65 HONOREES RECOGNIZED AND 5 AWARDED WITH HIGHEST HONOR
AKRON, Ohio — Sept. 8, 2017 — Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties recognized 65 outstanding employees in our community at its 16th Annual Employee of Distinction Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 6. The event provides employers a cost-effective way to publicly recognize outstanding employees. This year 24 area organizations nominated employees for the top honor of receiving the Employee of Distinction Award.
Front row left to right: Pat Dorsey and Ann Ream. Back row left to right: Jill Finegan, Brandon King and Angela Johnson.
Nominations for the Employee of Distinction Award are reviewed based on quality of work, dedication to the business, and extraordinary efforts with the honor going to the top five individuals with the highest average rankings. Congratulations to the 2017 Employee of Distinction Award Winners:
- Pat Dorsey, front desk receptionist, Novus Clinic Total Eye Care
Pat makes picking up new glasses truly an experience for patients. She takes the time to make people feel like a family member and is over the top with her customer service!
- Jill Finegan, teacher, King Community Learning Center, Akron Public Schools
Jill inspires third grade students of all backgrounds and abilities. She constantly works to meet their educational as well as social needs, and plays an active leadership role in the community.
- Angela Johnson, assisted living charge nurse, Ohio Living Rockynol
Angela has true compassion and devotion for the residents and families. She lives out the non-profit mission to provide caring, quality services and gives of herself daily to make the facility the best for its residents.
- Brandon King, client computing technician, Bridgestone Americas
Brandon is very knowledgeable and he is always willing to jump in and help. A lot of the time, what Brandon is working on is not his responsibility, but that doesn’t stop him from jumping in and trying to fix it instead of just passing it along.
- Ann Ream, director of community relations, Summit County Children Services
Ann is passionate about vulnerable children, a team player, visionary and an innovative leader. Some examples of her outstanding accomplishments include the development of the Team decision making program which empowers parents to make safe plans for the care of their children when they’re unable to and co-founding the agency’s Fatherhood program.
“We are extremely impressed by all the honorees,” stated Event Co-chairs Todd Caruthers, Superior Staffing, and Kara Hanzie, Ohio Living Rockynol. “It is inspiring how each of these individuals go above and beyond daily for the organizations they serve.”
During the event, all honorees received a certificate and gift commemorating their nomination and two free tickets to a performance at the historic Akron Civic Theatre. In addition, the top five winners were presented with a medal from Miracle Custom Awards & Gifts, a Visa gift card, two vouchers for a 2018 Akron RubberDucks game, Akron Zoo tickets, Pro Football Hall of Fame museum tickets and a voucher for 4 tickets to a performance at the Akron Civic Theatre. Pete Fierle, chief of staff & vice president of communications, Pro Football Hall of Fame, gave the keynote address and shared the story of the hall’s vision for the most inspiring place on earth.
“All the honorees are truly role models in the community and Goodwill is pleased to help local employers showcase their top performers and shining stars,” said Nancy Ellis McClenaghan president & CEO, Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties.
2017 Employee of Distinction Honorees & Award Winners
- Amer Insurance Account Support Team
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– Debbie Gardner, senior assistant account manager |
- Nicole Argirakis, career specialist, Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG)
- Danya Bailey, prior authorization/utilization review specialist, Community Support Services
- Paulette Beal, staffing manager, Superior Staffing
- Colleen Benson, senior manager, development and program services, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
- Adam Bonezzi, case manager – community psychiatric support treatment, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Shannon Bradley, community rehabilitation specialist, Community Support Services
- Britton Gallagher Benefits Team
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– Kelly Meehan, voluntary benefits |
- Community Support Services Forensic and Mental Health Court Team
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– Christianne Craig, nurse care coordinator |
- Community Support Services Homeless Outreach Team
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– Jen DeLorenzo, secretary III |
- Stephanie Davis Dieringer, director of operations and programming, Stewart’s Caring Place: Cancer Wellness Center
- Pat Dorsey, front desk receptionist, Novus Clinic Total Eye Care*Winner
- Easter Seals Northern Ohio HOME Choice Team
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– Shannon Barnes, transition coordinator |
- Jill Finegan, teacher, King Community Learning Center, Akron Public Schools*Winner
- Kevin Gamble, marketing and communications coordinator, ACRT, Inc.
- Brenda Hood, chief compliance officer & chief operating officer, Springside Partners, LLC/SS&G Wealth
- Jennifer Jefferson, community rehabilitation specialist, Community Support Services
- Sara Johansen, associate, Braun & Steidl Architects
- Angela Johnson, assisted living charge nurse, Ohio Living Rockynol*Winner
- Bonny King, occupational therapist, Blick Center
- Brandon King, client computing technician, Bridgestone Americas*Winner
- Elisabeth Leckwatch, lead payroll analyst, Bridgestone Americas
- Roberta Lowry, intensive home based therapist, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Pam McCann, nursing scheduler, Ohio Living Rockynol
- Diana Miles, accounting specialist, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Thomas Mino, information technology specialist, County of Summit ADM Board
- Julie Morig, intake specialist, Community Support Services
- Melissa Mundy, executive assistant, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services
- Karlo Petrak, senior accountant, The Step2 Company, LLC
- Ann Ream, director of community relations, Summit County Children Services*Winner
- Joanna Rist, housing inspector, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Betsy Robb, business development coordinator, Bober Markey Fedorovich
- Tony Skipper, metal sorter, City Scrap & Salvage
- Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services Training Team
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– Carolyn Ambrose, social program manager |
- Jimi Tabor, HR analyst, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
Event Sponsors
Thank you to the event sponsors – Silver: Britton Gallagher; Eric & Nan McClenaghan; and Superior Staffing; Bronze: Amer Insurance; BDO USA, LLP; Bober Markey Fedorovich; Bridgestone Americas; Fifth Third Bank; OMNOVA Solutions Foundation; PNC; Roetzel & Andress; S.A. Comunale Co., Inc.; Kim & Chas Schreckenberger; Springside Partners, LLC; SS&G Wealth; and Maureen Van Duser; Table: ACRT, Inc.; and City Scrap & Salvage; Patron: William Glaeser; Mary Anne & C. Allen Nichols; Gold Program Partner: Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; Blick Center; Community Support Services; Ohio Living Rockynol; and Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services; Silver Program Partner: Akron Public Schools; Child Guidance & Family Solutions; County Executive Ilene Shapiro; County of Summit ADM Board; Summit County Children Services; Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board; and Volunteer Guardian Program in collaboration with Jewish Family Service; Bronze Program Partner: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank; East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation; Easter Seals Northern Ohio; and Tri-County Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates (JOG); Media: Akronlife and WAKR/WONE/WQMX/WNWV; In-Kind: Akron Civic Theatre; Akron RubberDucks; Akron Zoo; Consolidated Solutions; Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce; Main Street Gourmet; and Miracle Custom Awards & Gifts.
About Goodwill Industries Serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland & Richland Counties
The Goodwill Industries of Akron, Ohio, Inc., is a not-for-profit corporation that helps individuals prepare for, find and retain employment. Operating in the five-county region of Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland & Richland, the agency was established in 1927. It is a private, independent organization, operating as an affiliate member of Goodwill Industries International. Goodwill helps to directly strengthen the region’s workforce through its employment programs and indirectly through the net proceeds from its retail outlets and industrial services division. For more information about GIA, visit www.goodwillakron.org or call 800-989-8428.
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Contact:
Jennifer Bako
(330) 786-2519
jbako@goodwillakron.org