AKRON, Ohio — Sept. 9, 2026 — Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties recognized outstanding employees in our community during its silver anniversary 25th Annual Employee of Distinction Awards Program on Wednesday, September 9th. The event provides employers with a cost-effective way to publicly recognize outstanding employees. This year, 21 organizations and agencies nominated 80 employees for the Employee of Distinction Award. These employees join over 1,300 honorees recognized in the past 24 years!
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 2026 Employee of Distinction Award Winners:
- Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority Emergency Stand-By Team: Michael T. Csonka, David Krzeminski, Russ Land, Richard Linville, Jeremy Steele and Kevin Stone
The Stand-By Team’s consistent performance, strong work ethic and loyalty to the organization demonstrate a dedication to achieving results and supporting the agency’s mission every day.”
- Judge Laurie Pittman, Common Pleas Judge, Portage County POWER Program, Adult Probation
Judge Pittman went above and beyond by creating the POWER program, investing countless hours to support participants, building community partnerships, and providing opportunities that help individuals overcome barriers and successfully rebuild their lives.
- Summit County Children Services Kinship Assessors: Tracy Alford-Smith, Danielle Edgar, Dan Gear, Anne Harrison, Kristine Ruiz and Cassidy White
This team works tirelessly to assess and locate families for the children of Summit County. They think creatively and partner with families to ensure children are in the least restrictive environment for their family.
- Summit County Community Development Team: Brian Csonka, Tom Mikulin, Adam Murdock, Matt Patterson, Michael Shephard, Dakota Taylor and Orey Wiggins
This team loves to serve their community. They excel in their daily work of improving housing conditions while also volunteering for county and community events.
- Kelsey Vasicek, Opiate Response Team Clinician, Alternative Paths, Inc.
Kelsey has one job in the community, one inside the jail, sits on various boards, helps us with our prevention team; you name it, she is there with knowledge and true willingness to help while creating an aura of collaboration.
“What an inspiring group of 80 honorees as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Employee of Distinction Awards,” said Event Chairs Chrissy Myers and Pamela Sayers. “We are proud to recognize their achievements and the positive impact they make in their workplaces and communities 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 other gifts. President R.J. Nemer, 19th President of The University of Akron, delivered the keynote address reminding everyone to be their authentic self and bloom where you are planted.
Proceeds from the event support Goodwill’s Elizabeth Clark Emergency Fund, which provides Goodwill gift cards to individuals and families facing crisis situations. In 2025, more than 4,000 individuals received assistance with clothing and household items through the fund. Since 2008, over $86,000 has been dedicated through this event to help neighbors in need.
2026 Employee of Distinction Honorees
- Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority Emergency Stand-By Team
- Michael T. Csonka
David Krzeminski
Russ Land
Richard Linville
Jeremy Steele
Kevin Stone
- Michael T. Csonka
- Abbey Blake, Summit County Lead, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- The Blick Center Transition Team
- DJ Biasella, Maintenance/Facilities Manager
- Nicole Clark-Longville, Executive Administrative Assistant
- Matthew DeAngelis, Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Beth Ferguson, Medical Services Manager
- Shakiera Hamilton, Account Management Specialist
- Alexis McQuillen, Behavioral Health Administrative Assistant
- Stacie Scupholm, Residential Services Administrative Assistant
- Amy York, Intake Coordinator
- Michael Boyd, Business Engagement Professional, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Angela M. Brake, DPS/IDL, Program Facilitator, Leadership Akron
- Amy Buskirk, Billing Specialist, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Jennifer Film, Orthodontic Case Investigator, Embracing Futures
- Jennifer Frasier, Performance and Documentation Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Arlene Goodwin, Compensation & Benefits Manager, Hattie Larlham
- Natalie Granat, Outpatient Therapist, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Tara Haley, Team Lead, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Chelsea Hall, Residential Services Secretary, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Nancy Hebert, Business Engagement & Training Coordinator, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center Community Drop-In Team
- Ay’Lonnie Gilbert, Access to Care Coordinator
- Breana Griffin, Access to Care Manager
- Katie Howell, Advocacy Services Manager
- Makalyn Roush, Advocate
- Natalie Snow, Case Manager
- Megan Vermillion, Director of Survivor Services
- Hannah Horrigan, Educational Initiatives Supervisor, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Melinda Hoye, Operations Manager, Project Learn of Summit County
- IBH Addiction Recovery Food Services Team
- Glenna Coup
- Kelly DeBerry
- Beatriz Duenas Escalante
- Matt Petranic
- Teresa Rodgers
- Jordan Santos
- Joy King, Talent Development Facilitator, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Heather Lute, Nurse, Hattie Larlham
- Jamie Messenger, Executive Director, NAMI Summit
- Chris Miller, Food Service Specialist, Hattie Larlham
- Dianna Miller, Program Director, Hattie Larlham
- Greg Miller, Sales Specialist, AUI
- Katie Miller, Active Treatment Specialist, Hattie Larlham
- Mark Mitchell, Senior Manager of Food and Safety Operations, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
- Nichole Mullens, Management Aid, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Nichole Newell, Stark Coordinator, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- David Oakes, Extra Son, The Extra Daughter LLC
- Kofi Oduro, Residential Coordinator, Hattie Larlham
- Ryan Patton, Career Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Jackie Phillips, Enrollment and Development Specialist, Project Learn of Summit County
- Judge Laurie Pittman, Common Pleas Judge, Portage County POWER Program, Adult Probation
- Brittany Pitz, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Tracy Reece, Assistant Director of Adult Day Services, Hattie Larlham
- Terrance Riley, Maintenance, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Michelle Sawicki, Regional Manager, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Keith Shamblen, Supervisor of Laundry, Hattie Larlham
- South Street Ministries the Usner Family
- Chris Usner, Bike Shop Director
- Lilly Usner, Bike Shop Coordinator
- Molly Usner, Bike Shop Volunteer
- Summit County Children Services Kinship Assessors
- Tracy Alford-Smith
- Danielle Edgar
- Dan Gear
- Anne Harrison
- Kristine Ruiz
- Cassidy White
- Summit County Community Development Team
- Brian Csonka, Senior Administrator, Housing Services
- Tom Mikulin, Housing Rehabilitation Coordinator
- Adam Murdock, Weatherization Inspector II
- Matt Patterson, Weatherization Inspector III
- Michael Shephard, Weatherization Inspector III
- Dakota Taylor, Community Development Coordinator
- Orey Wiggins, Weatherization Inspector III
- Jeff Swindell, Workforce Development Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Amanda Van Buren, Career Specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Kelsey Vasicek, Opiate Response Team Clinician, Alternative Paths, Inc.
- Ernest Wadley, Maintenance Repairman, Community Support Services
- Tammy Webb, Legal Assistant/ Paralegal, Brennan Manna & Diamond
Event Sponsors
Thank you to the event sponsors – Diamond: Clarity HR; The University of Akron; Platinum: Morgan Parke; Synthomer Foundation; Gold: Presper Financial Architects; Silver: Julie Katz and The Extra Daughter; Eric & Nan McClenaghan; PNC Financial Services Group; W3 Financial Group; Bronze: ; Brennan Manna & Diamond; Marc Servodio, CFP®, AIF® – Vita Advisors, LLC; Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services; Copper: Bober Markey Fedorovich; Campbell Construction; Fifth Third Bank; S.A. Comunale; Honoree Sponsor: Snyder & Snyder Real Estate, Inc; Diamond Patron: Dr. Pleas R. Chambers III; Bill & Mary Glaeser; William & Susan Hanlon; Platinum Patron: Chip Clupper and Zebulon Keller; Laura & Christopher Judge; Patron: Greta Johnson; Gold Program Partner: Leadership Akron; Silver Program Partner: Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; The Blick Center; Child Guidance & Family Solutions; Community Support Services; Embracing Futures; Goodwill Industries of Greater Cleveland and East Central Ohio; Hattie Larlham; IBH Addiction Recovery; Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; Portage County POWER Program, Adult Probation; Project Learn of Summit County; South Street Ministries; Summit County Children Services; 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