Employees Honored For 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 And 35 Years Of Service
When Owen Thompson was first hired at New Community, he was a much younger man. At age 30, Thompson was starting off life as family man, married with a 4-year-old son.
He was offered a job as a painter by Richard Rohrman, who then oversaw the Department of Environmental Services at New Community.
“I hired Owen, so Owen is making me feel old today,” Rohrman, now the CEO of New Community, said in a lighthearted manner at the annual Employee Recognition Luncheon. Thompson, a 35-year veteran employee hired in 1981, was among more than 75 New Community employees who were recognized for reaching a milestone year of service.
“Enjoy this day,” Ben Galvez, director of Human Resources, said to the staff gathered at St. Joseph Plaza for the luncheon and ceremony. As a group, the employees worked a collective 815 years at NCC, according to Galvez.
As New Community approaches its milestone of 50 years since its founding in 1968, Director of Mission Frances Teabout noted that each staff member has played a part in helping build Founder Monsignor William J. Linder’s vision of a new community in a formerly devastated part of Newark.
“We are a testament to ‘out of the ashes came hope,’” Teabout said, referencing Monsignor Linder’s aptly titled memoir that was released last year.
Rohrman acknowledged each employee’s longevity as showing a remarkable commitment to serving those within the community who are most in need. “I know sometimes it’s not easy,” he said.
“All of you are the face of New Community to our clients,” Rohrman said. “Thank you for all of the hard work that you do.”
Jose Rodriguez, known to most colleagues as simply “Joe,” said he felt like it was not to long ago that he began working for Monsignor Linder at the Priory Restaurant.
“I was happy to be a part of what he was doing,” said Rodriguez, who celebrated his 30th work anniversary at the luncheon.
Each employee was presented with an engraved plaque that stated their name and years of service. After the luncheon, the honored employees were given the rest of the day off to enjoy.
Five years, front row, from left: Chieck Yaora, Security; Earl Martin, Environmental Services; Juan Figueredo, Environmental Services; Marianne Ilunga, Extended Care; Peggy Barnes, Environmental Services; Lenette Tillman, CHELC; Adenike Agunbiade, HHELC; Trudiann Clement, Credit Union; Patricia Washington, Human Resources. Second row, from left: Tony Drye, Security; Adam Muhammad, Security; Frank Owusutweneboah; Security; Donald McGill, Environmental Services; Paschal Madu, Extended Care; Andrews Anto, Security; Rhoda Duru, Extended Care; Sabrina Prunty, Extended Care; and Harris Chin, Management. Not pictured: Sarah Payen, CHELC; Folasade Ogunniran and Emmanuel Ekechukwu of Extended Care; Yuri Abrams, Kelvin Ramirez Vasquez, Ronald Fraser and Luis Serrano Gonzalez of Environmental Services; Michael Newton, Ikenna Ihegbu, Collins Agyei, Silas Smith Jr., Kyle Bowman and Rahjhan Gordon of Security.
Ten years, front row, from left: Tyrone Green, Finance; Marie Jean Paul, Extended Care; Shanell Sing, Extended Care; Lekeidan Ghebreselasse, Extended Care; Sister Nnaedoziem Charity Okoafor, Extended Care; Carol Buckner, Home Friends; Roxanna Prieto, Family Service Bureau; and Tameesha Moore, CHELC. Second row, from left: Walter Nelson, Environmental Services; Alisha Chatman, Health and Social Services; Edward Morris, Youth Services; Miguel Alcantara, Community Arts; Linda Washington, Harmony House; Zuberi Bandele, Environmental Services; and Tracey Battles, Administration. Pictured separately: Victoria Peguero-DeOrtiz, Adult Learning Center. Not pictured: Sharita Rainey, Security; Sandy Le, Management; Deborah Bradley, Workforce; Jasmine Hembree, Youth Services; Ebony Brown and Ruby Yabao of Finance; Ronald Manning and Charles Jacobs of Environmental Services.
Not pictured for 25 years: Melinda Liptrot of Security and Sharon Grant of Extended Care.
Fifteen years, from left: Carolyn Lowe, CHELC; Zoisha Holder, CHELC; Demari Hernandez, CHELC; Lisa Chavis, Harmony House; Julius Malker, Information Technology; and Marilyn Rodriguez, Family Service Bureau. Not pictured: Yolanda Dawson and Rafaela Made of Extended Care; Carl Vaughan and Tyrone Broner of Security.
Twenty years, from left: Avril Cunningham, Extended Care; Sheila Coleman, Extended Care; and Gabe Coley of Environmental Services with CEO Richard Rohrman. Not pictured: Helen Abraha, Administration; Emilio Candelaria, Environmental Services.
Thirty years: Jose Rodriguez of Extended Care with Founder Monsignor William J. Linder. Not pictured: Debbie Rohrman, Administration.
Thirty-five years: Owen Thompson, standing right, with CEO Richard Rohrman, standing left, and Founder Monsignor William J. Linder, front.
Employees enjoyed a three-course luncheon at St. Joseph Plaza that consisted of appetizers, entrees, drinks and dessert.
A cake from Calandra’s Bakery that matched the day’s theme of royal blue specially recognized employees.
Richard Rohrman, CEO of New Community, thanked his staff for their years of hard work and dedication.
