Her tenure has been characterized by a commitment to employees and a willingness to step into new roles and assume additional responsibilities.
Deena Trebilcock, never one to sit still for long, has had a 20-year career at C.S. Davidson that has been shaped by one key question she asks: “What can I do to help?”
That query opened doors she never expected to enter, leading her from an administrative support role to her ultimate position as the company’s Human Resources Manager. Each time she offered to pitch in, new opportunities unfolded, allowing her to grow along with the company and take on new responsibilities.
Her philosophy to always be ready to assist not only has defined her career but strengthened the culture of support and service for which C.S. Davidson is known. As she prepares to retire, Deena looks back on her career and sees how it all came together.
A family centric culture
When Deena joined the C.S. Davidson team in 2005, the York-based company was opening a Lancaster office. She left her position as a borough administrator and took on the role of Administrative Assistant in Lancaster. She quickly found that C.S. Davidson’s flexibility and family centered culture were unlike anything she had experienced in the workplace.
“They would let me put my kids on the bus, come to work, get home, and get them off the bus,” she says. “You can’t put a dollar sign on that.”
During her first 10 years, Deena expanded her role to assisting with payroll and accounting. Linda Davidson took note of her eagerness to learn and grow, advising her to get involved with the realm of employee benefits. When C.S. Davidson’s Human Resources Manager retired in 2015, Leadership offered Deena the position.
“They gave me a shot. I had never done HR before that, but they took a gamble on me,” she says.
Growing with the company
Over the next decade, Deena became a lynchpin of C.S. Davidson’s people-centric culture. She watched the firm grow and transition to 100% employee ownership, all while preserving the values that had attracted her to the company.
“Started as a family company, we have since become 100% (employee-owned), but it feels to me like those values still kind of hold us together today,” she says.
Her work as HR Manager has spanned recruiting, onboarding, benefit administration, conducting compensation studies, and performing employee evaluations, as well as having countless personal interactions that form the heart of human resources at C.S. Davidson. One of the initiatives she is most proud of is the firm’s ongoing work to ensure competitive, equitable compensation.
Over the course of two decades, Deena has seen technology transform how HR operates on the administrative side. She’s been part of the transition from handwritten evaluations to digital workflows and has been working to roll out new software that will support employees from job application to retirement. Embracing new technology is important, but it does not replace personal touch points.
What hasn’t changed over the decades is the culture that supports employees. “While you’re here, we want you to be happy,” she says. “We realize there’s life outside of here, and we wholeheartedly support that balance.”
A career shaped by mentors
In the end, the people at C.S. Davidson are what have meant the most to Deena. She’s incredibly grateful for those who have invested in her, including mentors such as Linda Davidson, John Klinedinst, PE, Chris Toms, PE, COO, and Kerryn Fulton, PE, CEO.
“It’s just so nice to walk around these buildings and greet people with smiles,” she says. “We’ve had babies and weddings over the years, and it’s just been fun to grow alongside everyone. I’ve very much enjoyed it.”
Retirement will bring new rhythms and adventures to Deena’s life. With no plans to sit still, she looks forward to embracing this next chapter alongside her husband of more than 30 years. Post-career life will be filled with family, playing outdoors, travel, gardening, and continued curiosity and lifelong learning.
“As a mom who initially came in for an admin job, I feel incredibly fortunate to have landed and grown here,” she says.
Her advice to those coming behind her: “Have the courage to be yourself, and don’t be afraid to take chances. Give yourself more grace, acknowledge that learning is part of the process, and enjoy the ride.”