Celebrating Deb Heskett: A Legacy of Dedication at YCDC

Deb Heskett, a long-time employee of YCDC, will be retiring on May 31st of this year. Please attend the open house honoring her legacy and commitment on May 30th from 3:00 – 5:00 PM at the YCDC offices.

Deb has been a dedicated employee for almost 17 years. Throughout her time here, she has played multiple roles. From manning the front desk to being the sole employee, Deb knows all there is to know about YCDC and its rich history. She has been heavily involved in board and membership engagement, financial records, and collaborating with other staff on events and projects.

Lisa Hurley, YCDC Executive Director, said, “I joke around that Deb is the one who keeps me organized and on track. In all reality, Deb’s unwavering dedication and remarkable organization have been the backbone of YCDC for 17 years. As she retires, we celebrate her professional excellence and the kindness, humor, and stability she brought to us all. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience and grace. I will miss her insight and her being in the office."

“My favorite story that Deb tells is about her start here at YCDC,” says Emily Perry, YCDC Development Coordinator. “When YCDC was looking for help, she said that she could help answer phones over lunch hour. When her first day came, she was immediately left on her own with little to no training. That didn’t deter her, which is no surprise to anyone who knows Deb’s work ethic! She started off as part-time front desk support, which soon turned into a full-time position, and still had little training. Of course, she picked up on the job quickly and noticed that some things could be changed to make YCDC more efficient. She started doing their books, and the rest was history!”

Anthony Hodson, Development Support at YCDC, says, “Everyone who knows the YCDC, knows Mrs. Deb.” He adds, “Mrs. Deb truly is the backbone of the YCDC. My time working at the YCDC has been an absolute blessing as she is a big part of that. Mrs. Deb has her hands on everything in the YCDC office and is constantly extending a helping hand. She embodies what it means to be a servant leader and constantly impacts the spaces she occupies. Thank you for everything you have done for the York community, the YCDC, and for the impression you have left on me. You have been the standard example of what it means to fulfill a position here at the YCDC and will continue to affect the next generations that serve! Now please enjoy retirement and set the standard for a retired grandmother that we know you will!”

Jane Jensen, President of YCDC’s Executive Board, stated, “Deb’s presence will certainly be missed in the YCDC office. Her attention to detail and willingness to lend a helping hand have fostered a professional, productive, and enjoyable work environment. Her dedication, efficiency, and expertise have helped ensure the financial operations of YCDC run smoothly. With heartfelt thanks for her contributions over the years as she embarks on the next chapter of her life, we’d like to wish Deb a rewarding retirement filled with joy, adventure, and fulfillment!”

Carlos Ortega Arguelles, YCDC’s past intern, spoke highly of Deb’s caring heart and selfless nature. "Mrs. Deb, or Grandma, was a great coworker during my time at YCDC. She was always looking out for me and was willing to help me in case I needed anything. She was open to teaching me or responding to anything I asked. Mrs. Deb was always there in my great moments or even not-so-good ones, becoming part of what I consider family. I’ll always be grateful for meeting her at YCDC and for all the support she has given me."

Others also noticed her generosity and commitment to YCDC. Mark Way, President and CEO of York State Bank, said, “Through the years, Deb has been a humble and loyal contributor to the success of YCDC. She is always passionate about her work and giving of her time. I’ve always admired her for her caring nature and kindness to others.”

“I am forever thankful for Deb being available to help work through various scenarios or help me talk through a problem.  Seeing Deb every morning when I arrived at work always set my day off great!  I will miss her greatly and wish her the best in her most deserved retirement.” Madonna Mogul stated when asked about her relationship with Deb.

Bob Sautter, YCVB stated “Deb Heskett has been at YCDC almost as long as I have been at the York County Visitors Bureau. It was after our move to the current Ameriprise Building that our paths first crossed.

YCDC had just parted ways with its executive director at that time, leaving me as the only one in the office to take care of not only the Visitors Bureau, but also to answer the phones and handle any walk-in traffic for YCDC. Realizing my limitations as a YCDC person, their board quickly decided to hire someone more proficient than I to help with books, man the phones and answer questions not of a tourist nature.

Newly-moved to York from Wyoming, Deb, and her husband Craig, had met me at a holiday open house, where we capitalized on our familial history to the McCook/Imperial, Nebraska area. The rest, as they say, is history. Craig suggested her name, she was hired, only intending to stay until someone permanent was hired. As it happened, that permanent person with never located and hired.

We have survived another office move, four different YCDC directors, four different Chamber directors, her serious car accident, several dogs on both our parts, and becoming the lucky “adopted” grandparents of an amazing, soccer-playing York University/Bellevue University player, who we consider family.

Grandma Deb keeps these offices running on an even keel, and it’s a good thing because we all depend on her for so much. You make all of us look so much better than we actually are . . .at least for me you do!

Your tiny little shoes will be hard to fill! HAPPY RETIREMENT GRANDMA DEB!!!”

As Deb Heskett embarks on her well-deserved retirement, we are reminded of the profound impact she has had on YCDC and all those who have had the pleasure of working with her. Her legacy of dedication, kindness, and unwavering support has left an indelible mark on our organization. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Deb’s incredible journey at the open house on May 30th, where we will honor her contributions and wish her a future filled with happiness and new adventures. Deb, thank you for everything; you will be dearly missed, but your influence will be felt for many years to come. We cannot wait to see what path your retirement journey takes.