MORGANTOWN — PACE Enterprises handed out awards Tuesday at an ceremony at Mylan Park.
A nonprofit organization, PACE does training and job placement for adults with disabilities. It’s been operating in Morgantown since 1972, and also has offices in Fairmont and Charleston. October also marks Disability Employment Awareness Month.
Cody Sustakoski, chairman of the board of PACE Enterprises, said each year the organization looks forward to celebrating PACE’s hardworking employees.
“When you eat at The Beehive Café, you’re not just enjoying one of the best meals in town. When you use PACE shredding, you’re not just protecting confidential information. When you donate your precious time and hard earned money, you’re not just supporting empty promises,” Sustakoski said.
He said there’s so much more to PACE.
“When one of our clients is able to enter the workforce, that’s success,” he said.
Greg Morris, president and CEO of PACE Enterprises, said the day is about awarding, but it’s also about thanking the community-at-large. He introduced Russ Rogerson, president and CEO of the Morgantown Area Partnership, who was keynote speaker.
The Morgantown Area Partnership, or MAP, was formed around the understanding of a growing community, said Rogerson.
“PACE is certainly an important part of our community. I mean, since 1972 you’ve helped countless members of the community find meaningful work,” he said.
He said not only is that important to the individuals but also companies that employee them.
“Training people for employment in West Virginia should be our number one goal,” he said.
David Bruffy was given the PACEsetter Award. This is for an individual who shows dedication to helping create opportunities for people with disabilities. Bruffy, with Mountain Line Transit, said his relationship with PACE goes back 32 years.
“When I was in graduate school I had a survey research project and my job was to help find businesses that were best suited and most willing to hire people with disabilities and the honor that you’re bestowing on me today brings me full circle,” he said.
Other awards included:
- The Community Partner Award went to the United Way, accepted by Brandi Helms.
- The Lagatta Award went to Nick Santalucia.
- Waiver Program staff were recognized and PACE employees were recognized for outstanding work.
- Amie Miller was recognized by the janitorial team at NIOSH. She has been with PACE for 26 years.
- Joey Curtis, who was hired at On Eagles Wings Horse Farm, enthusiastically accept his award.
The evening’s final award went to Brandon Stewart, who died earlier this year. Hired in 2010, he went to work as a janitor at NIOSH after working in the Beehive Café.
“Brandon was someone that everybody liked and he worked hard. He was dedicated to his work,” said Morris.
Stewart’s Employee of the Year Award was presented to his parents.
