Rotary Club of Madison honors city’s top employees

MADISON – Following a 24-year tradition, Rotary Club of Madison collaborated with City of Madison officials to identify Madison Employees of the Year. The employees were recognized at last week’s Madison City Council meeting.

“These fine employees have been selected by their supervisors for this well-deserved recognition,” Rotarian Debbie Overcash, who chairs the recognition, said. “The residents of Madison, along with the Mayor, City Council and Rotary Club, thank these fine individuals for their service to our community and congratulate them all on a job very well done.”

The honorees represent community services, law enforcement and fire protection:

Roger Bellomy 2025 City Employee of the Year Director of Finance

While working with White, Fleming & Associates in 1995, Bellomy accepted the city’s position of Assistant Director of Finance. Bellomy was promoted to director in 2012.

After a half-cent sales tax increase, Bellomy established three separate funds for the additional revenue: Capital Purchases, Neighborhood Paving and Debt Service. As a result, city leaders schedule resurfacing of neighborhood streets, pay cash for critical capital requirements and bond larger projects.

In 2014, Bellomy supported a “Cooperative District” for Town Madison that equipped city leaders to create the funding matrix and eventually build Toyota Field for Trash Pandas baseball.

Supporting Madison City Schools, Bellomy and his team worked on the 2019 property tax plan, accepted by 73 percent of voters.

Bellomy established Fund 38 that segmented large projects into a separate fund. Stakeholders could readily see project cost, percentage complete and dollars remaining.

Roger and his wife Beth have two adult children and one grandchild, a recent graduate of the University of North Alabama.

“Under Roger’s leadership, we maximize value with our community’s money,” Mayor Paul Finley said. “I love Roger’s heart . . . and willingness to speak his mind. Good things happened for Madison when Roger was involved.” Bellomy plans to retire in October.

Officer Joshua Collins, 2025 Police Officer of the Year Madison Police Department

Currently, Collins is assigned to Special Operations; his involvement has advanced this entity. He has completed training for Instructor Development and Pepper Ball. Collins’ initiative created the “Top Cop Challenge,” a fun competition for physical fitness and job skills.

Collins’ major achievement changed hiring to maximize the number of officers. He accommodated candidates with after-hour appointments, while covering physical testing and interviews in one day.

Collins’ work allowed the department to hire 15 people within one calendar year and avoid a staffing deficit. “Our ability to efficiently staff our department with sworn officers will allow more experienced officers to potentially transfer,” Police Chief Johnny Gandy said.

“Josh (repaired) our Virtual Firearms Automated Training System . . . for officer survival and ‘shoot/don’t shoot’ training,” Gandy said. Currently, Collins will certify patrol officers in a new, less-lethal force, the Pepper Ball launcher.

“Josh has been an invaluable member of the Training Division, whose efforts have greatly enhanced staffing levels and skills of our officers; he is an invaluable asset to this agency,” Gandy said.

Captain and Paramedic Ryan Ledford 2025 Firefighter of the Year Madison Fire and Rescue Department

After joining the department in 2015, Ledford was promoted to Driver in 2022 and then to Captain in May 2025. Also in May, he graduated from Alabama Public Safety Leadership Academy, a ninemonth program through the Alabama Fire College that teaches public safety leaders about the many disciplines in fire service management and leadership.

Leading or participating in projects, Ledford has researched the department’s proposed 48/96 shift schedule that Madison Fire Department hopes to implement. In training, he assists with preparing new hires to attend Recruit School; after their return, new employees can depend on Ledford to prepare them for shift work.

Ledford is a member of AL-TF3 and water team. He deployed for recovery work after Hurricane Sandy in Baldwin County.

“We received several nominations (for Firefighter of the Year) from Ryan’s peers and supervisors,” Fire Chief Brandy Williams said. “Ryan always has a calm demeanor, positive attitude and is always working with other members to ensure they are well trained. I expect big things from Ryan and look forward to him playing an important part in moving our department forward.”