With an employee number in the single digits, James Newman waas recognized Friday, May 14 for 35 years of service. Newman serves as the maintenance director at White Oak Manor-Tryon retirement community which opened in 1974. It was soon thereafter that Newman came to work and has been there ever since overseeing the physical plant that is home to over 200 people. Newmans name will be placed on a special plaque for an elite group of 35-year employees at White Oak Management offices in Spartanburg.
Other employees who received special recognition at the annual staff luncheon are 30-year employees, Penny Young and Georgia Pack. Young has also spent most of her working career at White Oak Manor-Tryon in the Dietary Department. Pack is the rehabilitation coordinator for the facility and is responsible for working with physical, speech, and occupational therapists to provide services not only for the Rehabilitation Wing, but also for the entire campus, including the independent living apartments. She also directs restorative nursing assistants to compliment and extend therapy services.
Recipients of 15-year pins were Patricia Moore, restoritive nursing assistant and Patricia Simpson, LPN. Receiving 10-year pins were Gerry Roberts, RN, and Tonya Cunningham, dietary aide and relief cook. Five year pins were awarded to Darlene McSwain and Kathy Steadman, housekeepers at White Oak Village apartments, Mary Smith, RN, weekend supervisor and staff development nurse, Christian Dillion, cook, and Mary Raines, nursing assistant on Benson Hall Assisted Living.
Altogether, 130 employees were recognized for their contributions to the care of White Oak Tryons residents. Five have 30 or more years of service, seven have between 20 and 30 years, 14 have between 10 and 20 years.