LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS
From left, CCEP CEO Jason Fitzgerald, First Quality representative Bill Garbrick and CCEP Board President David Harger are pictured after First Quality received the first-ever Michael Flanagan Excellence in Business Award at the partnership’s annual dinner.
MILL HALL — Three community leaders were honored for their contributions to Clinton County’s economy at this year’s annual Clinton County Economic Partnership dinner, held in the ballroom at Haywood’s on the Green Wednesday night.
Alongside the longstanding Carl Bergdahl Award for tourism promotion and the Frank D. O’Reilly Memorial Award for community service, the Partnership introduced a new commendation this year: the Michael Flanagan Excellence in Business Award. The award was created to honor the late Flanagan, who served as the CCEP’s President/CEO until his passing in September 2024.
The awards serve as a way to honor the people and organizations who have a broad community impact in the county.
Carl Bergdahl Award
Each year, the Clinton County Economic Partnership presents an award named for Carl H. Bergdahl, a founding father of the Renovo Flaming Foliage Festival and a distinguished member of the Clinton County Tourism Promotion Agency. The honor is given to someone whose work significantly advances tourism and related activities in the region.
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS
Carl Bergdahl Award recipient Mary George Rhone holds up the award, which includes a clock, noting to the crowd “it’s Renovo time.”
Presented by Christopher Miller, the partnership’s director of Chamber and Tourism Marketing, the award recognized a cornerstone of the Renovo community — “an individual who works tirelessly to promote the history, heritage and culture of that region of our beautiful county, and is never afraid to get the job done, no matter what or how long it takes,” Miller said.
This year, the partnership recognized Mary George Rhone, president of the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park. She was selected for her long-standing dedication to elevating Renovo’s culture and community profile — efforts that contribute directly to the county’s growing reputation as a welcoming place to visit and live.
Rhone thanked the Economic Partnership for its continued support of her community, saying, “The Economic Partnership has been very good to Heritage Park, to Renovo… thank you so much — I’m overwhelmed.”
Before leaving the podium, she pointed to the clock on the award with a smile and said, “On this award there’s a clock… it’s Renovo time,” a remark that drew applause for its humor — and its hope.
Frank D. O’Reilly
LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS
Clinton County Economic Partnership CEO Jason Fitzgerald presents Board President David Harger with the Frank D. O’Reilly Memorial Award at the partnership’s annual dinner on Wednesday night.
Memorial Award
Named for the former Lock Haven Express publisher and longtime community activist, the Frank D. O’Reilly Memorial Award is presented each year by the Economic Partnership to someone who has made significant contributions to the organization and the wider community.
This year, the award went to someone closely connected to the partnership, Army veteran David Harger, who served as the organization’s interim CEO for the past year.
“What I’m most impressed with is that Dave did this job, for no compensation, for a year, while he was still running his business and still being involved in many other ways,” said Partnership CEO Jason Fitzgerald as he presented Harger with his plaque.
With this award, David and his father, Dan Harger (2019 recipient), become the first father-son pair to receive the honor.
“Service doesn’t end with a date and time,” said Harger in his acceptance. “It didn’t just end when I got out of the service. So, where do you put your energy past the army? You put it into the community.”
Michael Flanagan
Excellence in
Business Award
A new honor was introduced at this year’s Clinton County Economic Partnership dinner — the Michael Flanagan Excellence in Business Award.
“Created in honor of the Clinton County Economic Partnership past CEO for the last 16 years, with 28 total years of service in the partnership, this award is to recognize a business or business person who has had major impacts directly on the county’s economy, the hiring of Clinton County residents or has directly improved Clinton County’s business climate,” said Dave Harger, who presented the award.
Harger said Flanagan, who passed just over a year ago, was instrumental in bringing many businesses to the county, including First Quality, Croda and Terrapin.
“Mike did incredible work to get First Quality Tissue here,” Harger said. “It was a great source of pride for Mike, to be able to make that deal… so it is only very fitting that the first ever award goes to First Quality.”
As Clinton County’s largest employer, the business provides jobs for nearly 2,000 people — roughly 5 percent of the county’s population.
The award was accepted by Bill Garbrick, director of operations at First Quality, as the Damaghi family, founders of the business, were unable to attend. They had prepared remarks, which Garbrick read on their behalf.
The Damaghi family thanked the partnership for the invitation, noting the work and dedication required to organize the event and praising the role the organization plays in Clinton County.
“First Quality has had a deep appreciation for Mike’s exceptional leadership, dedication and lasting contributions to promoting economic growth, attracting new businesses and strengthening Clinton County,” Garbrick said on their behalf. “This commitment left an enduring legacy that will inspire for years to come.”
