Ponson to head Lee Utility Services

LEESBURG, Ga. — Catherine Ponson may have studied English while at Florida State University, but she has “majored” in utilities during most of her eight-year stint as a Lee County employee.

Ponson was named Utility Services Director for Lee County on Oct. 1. She follows LeClaire Bryan, who retired from the post at the end of September after a 31-year career.

Ponson joined the Utility department eight years ago, working in the billing department. In June 2009, her focus in the department switched to collecting garbage bills.

More recently, she moved to the county administrative office working as an administrative assistant/receptionist. County Manager Tony Massey said Ponson essentially served as a deputy county clerk before being named to the Utility management job.

Ponson grew up in Monticello, Fla., and obtained her degree in English from Florida State University. The 43-year-old mother has two daughters, Elizabeth, 17, and Emily, 16, who attend Lee County High School.