Photo credit: Alaina Lutkitz with Upstate Headshots.

Local staffing firm Hire Dynamics was honored as Employer of the Year at the Goodwill Champions Tribute last night. Hire Dynamics has a staffing office in Greenville. Jonathan Wheeler who oversees recruitment outreach for Hire Dynamic's Greenville branch office accepted the award.

Every year since 2009, Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC has celebrated successes of South Carolina residents whose lives have changed as a result of Goodwill’s education and training initiatives with an awards dinner. The Goodwill Champions Tribute was held on Thursday, October 19 at the TD Convention Center. Kevin Sorbo, international TV and film actor, stroke survivor and author of True Strength, delivered an inspirational keynote address for the evening.

Honored were four individuals who have overcome adversity and found employment through various job placement programs, as well as one employer and one partner organization who support the mission of Goodwill. Award recipients for 2017 were:

• Tracy Littlejohn – James E. Jones Healthcare Excellence Award, sponsored by Bon Secours St. Francis Health System
• Frank Bulow – William Wylie Job Connection Success Award, sponsored by J. Smith Lanier & Co.
• Samuel Salthouse – Ralph Walker Graduate of the Year Award, sponsored by Indexx, Inc.
• Edward Smith – Lloyd Auten Achiever of the Year Award, sponsored by Fluor Corporation
• South Carolina Department of Corrections – Goodwill Industries Champion of the Year Award, sponsored by KeenanSuggs Insurance | HUB International
• Hire Dynamics – Bill Hummers Employer of the Year Award, sponsored by TD Bank

“It is amazing to see the transformation that our participants go through,” said Pat Michaels, CEO of Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands SC. “Some of these individuals have faced various hardships, or just didn’t have the means to get where they wanted to go. They took major strides to improve their circumstances, and that’s cause for celebration!”