New hires and promotions

Stephanie Price has been promoted to senior executive associate at Wessel & Company, Johnstown.

She joined the firm in 2016 and provides administrative support to the firm at its Johnstown, Ebensburg and Bedford offices, with special focus in our tax and CAS departments. Stephanie has experience and knowledge in the administrative field and assists with the processing of tax returns, payroll services, firm projects and events and client relations.

Krista Bassett has been promoted to executive associate at Wessel & Company, Johnstown.

She has an associate degree in specialized accounting and has several years’ experience working in administrative support roles at Cambria-Rowe Business College and Conemaugh Health System. She joined the firm in 2021 and is a member of the firm administration department. She has extensive experience and knowledge in the administrative field and assists with firm projects, events and manages staff as well as client relations.

Erica Miller has been promoted to executive assistant at Wessel & Company, Johnstown.

She joined the firm in 2022 and works in the tax department in the Cranberry office, providing administrative needs, including processing tax returns, 1099s and W2s. She also assists with firm projects, events and meetings, where she has recently undertaken the responsibility of preparing and presenting the monthly administrative meetings.

Jim Garver, an experienced workers’ compensation and Social Security disability attorney with deep roots in Western Pennsylvania, has joined Pond Lehocky Giordano’s legal practice. Garver will lead the firm’s new Altoona office, reinforcing the firm’s commitment to workers across Pennsylvania.

Garver has more than 25 years of experience advocating for injured workers. As a certified worker’s compensation specialist, he has experience representing both workers and employers, which helps him know what to expect during his clients’ cases at every turn. Garver also has a comprehensive understanding of Social Security disability systems. He most recently served as a worker’s compensation attorney at Edgar Snyder & Associates.

Awards and honors

Stephanie Turin of Greensburg (formerly of Altoona), professor of social work at Westmoreland County Community College, has been named as the recipient of the 2024-25 Outstanding Full-Time Faculty Teaching Award.

The award recognizes and honors a Westmoreland full-time faculty member who demonstrates excellence in the classroom, instructional innovation, contributions to the community and leadership with the college. Faculty are nominated by students and the winner is selected by a committee of their peers.

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.