October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In Vermont, the Governor鈥檚 Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities marks the occasion by recognizing employers with its Spirit of the ADA Awards. In Lamoille County, two Sodexo food service employees at Johnson State College are being honored.
The Spirit of the ADA awards recognize Vermont employers who go above and beyond in training and employing workers with disabilities 鈥� embodying the spirit of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Johnson State College Dining Services General Manager Tom Fondakowski and Executive Chef Paul Bento received the award this week from Creative Workforce Solutions Business Account Manager DJ Masi.
鈥淭he level of commitment from Tom and Paul to maintain their employees is impressive and emblematic of the strong partners they are in considering, hiring and supporting Vermonters with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment," says Masi.
More than a dozen employers around Vermont are being recognized this month with Spirit of ADA Awards. Other 2016 award recipients include:
- Nick Caputo, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks & Recreation, Barre
- Marin Iwashko, Bennington County, Meals Program
- Orly Munzing and Vicki Friedman, Strolling of the Heifers
- Adam Leonard, Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center
- Robin Ingenthron, Good Point Recycling
- Fritz and Paula Halbedl, Derbyline Village Inn
- David Watts and Karen Lombard, Kendal at Hanover Assisted Living
- Christine Priest, Maplefield鈥檚, Enosburg Falls
- Paul Tomasi, NEK Waste Management District
- Jay Welenc, Environmental Services Department at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
- Rob Macfarlane, Sodexo Food Service Group at Castleton University
- Jeremiah Whitten and Robert Bachand, Vermont Furniture Designs
