AKRON, Ohio — Sept. 3, 2025 — Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties recognized outstanding employees in our community during its 24th Annual Employee of Distinction Awards Program on Wednesday, September 3rd. The event provides employers with a cost-effective way to publicly recognize outstanding employees. This year, 90 employees were nominated for the Employee of Distinction Award.
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 nominations with the highest average rankings. Congratulations to the 2025 Employee of Distinction Award Winners:
- Lori Calabretta, Guest Experience and Administrative Assistant, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Lori uplifts every visitor with Disney-level care, compassionately guides neighbors to food assistance and leads volunteers with grace – embodying excellence, dignity and unwavering service.
- Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates Management Team: Bridget Crawford, Cheryl Mason, Mike McKinney and Rochelle Mitchell
This team has an outstanding work ethic and constantly goes above and beyond, working collaboratively together. Their willingness to share their knowledge fosters a culture of growth and development within our organization.
- Nora Logsdon, Project Development Manager, VANTAGE Aging – Meals on Wheels NEO
Nora Logsdon is the heart of Meals on Wheels – serving with compassion, innovation, and unwavering dedication to nourishing and protecting the most vulnerable for over 40 years.
- Julian Naleski, Career Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
Julian embodies the mission and values of Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates by fostering leadership, supporting growth and building a positive sense of community among youth. His works have created a foundation for youth to develop lasting peer networks and succeed beyond their challenges.
- Elizabeth Stewart, Director of Health Center Administration and Health Integration, Community Support Services
Elizabeth is remarkably dependable, solutions-focused and driven by a strong sense of purpose. She brings calm to chaos, builds bridges across departments and holds herself to the highest standard of accountability.
“What an inspiring group of individuals that were honored,” said Event Chairs Chrissy Myers and Pamela Sayers. “We are proud to celebrate their success and the difference they are making every day.”
All honorees received a certificate and gift commemorating their nomination. In addition, the top winners received a medal, gift cards for area businesses and an Akron Bicentennial keepsake. The keynote address during the event was provided by Mayor Shammas Malik, 63rd Mayor of Akron, Ohio.
2025 Employee of Distinction Honorees
- Sydney Berger, Executive Assistant, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- The Blick Center Project Team
- Jan Phillips, Billing Supervisor
- Jennifer Lopez, Support Staff Supervisor
- Kiara Bowens, BASW, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator at AMHA, Akron Children’s and NASW Ohio
- Sydney Boyd, Career Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Sarah Boyle, Client Access Specialist, Community Support Services
- Melinda Brandt, Assessment and Retention Team Specialist, Project Learn of Summit County
- Lisa Brunton, Administrative Specialist, Community Support Services
- Emily Bryan, Substance Abuse Disorder Administrator, Community Support Services
- Lori Calabretta, Guest Experience and Administrative Assistant, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
- Paul Crosby, Workforce Development Coordinator, Project Learn of Summit County
- Kristen DiCresce, Summit County Mentoring Collaborative VISTA, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Summit, Medina, and Stark Counties
- Dee DiMuzio, Clinical Assistant, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Dietra Goggins, Transit Police Officer, Akron Metropolitan Regional Transit Authority
- Marva Grant, Recovery Specialist, Community Support Services
- Hattie Larlham Therapy Department
- Alivia Alfredo, PT, DPT
- Deborah Conway, MA, CCC-SLP
- Theresa Delfing, MS, OTR/L
- Nichole Grande, MS, OTR/L
- Victoria Kaniowski, COTA/L
- Maureen Keller, COTA/L
- Nicole Mager, LPTA
- Melissa McDermott, PT, DPT
- Mitchell McLean, MA, CCC-SLP
- Mindy McPike, COTA/L
- Amber Mooney, LPTA
- McKenzie Murphy, MA, CCC-SLP
- Mark Pfeiffer
- Betty Jo Seabolt, LPTA
- Noel Tiziani, LPTA
- Richard Vilt, LMT
- Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center Crisis Intervention Team
- Arie Powell, Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Carolyn West, Crisis Intervention Specialist
- IBH Addiction Recovery Business Office Team
- Melissa Burgess, Business Office Director
- Courtni Craig, Intake Coordinator
- Amanda Dardenne, Receptionist
- Sharon Goodrich, Receptionist
- Sam Peterson, Billing Specialist
- Emily Rich, Receptionist and Accounts Payable Clerk
- Joanne Waters, Finance Assistant
- Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates Management Team
- Bridget Crawford, Performance and Compliance Manager
- Cheryl Mason, Medina Manager
- Mike McKinney, Trumbull/Stark Manager
- Rochelle Mitchell, Summit Manager
- Tiffany Jodon, Executive Assistant, Benefits Administrator, Client Intake Supervisor and Collections Team Lead, Brennan Manna and Diamond
- Christy Johnson, Recertification Supervisor, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Steven Johnson, Senior Talent Selection Specialist, Akron Children’s
- Kari Kline, Doggie Daycare Supervisor, Hattie Larlham
- Jennifer Konkle, Achieve Coordinator, Hattie Larlham
- Tina Lanzy, Quality Improvement Coordinator and Client Rights Advocate, Community Support Services
- Tanya Leyman, Self-Sufficiency Initiatives Manager, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Nora Logsdon, Project Development Manager, VANTAGE Aging – Meals on Wheels NEO
- Joy Makin, Career Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Lindsay Mellor, Moving to Work Coordinator, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Bonnie Myers, EFT Specialist, Towpath Credit Union
- Julian Naleski, Career Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Alivia Neil, Intensive Home-Based Therapist, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Jennifer Peveich, CPA, CGMA, Associate Director of Operations, County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board
- Delaney Ramnytz, Career Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Logan Read, RN, Hattie Larlham
- Ashley Sager, Outpatient Therapist, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Jillian Sanor, AVP, Director of Payments and Innovation, Towpath Credit Union
- Ashley Simmons, Pre ETS Liaison, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Bryan Smith, Director of IT, Bober Markey Fedorovich
- Emily Spuhler, QIDP-Service Coordinator, Hattie Larlham
- Elizabeth Stewart, Director of Health Center Administration and Health Integration, Community Support Services
- Summit County Children Services Visitation Staff at the Family Interaction Center
- Allee Berry
- Quatana Black
- Michelle Bostic
- Jenetra Butts
- LaToya Flint
- Jasmine Guice
- Angela Hammond
- Sandy Jackson
- Tonee Purnell
- Kelley Sherman
- Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office
- Justin Benner, Day Shift
- Jake Berry, Afternoon Shift
- Jessie Bush, Night Shift
- Serena Long, Probationary Employee
- Lauren Fowler, Day Shift
- Jason Grom, Day Shift
- Gary Guenther, Chief Investigator
- Mike McGill, Night Shift
- Amy Schaefer, Investigator Supervisor
- Hallie Swonger, Afternoon Shift
- Miranda Trumblak, Connect Home Coordinator, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Christine White, Lead Job Coach, Hattie Larlham
- Allyson Williams, Intake-Assessment Manager, Community Support Services
- Maggie Wooten, Director of Day and Employment Services, Hattie Larlham
Event Sponsors
Thank you to the event sponsors – Diamond: Clarity HR; County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board; Morgan Parke; Platinum: Fifth Third Bank; Synthomer Foundation; Gold: Presper Financial Architects; Silver: Eric & Nan McClenaghan; PNC Financial Services Group; W3 Financial Group; Bronze: Bober Markey Fedorovich; Brennan Manna & Diamond; Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services; Copper: Campbell Construction; S.A. Comunale; Table Sponsor: Towpath Credit Union; Diamond Patron: David & Kathleen Bucci; Dr. Pleas R. Chambers III; Bill & Mary Glaeser; William & Susan Hanlon; Charles & Leslie Zonfa; Platinum Patron: Chip Clupper and Zebulon Keller; Gold Patron: Laura Judge; Patron: Greta Johnson; Gold Program Partner: Akron Children’s; The Blick Center; Community Support Services; Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park; Silver Program Partner: Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; Akron Metropolitan Regional Transit Authority; Child Guidance & Family Solutions; Hattie Larlham; IBH Addiction Recovery; Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; Project Learn of Summit County; Summit County Children Services; Bronze Program Partner: VANTAGE Aging – Meals on Wheels NEO; In-Kind: Akron Civic Theatre; Akron Zoo; AUI; Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; Media: akronlife; WAKR/WONE/WQMX/WNWV.
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 business services division. For more information about GIA, visit www.goodwillakron.org or call 800-989-8428.
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Contact: Leah Davis
(330) 786-2519
ldavis@goodwillakron.org