My father, Frank Abel, started our company in 1969. He and my mother set the standards for our company – the sense of fairness, the sense of treating all the way we would want to be treated, and setting the business ethics and values.

I learned much about the business from him, and he learned about technology from me. My father pushed me out of my comfort zone in marketing, but mostly he taught me how to treat employees, how to make sure the smallest suppliers get paid the fastest, how small things can make an enormous difference in the lives of others, and how to be forthright in business relationships, and do what is best for all parties in the long run.

My father had a true interest and concern for people. Whether they were employees where he delivered paychecks or a person sitting next to him in a waiting area, he would start a conversation with a complete stranger. He asked questions about their lives and they immediately sensed his genuine interest and warmth. Many days in the office, I would marvel at seeing my dad, and thinking how fortunate it was, that I could work with him every day.

He had retired, but continued to serve on our Board of Directors. He always provided sage advice, and was a warm, caring presence for staff when he visited the office. We had been planning a celebration of our 50th anniversary and are deeply saddened that he will not be there to join us. My dad and our family were very lucky in the quality of his life for 92 years.

Cynthia Stoltzfus, started as my friend. I met her many years ago when she was in the banking industry, and always thought she would be excellent in our business. Eventually, she was offered an opportunity with a Lancaster based Recruiting firm, and found she was a natural recruiter. She had a talent for it, and loved the work. It was an expression of her personality to help companies and people find each other. She returned to banking for a bit, and then our company had the opportunity to have her on our team.

She was very talented and capable as an Executive Recruiter. She enjoyed her work and cared deeply about her candidates and clients. She was a born recruiter and knew how to search and identify highly capable candidates, how to prepare them for presentations and interviews. With her business clients, she was thorough, responsive and caring. Cynthia displayed her high level of dedication and integrity in all her work. We had hoped Cynthia could recover and return from her leave. Shock and heartbreak are the words which describe the impact of her passing on our team.

These losses cut deeply, but the depth of our sadness is a measure of the richness of the relationship with those we have lost. We are truly grateful for the presence in our lives.

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