ERIE – The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA), in conjunction with the MBA Business Magazine, announced that Stella LaPaglia, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, GBA, has been named the MBA’s 2023 HR Person of the Year at the Association’s annual HR Conference held on Wednesday, November 8, at the Bayfront Convention Center, 1 Sassafras Pier. The daylong event brought together one of the largest HR audiences in the region — both in person and online.
LaPaglia, who is the senior vice president of Human Resources at Marquette Savings Bank in Erie, is also the first recipient of the MBA’s HR Person of Year Award. The inaugural award is based on total votes received from MBA member companies – including owners and employees – from September 29 through October 13 online at mbabizmag.com.
Among the nominees, based on nominations received from MBA members in August, were:
• Christopher Holmberg of Curtze Food Service
• Deana Burge of Bethesda Lutheran Services
• Mary Barr of Sarah A. Reed Children’s Center
• Jennifer Tshudy of American Turned Products
• Kerry Lewis of SEPCO-Erie
• Shannon Huddleston of Plyler Enterprises
• Stella LaPaglia of Marquette Savings Bank
LaPaglia, who has more than 30 years of HR experience, not only received the most votes from MBA members but also received three nominations from peers within the HR field. She was hired as the very first HR professional at Marquette and in her current role as senior vice president of Human Resources, she provides strategic HR leadership that directly contributes to the successful achievement of functional and business objectives.
“We are thrilled to recognize Stella’s achievements in HR and among her peers,” said MBA President and CEO Lori Joint. “HR is often behind the scenes making sure that things are running smoothly, and we are proud to celebrate Stella, her fellow nominees and all the HR professionals who help our member companies succeed.”
2023 HR Conference event sponsors included: ECCA Payroll+, Steptoe & Johnson, Knox Law, Widget Financial, Vision Benefits of America, Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Occupational Health, the Erie County Community College, United Concordia Dental and Gerlach’s Garden & Floral.
For more information about the MBA or MBA Business Magazine, visit mbausa.org or mbabizmag.com.
