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Business & Industry News — December 2011
PENN-NORTHWEST DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NAMES NEW CEO
Mercer, PA. (December 1, 2011) – Penn-Northwest Development Corporation (PNDC) has hired a new CEO to direct Mercer County’s lead economic development agency.
Randy Seitz is a veteran economic development leader, who has led regional economic development organizations in New York, Texas and Pennsylvania, and has most recently been the President and Chief Operating Officer of the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism. With 18 years of experience in economic development, Randy has a proven track record of success in new industry recruitment, local industry retention/expansion, workforce development and international trade.
“Our search for the key position of CEO involved casting a wide net, looking at both local candidates and those from outside our region,” said Lew Kachulis, CEO of Gilbert’s Risk Solutions and Chairman of PNDC. “The search committee engaged a professional search firm, DHR International, and was comprised of PNDC Board members and community leaders who thoroughly reviewed the credentials of the finalists. Randy Seitz demonstrated the entrepreneurial leadership the organization was seeking along with experience in recruiting companies to Northwest Pennsylvania.”
“Our region and Mercer County has so much going for it,” said Kachulis. “The opportunity to take a leadership role in our region and to work closely with the region’s business, government and institutional leaders to accelerate new investment and job creation is very exciting. Places that are succeeding in their approach to economic growth are doing it very collaboratively on a regional level. Randy was the best candidate and his experiences aligned well with the direction that PNDC is heading.”
At the Oil Region Alliance, Seitz was recruited to lead the newly formed organization that was created from consolidation of four separate agencies. During his tenure, Seitz was successful in helping secure $60 million in capital investment for job creation and retention and $350,000 in state funding for local worker training and job placement assistance. Seitz was also successful in filling a regional industrial park that was vacant prior to his arrival. He currently serves on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Council on Rural Affairs and also served on Governor Corbett’s Transition Team to shape economic development reform. Randy and his wife, along with their two children currently live in Franklin. They plan to relocate to Mercer County.
Larry Reichard, current Executive Director of PNDC, announced his plans to retire earlier in the year. “Larry has served PNDC well since the corporation was established 25 years ago,” said Kachulis. “He is well respected for his accomplishments in economic development both regionally and statewide.” Reichard will continue to serve PNDC during a transition period. Seitz will take on his new role beginning January 1, 2012.
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For further information: Liz Wilson/Ben Franklin Technology Partners/CNP 814-898-6541
Ben Franklin's Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center is Offering $50,000 in Prizes An Innovative Idea Could Make You a Winner!
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Are you a researcher, entrepreneur, or innovator working in the shale gas space? The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center www.sgicc.org, which is focused on the development of environmentally sound processes for the extraction, utilization, and safe transportation of natural gas resources, announced today they are offering a total of $50,000 in cash prizes for the two best shale gas-oriented innovations, new product ideas, or service concepts. In addition to the cash prizes, successful applicants will gain exposure to industry sponsors, investors and partners! The categories include:
The Shale Gas Innovation Contest, which is co-sponsored by the Marcellus Shale Coalition (www.marcelluscoalition.org), Little Pine Resources (www.littlepineresources.com), Chesapeake Energy (http://www.chesapeake.com), First National Bank (http://www.fnb-online.com) and Schlumberger (www.slb.com) was initially announced at the MSC Shale Gas Insight 2011 Conference’s Innovation Expo.
Mr. William Hall, the Director of the SGICC remarked, “We’re hoping this contest will energize our region’s entrepreneurs, small business owners, and researchers to offer up their best ideas to help maximize the economic return from this promising industry for all of Pennsylvania. The process is simple. A simple on-line summary is all it takes to get started.” To be eligible, applicants cannot have received Ben Franklin funding in the past and must have a presence in, (or plan to re-locate to) one of the following 32 counties served by Ben Franklin Technology Partners/Central and Northern. See http://www.cnp.benfranklin.org for a full listing of eligible counties. To download an application, visit http://innovationcontest.benfranklin.org . The deadline for applications is January 30, 2012.
About the SGICC The Ben Franklin Shale Gas Innovation and Commercialization Center (www.sgicc.org) is designed to harness innovation and new technologies as a means to maximize the economic return to Pennsylvania’s citizens from the Marcellus and Utica shale formations. The Center’s goal is to increase sustainable employment and wealth creation in Pennsylvania that has the potential to outlast the initial exploration, production and transportation of natural gas from the formations. The Center will also identify, support and commercialize technologies and early-stage businesses that enhance responsible stewardship of the environment while properly utilizing this transformative energy asset. eCenter @ LindenPointe Dedication Ceremony Held on October 19th @ 4:00 p.m.
Media Coverage: A Place to Create "Economic Magic" LindenPointe eCenter Opens in Hermitage Mercer County Dedicates New Business Incubator
City of Hermitage DVD Available
The City of Hermitage has produced a promotional DVD presentation for the purpose of marketing the City to prospective residents, businesses and visitors alike. View the full Hermitage DVD on YouTube.com @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBodBdOWQ2s or order a DVD by mail by contacting: City of Hermitage
Gannon University SBDC Seminars: Thurs., Feb. 2, 2012 9:00 - 12:00 noon @ SBDC Office in Mercer (Please note: Reservations are required for all seminars) Visit Gannon SBDC Upcoming Seminars For additional information, contact:
Northwest Industrial Resource Center Training Events
SBA504 Program: Growing Small Businesses
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