Region’s Workforce Honored at Torch Awards
CENTRAL TEXAS — Twenty-two individuals, businesses, and community organizations from a seven county were honored at the Workforce Solutions of Central Texas 34th Annual Torch Awards Luncheon at the Killeen Civic and Conference Center on Friday, October 28, 2022. The event engaged an audience of more than 300 people.
“This event celebrates the best of Central Texas. It tells the success stories of our outstanding job seekers, businesses, and community partners,” said Susan Kamas, Executive Director for Workforce Solutions of Central Texas.
As part of the celebration, students from Killeen Independent School District and Temple Independent School District participated in and supported the event honoring the award recipients. KISD Career Center AV production students setup and managed all the production aspects, including running the cameras and playing the music. Temple ISD manufacturing students designed and manufactured all the awards.
Kamas, along with Texas Workforce Commission Chairman Bryan Daniel and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas Board Chair Kevin Roberts presented awards to the honorees. Each honoree also received a Congressional Recognition Certificate from Congressman John Carter.
2022 TORCH AWARD WINNERS
Personal Achievement Award
Crystal Chukwunta
Brandon Troy Cummings
Amadaleez Garcia Flores
Susan Howald
William McKnight
Trudy Perry
Rochelle Russell-Odom
Torch Bearer Award
Kristen Smith
Amanda Thompson
Community Partner Award
Janice Roberson
Prison Fellowship Ministries
Sohn Stancell, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Employer of the Year Award
General Motors, Shifting Gears Program
Love and Learning Center of Milam County
MooreCo, Inc
Yahweh’s Learning Center
Professional of the Year Award
Bob Gear
Karla and Bobby Jurado
Cynthia Zapata
Distinguished Service Award
Mary Kliewer
Tama Shaw
Martha Tyroch
Leadership Award
Judge Steve Young, Milam County
