Good Hair Day: Stylist Recognized for Business, Civic Contributions

Hair stylist Amanda Blake of admits she was a bit nervous when the salon’s owners said they were taking her out to lunch in Akron. The thought of getting fired in public briefly crossed her mind.

So imagine Blake’s surprise on Wednesday when she arrived at Goodwill Industries’ 10th Annual Employee of Distinction Luncheon and learned she was one of five award winners chosen from a field of 42 nominees.

The luncheon is an employee recognition event where stellar employees from Summit, Portage and Medina counties are praised for their efforts, according to Brenda Baum, communications manager for Goodwill Industries of Akron.

Employer nominations were reviewed based on quality of work, dedication to the business and extraordinary efforts. Baum said the five people with the highest-average rankings received the “Employee of Distinction Award” – a surprise that was revealed during the luncheon at Guy’s Party Centre.

“I was very surprised. I totally did not expect it,” Blake said. “I’ve read about these awards in the paper before, but never thought I’d be one of the winners.”

Blake, 31, was nominated for the award by Kristie Warner, who co-owns Gavin Scott Salon with Ann Davis.

“When I learned of Goodwill’s Employee of Distinction Luncheon, I immediately thought of Amanda,” Warner said. “She is just one of those exemplary team members who jumps in wherever she is needed, and then goes above and beyond.”

Some of Blake’s attributes that Warner listed on her nomination form were team-oriented and level-headed, improves the workplace environment and increases the bottom line, raises funds for charities and volunteers for Project Homeless Connect.

. Warner said Blake, who lives in Cuyahoga Falls, is the first one in line each time to lend a helping hand.

“In the past year, Amanda has raised over $3,000 for various charitable organizations, including homeless shelters, the humane society and Akron Children’s Hospital. Simply put, she is a rock-star employee,” Warner said.

Warner said she and Davis were thrilled that Blake, a stylist of 12 years, was selected to receive the award.

“She was up against attorneys and some major corporate people,” Warner said. “What’s great about this award is that they don’t look at who you work for or what you do for a living, but what you’ve given back to the community and how you’ve helped your (employer’s) business grow.”

Asked if she’s always been a philanthropic person and Blake replied, “I hope so! I’m just one of those people who wants to make sure everybody’s happy all the time … I’m all about giving back because what comes around goes around. If I am ever in need, hopefully all of my good deeds will come back to me.

“I’m very grateful for the award. I’m very grateful for Kristie and Ann, and I’ve really enjoyed working for them the past three-and-a-half years – and hopefully many more to come,” she added.

As one of the award winners, Blake received two tickets to a performance at Akron’s historic Civic Theater, Akron Aeros tickets and an engraved crystal plaque from Shulan’s Jewelers.

The other four Goodwill Employee of Distinction Award winners were Jennifer Aubley of Bober Markey Fedorovich & Co.; Andrea Denton of the County of Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board; Jim Isom of Child Guidance & Family Solutions and Jennifer van Dulmen of Community Legal Aid.