October 24, 2024

Employment Security Department

The Governor's Committee on Disability Issues & Employment (GCDE) recently honored 10 Washington employers for their work recruiting, hiring, retaining and advancing workers with disabilities. They honored small employers (one to 99 employees), medium-sized employers (100 to 499 employees) and large employers (500 to more than 2,000 employees). Recipients of the 2024 Governor's Employer Awards Program are: Mr. Fix Auto Service, Grandview, Youth Employer of the Year; Central Washington Disability Resources, Ellensburg, Small Nonprofit Employer of the Year; Washington Vocational Resources, Everett, Small Nonprofit Employer of the Year; The Hearthstone at Green Lake, Seattle, Medium Nonprofit Employer of the Year; Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Large Nonprofit Employer of the Year; ProStar Insurance, Bothell, Small Private Employer of the Year; POSDATA Group, Gig Harbor, Small Private Employer of the Year; Allegro Pediatrics, Bellevue, Medium Private Employer of the Year; Red Robin (Division 3 Marketing Team 2), Federal Way, Large Private Employer of the Year; and Hanford Mission Integration Solutions, Richland, Large Private Employer of the Year. The committee also acknowledged Renae Voth with the Direct Support Professional of the Year Award. Voth is an employment consultant in the Skagit County office of Washington Vocational Services. Washington businesses, agencies, organizations and individuals submitted the nominations, and a panel of GCDE members, business representatives and previous award recipients selected this year's honorees. The GCDE advises the governor, Legislature, state agencies and other policy makers on issues important to people with disabilities.