How We Got Here

Happy Valley SHRM was originally founded in 1967 by Mr. Marvin Hittle, an employee of Chemcut Corporation. The organization’s first meeting was held on January 14, 1967, at the State College Hotel under the name Centre County Personnel Association.

The founding officers were:

• President: Ray T. Fortunato, Director of Personnel Services–Employee Relations at The Pennsylvania State University

• President-Elect: Glenn Aumiller, Personnel Manager at Cerro Copper and Brass Company in Bellefonte

• Secretary: Mrs. Michael R. Cannon, Cannon Instrument Company in Boalsburg
   

As the organization grew, it became an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and later adopted the name Human Resource Association of Centre County (HRACC). For many years, HRACC operated as a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing networking opportunities and educational support to human resource professionals throughout Centre County.

In the fall of 2014, HRACC expanded its reach into Mifflin, Juniata, and Huntingdon counties. This expansion created a broader Membership Service Area and allowed the chapter to deliver programming and workshops throughout the Juniata Valley—an offering that set the chapter apart from many others.

In the summer of 2018, the HRACC Board of Directors began the important work of updating its bylaws and redefining the organization’s identity to better reflect its growing footprint. Following thoughtful discussion and collaboration, a new name and updated bylaws were developed. After nearly a nine-month review process, SHRM approved the changes in February 2020, and they were ratified by the chapter membership—marking the transition to Central Keystone Valley HR Professionals.

The name was intentionally chosen to reflect the shared geography and identity of the chapter’s members. While mountains often define the region, the Board recognized a more unifying connection in the many valleys that span the area—from Happy Valley in Centre County to the Juniata River Valley and the numerous valleys throughout Huntingdon County. At the time, this name provided a meaningful and inclusive way to represent the chapter’s expanding membership.

As the chapter continues to grow and evolve, so too does its understanding of how best to serve its members. What made sense in 2020 helped guide the organization forward—but today presents a new opportunity to align its identity with both its legacy and its future.

We are once again in a period of change, rebuilding, and growth—continuing to strengthen our foundation through updated bylaws, meaningful programming, and deeper connections among HR professionals across the region.

After thoughtful reflection on who we serve and where we’re headed, Central Keystone Valley HR Professionals is now Happy Valley SHRM.

This is more than a name change—it is a clearer expression of our identity, our affiliation, and our commitment to the HR community across Central Pennsylvania.

While State College serves as a central hub, our community extends far beyond a single location. We are proud to support HR professionals and business leaders across Centre, Mifflin, and Juniata counties, as well as the broader Mifflin–Juniata region.