TRC holds annual Employee Service Recognition Luncheon

Posing together are, from left, 30-year employees John Constantino, Debbie Brown, Donna Lisa, and Pat Walker.

Its employees are the backbone of The Resource Center, and the agency took time recently to honor its long-time staff at the 27th annual Employee Service Recognition Luncheon.  The event, held in TRC's Conference Center, recognized employees who completed milestone years of services in 2011.
               

Marion Battle

The longest-serving employees honored were Marion Battle and William Bradley, each with 35 years at TRC.  Marion, an Industrial Specialist at the Jamestown Work Center, came to TRC as a placement through Chautauqua County's Manpower program.  Her first assignment was in Jamestown, but after a short time she went to the Dunkirk Work Center to fill a vacancy there.  Soon Marion accepted a job at the Jamestown Work Center, and she's been there ever since.

Bill also came to TRC from Manpower, and he's spent his entire career in Dunkirk.  Though his title has always been production supervisor, he has had a variety of duties over the years, including driving a bus and overseeing worker enclaves.

In appreciation for their years of service, Bill and Marion each received a $350 gift card and a lapel pin in the shape of TRC's logo.

Completing 30 years of service with the agency were:

• Deborah Brown of Jamestown, Director of Day Services
• John Constantino of Celoron, Community Living Specialist in the Day Habilitation Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown
• Karen Enright of Jamestown, Administrative Assistant for the Residential Division
• Donna Lisa of Fredonia, Habilitation Specialist in the Dunkirk Day Hab Program
• Patrick Walker of Lakewood, Administrator for the Work Center Sub-Contracting Programs and Environmental Services.

Each person completing 30 years of service received a gift card and a lapel pin.

Recognized for 25 years of service were:

• Debra Berdine of Jamestown, Manager of a home at the Intermediate Care Facility on Foote Avenue in Jamestown
• Susan C. Brown of Tidioute, PA, Service Coordinator at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Susan K. Brown of Jamestown, Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Support Coordinator
• Thomas Brown of Jamestown, Maintenance Specialist
• Debra Densmore of Lakewood, Administrative Secretary with the Residential Division
• Laurie Fenton of Frewsburg, Nurse Manager at the apartments on Benedict Avenue in Jamestown
• Linda Gorton of Jamestown, Community Living Skills Instructor in one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Rick Gray of Warren, PA, Service Coordinator at one of the homes on Gifford Avenue in Celoron
• Jill Gustafson of Jamestown, Case Manager with the Rehabilitation and Employment Services Department
• Laurie Heeder of Brocton, Habilitation Specialist with the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Muriel Mazzone of Jamestown, Supervising Nurse at two of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Deanna Rice of Frewsburg, Resident Benefits
• Kristen Rodgers of Jamestown, Direct Support Professional at the Senior Adult Day Habilitation Program
• Barbara Rys of Dunkirk, Service Coordinator at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Patricia Sherman of Lakewood, Licensed Practical Nurse at the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Lisa Swanson of Jamestown, Direct Support Professional Trainer
• James Tingue of Jamestown, Behavior Support Professional at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Michael Tingue of Jamestown, BSP at the Individualized Residential Alternative on Orchard Road in Busti
• Michael Volk of Bemus Point, Director of Rehabilitation and Employment Services
• Dawn Wachter of Lakewood, DSP at one of the homes on Gifford Avenue in Celoron

These employees each received a gift card and a lapel pin.

Honored for completing 20 years of service were:

• Bruce Brown of Panama, Risk Administrator
• James Chimenti of Lakewood, Board of Directors member
• Karen DePane of Jamestown, Payroll Supervisor
• JoAnne Hagberg of Jamestown, Clerk in the Copy Room
• Brigitte Hodnett of Jamestown, DSP Trainer
• Wanda Johnson of Jamestown, Housekeeper
• Rita Lenart of Panama, Reimbursement Coordinator
• Corey Rasmussen of Jamestown, Job Developer
• Theresa Roberts of Ashville, Activity Leader with the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Edward Thomas of Jamestown, DSP at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Robert Warner of Jamestown, site supervisor at one of the homes on Hunt Road in Busti

Each person completing 20 years of service received a watch, jewelry or a gift card, and a lapel pin.

Those completing 15 years of service were:

• Carol Ball of Falconer, Patient Registrar at the Primary Care Clinic
• Lance Bensink of Clymer, Maintenance Specialist
• Alexander Brewer of Ashville, CLSI at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Diane Cornell of Randolph, Activity Leader with the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Sherri Eccles of Randolph, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant
• Kelly Gagliano of Panama, assistant manager at the home on Main Street in Westfield
• Sue Hirsch of Ashville, Production Planner for the Work Centers
• Tamara James of Jamestown, DSP at a home on Foote Avenue
• Mark Kaverman of Jamestown, Production Systems Specialist for the Work Centers
• Nicole Kimball of Jamestown, Administrator of the Social Services Department
• Chad Lindahl of Falconer, Maintenance Specialist
• Mary Manelick of Sherman, BSP at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Mary Straight of Stockton, Driver

Those completing 15 years of service received a Frank Lloyd Wright desk clock.

Completing 10 years of service with the agency were:

• Donna Alford, Driver
• Julie Backus of Jamestown, DSP with the Senior Adult Day Program
• Nancy Ann Battaglia-Danielson of Fredonia, Mental Health Clinician with the “Gateways” Personalized Recovery Oriented Services Program in Dunkirk
• David Bemis of Panama, Job Coach
• Robert Bielawski of Westfield, Job Coach
• Aaron Brown of Jamestown, Residence Coordinator
• Tonia Brown of Jamestown, Vocational Skills Instructor
• Brian Burch of Jamestown, Transportation Aide
• Annie Coleman of Jamestown, Assistant Manager at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Coty Croker of Corry, PA, Residence Coordinator
• Renee Ferraloro of Jamestown, Nurse Manager at several homes
• Rita Ferraloro of Jamestown, Site Manager of the Diagnostic & Treatment Center on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Timothy Grissom of Jamestown, DSP at the Senior Adult Day Program
• Jennifer Herron of Jamestown, DSP at the apartments on Benedict Avenue
• Lisa Hoch of Jamestown, DSP at the home in Chandler Street in Jamestown
• Jolyn Howard of Jamestown, Medical Aide at one of the homes on Gifford Avenue
• Jeffrey Hughan of Jamestown, Activity Leader at the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Nicole Hutchison of Falconer, DSP at the home on Chandler Street
• Amber Iucalano of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Harris Avenue in Jamestown
• Terri Johnson of Falconer, Administrator of the Individualized Services Program
• Robert Johnston of Lakewood, Environmental Services Assistant
• Mariusz Klimczuk of Jamestown, Physical Therapy Assistant
• Tracey Kotch of Frewsburg, Medical Aide at several homes
• Dr. Douglas Larson of Lakewood, Dentist at the Dunkirk Dental Clinic
• Brandi McAvoy of Jamestown, Habilitation Specialist with Individualized Services
• Lori Miller of Kennedy, Supported Living Specialist with Individualized Services
• Priscilla Morrison of Conewango Valley, Administrative Assistant with the Primary Care Clinic
• Jody Roman of Dunkirk, Activity Leader with the Dunkirk Day Program
• Juanita Sawyer of Erie, PA, Physical Therapist
• Louis Schrader of Falconer, Driver
• Rebecca Senear of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Willow Avenue in Jamestown
• Jacqueline Simpson of Dunkirk, Habilitation Specialist at the Dunkirk Day Program
• Paul Sweat of Frewsburg, BSP at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Marlene Textor of Ellington, SLS
• Robert Thompson of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Chandler Street
• Sally Thunberg of Bemus Point, DSP at the Senior Adult Day Program
• Evelyn Torres of Dunkirk, Industrial Specialist at the Work Center on East Chestnut Street in Dunkirk
• Tanya Wargo of Jamestown, Assistant Manager at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Gregory Williams of Jamestown, Third-Shift Supervisor at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Nora Zilkenat of Jamestown, a Cook for the homes on Foote Avenue

Each of these employees received a necklace or a key chain.

Recognized for five years of service were:

• Jacob Alicea of Jamestown, DSP at the Day Program on Fluvanna Avenue in Jamestown
• Susan Barone of Jamestown, Third-Shift Supervisor at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• James Barton of Panama, DSP at the home on Forest Avenue in Jamestown
• William Beck of Jamestown, Driver
• Suzette Benedetto of Jamestown, Records Manager Supervisor
• Rhonda Boardman of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Harris Avenue
• Lisa Bongiorno of Jamestown, Applied Behavioral Science Specialist
• Tracie Breen of Bemus Point, DSP at the home on Chandler Street
• Christopher Butts of Jamestown, Maintenance Specialist
• Michelle Case of Westfield, DSP at the home in Westfield
• Adrian Cooper of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Pleasantview Drive in Jamestown
• Jodee Cooper of Dunkirk, Dental Assistant at the Dunkirk Dental Clinic
• Leah Cooper of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown
• Martha Dove of Frewsburg, Behavior Technician
• Jodi Eckman of Jamestown, Accounts Receivable Clerk
• Sarah Fales of Falconer, LPN at one of the homes on Gifford Avenue
• Marcos Figueroa of Jamestown, Assistant Site Supervisor at the home on Orchard Road
• Julie Gable of Jamestown, Accounts Payable Clerk
• Leesa Gates of Celoron, Medication Technician at one of the homes on Hunt Road in Busti
• James Gettings of Fredonia, DSP at the home on Water Street in Fredonia
• Rebecca Hamlet Kapple of Westfield, Rehabilitation Services Coordinator
• Jennifer Hinson of Jamestown, BSP at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Jennifer Holdridge of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Chandler Street
• Jessica Johnson of Jamestown, BSP at the home on Orchard Street
• Elizabeth Juul of Frewsburg, Mental Health Clinician with the “Passages” PROS Program
• Trudy Knapp of Clarendon, PA, DSP at the home on Englewood Avenue in Jamestown
• Jane Krzyzanowski of Sinclairville, Supervising Nurse at the Day Program on Fluvanna Avenue
• Donna Lewis of Warren, Physical Therapy Assistant
• John Linza of Jamestown, DSP at the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Tiffany Lisa of Fredonia, DSP at the home on Birchwood Drive in Fredonia
• Ellen Lund of Jamestown, Job Coach
• Amber Marino of Jamestown, BSP at the apartments on Benedict Avenue
• Ladena Marks of Jamestown, DSP at one of the homes on Gifford Avenue
• Kym Mason of Bemus Point, Dental Assistant at the Jamestown Dental Clinic
• Merikay McDunn of Jamestown, Office Assistant with Individualized Services
• Kelly McLane of Kennedy, Site Supervisor for the home on Forest Avenue
• Jamie Mealy of Jamestown, DSP at one of the homes on Foote Avenue
• Ardith Melquist of Jamestown, Support Operations Assistant with the Transportation Department
• Sandra Melquist-Reed of Jamestown, Applied Behavioral Science Specialist
• Martin Meneo of Jamestown, Materials Planner for the Work Centers
• Kelly Moon of Frewsburg, Pharmacist
• Douglas Morley Jr. of Randolph, DSP at the home on Whitehill Avenue in Jamestown
• Kimberly Morris of Lakewood, Administrative Assistant for the Jamestown Work Center
• Donald Myers Jr. of Jamestown, DSP at the home on Pardee Avenue in Jamestown
• Edgar Nazario Sr. of Jamestown, Courier
• Angela Oakes of Jamestown, Supervising Nurse with the Article 16 Clinic
• Margaret Paolini of Greenhurst, Supervising Nurse for the homes on Foote Avenue
• Nicole Pitts of Falconer, Social Worker with the Jamestown Counseling & Psychiatric Services Office
• Lindsay Plymel of Bemus Point, File Clerk at the Primary Care Clinic
• Erin Reeves of Jamestown, Allied Health Assistant at the Pharmacy
• Jessie Rink of Ashville, Nurse Manager
• Phillip Sanborn of Kennedy, DSP at the home on Harris Avenue
• Betty Schiefer of Cattaraugus, LPN with the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Erin Seastrum of Jamestown, DSP at the Day Program on Fluvanna Avenue
• Susan Short of Niobe, Supervising Nurse at one of the homes on Gifford Avenue
• Jodi Sigmund of Warren, Nurse Manager for several homes
• Debra Slagle of Celoron, Manufacturing Supervisor
• Robin Stanko of Sugar Grove, PA, Service Coordinator with the Social Services Department
• Philip VanStry of Jamestown, Driver
• Amanda Whitford of Jamestown, DSP at the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue
• Renee Whitford of Jamestown, Medical Aide at the apartments on Benedict Avenue
• Christine Wright of Jamestown, Medication Technician at the home on Harris Avenue

Each of these employees received a lapel pin.

As she does every year, Carol Svensen, Director of Personnel Administration, served as the mistress of ceremonies.  She noted that the staff and Board members who were recognized have spent a combined 1,825 years at TRC.

Bill Bradley, right, poses with Mike Metzger, the President of TRC's Board of Directors, and Denise Jones, Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.

"The individuals we’re saluting work in different programs and do everything from subbing at a residential facility to serving on the Board of Directors," Carol said.  "We are honoring nurses, maintenance specialists, direct care workers, and residence managers; job coaches and accountants; production supervisors and clerks.    Many individuals, from many different callings, with many different talents, but all are dedicated to the mission of The Resource Center.  From the Board of Directors, and the management team of TRC, and on behalf of those we serve, a heartfelt `thanks' to everyone!"

Carol also noted that, but for a brief retirement several years ago, Kay Nary, Executive Administrative Assistant, would have been honored for 40 years of service.

The awards were presented by Denise Jones, Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, and Michael Metzger, the President of TRC's Board of Directors.  Denise thanked employees for their efforts and quoted a famous saying: "Dedication is not what others expect of you, it is what you can give to others."

She also shared some words from Executive Director Paul Cesana, who was unable to attend the event:

"I regret that I could not be here today for TRC’s Annual Service Recognition Awards.  I would like to extend my congratulations and my sentiments of appreciation for your many years of service," began Paul's message to staff.  "I am reminded of how most of us are or have truly spent a lifetime `Making a Difference in People’s Lives' and in so doing appreciating the difference that our work has made in our own lives.  Every employment and career is bound to experience a number of moments of exhilaration and satisfaction but also times of challenges and frustrations.  You have persevered, and you have continued to offer your talents, your time and caring throughout all these years.  For this, we want to recognize you and applaud you."

Mike congratulated the employees on behalf of the Board.  "Thank you all for your hard work and dedication," he said.  "You should be very proud and honored to receive your awards from such an excellent organization."

The Reverend Timothy Hoyer, a TRC Board Committee member, gave the invocation.  The luncheon was arranged by staff in the Human Resources Department.