact the lives of homeowners who need our services. I'm grateful to have worked in several divisions within Housing but have remained in one department my entire career.” 

Building Future Leaders 

Service award recipients have also appreciated the chance to invest in their departments by mentoring and training generations of new employees. 

• Colin Elliot, Police (30 years): Elliot is the commanding officer of the Police Special Operations Bureau. The bureau incorporates many of the tactical and specialized squads in the department, capable of handling a variety of diversified situations. “Being part of the Police's leadership team and helping future leaders of the department develop and grow” are aspects of the job he enjoys. “I’ve worked in the community and helped keep our citizens and visitors safe.”  

• Jim Coughlin, Public Works (30 years): Coughlin, a Building Maintenance supervisor for the HVAC (heating, ventilating and air-conditioning) team, is proud of the work his engineers and technicians do to deliver high-quality customer service. “Their collaboration — both within our shop and with all other building maintenance trades — is exceptional. It's a privilege to work for the City, especially within the HVAC shop. Our strong mentoring culture fosters a sense of camaraderie, and I find immense satisfaction in witnessing the professional development of our junior and senior members.” 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2024 the median tenure for U.S. workers remaining with an employer is 3.9 years. The City of Virginia Beach currently employs 240 full-time workers with more than 30 years of City service, and 18% of the total workforce has been with the City for more than 20 years.  

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