City of Conyers presents 2025 Employee Awards, Candace Chandler receives Employee of the Year

CONYERS, GA—Candace Chandler, a nearly 10-year employee and assistant to the Chief of Police in the Conyers Police Department, was named the recipient of the city’s 2025 Employee of the Year.

The Employee of the Year Award is named for Dee Buggay, the city’s former human resources director, who exemplified every trait and attribute desired in a city employee and was the first recipient of the award. The award has been presented annually for 28 years.

Chandler was surprised by the announcement at an employee appreciation breakfast, which was held at Cherokee Run Golf Club on Jan. 21. Chandler’s sons, Coby and Ashton, as well as other family members, were present for the announcement

City Manager Kameron Kelley and Mayor Connie Alsobrook presented the award to Chandler who was described by Kelley as “an employee who has elevated the administrative operations of the office by bringing a new level of professionalism, calmness, and proficiency.”

Chandler is a graduate of Heritage High School and began her career in the city’s Real-Time Crime Center before transferring to the Department of Court Services and then applying for and being selected as the assistant to the Chief of Police. 

The PEACH Award was presented to Michelle Turner, court clerk supervisor in the city’s Department of Court Services. PEACH is an acronym for Positive Employees Are Conyers’ Heartbeat and the award has been presented annually for the last eight years. The award is presented to an employee with an outgoing and positive attitude who goes out of their way to make experiences pleasant for customers and co-workers. Turner was recognized for setting a tone of positivity for her entire

department, treating everyone with respect, and willing to patiently help anyone with questions and concerns.

The Employee of the Year and PEACH awards are nominated annually by department directors and selected by the city manager.

The 2025 Conyers Police Officer of the Year announcement and presentation were also made at the appreciation breakfast. Conyers Police Department (CPD) Chief of Police Scott Freeman presented the 2025 Conyers Police Officer of the Year award to K9 Officer First Class Hans Evatt.

“Though not a long-tenured member of our department, this officer has quickly become a cornerstone of reliability and expertise, and a pillar of our relentless pursuit of tracking down criminal offenders to keep our city safe,” said Chief Freeman. “His work ethic is extraordinary – he is mission-focused, dependable and deeply committed to protecting our city.”

The 2025 Conyers Police Civilian of the Year Award was presented to Grant Posey. Posey serves as the CPD’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) coordinator. According to Freeman, “because of Grant’s diligence, the CPD reached

full compliance nearly three months ahead of schedule – an achievement that required extraordinary effort, unwavering commitment to the task at hand, and an extraordinary attention to detail.”

Two Public Works and Transportation employees, Lonnie Burtts and Ronald Simmons, were recognized by City Manager Kameron Kelley with “Above and Beyond” certificates for assisting a motorist and child involved in a car accident before emergency services could arrive.

“These men did not hesitate when they saw the need to help,” said Kelley. “Our Public Works and Transportation Director Craig Mitchell often touts that Public Works employees are like first responders – they are first on the scene to help in all

matter of crises – and in this case, Lonnie and Ronald were first responders. We are proud to show our appreciation to them for their quick thinking and action, compassion, and care for others.”

Photo provided City of Conyers