Dungarvin team members and leaders recently gathered to celebrate Dungarvin Oklahoma State Director Karla Jones’ 25-year Milestone Anniversary with the organization. The group enjoyed a dinner at McClintock Saloon & Chop House in Oklahoma City. Also in attendance were Karla’s siblings and their spouses, Karla’s partner Lisa and Dungarvin CEO Lori Kress.
Several people spoke of Karla’s excellent leadership skills, including her ability to guide her team through challenging times, while also honoring and celebrating the team’s many successes.
“Karla is a compassionate, supportive and focused leader who listens to team members,” said Karin Stockwell, Dungarvin’s Central Regional Director. “She is clear with her expectations that the job must get done to care for and support the people we serve. Karla personifies positivity and optimism; there is always a way through and a goal to be met. She knows every person served and supported by her staff, and is deeply rooted in her values to improve the lives of others and to be there through thick and thin. The success of Dungarvin Oklahoma would not have been possible without her leadership, as well as the commitment of her team.”
Karla started with Dungarvin in 2001 as a Program Director, and in 2008 moved into the position of Area Director. She become the Oklahoma State Director in 2019. She said she feel at home with Dungarvin.
“I feel immensely proud of our Oklahoma team. Their resilience, talents and skills amaze me daily. I have always maintained that I thought Dungarvin was a good fit for me, and since day one, I have felt supported by our local team, our Regional team and our National Central Office leaders.
“Overwhelmingly, it is the relationships with those we support, their families, all of the Direct Support Professionals and our operations team that has grounded me here, not to mention a plethora of other folks that have crossed my path, including the Oklahoma Developmental Disabilities Services staff and other advocates,” Karla added.
In honor of her years of service, Karla received a special 25-year clock, and other gifts related to her passions for bird-watching and rockhounding. In addition, Hailey Huffman, Training Development Supervisior, presented Karla with a framed cross-stitched “25-Year Dungarvin” plaque, signed by her colleagues.
Karla’s Dungarvin family in our operations around the country congratulates her on this amazing Milestone!