Uniontown’s Reggi Witsaman elected chair of Ohio PERI board

Ohio retirees who receive pensions from government employers have elected Reggi Witsaman of Uniontown as chair of their professional organization. Witsaman won a close election against John DiPietro of Montgomery County to become board chair of PERI (Public Employee Retirees Inc.).

She was installed as chair on Monday, Sept. 29, at a statewide meeting at Nationwide Hotel & Conference Center in Lewis Center, near Columbus. A two-year member of the PERI board, District 11 representative and former secretary of PERI Chapter 20 in Stark County, Witsaman will serve a two-year term as state board chair.

Witsaman worked for Kent State University for 45 years, both full and part time. She began as a student worker in library science before starting her full-time career as a foreign student admissions specialist in the Graduate College. She later served as office manager in the Alumni Office and ended her full-time career as assistant to the dean in the College of Arts & Sciences. After retiring with 30 years of full-time service, she worked part time in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

The next luncheon for local PERI members is Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 11:30 a.m. at La Pizzaria Restaurant in Jackson Township. Reservations are required by Oct. 7 by calling 330-265-4117. Menu options include roast pork with mashed potatoes, gravy and a side salad; penne pasta with meatballs and a side salad; or a large chef salad with or without chicken.

The luncheon will feature a presentation by the Better Business Bureau of Stark County on avoiding scams and a report on the Sept. 29 PERI state meeting.

The event is open to all OPERS retirees residing in Stark County or surrounding counties. More information is available at operi.org.