The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that Denise Jones has been named the 2022 Citizen of the Year.
Denise’s service to Venango County began more than 40 years ago, where she served for 24 of those years as Chief Clerk/County Administrator of Venango County, until her retirement in May of 2016.
While she demonstrated outstanding work ethic that won her the respect of generations of local leadership, she also stepped out of her daily work to serve as a leader throughout the community. It is clear from the letters in support of her nomination that Denise has a heart for community service, having been involved in an abundance of community organizations, many for decades, and often rising to the position of president or chairperson of these boards.
Among them are the League of Women Voters, Community Action Advisory Board, the American Red Cross, Family Service and Children’s Aid Society, UPMC Northwest, The Northwest Hospital Foundation, Child Development Centers, Inc., The Venango County STOP Violence Against Women Coalition, Together We Can, Bridge Builders Community Foundation, Franklin Area School District Community Engagement Committee, New Life Family Worship Center, and the Williams Family Caregivers Foundation.
In one of the nomination letters, it was noted that as a strong leader she has consistently made effective decisions, communicated well, and had a strategic vision for the community. Another letter noted Denise is a person to admire for her respect among friends, neighbors, and associates.
She has demonstrated a long-term commitment to the community for being there when needed and for helping others to achieve. “Denise is the person you want on your board or committee as she is the person who says ‘Sure, I’ll help – what do we need to do?’ and then does it,” one letter said. She has made Venango County her home, her life, and she cares about the future of our region, and whatever she can do to make it better.
She, along with her siblings, founded the George and Marjorie Williams Foundation, which gives aid to caregivers. She has remained active and is involved in several civic organizations, currently serving as the Administrative Assistant at the New Life Family Worship Center.
Denise is the “go-to person” for all church business matters. At present, she is helping to form a non-profit organization, Together We Can, to promote acceptance and diversity in the community. Denise is a 1972 Graduate of Oil City High School and was honored to serve as the commencement speaker at the 2022 OCHS Graduation Ceremony. She has resided in Franklin for 40 years and was recently appointed as one of the Honorable Knights by the Franklin Area School Board, with the goal of helping to provide a support system whereby students can enjoy a welcoming environment that promotes learning.
Denise is a devoted wife and mother. She and her husband, Russ, have two adult children, Charles and Michelle, and a large extended family, deeply rooted over multiple generations in Venango County. Denise’s diverse and extensive public service and community volunteerism is a testament to a lifetime of consistent civic leadership.
Denise Jones continues to dedicate her life to making a positive difference in the well-being of others. Her strong moral character is abundantly evident to all who know her as she works tirelessly to improve and preserve our community.
Congratulations Denise!
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 AWARD WINNERS:
We are looking forward to our Annual Dinner, where in addition to Denise Jones, we will also be celebrating our Business of the Year – Klapec Trucking Company, our Partner in Business of the Year – Oil Region Library Association, and our Volunteer of the Year (to be announced that evening). Read more about our Business and Partner in next month’s issue of VenangoWorks!
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s January 2023 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.