By By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Lifestyles & Features Editor
Lee Williamson is one of those people who is just great at multi-tasking.
He works three days a week at the Beaufort County Developmental Center in Washington, attends Beaufort County Community College two days a week and still manages to spend time with his family and help out around their home in Aurora.
Williamson’s hard work was recently recognized by the North Carolina Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, which presented him its Personal Achievement Award for what was called his “significant personal growth and achievement.”
Williamson said he wasn’t expecting the award, but the recognition came as no surprise to BCDC staff.
“Lee is a very responsible and hard working employee. He is punctual and focused on getting the job done efficiently and correctly,” said Chris Kiricoples, BCDC’s chief executive officer. “He has a positive attitude, a winning and warm smile and always displays exceptional manners and professionalism in the workplace and the community.”
Williamson, 22, said he began work at BCDC about three years ago, after high-school graduation, “to learn new things.” Through the center’s vocational program, he has worked on several different contracts involving local industries and government.
His favorite assignment, he said, was working on a highly specialized tire-inflator gauge to monitor and maintain tire pressure on military aircraft and heavy cargo vehicles.
BCDC staff members said Williamson is known around the center for his ever-present smile and for being a gentleman. Williamson said he was shy when he first came to BCDC, “But I’m not anymore.”
Along with his work at BCDC, Williamson had the opportunity to work in the Washington Wal-Mart for the past two years as part of the Disability Mentoring Day program. His duties included stocking the store’s shelves for the pre-Christmas rush and, given his strength, he was especially adept at handling the larger items like vacuum cleaners.
Williamson can be found at BCDC on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; on Tuesdays and Thursdays, he’s enrolled in language and math classes at BCCC. He plans to earn a technical degree there and seek employment in the local community.
That goal is one he will accomplish, according to BCDC staffers. They say he’s dependable and gives 100 percent of himself in order to learn a new job correctly.
“Lee takes directions well and is able to assist staff, as well as his peers, on contracts,” said Elizabeth Leggett, adult-day-services program manager. “He builds on constructive criticism. He is always a team player and brings a positive attitude to any situation.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Robert MacEwan, BCDC’s production coordinator.
“Lee is an excellent worker with great potential,” MacEwan said.
When he isn’t busy working and attending college, Williamson enjoys helping around the home he shares with his parents, Gene and Rosemary Williamson, and sister, Holli. The family attends White Hill Free Will Baptist Church, and his hobbies include reading books on a variety of subjects and taking care of the family dogs, Rebel and Dottie.