Stephen Fries

Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board Welcomes
Steve Fries as Interim Executive Director

Lancaster, PA (March 10, 2015) – The Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board (WIB) is pleased to welcome Steve Fries as its interim executive director.
In his position, Fries is responsible for representing the WIB at stakeholder meetings, coordinating training for the organization and seeking and writing grants, as well as supervising and advising the WIB staff.
Fries brings more than 30 years of experience to the position. He currently serves as an instructor of business and economics at five local colleges and universities. Prior to joining the WIB’s staff, he was the manager of human resources development and communications at Alcoa – retiring from the organization in 2013 after serving 40 years. He also served on the WIB’s Board of Directors for 12 years during which he was vice chair and chair.
?Fries earned his B.S. and M.A. in business from Penn State University.
-30-
The mission of the Lancaster County Workforce Investment Board is to coordinate, develop, and maintain an effective and responsive system of programs and services that integrates the needs of employers for an ample and productive workforce with the needs of Lancaster County residents for meaningful work that enhances their quality of life.

Along with my Alcoa job, I am also an instructor in management and economics at several Lancaster County colleges.

Michele and I still frequently visit Altoona to visit our parents.

I retired from Alcoa, following is the retirement announcement:

Effective January 1, 2014, Steve Fries will retire after more than 40 years of service to Lancaster. Steve began his Alcoa career in October 1973, as a Customer Service Representative. He progressed up the ranks in various Inside Sales, Technical Services and Human Resource positions, until he was promoted in January 1995 to Manager HR Development and Communciations. Steve has been instrumental in many efforts during his time at Alcoa Lancaster Operations. Steve is passionate about employee development and demonstrates that through coaching others and a commitment to training and professional development inside and outside the workplace. He serves as an ambassador to the community through his dedication to the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Work Force Investment Board and service to many other community agencies. In recent years, Steve has been a key contributor to the development of Advancing Supervisory Excellence programs and facilitation as well as employee selection and assessment tools used across Alcoa. For his retirement, Steve and his wife Michele will enjoy their family and the Lancaster community. Steve plans to continue sharing his professional experience through teaching at local universities and colleges.

Eldorado

RJHS

Many times I think about making that enjoyable fall walk from the high school to Mansion Park.

I have two strong recollections - both involve John "Shaf" Shaffer.
One is the time in Mr. R's 12th grade Trig class. Mr. R decided Shaf had earned a smack with his well used paddle. After reaching the smack, Shaf ran to the widow and stuck his butt out the window to cool it off. Mr. R thought Shaf was going to jump.
The other is Shaf leading his famous "Na na na na" cheer at the boys baskrtball games from the top of the Mosque stands.
One other "event" that I recall is the comb and wax paper kazoo -off between Steve "Sauce" Sauers and Bob "King-Lou" King contested in the auditorium before school started. I think it was 10th grade. And, I think we convinced Mr. R. to be the judge. Talk about sophmoric. But, very much fun and funny.