Oklahoma City Resident Receives Commendation from Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma City resident Mark Emery received a commendation from Governor Mary Fallin on Nov. 10 during the Governor's Disability Employment Awards at the Governor's Mansion in Oklahoma City.

Known as Mr. Wal-Mart, Mark Emery has worked at the Wal-Mart in Oklahoma City at Northwest Highway and Council Road for more than 11 years. At 52, Emery loves his work and assists customers with loading items in their cars while collecting carts. Over time, Emery has become more proactive in asking customers if they need assistance. Managers at the store have given Mark a walkie-talkie so he can be contacted when he is in the parking lot to assist with carry-outs. He has also become more outgoing. If a customer's child is crying, he will try ask what is wrong and try to comfort the child. Emery has never complained about his job even in the heat, cold, rain or on holidays. He has received several pay increases as well as letters of achievement and his fellow employees are very supportive of him.

"Employees and businesses like these place Oklahoma at the forefront as leaders for employing people with disabilities," said Howard Hendrick, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

"Oklahoma is committed to assisting people with developmental disabilities find competitive jobs and become working taxpayers," said Hendrick. "Today, 60 percent of individuals with developmental disabilities served by the OKDHS Developmental Disabilities Services Division participate in supported employment services."

The Governor's Disability Employment Awards are co-sponsored by Governor Fallin along with the Developmental Disabilities Services Division (DDSD) of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS), the Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Oklahoma Association of Persons in Supported Employment.

Editors Note: To see Oklahoma's ranking as compared to other states in regard to the number of persons with developmental disabilities in competitive jobs (supported employment) go to www.statedata.info (link opens in new window).

###

Mark Emery receives a Governor's Commendation from OKDHS Director Howard Hendrick for his outstanding work at Wal-Mart. The award was presented during the Governor's Disability Employment Awards of Excellence at the Governor's Mansion on Nov. 10, 2011.