By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

HOOVER–Dena Fore was named the 2014-2015 Hoover City Schools Employee of the Year at a Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Nov. 20.

Fore is a human resources analyst and has worked in the Hoover City School System for nine years.

Hoover City Schools Superintendent Andy Craig presented Fore’s award to her and recognized finalists for the 2014-2015 Employee of the Year: Bobbie Fancher, transportation; Brian Fancher, technology; and Stevie Yanko, guidance secretary at Spain Park High School.

Cadence Bank sponsored this year’s award.

The award has been presented since 1996 and focuses on the administrative and support personnel throughout the school system.

Since teachers have their own statewide recognition program each spring, they are not included in the program.

The winners of the Employee of the Year award are given an engraved plaque, and their name is engraved on a plaque in the administrative office lobby at the Hoover Board of Education.

Previous winners, from 1996 to present, include: Charlene Young, Jerry Davis, Rosemary Stroud, Brenda Ferrell, Carolyn Gibson, Pam Franklin, Rhonda McBay, Sotonia Williams, Chris Riney, Donna Henderson, Beth Tortorici, Jacqueline Smith, Mary Jo Powell, Connie Fields, Darlene Sommers, Brenda Butters and Charles Crowder.

Craig also gave a “State of the School System” address at the luncheon.

“We’ve tried to stay well-positioned through the years,” Craig said as he referenced the economic downturn that hit several years ago. “I’m very proud we’ve been very agile, and very adaptive, as an organization. The success of this organization is rooted in this community.”

Craig recently accepted a position with the Alabama Department of Education to be the new deputy state superintendent of administration and finance after he resigns as Hoover’s superintendent.

Craig became Hoover City Schools’ assistant superintendent of finance in 2001and was named superintendent in 2007.

“When I came here, it was a leap of faith for my family,” he said. “It’s been an incredible, rewarding 13 years in Hoover. I’m going to take a leap of faith in a couple months. I’ve always said this is a people business, and we’ve got the best in Hoover.”