New vice president of operations starts at P.I.

There is a new face at Progress Industries. Laurie Doyon took over the office of Vice President of Operations after 29-year employee Dave McClurg retired.

Doyon is a veteran in the field having started out as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home before becoming an activity director where she worked primarily with the elderly but also with people with special needs. From there, she went on to manage an independent living facility before going back to school to get her master’s in public administration to go along with her degree in psychology and human services. She wasn’t looking for a career change, but knew she had more to give to the field.

“I wasn’t using my skills and abilities to their full potential, and so I was looking for opportunities to do just that. I heard nothing but good, good things about (Progress Industries) and just really felt that with the mission of teaching and supporting people with disabilities to live more independently, and their core values of  integrity and excellence, my passion for people fit right in,” Doyon said.

“We are excited about Laurie’s arrival. She brings a wealth of experience having worked in our field for several years,” said Dan Skokan, President/CEO of Progress Industries.

“Changes in leadership can create anxiety in an organization but it usually creates opportunity. We are looking forward to Laurie’s leadership role at Progress Industries,” Skokan said.

Doyon’s has been drawn to help people since an early age.

“I have that passion for people, that came all the way back from growing up and being around my great-great-grandmother. As a CNA, you are really focused on an individual’s physical needs. I wanted to be able to look at the person more as a whole and really engage people in life. That is where my focus has been in all along; to assist people in living life as independently as they can, making their own choices and defining what their lifestyle is going to be,” Doyon said.

She found that Progress Industries is a place that has the same passion as she does and fits with her desire want to help people live the best life they can.

“It is such a positive and uplifting environment, everybody is really engaged with great relationships and happy to be part of PI,” Doyon said.

While she is still getting her bearings, having just started her new position, Doyon also is focusing on the future.

“In the world of human services it is ever changing, in order to stay at the top of our game and on the cutting edge you always need to be looking to the future and being proactive to determine where everything is going and how you can best meet the needs of the people you are serving,” Doyon said.

Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.