AKRON, Ohio — Sept. 8, 2021 — Goodwill Industries serving Summit, Portage, Medina, Ashland and Richland Counties recognized outstanding employees in our community during its 20th Annual Employee of Distinction Awards Program today. The event provides employers a cost-effective way to publicly recognize outstanding employees. This year 106 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 2021 Employee of Distinction Award Winners:
- Emily Bon, manager, healthcare Integration and trauma informed services, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
Emily is dedicated to every project she faces. She works diligently to ensure that she accomplishes all goals on time and she is never afraid to face a new challenge. - Beth Ferguson, RN, medical services coordinator, The Blick Center
Beth has a calming presence and instills confidence in others to do their best work. She is a team player and always has client/staff best interest at heart. - Erin Mills, Ohio START family peer mentor, Summit County Children Services
Erin is patient, kind, an incredible team player and a valuable asset to the agency. - Erika Saulsberry, operations assistant, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
Erika’s best work qualities are her attention to detail and strong work ethic. She is meticulous in everything she does for the agency. - Ben Yourkvitch, career specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
Ben is a phenomenal presenter, teacher and communicator who is dedicated to improving the lives of young adults.
“It was inspiring to see how many people go above and beyond daily for the organizations they serve,“ stated Event Chairs Chris Canova, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; Pamela Crombie, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates; and Chrissy Myers, AUI. “We were truly impressed by all the honorees!”
All honorees received a certificate and gift commemorating their nomination. In addition, the top winners received a medal and additional gift cards. The keynote address during the event was provided by Lorna Wisham, vice president, corporate affairs and community involvement, and president, FirstEnergy Foundation, FirstEnergy Corp.
2021 Employee of Distinction Honorees
- Nick Baechel, research and quality improvement coordinator, The County of Summit ADM Board
- Battered Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Center Emergency Shelter Employees and Subs
o Cynthia Akpadock, H&H hotline triage advocate
o Cheryl Arnold, family advocate
o Leanne Biltz, volunteer coordinator
o Miles Cooper, health & safety advocate
o Tamara Davis, senior CIS
o Rocky DeAnna, family stability program advocate
o Geriece Drone, resident advocate
o Anamaria Feyervari, Medina services assistant director
o Angelina Gonzales, CIS
o Elissa Hines, RCC campus direct service advocate
o Isabella Holmes, family stability program advocate
o Katelinn Howell, RCC direct service advocate-Summit focus
o Nichole Hunt, rapid rehousing intake coordinator
o Kathy Hunter, CIS
o Gloria Kimmins, CIS
o Thacha Koger, shelter sub
o Shelby Lieber, resident advocate
o Adam Lisman, CIS
o Allison Marquis, youth services manager
o Megan McGonigal, RCC Summit services manager
o Dominique McIvery, CIS
o Victoria Monnin, senior court advocate
o Megan Morris, hospital advocate
o Patricia Morris, H&H hotline triage advocate
o Shannon Pritchard, CIS
o Alexa Russell, family stability program advocate
o Ryan Scott, shelter sub
o Sydney Sines, rapid rehousing advocate
o Natalie Snow, housing case manager II
o Collin Svoboda, health and safety advocate
o Christine Tullos, facility manager
o Krystal Turner, CIS
o Megan Vermillion, volunteer coordinator
o Zaya Wallace, shelter sub
o Emily Werger, Summit & Medina shelters manager
o Whystal Worthy, family stability specialist - Tammy Bigler, employment quality assurance manager, VANTAGE Aging
- Emily Bon, manager, healthcare integration and trauma informed services, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Rachel Bourn, match support specialist, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina and Stark Counties
- Krista Bowden, science teacher, Firestone CLC, Akron Public Schools
- Comfort Systems USA Cleveland Building Technology Team
o Dylan Augusta, building technology specialist
o Ron Blaney, director of engineering
o Sean Cope, senior building technology specialist
o James Medlock, building technology specialist
o Tim Parr, senior building technology specialist
o Gary Vargo, senior programmer/system design engineer - Danial Fasihdel, system administrator, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Beth Ferguson, RN, medical services coordinator, The Blick Center
- Shelley Friedrich, career specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Sally Fusek, site coordinator, VANTAGE Aging
- Joline Gadoua, regional manager, National Youth Advocate Program
- Mike Gerzeny, manager of labor and employee relations, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Sheila Grant, volunteer and guest experience champion, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
- Laraine Hall, first impressions, AUI
- Hattie Larlham Supported Living Management Team
- Carl Allen, program coordinator
- Katie Craddock, home manager
- Tashua Fortson, home manager
- Taihiesha Frezzell, program coordinator
- Shontayshay Gibson, home manager
- Brandy Lemon, home manager
- Ieashia Richmond, home manager
- Bernadette Hunt, service coordinator-family self-sufficiency program, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Myia Jeffries, family service coordinator, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Lynn Jett, family service coordinator, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Janet Jones, achieve DSP, Hattie Larlham
- Emily Lees, language arts teacher, Ellet CLC, Akron Public Schools
- Ashley Lightcap, community recovery specialist, Community Support Services, Inc.
- Jonathan Lindsay, mixed finance compliance manager, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Nora Logsdon, project development manager, VANTAGE Aging
- Paul Long, driver, VANTAGE Aging
- James Markijohn, facilities manager, Hudson Montessori School
- Cheryl Mason, Medina county coordinator, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Dan McBryer, housing director, Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio
- Michelle McGraw, administrative assistant, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- METRO RTA Equity & Diversity Committee
o Molly Becker, director of public relations & marketing
o Lavar Jacobs, bus operator
o Shawn Metcalf, chief of METRO’s transit police/director of safety & protection
o Shannon Moore, customer care supervisor
o Angela Neeley, director of finance
o Lori Stokes, employee engagement manager - Erin Mills, Ohio START family peer mentor, Summit County Children Services
- Karen Mitchell, program director, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina and Stark Counties
- Patsy Mitchell, home health aid, VANTAGE Aging
- Allie Mullen, cook, VANTAGE Aging
- Nichole Newell, career specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Maurica Patterson, match support specialist, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina and Stark Counties
- Miranda Pelton, lead billing specialist, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Stephen Pierce, assertive community treatment team service coordinator, Community Support Services, Inc.
- Rachel Piskos, manager, intensive home-based therapy, Child Guidance & Family Solutions
- Roseanne Polasky, assistant vice president financial center manager, Fifth Third Bank
- Nicole Rosenbaum, program director YouthBuild, OhioGuidestone
- Erika Saulsberry, operations assistant, Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Tami Smith, legal assistant, Kastner Westman & Wilkins, LLC
- Summit County Division of COVID-19 Response
o Jeannie Bozak, scheduler
o Karen Brown, finance/payroll
o James Meyer, safety manager
o Kathy Seminatore, team lead
o Mike Weant, director
o Brenda Williams, team lead - Amanda Tanner, case management training manager, Community Support Services, Inc.
- Matt Turner, career specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
- Matt Virgil, head of school, Hudson Montessori School
- Brittany White, senior director of marketing, Apple Growth Partners
- Rachel White, enrollment and matching specialist, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Summit, Medina and Stark Counties
- Ben Yourkvitch, career specialist, Jobs for Ohio’s Graduates
Event Sponsors
Thank you to the event sponsors – Platinum: Clarity HR; Gold: Presper Financial Architects; Silver: Britton Gallagher; Eric & Nan McClenaghan; PNC Financial Services Group; and W3 Wealth Management; Bronze: Bober Markey Fedorovich; Campbell Construction Inc.; and Fifth Third Bank; Copper: S.A. Comunale; Marc Servodio & Erin Ehrlinspiel; and Jeana Singleton, Brennan, Manna, Diamond; Table: Comfort Systems USA; Gold Program Partner: Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority; Battered Women’s Shelter and Rape Crisis Center of Summit and Medina Counties; The Blick Center; Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro’s Department of Job and Family Services; and VANTAGE Aging; Silver Program Partner: Community Support Services, Inc.; The County of Summit ADM Board; Hattie Larlham; and Summit County Children Services; Bronze Program Partner: Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank; Diamond Patron: Jennifer & Justin Bako; David & Kathleen Bucci; Dr. Pleas R. Chambers III, Professional Driving Instructor, State of Ohio Licensed; Chuck & Debbie Ducey; Bill & Mary Glaeser; William & Susan Hanlon; Mary Ellen & Joe Hinkle; Danielle Kimmell; and Kimberly & Greg Morton; Gold Patron: Chip Clupper; Julie & Randy Katz; Mary Anne & C. Allen Nichols; Diane Smith; and Charles & Leslie Zonfa; Patron: Brad Gilbo; and Laura Judge; Media: akronlife and 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.
Contact: Jennifer Bako
(330) 786-2519
jbako@goodwillakron.org