Name: Norman Harrison

Job Title: Computer support specialist for University of Florida Agricultural and Research Station in the Glades. He has been in the job for 30 years.

NOAH title: Vice-Treasurer on the Board of Directors

Personal: Married to Mae Campbell Harrison. Graduated in 1966 from Lakeshore Junior/Senior High School. Served in the Marine Corps for seven years during the Viet Nam war. "That's when I picked up my training in computers. I worked at headquarters."

How I became involved with NOAH: "One of the founders was employed here at UF as a chemist. He had introduced me to NOAH, but I wasn't ready to join. So I knew about NOAH, and I knew about its purpose and why it was organized. (Prior NOAH Executive Director) John Brown was a classmate of mine. When he became the first executive director, I was asked by him to join, and I've been here ever since."

The best thing about working with NOAH is: "Its mission; what it's trying to address. I always looked at the Glades as a place where they pooled people to satisfy agricultural needs, and it seemed like it was missing the point of their well being. Their heath, moral energy and everything seemed like it was being deprived, and NOAH came about and the mission addressed something I saw as very important."

I am most proud of: "Just seeing the construction and the facilities that NOAH has provided -- like the senior complex. We have three story buildings out here. Just seeing all those people who worked hard all their lives have a nice place to stay. It’s like a community within a community. That's a shining example in Belle Glade.

"The City of Belle Glade, if they really looked at this and looked at what NOAH has done and if they would build on vacant lots and buildings and eliminate hanging out areas, they could really revitalize the town. The people moving in those homes are people who take pride in their homes. It's like a transformation.

"People in crowded homes lose self esteem. NOAH has been a vehicle where we go out and construct the creative financing to make it happen."

My vision for NOAH: Continue to work on the relationship with the City of Belle Glade and try to rebuild Belle Glade. "We have to move toward making our own profit because the funding is drying up. We have a lot of tenants who only work the season. How do you compete? How do you stay in business?"

Honors: Chosen employee of the year for the University of Florida in 1996. "One of the researchers here nominated me in the Information Technology category within the Institute of Food and Agriculture Science. After I won that award, now I'm moving up the ladder, and I compete with other departments. A guy told me 'Don't think about winning anything else, it gets very political, and nobody knows you in Gainesville.'

"I was selected to go back and compete university-wide. They started reading the description of the winner, and I said, 'that sounds like me.' I won the award. I went up, got a check, and as I was walking away, I was thinking: 'Wow, 1,000 bucks. I can fix my little, pick-up truck.'"

But they weren't done. Harrison was called back to the podium to receive the highest honor for all University of Florida employees. It was a moment Harrison still treasures.

Affiliations: Coach of the Glades Central High School baseball team; Sunday school teacher at Mount Zion A.M.E.; coached little league baseball over the years and has done community service throughout his adult life.

Quote: "I give back because my religion tells me I must give back.