Two local individuals and two area businesses were honored at the 20th Annual Governor's Disability Employment Awards Ceremonies at the Governor's Mansion November 8th .

Jared Blackley, Beggs, received the Governor's Award for Outstanding Achievements in Employment, as did Matthew Elliott, Cushing. Blackley and Elliott are clients of the Supported Employment program at Central Technology Center .

Wal-Mart of Cushing and Albertson's Grocery of Tulsa were honored for hiring persons with disabilities and enabling them to succeed in the workplace. Both businesses work closely with Central Tech to provide employment for clients of the Supported Employment programs at Central Tech's Drumright and Sapulpa campuses.

Blackley is a courtesy clerk at Albertsons East 80th street store where he has demonstrated outstanding performance in reliability and accountability as well as his communications skills and community service.

Elliott is employed as a dishwasher at the Pizza Hut in Cushing where he has proven himself to be a valuable and dependable employee. Assistance through the Supported Employment program has allowed Elliott to achieve financial independence and gain self-confidence.

Store director Gary Hathcock accepted the Governor's Award for Albertson's where the grocery chain was honored for utilizing the skills and developing the potential of persons with disabilities.

Store Manager Yvain Bro accepted the Governor's Award for the Cushing Wal-Mart store where two clients of the SE program have been employed for 13 years. Store personnel work closely with the Central Tech employment staff in training supported employees and the employees are given opportunities to try different positions and advance as they are ready.