New hires and promotions

Alice Lyn Oswald has been promoted to the Altoona Community Theatre’s newly created Marketing and Events Coordinator position.

Oswald, an Altoona native, is a graduate of Penn State University in Integrative Arts: Theatre Arts. Before being hired at ACT in 2021 as the bookkeeper/administrative assistant, she was a volunteer with the organization for ten years.

As the marketing and events coordinator, Oswald is responsible for developing promotional materials and overseeing the marketing campaigns for the organization’s mainstage productions and special programs, managing ACT’s social media channels, and serving as the general volunteer coordinator.

Awards and honors

Dennis Beck, Cambria County Conservation District director, has been elected president of the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.

Previously, Beck served as the association’s first vice president and second vice president. He also served as chairman of the Cambria County Conservation District for 12 years, chaired the Trout Run Watershed Association for 23 years, and chaired the Western PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation for 20 years.

John Gilliland, CEO of The Investment Real Estate Group of Companies, York, has been recognized with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award by Tyrone Area High School. This prestigious award acknowledges graduates who have significantly impacted society and brought honor to their alma mater through their professional achievements and philanthropic efforts.

Gilliland, a national leader and visionary in the self-storage industry, has driven the growth of IREGC to over 100 employees across various sectors including acquisitions, construction, development, insurance, property management and asset management. IREGC boasts a portfolio of over 80 properties in nine states throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest regions. In recognition of his leadership and achievements, Gilliland was inducted into the Pennsylvania Self Storage Hall of Fame and the National Self Storage Association Hall of Fame.

John Dryzal, district manager of Cambria County, and Mark Stockley, resource conservation supervisor of Cambria County, recently received Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards from the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts.

The Conservation District Employee Service Recognition Awards recognize conservation district employees for their years of dedication to conserving Pennsylvania’s natural resources.

Both Dryzal and Stockley have 30 years of service.

Submissions for Workplace can be sent to Walt Frank at wfrank@altoonamirror.com. Please include the name of the individual, his/her present address, original hometown and high school and college from where he/she graduated, and information about the person’s accomplishment.