Lansford Alive honored two borough residents with its Black Diamond Award for their service to the community and county during its annual Christmas dinner last Friday.

President Chris Ondrus, who served as master of ceremonies, presented the awards recognizing dedication and service to retired police chief and current Carbon County Chief County Detective Jack Soberick and recently retired Carbon County Emergency Management Coordinator Mark Nalesnik.

The men, who distinguished themselves throughout their careers, were also honored with citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the Carbon County commissioners, and the American Fire Co. No. 1 of Lansford.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley, who delivered the citations, shared anecdotes about each of the men, as did Carbon County commissioners Mike Sofranko and Wayne Nothstein.

Carbon County District Attorney Michael Greek also shared stories and spoke of his personal connection to both men and their dedication providing highly professional service to the community, often on a moment’s notice and always on 24/7 emergency basis.

Lansford Fire Chief Joseph Greco along with new Carbon County emergency coordinator Zach Gilbert, who also holds leadership in the American Fire Co., offered accolades and shared some stories working with Soberick and Nalesnik.

Lansford Legion commander Nate Krajcirik and Richard Pogwist, past commander, also offered extended remarks about both men and their service to the legion over the years.

Soberick and Nalesnik also spoke, thanking everyone, and telling those gathered how it was their honor and pleasure to serve the people of the community throughout the years.

Soberick’s distinguished career in law enforcement began in 1986 as a police officer in Lansford and also as a member of the American Fire Co.

He also worked part-time in other local boroughs as a police officer.

Soberick trained and held multiple certifications in public safety and was appointed by the governor in 2004 as Lansford’s emergency manager, a position which he still holds to this day.

Soberick became the borough’s chief of police, a position he held until his retirement in 2022.

Following retirement, he was hired by the Carbon County District Attorney’s Office as the chief county detective and continues in that position, serving in law enforcement for 40 years.

Nalesnik had a distinguished career as a deputy sheriff, a deputy coroner, and as the Carbon County emergency management coordinator, for a total of 45 years of public service.

He obtained numerous professional certifications as the emergency manager at the state and national level.

Nalesnik also teaches emergency services skills as a training instructor for numerous agencies, including the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy and the Pocono Raceway Safety Team.

His personal biography is filled with many more accomplishments in his long-standing, public safety career.

Lansford Alive board members Robert Silver, Mark Sverchek, John Greybosh and Joe Genits assisted with the award presentations and helped to coordinate the event.