Plover company receives Wisconsin Exemplary Business Award

By Katelyn Voorhies/Kris Leonhardt

PLOVER – On Oct. 19, Plover’s RRD, formerly RR Donnelley, received the State of Wisconsin Exemplary Business Award.

The Wisconsin DWD’s vocational rehab division (DVR) presented the company with the honor for its commitment to recognizing the employment needs of those with disabilities.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and DVR Business Services Consultant Peter Gelhar said that the company was being honored for “exemplifying NDEAM ideals in Wisconsin.”

“We pick out employers from across the state and this year I believe we are doing 15 different presentations, so it is a very select few and it is something that RRD should be really proud of,” Gelhar added.

“Everyone wants to work; people with disabilities want to work, it gives them a sense of value. It helps both of them feel a sense of belonging and pride; it helps their families also and the community. The community is richer for the diversity that we can find in our workplace,” Delora Newton, administrator of DVR, stated.

“Why not hire people who are talented and bring the various things to the workplace, who want to work, who are loyal, who show up, who do a great job.”

“We could not do this without the assistance of our community business partners, through the Portage County Business Council, the contacts at ODC, GOALS, DVR. They all help to bring these amazing workers to us and help us ask those questions. Here at RRD, we want to create a place where everyone belongs. And, we have great leaders here who are open to being inclusive and asking those questions. How can we make it a place everyone can belong,” Amy Pinkalla, RRD human resource manager, explained.

“We want to be a role model for the community.”