Fort Edward, New York– Irving Tissue Fort Edward was recently awarded an Outstanding Business Partner Award from the Washington-Saratoga-Warren-Hamilton-Essex (WSWHE) Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) for its commitment to supporting the Fort Edward Union Free School District. The award was presented at the WSWHE BOCES Legislative Breakfast on January 11, 2019.

The WSWHE BOCES provides cost-effective shared educational programs and services that complement component school districts in strengthening the quality of living and learning in their communities. They introduce students of all age levels and abilities to opportunities they may not have been aware of otherwise. 

The Outstanding Business Partner Award recognizes companies who provide human capital to supply students in the Fort Edward School District and Career and Technical Education programs with meaningful experiences.

From left to right: Fred Baxstrome, Purchasing Manager, Irving Tissue Fort Edward; Wayne McDonald, VP Corporate Relations, J.D. Irving Limited; Tracy Podnorszki, HR Manager, Irving Tissue Fort Edward; John Andrus, Converting Folded Process Leader & Chair of the Community Fund Committee, Irving Tissue Fort Edward; Thomas Roche, School Board President, Fort Edward Union Free School; and Daniel Ward, Superintendent, Fort Edward Union Free School

“We’re pleased to recognize the efforts of Irving Tissue Fort Edward for encouraging innovation and allowing students to be prepared to work in manufacturing careers,” said Daniel Ward, Fort Edward Union Free School Superintendent. “Their contributions to our students will enable them to become successful employees.”

In addition to being highly involved in WSWHE BOCES Career and Technical Education programs, Irving Tissue Fort Edward contributed to an after-school homework space and equipment for a school robotics program. For the past eight years, they provided full funding for the district’s Homework Club, which provides elementary students a safe and supervised opportunity to work with teachers on their homework. 

“We are honored to partner with the Fort Edward Union Free School District to support student success,” said Tracy Podnorszki, HR Manager, Irving Tissue Fort Edward. “As a company, we embrace the opportunity to encourage and prepare students for their future careers and aspirations as skilled workers.” Irving Tissue is a key business partner for the Advanced Manufacturing Day through the BOCES PTECH Program. Students are offered tours of the plant, hands-on demonstrations, presentations and keynote speakers who are recognized in the field. 

Irving Consumer Products is one of North America's leading manufacturers of household paper and baby diaper products. Irving Consumer Products companies include Irving Tissue and Irving Personal Care. Irving Tissue produces premium household store brand paper products for many of North America's top retailers, in addition to some of the top-selling tissue brands in the marketplace. Read more at www.irvingconsumerproducts.com.