Mary Idstein and Rocky Schiralli celebrate Idstein’s 20 years of service award.
On Friday, December 4, 2009, Porter-Starke Services held its annual Employee Recognition Night at Duneland Falls Banquet Center. Over 160 employees and their guests were treated to a wonderful dinner, awards ceremony and dancing to “The Chris and Lou Band.” Several staff were recognized for outstanding achievement and for years of service.
Rae Sarnowski (Accounting Department) and Mark Pilla (Information Technology) were each honored for their 25 years of service to the organization. Mary Idstein (Executive Vice President) was feted for her 20 years of service, as was Bob Calvert (Recovery Center Therapist). Karen Gilmore (Community Support Services) was recognized for her 15 years of service.
Elliott Miller (Prevention Coordinator) was honored with Porter-Starke’s highest award, the Ike Skinner Award. It is given to the employee who best represents Porter-Starke’s values and promotes its mission in the community. Miller has been with the organization nearly four years, and has led the Strategic Prevention Framework – State Incentive Grant for the last two, earning the respect of many community partners.
Cory Thompson and Sandy Carlson pose with Thompson’s Matthew Ikeda clinical excellence award
Cory Thompson (Experiential Therapy) earned the Matthew Ikeda award, an honor that recognizes outstanding clinical achievement. Thompson has been with the organization over 16 years and is well known for his constant smile and “can do” disposition.
Dennis Mallonee (Porter County Jail Addictions Therapist) and Amy Spanopolous (Outpatient Counseling) were each given Special Recognition. Mallonee was nominated because of his excellent work at the Porter County Jail and for his volunteerism with recovery addicts; while Spanopoulos was recognized for her excellence in working with the schools and for her leadership in outpatient counseling.
“While Friday night was our official Employee Recognition Night, we recognize the talents, commitment and professionalism of our staff every day,” said Rocco Schiralli, President/CEO of Porter-Starke Services.
The Porter-Starke Services Foundation also awarded three continuing education scholarships to staff members Jeff Todd (Facilities Director), Dana Snodgrass (Inpatient Care Center) and Carmen Arlt (Recovery Center).
The organization also recognized staff who achieved five and ten years of service, as well as various teams for excellence in achieving goals and completing projects.
Porter-Starke Services is a not-for-profit community mental health center headquartered in Valparaiso with locations in Portage, Aberdeen and Knox. It celebrates it’s 35th anniversary in 2010. For more information visit www.porterstarke.org or become a fan at www.facebook.com/PorterStarke.
(L to R) Mary Idstein, Rae Sarnowski and Socorro Gonzalez celebrate Sarnowski’s 25 years of service recognition
Elliott Miller and Bob Franko smile after Miller was awarded Porter-Starke’s highest honor, the Ike Skinner award
Dennis Mallonee and Carmen Arlt pose with Mallonee’s Special Recognition Award
Amy Spanopoulos and Mike Hofmann celebrate Spanopoulos’s Special Recognition Award
Mark Pilla, honored for 25 years of service
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