It’s Your Business
Dunbar Township Mall to get new layout, fa?ade
A long-time local grocer’s move will help kick off a renovation of Laurel Mall, its owners said.
New Plan Excel Realty Trust Inc. of New York City, one of the nation’s largest real estate companies, will be the new home for Pechin Shopping Village, scheduled to open in Laurel Mall on University Drive, near Connellsville.
“Pechin’s relocation to Laurel Mall will kick off the mall’s redevelopment,’ Richard Bremer, the senior vice president of the Northeast Region at New Plan Excel Realty Trust, commented.
“Design 3 Architecture of Monroeville has been retained to develop a plan for a new layout and fa?ade. We expect that the redevelopment will restore Laurel Mall to its former prominence in Dunbar Township,” Bremer added.
The opening of Pechin Shopping Village is planned for July and will occupy 94,000 square-feet of space. Pechin Shopping Village was established 58 years ago in Dunbar. Donald D’Amico, president and CEO, has expanded his business over the years. Pechin Shopping Village is known for its groceries as well as its variety of specialty stores, including sporting goods, shoes, hardware, auto parts, clothing and a cafeteria.
The 336,222-square-foot Laurel Mall is home to such tenants as Annee’s Popcorn, Burger King, Carmike Cinemas IV, Dollar General, Gingerbread House of Crafts, Healthsouth Outpatient Rehab, Laurel Highlands Family Dentistry and National City Bank.
New Plan Excel Realty Trust Inc. focuses on the ownership and management of community and neighborhood shopping centers. The company operates as a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT), with a national portfolio of 408 properties, including 28 properties held through joint ventures, and total assets of approximately $3.9 billion.
The properties are located across 36 states and include 389 community and neighborhood shopping centers, primarily grocery or name-brand discount chain anchored, with approximately 56.6 million square feet of gross leasable area, and 19 related retail real estate assets, with approximately 1.8 million square feet of gross leasable area. For additional information, visit www.newplan.com.
Uniontown
McCabe named to CPA panel
Jeffrey W. McCabe, certified public accountant, was elected to the ethics committee of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). He will serve a three-year term, from 2005-2008.
McCabe is a tax partner with McClure & Wolf in Uniontown. He is past president of the Fayette Chamber of Commerce and treasurer of the Laurel Highlands Academic Foundation.
McCabe earned a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is a resident of Uniontown.
Founded in 1897, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants is a professional association of more than 19,000 CPAs who work in public accounting, industry, government, and education. PICPA is the second-oldest and fifth-largest state CPA organization in the United States. To find a member CPA in your area, visit our Web site at www.picpa.org and click on CPA Locator. Students and educators can visit PICPA’s specially designed site www.CPAzone.org to get the latest information about careers in accounting and the CPA profession.
Uniontown
Petrock gains PHR certification
Donya L. Petrock, human resources generalist for TeleTech in Uniontown, recently earned certification as a professional in human resources (PHR).
The certification, awarded by the Human Resource Certification Institute (HRCI), signifies that Petrock possesses the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field.
“Certification as a human resource professional clearly demonstrates a commitment to personal excellence and to the human resource profession,” Susan Meisinger, SPHR, president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), said.
To become certified, an applicant must pass a comprehensive examination and demonstrate a strong background of professional human resource experience.
HRCI is the credentialing body for human resource professionals and is affiliated with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession. The institute’s purpose is to promote the establishment of professional standards and to recognize professionals who meet those standards.
Connellsville
Rudnik joins accounting firm
Kisiel & Associates PC, a certified public accounting and consulting firm, has announced that Leo R. Rudnik Jr., CPA, has joined the firm as a principal. With Rudnik, the firm is reintroducing its financial audit and attest services practice with an emphasis in not-for profit and governmental entities and strengthening its commitment to providing business planning and tax consulting, planning and compliance for small-to-medium-size businesses in all industries. Rudnik is a Connellsville resident and a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh. His accounting experience includes 26 years both in public accounting audit and tax consulting with a regional CPA firm and in private industry as a chief financial officer.
Kisiel & Associates PC discontinued audit services in 2003 as a result of qualified staffing shortages. “We had good success with our audit practice and have an excellent reputation for providing high quality services at a reasonable price in all service areas, but with the inability to recruit and retain quality audit staff to Fayette County. I was wearing myself too thin wearing too many hats,” Bryan Kisiel, CPA, CITP, CISA, said.
Kisiel & Associates PC, established in 1992, currently offers monthly bookkeeping, payroll, and traditional accounting services, litigation support services, individual and business tax planning and preparation, new business startup, business profitability and benchmarking, and accounting software and business technology consulting services to clients in the Western Pennsylvania , Southeast, Ohio, Northwestern Maryland and Northwestern Maryland and Northern West Virginia.
For a free consultation or for more information call 7240-626-2926 or visit us on life at www.ka-it.com.
Morgantown, W.Va.
Gabriels names merchandise manager
Don Mancini, corporate vice president of human resources, Gabriel Brothers Inc., has announced the addition of Steven Drexler, a divisional merchandise manager, to the company’s buying organization.
Drexler brings 32 years of retail buying experience (26 years as the executive level) to Gabriel Brothers Inc. He will be working in partnership with Ron Gabriel to provide direction and support in the buying areas of the men’s, children’s, footwear and accessories departments.
“We are excited to have a professional of Steve’s caliber in our company. His knowledge will assist in sustaining the future growth of our company and in making Gabriel Brothers and Rugged Warehouse the retailer of choice,’ Mancini said.
Gabriel Brothers Inc., founded in 1961, has been in the off-price clothing business for more than 40 years. James and Arthur Gabriel Sr. are the founding partners of Gabriel Brothers Inc. The company operates under the nameplates of Gabriel Brothers and Rugged Warehouse. Gabe’s offers name-brand family/apparel and home fashions at up to 70 percent off department store prices with locations in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Rugged Warehouse offers casual contemporary brand name fashions as well as home furnishings and accessories with locations throughout Alabama, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.