| Northeast
PA Business Journal |
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Business Notes
When
representatives of Allison Transmission, division of General Motors,
and Penn Detroit Diesel-Allison donated another $7,500 to
Pennsylvania College of Technology recently, they also brought along
something just as valuable: recognition of the college's diesel
technology program as a training tool for industry technicians. The
$7,500 donation was made this year in memory of longtime Penn
Detroit Diesel-Allison employee Terry Buck, a branch manager for the
firm who died recently. The contribution augments previous
contributions of $7,500 and $12,500 by Allison Transmission,
division of General Motors, and Penn Detroit Diesel-Allison.
The
Black Diamonds Tourism Coalition announced the launch of its new Web
site, www.pacoalhistory.com. recently. The Web site is based on the
printed "Black Diamonds" brochure that features in-depth information
about Black Diamonds anthracite coal mining region. The Web Site,
designed and hosted by Schuyl Inc., Pottsville, features interactive
driving tours that were custom designed for the Black Diamonds Web
site. Viewers can experience the interactive driving tour by
choosing from three separate tours complete with brief descriptions
of tour attractions and pictures. Visitors to the site can also
print out specially designed versions of the driving tours to take
along for the "road trip." Along with driving tours, visitors can
request a Black Diamonds brochure through the form provided on the
Web site, including contact information for the visitors bureaus and
heritage resources. Information about various attractions and
museums in the region is also available, complete with address,
phone numbers and times the the specific attraction or museum is
open. As links to various Web sites are made available to the Black
Diamond Coalition, they will be placed on the site.
Brush
Industries, Sunbury, announced that it has received formal product
approval from the Sistema de Transporte Colectivo of Mexico for its
ceramic-coated magnetic heads. The approval came after extensive
testing in the laboratory of Sistema de Transporte Colectivo. The
laboratory concluded that the brush heads, which are manufactured
using Brush's proprietary Supermium core technology, have superior
wear life when compared to the competing ferrite technology
currently being used in the transit fare collection system.
Supermium is a proprietary sendust alloy that has been further
refined by Brush since its introduction in 1987. According to an
independent university study, ceramic-coated Supermium heads have
more than 100 times the life expectancy of heads with metal
cores.
At College Misericordia, students are gaining
acknowledgment for the time they spend outside the classroom in
co-curricular activities. Through a Web-based program called the
Student Leadership Transcript (SLT), College Misericordia students
who involve themselves outside of the classroom can get the official
recognition they deserve for becoming involved in college or
community activities. The Student Leadership Transcript is a
multi-faceted process for the students. Just as an academic
transcript keeps official record of classroom achievement and
grades, the SLT documents a student's other activities to show a
well-rounded college experience, a valuable plus for many
prospective employers. The college has developed a Web-based online
database that students can access with their student ID and
password. Each student is assigned his own co-curricular account in
this database. Upon completion of an activity as a member of an
organization, the student is encouraged to log into this database
and reflect on the experience.The SLT breaks down activities into
four distinct categories: Leadership Development, Pre-professional
Work Experience, Honors/Awards/Recognition and
Professional/Educational Development. During a student's senior
year, a representative of the Insalaco Center meets with the student
to review his or her SLT. This is where the student formalizes the
notes they've kept in the database over their college career. "The
SLT helps synthesize their co-curricular activities that may
translate to what their wishes and desires are for what happens
after college. Then they prepare the document, write a reflective
paragraph about how they practiced different leadership and
communication skills and what they have learned from those
activities. That's the process piece that helps the students realize
what the activities meant to them and how they can translate that
into their future goals. Students can then better articulate those
experiences and skills to an employer or graduate school when the
time comes," said Chris Sutzko, director of Misericordia's Insalaco
Center for Career Development. College Misericordia's class of 2003
is the first class to benefit from this process and the first class
that will use it prior to graduation.
Geisinger Health Plan,
Danville, now offers its members discounts on a wide array of new
services and products, including chiropractic care, acupuncture and
massage therapy, health and wellness products, eyeglasses and
contact lenses, and select fitness center memberships The
"accessories program" is available at no charge to members with
Geisinger Health Plan and Geisinger Health Plan Gold. Information
about the program is available to members via the health plan's Web
site www.thehealthplan.com.
Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital
recently signed an agreement with Geisinger Health Plan. In doing
so, Geisinger Health members can now use the services of Gnaden
Huetten Memorial Hospital, improving the healthcare options of
members, businesses, individuals and Medicare beneficiaries in the
area. Geisinger Health Plan is one of the nation's largest rural
HMOs and serves approximately 270,000 members in 38 counties
throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Gnaden Huetten is
the largest and most comprehensive hospital in Carbon County,
providing a continuum of care with a broad array of services.
The
board of directors of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce in a
special resolution honored the achievements of community leader,
Rocco Colangelo, Sr. last month. One of the Hazleton Area's most
prominent and philanthropic citizens, Colangelo passed away suddenly
on September 6 on the eve of FUNFEST Weekend, an event which he
chaired for nearly 20 years. Colangelo dedicated his life to giving
back to his community; serving on many boards and committees, such
as the Committee to Help Handicapped Infants and Parents to Succeed
(CHHIPS), CAN DO, the United Way, The Hazleton Area Quarterback
Club, The Whitewater Festival, and Our Lady of Grace Church
Committees. Among other accomplishments, he served as president of
the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from
1992 to 1994; and was instrumental in efforts to develop the
Nescopeck State Park, construction of the Southwest Beltway and many
other major projects. Colangelo served as a member of the FUNFEST
Committee for many years, and took on the chairmanship of the event
when others felt it should be discontinued. Colangelo recruited
dedicated individuals to serve on the Committee, sought the support
of the Chamber and business sponsors, and helped to make FUNFEST one
of the most significant events in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Paul
W. Howe, a faculty member in the School of Business and Computer
Technologies at Pennsylvania College of Technology, spoke at the
Diving Equipment and Marketing Association's national convention in
Las Vegas recently. Howe, an assistant professor of business
administration/travel and tourism, presented a seminar on "Selling
Dive Travel." DEMA is the world's largest organization of
scuba-diving manufacturers, marketers and operators. This is the
fourth year Howe spoke at the DEMA convention. He also has presented
seminars for Air Jamaica, "Travel Agent Magazine" and the American
Society of Travel Agents. Howe, a Ph.D. candidate in park,
recreation and tourism, worked as marketing director at Divi
Resorts/Peter Hughes Diving, a Caribbean resort chain; consulted
with island tourism boards on their dive markets; owned a dive
facility for more than 13 years, and is a scuba-instructor
trainer.
After a decade of planning and grant writing, and two
years of construction and restoration, there is a trolley light at
the end of the historic 1905 Laurel Line Tunnel in Scranton.
Lackawanna County Commissioners Joe Corcoran, Randy Castellani and
Bob Cordaro led a VIP delegation that included the Lackawanna County
Railroad Authority, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and PennDot,
the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority and the Electric City
Trolley Museum Association on a ceremonial excursion that celebrated
the introduction of regular trolley excursions beneath Scranton via
the one-mile-long century-old and almost forgotten tunnel. Completed
in 1905, the tunnel is one of the longest interurban trolley tunnels
in use in the United States today. Construction of the tunnel began
in 1904. Scores of laborers worked for just over a year to complete
the tunnel. The structure was built at a cost of $500,000 and was
widely considered to be one of the best illustrations of tunnel
engineering in the nation. From 1905-1950s the tunnel serviced the
Laurel Line, a 19.2-mile stretch of track that ferried trolley
passengers between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, with a popular stop at
Rocky Glen Amusement Park. When freight traffic along the track
ceased in the 1970s the line lay silent. Restoration of the tunnel
began in 2001. Workers undertook an extensive track rehabilitation
that included replacement of bridges and repairs to the tunnel. The
second phase of rehabilitation focused on electrification of the
tunnel and was just completed in August. In all, nearly $6 million
in grants and funding were secured to revitalize the historic Laurel
Line excursion and freight route including the tunnel. In addition
to trolley excursions, the Lackawanna County Railroad Authority has
commenced service to Compression Polymers Corporation and future
freight customers via shipments through the tunnel. The reopening of
the tunnel further demonstrates the vital link transportation played
in the development of northeast Pennsylvania. In combination with
the Lackawanna coal mine tour and Steamtown National Historic Site,
visitors to the Electric City Trolley Station and Museum can
experience a dynamic story of the region's industrialization and
immigration. The addition of the 1905 Laurel Line Tunnel in the
museum's regular excursion extends the trolley excursion experience
to one hour in length. Passengers board a vintage trolley at
Steamtown National Historic Site's platform. Along the route
interpretive guides detail points of interest including the Central
Railroad of New Jersey freight house, Lackawanna and Western
railroad yard, Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, University of
Scranton, Roaring Brook and the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces.
Trolley rides will be available during special events scheduled for
November and December. The Electric City Trolley Station and Museum
is open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. A combination museum and trolley ride
admission costs $8 for adults and $5.75 for children. Group rates
are available upon request.
The Marywood University doctoral
program in human development has become increasingly diverse since
its inception in 1995. The new group of doctoral candidates comes
from a range of professions including higher education
administration, the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries,
teaching, sales, psychotherapy, nutrition and social services,
including adult literacy and multicultural affairs. The 11 women and
10 men in the new cohort range in age from 29-54 years old. The
doctoral program offers five specializations--educational
administration, higher education administration, instructional
leadership, health promotion, and social work--and prepares
graduates for a wide range of careers. The program, together with
Marywood's Psy.D. program, are the only two doctoral programs in
northeast Pennsylvania. In 2001, the doctoral program ranked fifth
in the nation in the categories of "recommended practices" and
"overall satisfaction" in a national survey conducted by the
National Association of Graduate Professional
Students.
Montoursville Borough has a new Web site. It can be
found at www.lyco.org./lyc-montoursville, and includes material on
borough departments, schedules, officials and committees. Contact
information can be found on the site as well as staff names and
titles, hours of operation, and office locations. The site includes
a comprehensive section on permits, codes and zoning. Permit
applications for various events can be printed from the Web site,
completed, and returned to the borough office. There is a map of
Montoursville, a list of borough council members and an explanation
of the borough's burning ban that took effect on September 19.
Visitors to the Web site will also find minutes of borough council
meetings, dating back to last January 7.
Odyssey Fitness,
Wilkes-Barre, recently became the only facility in northeastern
Pennsylvania to introduce the entire line of FreeMotion, the next
generation in state-of-the-art equipment. With FreeMotion equipment
a person can practice their golf swing, replicate a soccer kick or
just practice walking upstairs. The resistances provided by the
equipment all people to improve their sports performance as well as
increase their ability to do everyday tasks.
Robert Ciaruffoli,
chairman and CEO of Parente Randolph announced the sale of Parente
Technology's Voice and Data Division to Blue Sky Network Solutions.
Blue Sky Network Solutions, the Voice and Data Division of Blue Sky
Consulting Group Inc., a national business services organization,
will by led by Kurt Santayana, formerly a principal with Parente
Randolph. "The acquisition allows Parente Randolph to focus on core
business units, while at the same time giving Blue Sky Network
Solutions the opportunity to grow its operations based on the solid
foundation that was built at Parente Technology," Ciaruffoli said.
Blue Sky's newly acquired telecommunications division is designed to
sell, service and support the Avaya Communications and Cisco Systems
voice/data products. It also provides specialized services in call
center application development, data network management/monitoring
and project management. "Parente Technology has an excellent
reputation in the voice and data arenas for quality and customer
satisfaction and we are extremely excited to have this team join the
Blue Sky family," said Mark Nightingale, CEO Blue Sky Consulting
Group Inc. Parente Randolph is a leading mid-Atlantic accounting and
consulting firm, and is among the top firms of its kind in the
United States. The firm provides accounting, audit, tax and general
business consulting services to corporations and closely held
businesses from offices in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. To
learn more, visit www.parentenet.com.
Pennsylvania College of
Technology's board of directors awarded construction contracts
totaling $7.33 million for renovations at the former HON
manufacturing facility-a project that will enable the college to
create state-of-the-art instructional space for an additional 100
students. The total of the bids was nearly $500,000 under
projections, allowing the college to undertake additional work at
the site, which was acquired through a gift-purchase agreement in
2001. The general contractor for the $7,328,630 project will be
Lobar Inc., Dillsburg, which submitted the lowest of eight
general-construction bids at $3,735,000. Lobar is the general
contractor for two other construction projects currently under way
on the main campus: the student and administrative services center
at the Maynard Street main entrance and a 365-bed student-housing
complex at the west end of campus. R&J Ertel Inc., Williamsport
submitted the lowest of five bids for the plumbing contract
at$757,700. Silvertip Inc., Lewisburg was the lowest of six bidders
for the HVAC contract at $1,178,000. Turnkey Construction Inc.,
Williamsport submitted the low bid among eight electrical
contractors at $1,292,000. Johnson Controls, Camp Hill, was the lone
bidder for the facilities management contract at $365,930. Programs
moving to the 104,000-square-foot building are collision repair
technology, automated manufacturing technology, civil engineering
technology and surveying technology. The facility will feature three
technology-enhanced classrooms, three computer labs and two
large-group-instruction areas. Traffic lanes will be rerouted to the
west side of the building to improve safety for drivers and
pedestrians accessing West Third Street. All of the work is expected
to be completed by August 2003. The student-housing construction,
which will increase the number of beds available in on-campus,
college-owned-and-operated housing to more than 1,400, is expected
to be completed by August 2003. In addition, the Klump Academic
Center will house the paramedic technology major, currently located
in rental space at Susquehanna Health System. The work at the Klump
Academic Center will include structural and HVAC upgrades and the
renovation of vacated office spaces (those relocating to the student
and administrative services center) for use as classrooms and
faculty offices. Those and other renovations there are expected to
be completed by August 2004.
Matthew L. Byers, Pennsylvania
College of Technology's fall 2001 study-abroad student to Denmark,
offered a taste of Danish life when he presented a lunchtime
PowerPoint program on his trip at the college library recently.
Byers, a senior in the graphic design major, also showed pictures
from his photo album and addressed the architecture of the Northern
European nation.
The Quandel Group Inc., Scranton, was recently
awarded a $3.7 million contract to construct a new wastewater
treatment plant and six pumping stations for the Branch-Cass
Regional Sewer Authority. Additional improvement include an
administration building, metering vaults, reed beds, paved access
road and perimeter chain link fencing. The project is expected to be
complete by October 2003.
Also, the Quandel Group was awarded a
contract by Community Medical Center Healthcare System, Scranton, to
provide construction management services for its upcoming expansion
project. The project will consist of a new 425-space parking garage,
a 10,000-square-foot addition to the emergency department, and a
30,000-square-foot addition to house diagnostic services. There will
also be interior renovations to the existing emergency department
and other areas of the hospital. Construction on the parking garage
began in August and will be completed by next May. The remainder of
the project will be completed in spring 2005.
Also, The Quandel
Group Inc. was awarded a contract by Health Care Management and
Resources to construct the Dunmore Cancer Center. The project
consists of a two-story addition to the existing Hematology
Associates building, Dunmore. The first floor of the building will
be 10,000 square feet and utilized for radiation therapy. The second
floor of the facility will be 8,500 square feet of shell space,
which will be used for future fit-out. The project will start
construction in December and will be complete by July.
Schubert
Communications Inc., Downingtown, a business-to-business marketing
communications agency, has prepared a new white paper that provides
insight into how the Internet has disrupted the B2B sales cycle.
Entitled "Where Have all the Sales Leads Gone? The Internet's
Disruptive Effect on Trade Media Advertising," the paper discusses
the growing difficulty experienced by marketers in capturing and
acting upon sales leads. It also advises how companies can achieve
efficient lead-gathering with a variety of marketing communications
tools. In addition, Schubert's white paper reveals the print
publications that still serve as the most valuable and trusted
resource for important industry information.
Trains are again
rolling on a portion of the Shamokin Valley Railroad that had been
unused since the 1970s. Four trains a week are carrying coal from
Mount Carmel Junction to the Sunbury LLC power plant in Shamokin
Dam. The coal is delivered to Mount Carmel by the Reading and
Northern Railroad. Previously, anthracite coal had been transported
by truck to the plant in Shamokin Dam. The four weekly trains are
equal to approximately 360 truckloads. Trains use substantially less
fuel than trucks, and provide for safer highways. The coal will be
traveling through Shamokin. Because signal lights at railroad
crossings are currently not working, flagmen will control traffic,
alerting drivers of oncoming trains. Plans are in place to restore
signal service to these crossings over the next year or
so.
Staffmasters USA, Harrisburg, became Arcus - a name change to
better reflect its market identity, expanded capabilities and reach.
Arcus equips it clients with over 100 years of expertise in the IT
staff augmentation arena and under its new name will continue to
deliver information technology resource solutions to business,
government and community partners in an environment that encourages
creativity, recognizes excellence and provides unlimited career
growth. "Arcus is a unique name that we feel truly reflects our team
of dynamic and experienced professionals," said company
president/CEO Doug Firestone. Visit Arcus' Web site at
www.arcus.net.
The Lion Brewery Inc., Wilkes-Barre, announced the
return of its gold medal-winning winter seasonal, Pocono caramel
porter. It is now available and is a rich, full-flavored beverage
that uses extra caramel and chocolate malts to add a rich roasted
character. It is sold in 12-ounce nonreturnable bottles and half
barrels.
The Project Assurance Group, Clarks Summit, and The
Productivity and Performance Center, Scranton, have formed a
business alliance. The alliance will afford the opportunity for
companies to develop a relationship with one firm that can provide a
total solution to a business' needs. The companies' combined
offerings will now include a full array of assessment, consulting,
and training service in the areas of business and strategic
planning, human resource management, information technology,
organizational development, performance improvement/training,
project management, quality management, and safety and environmental
management services.
Two local companies will treat 16 women to
tickets for WVIA's Women's Summit on November 9. Parente Randolph
and Procter & Gamble purchased the first two tables for the
event that will be held at the Sheehy-Farmer Campus Center at King's
College, Wilkes-Barre from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Other companies that
purchased tables include Moses Taylor Hospital, New York Life George
Shadie and Pennstar Bank. Last year's event welcomed more than 200
women interested in visiting the exhibitors and attending roundtable
discussions dealing with diverse subjects that provided an
opportunity to meet and network with women dealing with similar
issues/interests. Topics covered in the discussions and on-site
exhibits will include wellness, life management,
motivation/inspiration, career management and much more. It is also
the goal to provide this vital information in a fun and entertaining
manner, allowing honored attendees to feel like they have been on a
"mini" retreat. When organizations sponsor a table at the Women's
Summit, they receive signage on the luncheon table; eight tickets to
the event and luncheon; 1/8 page ad in the Women's Summit
publication that will be placed in the the Scranton Times and the
Citizen's Voice on November 6; recognition in the event program and
on WVIA's Web site, and placement of samples or information in a
commemorative bag given to each attendee. For more information on
table sponsorship, call Lisa Ayres at (570) 602-1175 or visit the
Web site at www.wvia.org.
The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of
Business and Industry dedicated a new roadway in Highland Park
(Wilkes-Barre Township) to Ed Schechter, one of the founding fathers
of the area's economic revitalization effort. Representatives from
the chamber and the local community commented on Schechter's
numerous contributions to the region over the past four decades
while standing in the business park that has been one of the Wyoming
Valley's most prominent examples of the progress that can happen
through effective leadership. A community leader for over four
decades, Schechter continues to play a significant role in the
Wyoming Valley's efforts to build the future. Schechter moved from
volunteer leadership to become the first executive director of
Committee for Economic Growth, a position he held until 1987. Under
his leadership, the CEG undertook its first major investment
campaign--which brought in over $3.3 million to fund work to attract
industry and create jobs for this community. CEG's work led to the
creation of over 6,700 new primary and secondary jobs through the
location of significant new businesses including names such as
Sallie Mae, the construction of over 2.7 million square feet of
office and industrial space, and a significant reduction in the
region's unemployment rate. In 1971, the Greater Wilkes-Barre
Chamber and its Industrial Fund began a project to reclaim and
develop a 334-acre former strip mine site adjacent to Interstate 81
and PA Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Township for a business park. The
goal of the reclamation project, called the Zayre Reclamation
Project, was to rid that parcel of land of an unsightly culm bank
and strip mine and to return the land to productive uses. The
project now represents a growing and vibrant gateway to the Wv
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PA Business Journal 2002 |
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