President’s Message: October is National Chamber Month
October is traditionally National Chamber Month. So, it is fitting that in my last official column for the Chamber, we recognize the recipients of our 2019 Business of Year Awards. Once again, among all the outstanding organizations and members of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, these seven awardees stand out for their exceptional contributions as business people and community leaders. They work well beyond their own self-interests, in collaboration with others in the community, to improve the quality of place and lives of all residents in our region. They are committed to making Beaver County and our surrounding region a better place
to live, work and do business.
The Awardees are:
1. Citizen of the Year is Dr. Donald E. Sheffield. Dr. Sheffield, is a graduate of New Brighton High School, received his B.A. in Secondary Education from Geneva College, his Master in Education from Slippery Rock University, and earned his doctorate in Higher Education from Penn State University. He spent most of his career in higher education, including 26 years at Penn State University until his retirement in September of 2002. Dr. Sheffield provides training for corporations, businesses social service organizations and schools. He serves as the Cultural Competency Trainer for the Beaver County System of Care, as well as a consultant in Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency for the business community. In addition, he conducts workshops for parents in maximizing the potential of their children. He is the founder and president of TAME Inc. (Techniques Assisting Motivation and Excellence), a consulting firm dedicated to cultural excellence by helping schools, families, and businesses understand the “practice” of high performance. No one has done more to bring people together, and demonstrate true servant leadership in our community, than Dr. Sheffield. He is a long-time member of the Chamber and we are honored to recognize him as our Citizen of the Year.
2. Entrepreneur of the Year is Christine Cosky. Is the owner and operator of B Well Nation Fitness Center, and is an LLC & ACE certified Group Exercise Fitness Instructor. She is an extraordinary entrepreneur that spans a career as a radio personality and host, a multi-media voice over actor, lecturer, community volunteer and businesswomen. Chris seems to be engaged everywhere in the community in ways that not only enhance our quality of life but uplift our spirits and improve our health. She is a graduate of the first cohort of our Leadership Beaver County Program and is truly a delight to know and work with in any capacity.
3. Small Business of the Year is MGSoft-Net. They are a terrific small business that provides IT infrastructure, web design, development and social media solutions. Founded in 1999, MGSoft-Net has been helping the residents of Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, and Northern West Virginia with their business and home computer issues. They are a long-time Chamber members and provider of services to the Chamber office. Bob Bickerton and his team epitomize quality service in a very competitive field of work. Their diverse client and customer base are testimony to why they are deserving of being our Small Business of the Year.
4. Large Business of the Year is Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center. No organization in our history has had a greater impact on our local arts and entertainment culture than LPPAC. They annually bring over 30,000 patrons to their 750 seat Mainstage and 150 seat Black Box Theaters. Hosting dozens of community organizations and events, they are truly a cherished asset and key part of the economy and quality of life we not only enjoy in Beaver County but across the southwestern Pennsylvania region. Nearly 800 students from 81 school districts and eight counties is quite an impact. The success of their students’ performers majoring in a performance-based program that includes
professional directors, choreographers and technical crews, provides opportunities for Charter School students to shadow and learn backstage production, as well as working with visual and literary arts faculty that provide learning for students in those majors and programs.
5. Energy & Advanced Manufacturing Industry of the Year is Shell Polymers /
Pennsylvania Chemicals Project. Needless to say, no investment by any entity has been as been more impactful on our region than Shell’s world-class polymer plant construction project. They have brought thousands of construction workers, spending billions of dollars to construct, and are generating millions in local commercial and retail sales, new company investments, tax revenue, and charitable community contributions. Setting aside the substantial economic impact, the folks at Shell are a greatly talented and committed group of folks committed to serving the Beaver County region. They participate on multiple community boards, committees and in dozens of volunteer programs. They exemplify what being a good corporate citizen and social responsibility is all about. They are our friends, good neighbors, and the best marketing promotion Beaver County has had in decades.
6. Chamber Ambassador of the Year is Charles Sylak. Charlie is a long-time member of the Chamber and Board of Directors who worked for Westinghouse early in his career and then helped run a family business Shasta, a specialty metals company in Aliquippa. He also worked as a marketing executive with the Levy Marketing Group. Charlie has served and promoted the Chamber tirelessly over the years and is one of our greatest cheerleaders and supporters.
7. Diversity Advancement Award is being presented to Huntington Bank. This new award is a joint effort between the Chamber and the Inclusion, Diversity, and Awareness Council (IDAC) of Beaver County. Huntington Bank has been selected as the first recipient based on their placing importance on bringing banking and hiring practices that ensure our business community values diversity and inclusion in all that we do. The award is a reminder of how as employers, employees and a community, we are much stronger and better as a society when everyone has an opportunity to live and work on an equal basis. All the awardees will be honored the evening of November 7 th at Seven Oaks Country Club. Please contact Michelle Musselman at 724.775.3944 or email info@bcchamber.com for ticket information. The BCCC is the leading business development and networking organization in the Beaver
Valley region, with over 500 members and growing. Our mission is to “lead and advocate for economic growth and community development in order to foster the best environment in which to live, work and do business”. To learn more about the benefits of becoming a Chamber member, or how our community partnerships and business development efforts are making Beaver County more competitive in attracting and retaining families, employees and enabling economic growth, please visit the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce website at www.bcchamber.com.
This important community update is brought to you by Beaver Falls Municipal Authority, 1st Consultants, Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick & Gefsky, Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce, Skerlec Contracting, and NovaCare!