Evelyn Wright-Kegelmyer, Tanya Schmidt earn TRC’s top employee awards

Evelyn Wright-Kegelmyer and Tanya Schmidt recently were honored with The Resource Center’s top staff honors for 2022.

Evelyn, who has worked at TRC for 28 years, received the Joseph Trusso Jr. Employee of the Year Award. As Administrative Support Coordinator in the Human Resources Department, Evelyn fields most phone calls to the HR Help Desk. She treats people with respect, maintains her composure when callers become emotional and does whatever is needed to obtain answers to people’s questions.

Evelyn has taken on leadership roles in organizing events such as the Employee Service Luncheon and the Staff Picnic, and she has done a great job handling the many demands associated with these events. In addition, she volunteers her time for our Laurel Memorial Run/Walk, the Marine Toys for Tots drive and other community causes.

Evelyn was nominated for this award by our Employment and Community-Based Services Department, which appreciates her for quickly resolving employment matters.

The award is named in memory of the late Joe Trusso, who served on our Board of Directors for 38 years and was a strong advocate for our employees.

Evelyn holds her award while posing with, from left, Denise Jones, Executive Director; Resa Rosen-Murray, Direct Support Professional Lead; and Donna Trusso, STARS Program Manager. Resa and Donna are family members of Joe Trusso, for whom the Employee of the Year Award is named.

Tanya, A Direct Support Professional in one of our homes who has been with TRC for seven years, received the Norma J. Smith Award for excellence in providing direct support. She assists residents in getting ready for their day and ensures everyone looks good before they head to their Day Program. She then spends her day making sure household duties and chores are completed to her high standards.

Tanya works extra shifts to ensure the home is properly staffed and the residents receive the level of supports they deserve. She knows everything about the home’s residents, and it’s obvious they care about Tanya because they always are happy to see her.

She was promoted to one of the lead positions in the home after spending hours on her own time to complete the required computer training. On days when the manager is off work, Tanya keeps the home running smoothly.

Said Lisa Peterson, Residence Manager, who nominated Tanya for the award: “I am a truly blessed manager to have Tanya as a DSP that cares for the individuals and understands the TRC mission statement and goes above and beyond daily to honor it.”

This award was created in memory of the late Norma Smith, who worked for TRC from 1983 to 1991 and was passionate about supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Tanya holds her award while posing with Melissa Rasmussen, left, Lead Manufacturing Supervisor, and Joanne Bevan, Assistant Executive Director. Melissa is a daughter of Norma Smith, for whom the award is named.

In addition to celebrating Evelyn and Tanya, we want to recognize our other employees who were nominated for the awards:

Britnie Barmore
Kevin Blackwell
Roland Cartner
Hjector Cintron
Patricia Clark
Abby Counts
Heather Crandall
Kathryn Curtis
Daniel Farnham
Marcos Figueroa
Walter Gabalski
Audrey Griewisch
Abigail Hooper
Deseree Johnson
Terri Johnson
Robin Kestler
Debra Larsen
Paula Morello
Elizabeth Osarumwense
Natalie Rosario
Brianna Skinner
Jessica Smith
Cheryl Stow
Christin Sweat
Amanda Trout

We also recognize and thank the people who served on the Awards Selection Committee: staff members Vicky Bardo, Rhonda Howard, Melissa Rasmussen, Resa Rosen-Murray, and Donna Trusso; and community members John Bauer and Carrie Swanson of the Jamestown Chamber of Commerce; retired TRC employee Kathy Field; Nelson Garifi of Jamestown Community College; and Richard Kimball, Vice Chair of TRC’s Board of Directors.

Some of Tanya’s co-workers attended the luncheon to celebrate and cheer her. Pictured are, from left, Alyssa Fardink, Direct Support Professional; Lisa Peterson, Residence Manager; Jordan Knoop, DSP; Tanya; Nekeisha McAdoo, Nurse Supervisor; and Daja Howie, DSP.