The Clinton County Economic Partnership (CCEP) celebrated local contributors this year by recognizing individuals and organizations with significant community impact. Alongside the established Carl Bergdahl Award for tourism promotion and the Frank D. O’Reilly Memorial Award for community service, a new distinction was unveiled: the Michael Flanagan Excellence in Business Award. This addition honors the legacy of Michael Flanagan, who led the CCEP as President/CEO for 16 years and served a total of 28 years before his passing in September 2024.
The Carl Bergdahl Award, named after a key figure in the Renovo Flaming Foliage Festival and the Clinton County Tourism Promotion Agency, was awarded to Mary George Rhone, president of the Greater Renovo Area Heritage Park. Christopher Miller, the partnership’s director of Chamber and Tourism Marketing, praised Rhone for her relentless efforts in promoting the cultural and historical identity of Renovo. Her work has played a vital role in enhancing the region’s appeal as both a destination and a place to live.
In her acceptance speech, Rhone expressed deep gratitude, acknowledging the support the Heritage Park has received. With a light-hearted moment, she referenced the clock engraved on the award, saying, “It’s Renovo time,” drawing warm applause from the audience.
The Frank D. O’Reilly Memorial Award, named after the former Lock Haven Express publisher and civic advocate, was presented to Army veteran David Harger, who served as interim CEO of the partnership over the past year without compensation. Jason Fitzgerald, current CEO of the CCEP, commended Harger for balancing this role with his business responsibilities and ongoing community involvement. Harger and his father, Dan Harger—who received the same honor in 2019—are now the first father-son duo to be recognized with the award.
Harger reflected on his military service and its continuation in civic duty, stating, “Service doesn’t end with a date and time. You put your energy into the community.”
The inaugural Michael Flanagan Excellence in Business Award was given to First Quality, a major employer in Clinton County. The honor recognizes businesses or individuals who have substantially influenced the local economy, contributed to job creation, or improved the regional business environment. Dave Harger noted Flanagan’s pivotal role in attracting companies like First Quality, Croda, and Terrapin to the area.
“Mike was deeply proud of bringing First Quality Tissue here,” Harger said, emphasizing the appropriateness of the company receiving the first award. First Quality employs nearly 2,000 people—about 5 percent of the county’s population—making it the largest employer in the region.
Bill Garbrick, director of operations at First Quality, accepted the award on behalf of the Damaghi family, the company’s founders, who were unable to attend. Garbrick read their prepared remarks, which expressed appreciation for Flanagan’s leadership and lasting contributions to economic development in Clinton County.
“The commitment to growth, business attraction, and community strengthening left an enduring legacy,” Garbrick said, “one that will continue to inspire future efforts.”
— news from lockhaven.com
— News Original —
Economic Partnership commends members; Unveils Michael Flanagan Excellence in Business Award
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. n nThe awards serve as a way to honor the people and organizations who have a broad community impact in the county. n nCarl Bergdahl Award n nEach 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. n nPresented 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. n nThis 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. n nRhone 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.” n nBefore 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. n nFrank D. O’Reilly n nMemorial Award n nNamed 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. n nThis 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. n n“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. n nWith this award, David and his father, Dan Harger (2019 recipient), become the first father-son pair to receive the honor. n n“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.” n nMichael Flanagan n nExcellence in n nBusiness Award n nA new honor was introduced at this year’s Clinton County Economic Partnership dinner — the Michael Flanagan Excellence in Business Award. n n“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. n nHarger said Flanagan, who passed just over a year ago, was instrumental in bringing many businesses to the county, including First Quality, Croda and Terrapin. n n“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.” n nAs Clinton County’s largest employer, the business provides jobs for nearly 2,000 people — roughly 5 percent of the county’s population. n nThe 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. n nThe 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. n n“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.”