FRANKLIN TWP — A banker known as much for her contributions to the community as her professional achievements was recognized Thursday afternoon as the 2015 Employee of the Year.

Aubery Hulings, vice president of operations for the Farmers National Bank of Emlenton, was shocked when her name was called during the Butler County Chamber of Commerce's 21st annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon at The Atrium.

“If my voice sounds trembly, it's because I'm beyond honored, and I'll try not to cry,” she said.

“I thought I was here for another co-worker, and she didn't show up, and I thought, 'This is going to be awkward,'” she joked.

She continued, “Working at Farmers National Bank, they are my family. I say this, and I mean it: It's my life.

“I truly appreciate everything that they do and everything that the company has ever done for me. I have so many people to thank, so I won't even get into that.”

Sponsored annually by Butler Health System, the award recognizes an outstanding employee at a county business.

More than 100 people from local employers attended the lunch.

Recipients are nominated by co-workers and selected by past recipients and chamber board members.

Hulings of Knox, Clarion County, has worked for Farmers since 2001, when she started as a part-time teller while attending Clarion University.

Recognizing her potential, she said Farmers helped her earn her bachelor's degree in finance.

In her current role, she oversees aspects of the institution's deposits, consumer loan and compliance departments.

Co-2014 Employee of the Year recipients Brenda Campbell of Chicora Medical Center and Donna Haid of Butler Health System presented the award to Hulings, reading parts of Roxbury's nomination letter.

“Over the years if there was a need in any area of the bank, Aubery was the first person identified to help make the necessary changes to advance our organization.

“A gift that Aubery possesses is that she truly cares about the success of each of the bank's employees and the success of the bank as a whole. She consistently looks for opportunities to lift someone up, advance someone's career or help develop another employee. Possibly more notably, she will sacrifice her own personal needs to make sure the bank can ultimately serve the needs of our customers.”

In addition to Hulings' duties at the bank, she volunteers for a number of organizations.

She has served on the Butler County Chamber's board of directors for many years and is this year's board chairman.

She founded the Butler County Young Professionals, a chamber affiliate, about six years ago to provide networking and social opportunities for other young professionals.

Other past recipients of the Employee of the Year Award are:

2013: Judy Connelly of Good Samaritan Hospice (with Butler VNA Inpatient Hospice at time of recognition)

2012: Alice Lunn of the Butler Eagle and Lexie Jones of Butler County Community College

2011: Becky Traggiai of Community Care Connections

2010: Rebecca Swartzentruber of Trinity Living Center and Benjamin Kline of Keystone Specialties

2009: Debbie Sinz of Butler Health System

2008: Becky Craig of Sonneborn

2007: John Brock of Stantec (firm was named Burt Hill at time of recognition)

2006: Tammy Schuey of the Butler Eagle

2005: Jennifer Roxbury of Farmers National Bank (with NexTier Bank at time of recognition)

Additional event sponsors were The Atrium, Medure's Catering and the Butler Eagle.