Oct 24, 2025
3 min read
Mill Hall - Our community community will be fulfilled for their contributions to the Clinton County Ecenamy in the year's city hall.
Economic partnership respects professionals;Michael Flangangan was honored by the business
MILL HALL - Three community leaders were honored for their contributions to the Clinton County economy at the annual Clinton County Economic Partnership Dinner, held in the Haywoods Ballroom on the Green Wednesday night.
Along with the long-standing Carl Bergdahl Award for Tourism Promotion and the Frank D. O'Reilly Memorial Award for Community Service, the partnership introduced a new award this year: the Michael Flanagan Award for Excellence in Business.The award was created in honor of the late Flanagan, who served as CCEP's President/CEO until his death in September 2024.
The awards serve as a way to honor individuals and organizations with broad community influence in the state.
Carl bergdahl taui
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.
The award, presented by the partnership's director of marketing for the chamber and tourism, Christopher Miller, recognizes a cornerstone of the Renovo community.
Kulo nyaka, intsebenziswano eyamkelekileyo uMary George Rhone, uMongameli weLifa leMveli enkulu yeLifa leMveli.He was chosen for his long-term commitment to increasing the cultural and public profile of the renovo - an effort that has led to a direct contribution to the city's growing reputation as a place to visit and live.
Rhone thanked the economic partnership for their continued support of their community, saying, "The economic partnership has been great with Heritage Park, with Renovo ... thank you very much - I'm very excited."
Before leaving the podium, she pointed to the award clock with a smile and said, "This award has a clock... it's time for Renovo," a remark that drew applause with humor and hope.
Frank D. O'Reilly
Named after the former editor of the Lock Haven Express and longtime community activist, the Frank D. O'Reilly Memorial Award is presented annually by the Economic Association to an individual who has made significant contributions to the organization and the community.
This year, the award went to a person closely associated with the partnership and jewelry veteran Davey Dever, who served as the organization's CEO last year.
“What impressed me the most was that Dave did this for a year without getting paid.running a business and contributing in so many other ways,” said Jason Fitzgerald, CEO of the Partnership, as he presented Harger with a plaque.
With this award, David and his father, Dan Harger (2019 recipient), become the first father-son duo to receive the honor.
“Service does not end with a day and a time,” Harger said in his acceptance speech."It doesn't just end when I get out of the military. So where do you put your energy to get through the Army? You put it in the community."
A new honor was presented at this year's Clinton County Economic Association Dinner: the Michael Flanagan Award for Business Excellence.
For the past 16 years, as a CENTON County Business Associate, I have honored CEO CEO.
Harger, who died a year ago, said he was wealthy from many businesses in the area, including First Quality, Croda and Terrapin.
"Mike did an incredible job getting the first quality network," Penerama said.
As Clinton County's largest employer, the company employs nearly 2,000 people — about 5 percent of the county's population.
The award was accepted by Bill Garbrick, director of operations for First Quality, as the Damaghi family, the company's founders, were unable to attend.They had prepared remarks that Garbrick read on their behalf.
The Damadi family explained the partnership of the invitation, noted the work and dedication required to host the event and praised the organization's role in Clinton County.
"Quality First appreciates Mike's outstanding leadership, his commitment to promoting economic growth and fostering economic growth, attracting new businesses and strengthening Clinton County," Garbrichter said.
