Pam Yee Reaches Career Milestone: 50 Years at Employment Horizons

It’s an impressive milestone that’s almost unheard of in today’s career landscape—Whippany resident Pam Yee is celebrating 50 years of employment with Employment Horizons, the premier nonprofit that provides job training and placement services to individuals with disabilities in Northern New Jersey.

In 1975, Pam and her family were seeking a supportive environment to find meaningful, enjoyable work. Although job opportunities for individuals with disabilities were especially scarce, they found the right fit at Employment Horizons, then known as the Occupational Training Center for the Handicapped. Pam worked with a job coach, Liz DeCamp, who helped her secure a salon assistant position at Little Hair House, a salon in Denville. Her duties included cleaning, doing laundry, and making coffee. DeCamp, now the organization’s Manager of Career Development Services, says, “Pam was and continues to be a ray of sunshine—always smiling, always happy to be there.”

Lisa Montalbano, now CEO of Employment Horizons, also worked as Pam’s job coach and remembers Pam’s ability to make personal connections with customers. “Pam worked independently and rarely needed much instruction,” Lisa says. “She was called "The Mayor" because, over time, Pam knew and loved all the customers, and they loved her!”

Later in her career, Pam joined the fulfillment center team at Employment Horizons’ Cedar Knolls facility, where she currently handles packaging and assembly work. Pam’s skills, enthusiasm, and outgoing personality have made her an outstanding employee, and her supervisors report that Pam has an abundance of energy and always seems to be in a good mood. Her infectious laugh is heard often, and she is quick to strike up a conversation with a coworker or visitor. As Employment Horizons’ longest-tenured employee, Pam’s friendly nature and sense of humor have helped shape the warm, welcoming environment that she values so much—and according to Pam, that community spirit is the best part of the job. Pam says, “My favorite part about working here is the staff, the friends I work with, and the fun events!”

Pam’s career achievement was recently celebrated at Employment Horizons’ Annual Recognition Dinner that honors individuals with disabilities served by Employment Horizons that have reached their vocational goals; over 200 attendees cheered as Pam received the Gold Star Award for her impressive career.

Founded in 1957, Employment Horizons is an innovative nonprofit agency offering vocational training and placement programs for individuals with disabilities. To learn more about Employment Horizons, visit www.ehorizons.org or contact Karen Rynearson at krynearson@ehorizons.org.