Mass. Rehabilitation Commission Honors Local Employers for Commitment to Hiring People with Disabilities

BOSTON — Five local companies were honored today with Distinguished Employer Awards by the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) and its Greater Boston Employer Advisory Board. The state recognized employers who have exhibited exceptional commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities at an award ceremony held at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.

“This event celebrates Massachusetts employers and their strong commitment to creating opportunities for people with disabilities to participate fully as a part of our workforce,” said Commissioner Charles Carr. “People with disabilities contribute in so many ways as employees across the Commonwealth. We are proud of our collaborative efforts to empower and promote independence for people with disabilities.”

Employers interested in learning more about hiring people with disabilities are encouraged to contact MRC Employment Specialists Karen Beth Mael at (617) 739-9080 or Gregg Ames at (617) 776-2662.

The 2009 Distinguished Employer Award honorees (including their hometowns) were:

Aramark at Boston University
- Charles Chouinard (Norwood), Boston Food Service Director
- David Seltzer (Holliston), Boston Food Service Director
Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital and Partners Continuing Care
- Oswald Mondejar (Brookline), Boston Vice President Human Resources
- Colleen Moran (Reading), Boston Director of Human Resources
- Betsy Pillsbury (Somerville), Boston Disability Resource Coordinator
- Glen McKenney (Dorchester), Boston Human Resources Analyst
- Jaclyn Crain (Somerville), Boston Human Resources Generalist
Town of Brookline
- David Geanakakis (Stoughton), Brookline Chief Procurement Officer
- Tim Sullivan (Brookline), Brookline Supervisor of Printing and Mailing
Town of Framingham
- Timothy Goddard (Littleton), Framingham Assistant Town Manager and Chief of Procurement
- Patricia Morgan (Marlboro), Framingham Former Procurement Manager
United States Census Bureau
- James Morin (Somerville), Boston Area Manager/Recruiter
- Christopher Cygan (Brighton), Boston Recruiter

About the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission assists individuals with disabilities to live and work independently. The MRC is responsible for Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Community Services, and eligibility determination for the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) federal benefits programs for Massachusetts citizens with disabilities. The MRC serves people with all types of disabilities except those who are blind, who are served through the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.

About the Greater Boston Employer Advisory Board

The Greater Boston Employer Advisory Board to the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission was established in November 1998 to assist the agency in efforts to promote employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Its mission is to promote mutually beneficial relationships between employers and candidates with disabilities. The Board, which meets six times each year, is comprised of representatives from a diverse group of businesses, as well as institutions of higher education, public and municipal representatives and elected officials. With the Board’s support and guidance, hundreds of MRC clients secure skilled jobs consistent with their abilities and interests each year.

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