Business briefcase
Uniontown
PIC Hires Hoppe to lead Head Start
?The Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/Fayette Inc. (PIC) has announced that Jacquelyn Hoppe has been hired as the director of Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County, effective June 1. Hoppe will be responsible for overseeing the Head Start/Early Head Start program of Fayette County, as well as overseeing operations of the PA Pre-K Counts Partnership.
As a graduate of Marshall University, Hoppe studied speech-language pathology and minored in psychology and history. Prior to her employment with PIC, she has held various positions within upper level management, including the manager of training and development for Alcon Manufacturing Ltd., assistant vice president for Fort Wayne National Holding Co. and assistant vice president for First Kentucky National Corp. Hoppe’s Head Start and early education experience includes providing speech-language pathology services for the Head Start of Cabell County and the Cerebral Palsy Council of Cabell County for more than seven years.
Additionally, Hoppe designed the speech-language pathology service for St. Mary’s Hospital, working with adults and pre-school aged clients.
For more information, go online to www.privateindustrycouncil.com.
California
GACO hosts contracting seminar
California University of Pennsylvania’s Government Agency Coordination Office (GACO) will host “Federal Government Contracting for Veteran-Owned Business” seminar from 9?a.m. to 12:30?p.m. June 29 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Pittsburgh-Meadowlands, Washington.
The federal government spends more than $500 billion annually on a variety of goods and services to support its operations.
To ensure that small businesses get their fair share of government contracts, statutory goals have been established for federal executive agencies. The goal established for awarding contracts and subcontracts to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses is 3 percent. There is a best-faith effort for doing business with veteran-owned businesses.
This free seminar will provide businesses with information on responding to an RFP, subcontracting, teaming and state certification for veteran-owned business for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funded Projects.
To register, go online to http://www.calu.edu/business-community. For information on this seminar call Tracy Julian at 724-938-5881 or email julian@calu.edu.
Voorhees, N.J.
Utility wins award
American Water Works Co. has announced that it has received 15 directors awards of recognition from the Partnership for Safe Water. Fourteen plants received awards for maintaining phase III certification for 10 years, and one plant was presented with its first directors award for phase III certification.
In the Pennsylvania American Water Co., the Brownsville Water Treatment Plant received phase III certification.
The Partnership is a voluntary initiative developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other water organizations to recognize water suppliers that consistently achieve water treatment standards that surpass EPA regulatory requirements. The awards were presented today during the 2011 American Water Works Association Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
“Our employees are committed to delivering the best water quality possible to our customers, at an exceptional value at about a penny per gallon,” said Jeff Sterba, president and chief executive officer. “We’re pleased to achieve this recognition from the Partnership as a testament to our dedication to operational excellence.”
Pittsburgh
Company reports 31 percent increase
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services has reported a 31 percent increase in total written sales volume during May over the same time last year.
Total written sales volume for the company was $623,646,265 compared to $474,119,005 last year.
“The market has rebounded due to the pent up demand of ‘move-up’ buyers who didn’t really buy in the last three years. In the past 90 days, however, we’ve seen the most activity from this demographic,” said Helen Hanna Casey, president of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
Casey also noted that in Pittsburgh, the strong economy has fueled the increased movement of corporate relocation transferees to the region, most noticeable with Westinghouse, the Marcellus shale industry and UPMC and healthcare. Pittsburgh
Cole named by Pressley Ridge
The board of directors of Pressley Ridge has appointed Susanne L. Cole as the social service agency’s president and chief executive officer, effective immediately.
Pressley Ridge is a non-profit organization that provides critical services to children and families with complex needs. Pressley Ridge serves children with emotional and behavioral challenges, including children with autism, through foster care, residential and community-based services, as well as educational programs in seven states and the District of Columbia.
Cole, an employee of Pressley Ridge for 21 years, has risen through the ranks, serving in progressively more responsible roles. In 2010, she was promoted to executive vice president and chief operating officer responsible for overall operations and staff. In addition, she was appointed acting chief executive officer in January 2011, following the retirement of the CEO.
Previously, Cole was senior vice president of programs, responsible for the overall leadership, direction and development of programs for Pressley Ridge. Her former positions included being vice president of residential and educational services, and executive director in West Virginia where she was responsible for management and fiscal operations for the state as well as for residential and educational services for all of Pressley Ridge.
Cole joined Pressley Ridge in 1990 as a teacher/counselor in West Virginia when its new residential program began providing services to troubled children. She continued to advance at Pressley Ridge eventually becoming responsible for all of the services in the state of West Virginia. Cole earned both her M.A. degree in special education and B.A. degree in criminal justice from Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va., and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration from Chatham University. She is a native of Charleston, W.Va., and now resides in the Pittsburgh area.