Area woman honored at awards dinner
It's that time of year when many Americans head to the local baseball stadium to catch a game. But on June 12, the Pennsylvania Industries for the Blind and Handicapped welcomed former professional baseball player and U.S. Olympian Jim Abbott to their annual Nettie Mann Achievement Awards Dinner to honor the members of their team who displayed exceptional character and accomplishments in the field.
According to a news release, Sierra Frantz, of Williamsport, was recognized during the dinner for not only her character, but also the personal fortitude, work ethic and abilities she exhibited while living and working with a disability. Frantz was recognized along with the recipient and 22 other employees at the Radisson Hotel Harrisburg.
"This year's Nettie Mann Award recipient and nominees are remarkable individuals and dedicated workers who have achieved greatness in both their work and their personal lives," said Gary Crowell, PIBH president and CEO. "Tonight's guests are not deterred by their disabilities but driven by their abilities, and we are privileged to honor them this evening."
Frantz originally joined North Central Sight Services Inc. in 2010 as a photo license technician. She quickly mastered her responsibilities and developed excellent customer service skills. In that time, Frantz's artistic talents were also recognized. Her work was featured on Christmas cards and in a calendar produced by the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Lancaster.
Frantz then was promoted to the sales department where she designed the cover for the 2011 annual report and assisted with the development of advertising materials. In August 2011, funding cuts caused the elimination of her marketing position and she transferred back to the Photo ID Center.
Not letting her visual impairment limit her, Frantz is currently working towards a degree in graphic design and hopes to one day become a professional artist.
In addition to the Nettie Mann Achievement Awards, 50 Helping Hands Awards were given to Pennsylvania organizations that have demonstrated strong support for persons with disabilities and the PIBH mission.
The Nettie Mann Achievement Award is named for an exceptional young woman who tragically died in a 1993 car accident just weeks before being named PIBH Worker of the Year. The distinguished Nettie Mann Achievement Award recipient received an all-expense paid trip to the award dinner for two, a $500 cash gift, and plaque. Nominees also attended the dinner and received a plaque and a $100 cash gift.
Construction firm
promotes manager
Alexander Building Construction Co. has promoted Jeffrey Smith from project manager to senior project manager.
Smith has managed more than 20 successful projects during his career at Alexander Building Construction Co. for clients such as Penn State University, Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Geisinger Health System, Harrisburg School District and Mount Nittany Medical Center.
In Smith's role as senior project manager, he will oversee all preconstruction and construction phase project operations and coordinate estimating and field administrative activities. Smith is responsible for the construction and renovation of the new emergency department and cancer center expansions at the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College.
Smith earned a bachelor of science in health policy and administration from The Pennsylvania State University. He is an accredited professional and is a member of the American Society of Healthcare of Engineers.
"We are pleased to promote Jeff to senior project manager," says Rick Seitz, president of Alexander. "His dedication, experience, and management skills have made him a key contributor to our organization. He is highly regarded by our clients, our business partners and his teammates at Alexander."
Project manager
joins design firm
Larson Design Group announces Andrew Eldred has joined its Williamsport headquarters as project manager with LDG's Energy Group. His responsibilities include overseeing energy projects, ensuring that the department is able to produce the best possible results, and providing permit guidance related to stream and waterway encroachments and construction permits.
Eldred has been in the engineering industry for over 16 years. Prior to joining LDG, he worked for the PA Department of Environmental Protection as a senior civil engineer and at the PA Department of Transportation as a Transportation Construction Inspector. He brings experience in evaluation, inspection, and preparation of state and federal permits for air emissions sources to LDG.
"Larson Design Group is a high-performance organization and I'm eager to hit the ground running in my new position," Eldred said. "My goal is to ensure that LDG permit applications encounter the fewest roadblocks when evaluated by government agencies. This will allow us to keep our costs highly competitive and our clients moving forward on their desired path."
Eldred obtained a B.S. in environmental engineering from Penn State University and is a licensed professional engineer in Pennsylvania. He lives in White Pine with his wife. Together, they enjoy riding motorcycles and mountain bikes, hiking, and back country skiing. A motorsports enthusiast, Eldred is active in the Porsche Club of America, the American Motorcycle Association, and the PA Trail Riders Association.
Larson Design Group is growing, multi-disciplined brand architecture, engineering, and surveying firm, providing innovative design solutions for the private and public sectors. Our staff has diverse knowledge in environmental systems, surveying, site development, structures, transportation, and inspection. Headquartered in Williamsport, with offices in Pennsylvania at Selinsgrove, Bloomsburg, Lititz, Bethel, and Brockway, and in New York at Corning and Apalachin. LDG was selected for the third consecutive year into the 2011 PSMJ Circle of Excellence and was also ranked at No. 65 of Zweig White's Top 150 Hot Firms for 2010 and 2011. At LDG, each client's vision is made real. For more on what we have to offer, visit www.larsondesigngroup.com.
Manager attends Las Vegas conference
Virla Ocker, community relations manager at Hillside Senior Living, Montoursville, recently attended the Good Neighbor Care National Symoposium in Las Vegas. The theme of the symposium was "Success through Synergy."
The event consisted of presentations by corporate officers and senior management officials. Attendees included leadership from each of GNC's communities, including executive directors and community relations managers.
"We're in the industry of serving seniors and their families. Learning directly from our company founder and senior directors gave us a great deal of insight and provided an ideal opportunity to share ideas with our colleagues," Ocker said. Breakout sessions on marketing, OSHA, healthcare and dining services were also held. Ocker received the award for the most sales within the company during 2011. She resides in Loyalsock Township and has 24 years experience in senior living and health care.
New lawyer
for city firm
The Mitchell Gallagher law firm of Williamsport announces Jessica L. Harlow has joined the firm as an associate attorney. She is a graduate of Muhlenberg College and Liberty University School of law. She is a member of the Pennsylvania bar and is also registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Most recently Harlow served as law clerk for the Honorable Charles H. Saylor in the Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas. While serving as Judge Saylor's clerk, she also served as a special master in family law and juvenile dependency matters. She was instrumental in the implementation of a Veterans Treatment Court. Harlow also served as a co-chair for the Inaugural Adoption Day Committee as well as a member of the DUI, Behavioral Health and Veterans Treatment Court teams.
At Mitchell Gallagher, she will be involved in civil litigation, medical malpractice and workmen's compensation matters. The firm consentrates in the representation of parties sued in civil court and workmen's compensation defense.
Construction firm
selects superintendent
Rodney A. Stroud has been appointed job superintendent for for High Construction Co.'s Williamsport office, located at 3501 W. Fourth St. since 2010, where sister company High Steel Structures has also operated for nearly 30 years. In this role, he is responsible for the maintenance of project schedules, on-site coordination of tradesmen, field personnel, and sub-contractors, and for the supervision of job site safety.
A resident of Towanda, Stroud was previously employed by Mountain Lake Construction as a superintendent. He graduated from North Duplin High School in Calypso, N.C.
