EAST FRANKLIN TWP, Armstrong County — Penn United Technologies, based in Jefferson Township, was honored with the Employer of the Year Award in Butler County by the Tri-County Workforce Investment Board at its annual breakfast and meeting Dec. 9 at the Kittanning Country Club.

TCWIB, which is comprised of 37 volunteer community leaders from Armstrong, Butler and Indiana counties, chose the winners for the three counties, based on the employers’ efforts to support and utilize the local work force development system in relation to industry partnerships, such as PA CareerLink and Career T.R.A.C.K.

The Armstrong County Employer of the Year was Kensington High Performance Products in Parks Township near Vandergrift, which manufactures vinyl replacement windows.

The Indiana County Employer of the Year was The Reschini Group, located in Indiana Borough. The Reschini Group is an independent insurance brokerage and consulting firm.

There were 14 total nominations for employer of the year award in all three counties.

“All the companies were excellent nominations and it wasn’t easy for any of us on the selection committee to make this decision. But we’re very proud of all the nominations,” said Phillip Tack, Tri-County WIB selection committee chairman.

“I’d like to thank the WIB. Some of the programs we offer, we can’t do without their support and encouragement,” Penn United Training Coordinator Scott Covert said.

Throughout the year, Penn United employees contribute time and money to local several charities.

Jim McKain, Penn United human resources manager, said the company is proud of its employees, who work under an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

“The company is really just a legal document or a piece of paper. It’s really about the people,” McKain said. “It’s a great honor. It shows what our company is all about. We have leadership that lets us contribute to the community in a lot of different ways. We have a great work force that jumps on board and I can honestly say, we have a lot of generous people.”

The company was also honored for its involvement in the Butler County Manufacturing Consortium and as a registered user of PA CareerLink and JobGateway.