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On Feb. 27, Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight promoted 10 employees to new ranks to fill vacancies in the Law Enforcement and Courts/Corrections divisions, the office announced. Promoted to the rank of major were Capt. Jeff Bell, who becomes the Courts/Corrections Division commander, and Capt. Paul Richard, who becomes the Law Enforcement Division commander, a news release says. Promoted to the rank of captain were Lt. Charlie Thorpe, Investigative Bureau com- mander, and Lt. Kevin McElyea, who is assigned to the Court Services Bureau, the release adds. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant were Sgts. Ryan Brown, Chris Montalbano and Joe Giasone, whose assignments are being determined, the release notes. Promoted to the rank of sergeant were Deputies Eric Wegenast, Jason Mruczek and Paul Cernansky, all assigned to the Patrol Bureau. "These promotions are the result of succes- sion planning, training and mentoring that began in 2010," said Knight in the release. "Each one of these people has done a lot of work in anticipation of retirements that are now taking place. Who they are as people, as well as the quality of the work they do, quali- fies them to assume the duties of the longtime employees who preceded them." The formal promotional process was estab- lished during Knight's first term in office "to ensure its objectivity," the release points out. It is outlined in his Management Review and two subsequent strategic plans, the release notes. SHERIFF PROMOTES 10 EMPLOYEES TO FILL VACANCIES (From left) Sgt. Jason Mruczek, Lt. Chris Montalbano, Lt. Joe Giasone, Capt. Charlie Thorpe, Maj. Jeff Bell, Maj. Paul Richard, Capt. Kevin McElyea, Lt. Ryan Brown, Sgt. Eric Wegenast and Sheriff Tom Knight. Contributed photo Sarasota News Leader March 7, 2014 Page 97