Local Government Manatee County Tax Collector Receives US Department of Defense Patriot Award

BRADENTON – Manatee County Tax Collector Ken Burton, Jr. was recognized by the US Department of Defense with a Patriot Award for his support of employees who serve in the Guard and Reserves.

Burton was given the award after being nominated by Alyssa Hamilton, an employee of the Tax Collector’s Office who serves in the US Air Force Reserve. “I nominated Mr. Burton for the Patriot Award because I am appreciative of his endless support and understanding of my military duties," said Hamilton. "He (and the office as a whole) makes it so much easier for me to juggle my civilian career and military career when it calls. All I have to do is notify him of my duties and without hesitation or hassle my time away is granted. His support really means a lot to me.” 

He was presented with the award at his office by Dave McCormick, a member of the US Department of Defense’s Florida Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR).
 
Hamilton serves in the US Air Force Reserve at MacDill AFB while working at the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office as an Associate II. In the US Air Force Reserve, Hamilton is a RF transmissions technician as a member of the 45th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 927th Air Refueling Wing. 

At the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office, Hamilton processes DMV, Driver License and property tax transactions while also working on special quality assurance projects. In addition, she was recently recognized by the Office by receiving two awards: the Fraud Detection award and Rookie of the Year, an award given to an associate who exhibits the Office’s core value and six standards of excellence and who has the potential to significantly contribute to the future success of the organization.
 

Left to right: Senior Airman Alyssa Hamilton, Ken Burton and Dave McCormick from the Florida Committee of the US Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve.