Trib honors 6 employees who exemplify company values

Six outstanding Trib Total Media employees have been recognized with the CORE Value Award for their exceptional contributions and embodiment of the company’s core values: ownership, integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect and evolution.

The employees — Bill Hartlep, Tim Otto, Chris Pastrick, Jessica Rocco, Justin Vellucci and Chris Yatcko — were selected from a pool of nominees for their consistent efforts in upholding the company’s mission and values in their everyday work.

Each of the honorees represents a different pillar of the company’s culture, and their dedication has set a shining example for their colleagues, said Jennifer Bertetto, Trib Total Media’s president and CEO.

In a ceremony at DeNunzio’s Restaurant in Monroeville, Bertetto praised the recipients, emphasizing how each of them has become a role model for others within the organization.

“Our company’s values are the foundation of our success, and these six individuals exemplify what it means to truly live by those values every single day,” Bertetto said. “They are not only exceptional in their roles, but they also inspire all of us to reach new heights. They truly prove that when we prioritize ownership, integrity, collaboration, accountability, respect and evolution, we create an environment where everyone can thrive. I am incredibly proud of each one of them.”

The Trib’s CORE Value Awards were launched in 2024, with employees nominated by their peers for displaying the company’s values in their daily actions. Of the company’s 240 employees, 26 were nominated this year.

Here’s a breakdown of the awards:

Bill Hartlep was recognized for the core value of respect. Hartlep, 43, of South Park, is the Trib’s sports editor. He’s been a Trib employee for 21 years, having started as a news writer and taking on other roles, such as high school sports editor.

“What makes my job interesting is that nearly every day is different,” Hartlep said. “There’s always something happening in the world of Pittsburgh sports, from the professional and college levels to high school athletics. It’s an exciting field to be part of.”

Tim Otto was recognized for the core value of integrity. Otto, 57, of White Oak, is manager of creative services. He began working for the Trib in 2000 as a production artist.

He said one of the best ways to succeed at work is to “keep an open mind and surround yourself with good people that make your job and the job of those around you enjoyable.”

Chris Pastrick was recognized for the core value of evolution. Pastrick, 55, of New Kensington, is a digital content producer. He has worked at the Trib just over 30 years. His first job in 1994 was as a clerk in the lifestyles department of the Valley News Dispatch, where he would compile the weekly events listings that ran in the Go! Magazine that later became Ticket.

“The most rewarding part of working at the Trib, for me, is the team mentality that I get to experience daily,” Pastrick said. “It never seems like a me vs. others’ environment — it’s always what can ‘all hands on deck’ do to help the entire product.”

Jessica Rocco was recognized for the core value of accountability. Rocco, 43, of Unity, is the Trib’s advertising and marketing consultant. She has worked at the Trib nearly 25 years, all of them in the advertising department.

“This career has given me the opportunity to work with so many different types of businesses and business owners,” she said. “I feel honored every single day that my clients trust me with their business, which is their heart and soul, and for them to trust me is such a fulfilling feeling.”

Justin Vellucci was recognized for the core value of ownership. Vellucci, 45, of Pittsburgh’s Greenfield neighborhood, is a reporter who covers public safety and breaking news. This is his second stint at the Trib, having first worked in the editorial department from 2006 to 2009. He returned in 2022.

“I get to meet all sorts of people every day and share their stories — that’s my job,” he said. “It’s not always easy, but it is immensely rewarding. I consider myself lucky to collaborate and be supported by some of the best journalists I’ve ever met.”

Chris Yatcko was recognized for the core value of collaboration. Yatcko, 58, of Franklin Park, is manager of search and display strategy. He’s been with the company since 2015, when he began as a digital advertising coordinator.

“Working at the Trib has been a great place to meet and collaborate with new people in various departments,” Yatcko said. “There are always new responsibilities and new personalities that help to keep things interesting.”