November - Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER CENTRAL
November 2013
Calendar of Events
For additional event information or to register for events,
visit the Westmoreland Chamber’s Website at
www.westmorelandchamber.com
Chamber Celebrates Members
at Annual Business Meeting
NOVEMBER
November 7
8:00 AM - MBPA meeting
Dick’s Diner, Murrysville
- Marketing Meeting (Time & Location TBD)
November 13
8:00 AM - Board of Directors meeting
11:30 AM - Pittsburgh Business Times Corridors of
Opportunity, Ramada Hotel, Greensburg
November 14
11:30 AM - Chamber Monthly Luncheon
Pizza Siena Restaurant ,Greensburg
November 19
7:30 AM - Networking Breakfast
Courtyard by Marriott, Greensburg
November 21
8:00 AM - Government Affairs Committee Meeting
November 22
8:00 AM - Ambassadors Committee Meeting
1:00 PM - Member Orientation
November 26
7:45 AM - Coffee & Connections, Harmon House
DECEMBER
December 4
5:00 PM - Holiday BASH
Ramada Hotel & Conference Center
December 5
8:00 AM - Marketing Committee meeting
- MBPA meeting
Dick’s Diner, Murrysville
December 6
8:00 AM - First Friday Small Business Roundtable
Meetings are held at the Chamber Office unless noted.
Note: The chamber office will be
closed on Monday, November 11th for
Veterans Day and November 28th &
29th for the Thanksgiving holiday.
Pictured left to right is Chamber Board Chair R. Tyler Courtney; Kelli Belanger,
Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS), Non-Profit of the Year
recipient; Jacob Silvis IV, founder/owner of Silvis Group Inc., Business of the
Year recipient; Susan Stripay, BBBS Board President; Mary Catherine Motchar
of Arbor Industrial Supplies, Business Person of the Year recipient; Linda Daley of Standard Bank - Murrysville, Chamber Member of the Year, and Chad Amond, Chamber President at the Chamber’s Annual Business
Meeting on Oct. 10th at the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe. Inset is a photo of the custom-made plaques of
Westmoreland County each award recipient received. See story on Page 3.
Almost Time to Deck the Halls…
It’s almost time to deck the halls...chamber-style!
The Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce Holiday BASH & Business Expo is just around the corner. Each year this event gathers nearly 70 exhibitors and more than 500 business and community
leaders representing all types and sizes of businesses
and organizations across Westmoreland County.
This year’s event is scheduled for Wednesday,
Continued on Page 3
THE WESTMORELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RECOGNIZES FOTORECORD PRINT CENTER AS THE
“OFFICIAL PRINTER” OF THE CHAMBER CENTRAL NEWSLETTER. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES.
CHAMBER CENTRAL
UPCOMING EVENTS
FIRST FRIDAY Small Business Roundtable
“A Look Inside the Prothonotary’s Office”
Friday, November 1st
8:00 to 9:30 am Chamber Boardroom
Chamber Monthly Luncheon
Monthly Luncheon: Thursday, November 14th
11:30 am - 1:15 pm, Pizza Siena Restaurant, Greensburg
Who doesn’t love a great lunch? Add a side of networking
with a little marketing advice for
Featured Speaker: Christina O’Brien, Prothonotary
dessert
and you have the Chamber’s
U.S. President Harry S Truman was introduced to a
Monthly
Luncheon in November.
prothonotary during a campaign stop in Pittsburgh in
Monthly
luncheons are held the sec1948. It is widely rumored that Truman’s first reaction was
to say “What the hell is a prothonotary?” Well, come find ond Thursday each month and focus on
bringing community and business toout. Learn more about this county government office.
gether. This month, our speaker is
Join Westmoreland County Prothonotary, Christina
O’Brien for an overview of the Prothonotary office and the Hank Walshak, who will present a talk
Hank Walshak
types of services the office provides to businesses and citi- entitled “Market Your Content to Bolzens across the county. Learn more about services and ask ster Your Brand.” An expert communications consultant for business professionals, Hank will
questions about how this office impacts you. A power
point demonstration of the public access to naturalization offer business owners tips on incorporating social media,
blogs, your website and traditional media into your content
records will also be shown. These historic records are a
marketing program.
great source of information for genealogy research.
Free to attend but reservations are required. Space is limited.
$20 Members/$30 Future Members
Chamber Breakfast Events - Tuesday November 19th & Tuesday, November 26th
Networking Breakfast
Tuesday, November 19th
7:30 to 9:30 am Courtyard by Marriott
COFFEE & CONNECTIONS
Tuesday, November 26th 7:45 - 9:00 am
Harmon House Care Center, Mt. Pleasant
Featured Speaker: Mary Hecht, Lighthouse Financial. Planning
Want to start your day out right? Then begin it with the
chamber’s brand new breakfast networking event. Coffee
& Connections, held the fourth Tuesday of
each month at Harmon House Care Center
in Mt. Pleasant, gives chamber members a
chance to meet other members, make new
connections and strengthen existing business relationships. Every attendee has an
opportunity to introduce themselves and
their business at the meeting. Next month,
there will not be a Coffee & Connections
meeting due to the holiday.
Meet other members, make new connections, and
strengthen existing relationships at the
WCC Networking Breakfast meetings!
Breakfast events are an ideal opportunity to introduce yourself, have meaningful conversations, and get to know
fellow members! All attendees will
have the opportunity to give a 30 second introduction and overview of their
business. Enjoy a breakfast of made-toorder omelets and additional items at the breakfast bar.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
11:30 am - Wednesday, November 13: Pittsburgh Business Times Corridors of Opportunity, Ramada Hotel
7:30 am - Tuesday, November 19: Networking Breakfast at Courtyard by Marriott, Greensburg
1:00 pm - Friday, November 22: Chamber Member Orientation at Chamber Office
5:00 pm - Wednesday, December 4: Holiday BASH & Business Expo (See insert in newsletter)
8:00 am - Friday, December 6: Small Business Roundtable at Chamber Office
To register for any event, visit www.westmorelandchamber.com or call the office at 724.834.2900.
CHAMBER CENTRAL
Continued from Page 1
December 4th from 5:00 to 8:00
p.m. at the Ramada Hotel & Conference Center in Greensburg.
Kick off the holiday season in
style at this fabulous networking
and tabletop display trade show
featuring fellow members displaying and selling their products and
services.
Exhibit spaces are filling up
quickly, but a few remain. Call
Deborah Salopek at the chamber
TODAY 724-834-2900 to reserve
your spot!
Not interested in exhibiting, but
would like to attend? Register now
at www.westmorelandchamber.com
or just send in the green registration
form insert in the newsletter to the
chamber office.
The cost is $15 per member or
$20 for future members.
There will be a cash bar and delicious hors d’oeurves to sample at
the event. Don’t forget to bring
your business cards along. This is
an excellent way to connect with
your fellow members.
In addition, there will be door
prizes at most exhibitor booths and
a 50/50 raffle that you can participate in.
The 2013 Holiday BASH & Business Expo is being sponsored by
Graham Insurance Group, ChamberChoice, Harmon House Care
Center, Greensburg Care Center
and Ford Business Machines.
Sponsorships are still available.
Contact the chamber if interested.
It’s the biggest BASH of the year!
Don’t miss it!
Chamber Holds Annual
Business Meeting & Awards
Luncheon in Latrobe
T
he Westmoreland Chamber
of Commerce was pleased to
recognize a local business, a
non-profit organization and
two local business professionals in
front of a capacity crowd as part of the
Annual Business Meeting Luncheon on
Thursday, October 10, 2013, at the
Fred Rogers Conference Center on the
campus of Saint Vincent College in
Latrobe.
In addition to the awards, the Westmoreland Chamber held a brief business meeting for the nearly 250 members in attendance.
Award Recipients
In the Business of the Year category,
the award recipient was Silvis Group,
Inc. of Mt. Pleasant; Non-Profit of the
Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the
Laurel Region; Business Person of the
Year, Mary Catherine Motchar, Arbor Industrial Supplies, Inc.; Chamber
Member of the Year, Linda Daley,
Standard Bank – Murrysville.
“This is the fifth year the awards
presentation was held in conjunction
with the Annual Business Meeting and
every year it becomes more and more
successful,” commented Chad Amond,
President of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce.
A special thanks to Williams, presenting sponsor; Smail Automotive,
Saint Vincent College, Carlow University and Graham Insurance, award
sponsors; Studio 2, multi-media sponsor; and West Penn Power and First
National Bank, corporate sponsors of
the event.
Also at the event, the chamber announced the addition of three new
members and two returning members
to the 2014 Board of Directors after a
membership-wide vote. New board
members include Christina Jansure,
Vice President of Sales and Marketing
at Jeannette Specialty Glass Oceana;
Dr. Gennaro “Jamie” Piraino, Jr., Su-
New Board Members in 2014
Christina Jansure of
Jeannette Specialty
Glass (top, left)
Dr. Jamie Piraino Jr.
of Franklin Regional
School District. (top,
right)
Jim Smith of Economic
Growth Connection
(bottom, left)
perintendent of the Franklin Regional
School District; and Jim Smith, President and CEO of the Economic Growth
Connection. In addition, members reelected Richard Rosky of First National Bank and Jim Creenan of
Creenan & Baczkowski, PC for another term.
Leaving the board at the end of this
year will be Angela Rose O’Brien of
Chick-fil-A Eastgate Plaza and Angela’s Angels; Jason Rigone of Westmoreland County I.D.C., and Dr. Jan
Frederickson of Family Eye Care
West.
In his remarks, Amond shared with
members that the Westmoreland
Chamber has added more than 150
members in the last year.
In addition to the 250 members in
attendance, the chamber welcomed
special guests Lou Lazzaro, representing U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy
(PA-18), State Senator Kim Ward
(39th District) and County Commissioners Charles Anderson, R. Tyler
Courtney and Ted Kopas, who all presented proclamations to award recipi-
CHAMBER CENTRAL
Member News
County Agency Marks 50Year Anniversary
Congratulations to Mental Health
America of Westmoreland County
on celebrating 50 years of service to
the community. The organization,
started in 1964, gathered for its 50th
annual meeting on Oct. 24th.
Ramada Getting Ready for
‘Parade of Trees’
Murrysville Spa, Skin Care
& Laser Center, Murrysville
Bob Evans Restaurant, Hempfield Township
Keystone Bakery, Greensburg
J & M Computer Repair, Mt. Pleasant
The Ramada Hotel is kicking off the
holiday season with the 30th annual
Parade of Trees at the Greensburg
hotel. The event, which began in
1983, features uniquely themed trees
decorated by employees and volunteers from the many local companies
and organizations in Westmoreland
County. Over the years, the “Parade”
has generated more than $350,000 in
donations from both corporations and
visitors “voting” for their favorite
The Board
of Directors
of Westmoreland
County, Inc.
would
like to
thank all of
the businesses who helped us with
our “Westmoreland County…
Get Your Pink On!!” campaign. It is exciting and
amazing to ride around the
county and see the wonderful, innovative ways that
people “put a pop of pink”
on their homes and businesses. Hopefully, 2014 will
bring even more businesses
participating in our effort to
bring awareness to breast
cancer. Again, thanks.
tree. The hotel provides a pre-lit tree
for all participants to decorate. For
more information, call Tiffanie Genard at the hotel at 724-832-6821.
UPG hosts admission presentations Nov. 6
The University of Pittsburgh at
Greensburg Office of Admissions
will offer Evening Group Presentations for high school students on
Wednesday, November 6. The program, which consists of an information session with an admissions counselor and a campus tour led by a current Pitt-Greensburg student, begins
at 5 p.m. and lasts approximately two
hours. Transfer students are also encouraged to attend. Individual appointments are offered to transfer
students every half hour from 5 p.m.
to 7 p.m. Registration, required for
both types of visits, may be completed by calling 724-836-9880.
DON’T
FORGET
We are putting the finishing touches
on the 2014 Membership Directory.
Don’t forget to review your listing on
www.westmorelandchamber.com
and make any necessary corrections
before the directory is printed. Updates can be e-mailed to
amy@westmorelandchamber.com or
fax them to 724-837-7635.
The directory will be distributed in January 2014.
CHAMBER CENTRAL
M
Patty Karbowsky, Harmon House Care Center
eet Patty Karbowsky, Director of Sales & Marketing
for the Harmon House Care Center in Mount Pleasant.
Patty has been with Harmon House since July 2011.
Previously, she worked for Clare Bridge Murrysville,
but has worked in the industry since 2007.
serve, and of course the options
they offer them.
“It’s very impressive — the longevity of our staff. A large percentage of them have been with us
from 15 to 26 years. It spoke volOriginally, Patty worked in property management but a couple of
umes to me when I came here. It
pretty significant experiences—one involving her great-grandmother
says a lot about Harmon House
and one involving a tenant at one of her properties— led her to seek
because health care facilities can
out a career in senior care.
often be a revolving door.”
“I wanted to help people avoid the frustration that we went through
Patty and Harmon House became involved in the chamber when the
with my great-grandmother,” said Patty. “There had to be an easier
Laurel Highlands Chamber merged with Westmoreland. Harmon
way.”
House has been a member since 1987.
Harmon House is a 109-bed skilled nursing community and is one of
“I got the opportunity to help Tony (Vecchio), China (Pulido) and
Mount Pleasant’s largest employers. It has been serving the commuToni (Wilson) keep the pulse on the region at various events. I was
nity for nearly 27 years.
excited about what that meant,” said Patty, who hosts the chamber’s
In addition to the skilled nursing services at Harmon House, the fa- new breakfast networking meeting, Coffee & Connections at
cility is licensed to offer personal care services for up to 70 through Harmon House.
Amber House, and offers adult day care services.
As far as what she gets from the chamber, Patty said ultimately it’s
Although the adult day care services is Harmon House’s most under- “building business relationships. I am the face of Harmon House.
utilized program, Patty said it is a vital one which helps manage You might not need us now and vice versa, but when the time
comes, we will be there.”
“caregiver burnout,” a very significant issue in the industry.
Harmon House is a very special place, according to Patty, made so Patty is the proud mom of two sons, Paul, 11, and John, 8.
by its people — the people who work there and the people they
Chamber Comes to the Neighborhood for Annual Meeting
2.
1.
5.
3.
6.
4.
1. Pictured left to right is Julie Alakson of Weatherwood Manor, Tony Vecchio of Northwood Realty and Anita Godula of Dollar Bank. 2. The team from Smail Auto Group, one of the award sponsors. 3. The Annual Meeting was held at the Fred Rogers Center where lots of information and memorabilia from his life and career is on display. Here is the Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’s dinosaur statue featuring Fred Rogers and other characters from the show. 4. County Commissioner Chuck Anderson chats with award recipient Mary Catherine Motchar’s father Ernest, who was there
to support his daughter. 5. Cindy Heater of Standard Bank networks with fellow bankers Vicki Manley and Don Graham of First Commonwealth Bank. 6. Chamber president Chad Amond embraces departing Board Chair R. Tyler Courtney at the Annual Meeting.
CHAMBER CENTRAL
The Following Members are Celebrating
Their Membership Anniversary with Us!
▪ 30+ Years of Membership ▪
Adelphoi Village, Inc.
Horner, Wible & Terek, PC
▪ 20+ Years of Membership ▪
Beckman and Associates, Inc.
First National Bank-South Greensburg
Pennsylvania State Education Association
St. Anne Home
SignStat
TRC Staffing Services
University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Westmoreland County Dept. of Public Works
Westmoreland County Medical Society
▪ 10+ Years of Membership ▪
Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Inc.
Greensburg Garden & Civic Center
The Palace Theatre
Aestique Plastic Surgical Associates, Inc.
Carol Harris Staffing, LLC
General Industries
Staples, Inc.
Superior Office Support
The Lettrich Group Architects-Planners, Inc.
Weatherwood Manor
Willowbrook Dental Associates
Saint Vincent College Small Business Dev. Center
Seton Hill University's E-Magnify
Trivaren International LCC
Unity Printing Company, Inc.
Eileen Bartolomucci, Ph.D.
Westmoreland Bar Association/Foundation
Workers Compensation Education Coalition
The Center for Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, LLC
Dr. Anthony Marchionno
Alliance Garage Doors & Openers, LLC
First National Bank-Herminie
First National Bank-Unity Township
▪ 5+ Years of Membership ▪
Morris Knowles & Associates, Inc.
Morton Buildings, Inc.
Sam's Club
Westmoreland Construction, A Division of Westcon, Inc.
OakView Physical Therapy, LLC
ProAdjuster Chiropractic Clinic
RTC Financial Services
Smail Kia
M. Rashilla & Company
Penske Truck Leasing Co., L.P.
▪ Thank You for Your Continued Support ▪
Absolute Construction & Remodeling
AmeriServ Financial
Flexware, Inc.
Geneva College Adult and Graduate Studies
Jeannette Business Association
Keystone Benefits Group, Inc.
Maintenance Pros Plus, LLC
S&T Bank Lincoln Highway
Aw Else Boutique
Bayada Home Health Care
MedExpress Urgent Care-Murrysville
Strob Properties LLC
Jablonsky Distributing Co.
Red Lobster
ADP
CCA Solutions
FASTSIGNS
GAI Consultants, Inc.
Murrysville Business & Professional Assoc.
Stratigos Banquet Centre
Verizon Wireless Zone of Latrobe
Dear Fellow Chamber Members,
This month I have chosen to write about being “Thankful” as
Thanksgiving is this month. As we look over our life from a
“10,000-foot” view, I think all of us would have to say we
have many things for which to be thankful.
We live in the best country on the planet. We have opportunities to succeed and make a better life for ourselves. We
have friends, family and business associates. I try to say
thank you every day to the people who help me and do nice
things for me. I try to say thank you every day for all the
good things I have in my life and ask for the strength to get through the challenges that
everyday life throws at me.
I urge each of you to take time to thank the people around you. They could be your
employees, suppliers, accountants, insurance agent, or more importantly your customers. Life goes by so quickly and we need to make sure that all the people in our lives
know how much we appreciate what they do and how they are an important part of our
success.
I wish you all a great Thanksgiving!
R. Tyler Courtney
WCC Board Chairman
Westmoreland County Commissioner
Student of the Month Award Winners
The Westmoreland Chamber’s
Student of the Month program is
in full swing.
Top: Seen here (l to r) is Deborah Salopek, manager of the
Laurel Highlands Chapter of the
Westmoreland Chamber of
Commerce, with Jenna Hixson
(teacher at Southmoreland High
School), Andrea Anselll from
Republic Services (sponsor for
this month’s award) and Ronald
Albert Trubiani II, the Spirit
Award recipient for the month of
September for Southmoreland.
Bottom: (From left to right,
seated) Deborah Salopek, manager of the Laurel Highlands
Chapter of the Westmoreland
Chamber of Commerce; Student
of the Month award recipient for
September Noah Chovanec,
senior from Mount Pleasant Area
with his guidance counselor Terri
Remaley. In the back row, is
Caprice Mills secretary-treasurer
for Mt. Pleasant Township and
Supervisors Frank Puskar, Jack
Rutkowski and Duane Hutter,
sponsors of this month’s award.
CHAMBER CENTRAL
The Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the
following businesses as new members of our organization!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Arbonne
Joyce McIntire
200 W. Main Street, PO Box 285
Ligonier, PA 15658
724-396-0725
jpmcintire1@verizon.net
joycemcintire.myarbonne.com
Products & Services (Personal & Care)
Citizens Bank of PA
Timothy J. Pisula
Hempfield Square Plaza, 6402 US Rt. 30
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-832-5950
Timothy.J.Pisula@citizensbank.com
www.citizensbank.com
Banks & Credit Unions
Creative Mind Photography
Ginger Vickers
3518 Chapel Hill Court
Export, PA 15632
412-848-4021
gingervickers@creativemindphotography.com
Photography, Videography, Audio Rec.
Demilio Inc.
David Demilio
1825 Franklin Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-838-9360
dave@demilioinc.com
www.demilioinc.com
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
Foggy Mountain Lodge
& Restaurant
117 Foggy Mountain Lane
PO Box 165
Stahlstown, PA 15687
724-593-1000
karend@foggymountainlodge.com
www.foggymountainlodge.com
Casual Dining
Franklin Regional School District
Gennaro R. Piraino Jr., Ed.D.
3210 School Road
Murrysville, PA 15668-1553
724-327-5456
gpiraino@franklinregional.k12.pa.us
www.franklinregional.k12.pa.us
724-327-5456
Parochial, Private & Public Schools,
Private Tutors
The Goddard School
TJ Kravits
400 Blue Spruce Way
Murrysville, PA 15668
724-271-8000
MurrysvillePA@goddardschools.com
www.goddardschool.com/pittsburgh/
murrysville-b
Day Care, Child Care
Keystone Capital Solutions
Gino Laspina
209 Angela Rosa Drive
Jeannette, PA 15644
412-742-3028
gino@keystonecapitalsolutions.com
www.keystonecapitalsolutions.com
Non-traditional Lenders & Lending
Consultants
Labor Ready
Brad Birdwell
701 West Otterman Street
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-600-7247
bbirdwell@laborready.com
www.laborready.com
Employment & Staffing Agencies, HR
Management
Leo's Pub & Grill
Debbie Nutter
202 North Diamond Street
Mount Pleasant, PA 15666
724-547-2006
www.leospub.com
Casual Dining
Moe's Southwest Grill
Mike Geiger
305 Blue Spruce Way
Murrysville, PA 15668
724-919-4004
mgeiger@bigplangrp.com
www.moes.com
Casual Dining
Sincerely Yogurt
Terry Varner
6041 Route 30, Suite 40
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-205-6578
terryvarner@hotmail.com
Specialty Foods, Bakeries & Beverages
Southwest Pennsylvania Air
Quality Partnership
Rachel Hoza
780 North Church Street
Mount Pleasant, PA 15666
724-832-2313
r_hoza@yahoo.com
Not for Profit
Thrivent Financial
for Lutherans
Tricia Henry
161 East Otterman Street, Suite 3
Greensburg, PA 15601
724-836-7772
tricia.henry@thrivent.com
Financial Advisors, Retirement Svcs.
Web.com
Maurice Fisher
651 Holiday Drive, Suite 300
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
724-513-9551
www.leads.com
Internet Advertising
Wells Fargo Bank
Ben Witsberger
444 Liberty Avenue, Suite 1400
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-454-4600
benjamin.m.witsberger@wellsfargo.com
www.wellsfargo.com
Banks & Credit Unions
West Overton Village & Museums
Jessica Kadie-Barclay
109 West Overton Road
Scottdale, PA 15683
724-887-7910
info@westovertonvillage.org
www.westovertonvillage.org
Libraries, Museums, Galleries,
Historical Sites
CHAMBER CENTRAL
Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce
2013 Board of Directors
Cathy Baumann - Dollar Bank
Alan Berk - Berk, Whitehead, Kerr & Turin, PC
Kevin Bock - Integrity Estate Advisors
Michele Bononi - Westmoreland County Judge
Tyler Courtney - West’d County Commissioner
James Creenan - Creenan & Baczkowski, PC
Michael Egan - CBL Associates
Lauren Farrell - West’d County Community College
Bill Ferri - Ferri Pharmacy
Dr. Jan Frederickson - Family Eye Care West
Terri Knupp - West Penn Power/First Energy
Ann Nemanic - Laurel Highlands Visitor’s Bureau
Angela O’Brien - Chick-fil-A at Eastgate Plaza
Ron Ott - Excela Health
Tom Planinsek - Dollar Bank
China Pulido - Standard Bank
Steve Rennekamp - Energy Swing Windows
Jason Rigone - Westmoreland County IDC
Rich Rosky - First National Bank of PA
Michael Storms -Elliott Group
Tony Vecchio - A2Z Enterprises
Tay Waltenbaugh - Westmoreland Community Action
241 Tollgate Hill Road ♦ Greensburg, PA 15601
Phone: 724-834-2900 / Fax: 724-837-7635
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
GREENSBURG, PA
PERMIT NO. 123
Building Business. Empowering People. Connecting Communities.