Eye On Beaver County: Meet The Panel
KDKA-TV Eye on Community: Beaver County
Thursday, April 5, 2018 – The Fez, 2312 Brodhead Rd, Hopewell, PA 15001
Beaver County's importance as a growth corridor will be the subject of an event hosted by KDKA-TV in April at the Fez in Hopewell.
"KDKA-TV Eye On Community: Beaver County" will feature speakers discussing the revitalization of Beaver County and its' growth potential, with a special emphasis on business opportunities stemming from the Shell cracker plant. The program, will include speakers featuring Beaver County government leaders, economic development officials and business leaders. Following the Eye on Beaver County discussion panel.
More information on Eye on Community: Beaver County | Free tickets to event
Panel Moderator
Jon Delano - Money & Politics Editor, KDKA-TV Columnist, Pittsburgh Business Times Adjunct Professor of Public Policy & Politics, Carnegie Mellon University's Heinz College
Think of a well-recognized, award-winning analyst in Pennsylvania who combines years of "inside experience" on Capitol Hill with the perspective of the private sector and life outside the Washington Beltway, and one name leads the list: Jon Delano.
Jon Delano is a familiar face on KDKA-TV, having been the station's political analyst since 1994.
Jon's on-air work began in 1991 after fourteen years working in the US Congress. In 1994 he became the political analyst for KDKA-TV and reported from both the Republican and Democratic presidential conventions in 1996, 2000, and 2004. In 2008, he was the first TV reporter in the state to interview Barack Obama and had six interviews with him that year, along with John McCain, Hillary Clinton, and Sarah Palin.
As one of Pennsylvania's respected commentators, Jon is recognized for his ability to analyze complex issues and make them understandable to any audience. Having worked in both government and the private business world, practiced law, reported on radio and television, written extensively, and taught at the graduate school level, Jon's combined experiences allow him to speak with some authority about governmental, political, and economic issues.
Jon moderates and facilitates seminars, candidate debates, and programs and speaks on governmental and political issues to many civic, business, and labor groups. His reputation as an even-handed, non-partisan political analyst has led to his selection as a moderator and panelist for many candidate debates, including statewide debates for governor and U.S. Senate and many local debates and forums for Mayor of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County Executive, Congress, and the PA General Assembly. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Haverford College and University of Pennsylvania Law School, Jon and his wife Jane and their two children live in Mt. Lebanon two blocks from where Jon grew up.
Panel Participants
Michael Marr
Michael Marr has been a senior communications leader in both the private and public sector for more than two decades. In 2012, Marr joined Shell and has since worked in different roles covering Shell's US Chemicals Assets and Shell's petrochemical project in Beaver County, PA. For the five years preceding Marr's employment with Shell, he served as the public affairs lead at the former BP Texas City site, which housed the nation's third largest oil refinery, an integrated chemical plant and a power plant.
Marr worked in senior governmental roles before joining the private sector in 2007. After graduating from Johns Hopkins University with a Bachelor of Arts degree, Michael joined the staff of Congresswoman Helen Bentley of Maryland. From 1998-2007, Marr served in a variety of roles for New York Governor George Pataki, including as the Governor's official press secretary, campaign press secretary and as the State's lead economic development spokesperson in the 18 months that followed 9/11.
Marr grew up in Baltimore and has lived in League City, Texas for the last ten years with his wife Sarah and their son Ryan, who is seven. He is now in the process of relocating his family to the Pittsburgh area.
Kenneth J. Broadbent -- Business Manager of the Steamfitters Local 449
Local 449 (Pittsburgh, PA) Business Manager Kenneth J. Broadbent has been a proud member of his local union and the UA for more than 31 years, beginning with his five year apprenticeship in his local's training program. In addition he graduated from the UA Instructor Training Program and holds an American Welding Society Qualification as a CWI (Certified Welding Inspector). He has also attended three years of HVACR classes at CCAC and classes for Non-Destructive Testing. After working in the field, Kenneth contributed to the apprenticeship program that provided him with his education by serving as a welding instructor from 1981 until 1989. The members of Local 449 then elected Kenneth to the position of president in 1992, business agent in 1996, and business manager in 1999. Since 1999, he has served continuously as business manager of Local 449.
Rick Okraszewski -- Industry Outreach and Marketing Director of the Keystone Mountain Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters
Rick Okraszewski, also known as Ricky O has worked as a construction carpenter for 40 years. His education includes a business degree from Robert Morris College, as well as completing the Carpenter's Apprenticeship program. Ricky's career has included jobsite foreman and superintendent for construction projects ranging from $10,000 to $30 million in value. Ricky moved from the field to work as an instructor for the Carpenters Apprenticeship program, which lead to his promotion to director of the KML Carpenters Apprenticeship program. Most recently, Ricky has moved from the director's position at the training center, to the marketing industry outreach director for the KML Carpenters covering five states and including over 16,000 members. Rick serves on the Board of the Pittsburgh ACE Mentoring program as well as advisory boards for multiple Career and Technology Centers. He has worked with the Young Architects Forum as well as the Young Contractors to foster collaboration between the Carpenters and industry professionals.
Greg Christy -- Business Manager/FST of the Iron Workers Local Union No. 3
Greg Christy began his career as an Iron Worker in 1992 when he joined Iron Workers Local Union No.3's Apprenticeship Program in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to this move, the Freeport, PA nativegraduated in 1985 from the University of Pittsburgh, and he played professional football for the Buffalo Bills for three seasons before retiring from the NFL in 1988. Despite his later start in the field, Greg quickly realized what it took to be in this industry.
After a short 10 years, he was appointed as an Assistant Business Agent for Local 3. From June 2005 until July 2007, he was a Trustee of Iron Workers Local Union No. 3. He assumed the role of Recording Secretary in August 2007 until May 2011. Mr. Christy was elected President for Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 in June of 2011 and became Trustee of the Iron Workers of Western Pennsylvania Benefit Plans. He proudly upheld the position until July 29th, 2013 when he was appointed Business Manager/FST. In June of 2014 and 2017, he ran unopposed and was elected Business Manager/FST, the office he currently holds.
Knowing that being aware of all the aspects of the industry should be a priority before any decision making, Greg also serves as a member of the Executive Board for Builders Guild of Western Pennsylvania; as an ally to the Ironworker Employers Association of Western Pennsylvania, Inc.; as a Trustee for the Iron Workers of Western Pennsylvania Benefit Plans; as a Trustee of the Iron Workers Joint Apprenticeship & Journeyman Training Fund; and as a Community Relations Board Member for the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Today, Greg resides in his hometown of Freeport, PA with his wife, Lori. He remains an active participant in the PITT Alumni Association, as well as the NFL Alumni Association.
Jennifer Shoaf -- Deputy Chief Academic Officer at The Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School
A public school serving nearly 11,000 students in grades K-12 across the Commonwealth. Founded in 2000, PA Cyber is headquartered in Midland, Pennsylvania and is one of the largest, most experienced online public schools in the nation. Jennifer started her career at PA Cyber as a teacher and quickly transitioned into the role of Director of Curriculum and Instruction. With a strong desire to help inspire and guide today's youth, Jennifer enjoys opportunities where she can collaborate with colleagues to implement new initiatives. In her current role as the Deputy CAO, Jennifer oversees the school's curricular programs, including English Language Development (ELD), gifted, the arts, STEM, and federal programs. With a large focus on providing students access to high-quality programs and technologies, Jennifer helped design and implement the school's current educational model.
Jennifer earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Geneva College and attained a Master's Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Clarion University.
James T. Kunz, Jr. - Business Manager of the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66 (IUOE Local 66) and an International Vice President for the IUOE in Washington, DC.
He is the first Business Manager who is a graduating apprentice of the Western PA Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program, he worked in the field as a Heavy Equipment Operator until 1995 when he became a Business Representative and in 2004 Business Manager. He has 41 years of service in Local 66. Jim serves as the Chairman of the Board on the Pension, Welfare, Annuity, Benefit and Combined Funds for Local 66; Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Western PA Operating Engineers Joint Apprenticeship and Training Program; President of the PA State Council of IUOE; and Vice President of the PA AFL-CIO and Allegheny County Labor Council. He serves on the PA AFL-CIO Executive Committee and on the Board of Directors for VisitPITTSBURGH. He also serves as Youth Committee Chairman of the PA Workforce Development Board. Jim is dedicated to serving the members of Local 66 and a proud resident of the City of Pittsburgh where he resides with his wife Opal. He has 3 grown children; two of whom are Operating Engineers Graduating Apprentices.
Jack Manning - President & Executive Director of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce
Jack began working in Southwestern Pennsylvania in 1998 and relocated to the Chippewa Township / Beaver Falls area with his wife, Diane in 2000. He has a son (Jeff), daughter-in-law (Kelly Harsh Manning) and granddaughter (Charlotte) that live in Patterson Heights, and a second son (Justin) who resides in Hawaii. He is the owner and principal of Pinebrook Cottage Consulting, which he started after a more than 35-year career in the chemical and plastics industry. Jack is currently under agreement to serve as President & Executive Director of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce, and as Executive Director of the Beaver County Partnership for Community and Economic Growth. He was also contracted with Town Center Associates as a consultant for coordination of municipal services to multiple communities in Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence Counties with traditional downtown business districts from 2012-2017.
Actively involved and committed to community service, Jack has championed local Southwestern PA business and community development efforts from small town merchants to industrial brownfield redevelopment to educational and workforce training. He and his wife have donated their time and resources to many non-profit and charitable organizations over the years, including Jack serving on the Boards of the United Way and the Friends of Old Economy Village. He was appointed to two terms on the Board of Trustees to the Community College of Beaver County (2003-2010), serving as the Vice-Chair of the Trustees from 2008-2010, and served as Chairman of the CCBC Foundation Board from 2010-2011. He was on the Board of Directors for Gateway Rehabilitation Center from 2004-2013 and served as their Board Secretary from 2011-2013. Prior to being name as Executive Director, Jack served on the Board of the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce from 2012 – 2016, where he founded and served as Chair of the Economic Development Taskforce.
Pascal Nardelli - Castlebrook Development Group, Partner
Pascal M. Nardelli began his real estate career in August 1970 on the brokerage side of the business with John Peck Real Estate upon graduating from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Philosophy in August of 1970. Mr. Nardelli was involved in every facet of the real estate brokerage business including single-family and multi-family residential, commercial office and retail, and industrial through 1974.
In 1995 Nardelli joint ventured the development of a 250,000 square foot power center called Cranberry Square in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. Tenants included Barnes & Noble, Dick's Sporting Goods, Toys 'R Us, Office Max, Home Place, Michael's Crafts and Pier One, among others.
Following the completion of Cranberry Square in late 1998, Mr. Nardelli formed Castlebrook Development with Bill West for the purpose of development and construction of commercial real estate projects.
Valerie M. McElvy
Valerie M. McElvy mother, grandmother and wife. She currently works as the volunteer coordinator, property manager and supervisor of Professional Outfitters and Variety Shoppe under the agency of the Franklin Center of Beaver County Inc. Valerie serves as the secretary on the Beaver County Chamber of Commerce board, Borough Council person for New Brighton and board member of the New Brighton Business District Authority. In any spare time a storyteller, public speaker and character impersonator. She received her Bachelor's in Community Ministry degree from Geneva College. She can be contacted at (724) 601-1856 cell phone and resides at 1458 4th Avenue, New Brighton. Hear ye Valerie McElvy…
Norm Mitry
Norm Mitry brings 35+ years of experience to Heritage Valley Health System with a unique blend of responsibilities in healthcare, industry and private business.
Norm is in his 23rd year with Heritage Valley Health System (17 years as CEO and 6 years as CFO) and prior to 1995, Norm was executive vice president and chief financial officer for the Pittsburgh Mercy Health System, where he worked for nine years. Before entering the healthcare field, Norm Mitry served as director of cost accounting and special projects for Jessop Steel in Washington, Pennsylvania.
Norm's experience revolves around finance, information technology, strategic planning and "turnaround" management. Additionally, Norm was one of the principal architects in the design, development and implementation of the Heritage Valley Integrated Delivery System.
Norm Mitry received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Robert Morris University and a Master's Degree in Public Management from Carnegie Mellon University.
Norm serves on the Boards of Robert Morris University, Salvation Army of Beaver County, Beaver County Partnership and UPMC Healthplan.
Norm is also an adjunct professor at the University of Pittsburgh's Graduate School of Public Health.
Norm resides in Center Township with his wife Peggy and has two adult stepdaughters Lauren and Kaitlin.
Valerie Pedigo - Senior Vice President/District Manager, Huntington National Bank
Valerie earned her Bachelor's of Arts in International Business & Economics, Japanese, and Spanish from the University of Mount Union in Alliance, OH and has completed work toward a Master's of Business Administration from Texas A&M University in Commerce, TX.
Starting her career in business for herself as a sales process consultant and real estate investor, she has many years of experience encouraging and demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit.
For the past 12 years, she has held various roles in the financial services industry. Currently, she leads the retail branch network for Huntington Bank in the Ohio Valley and Western PA, including Beaver County.
She has resided in Western PA with her family for almost seven years, with the last three in Ambridge, PA.
Valerie is extremely active in the community, serving on the Board of the Ambridge Regional Chamber of Commerce, was recently elected School Board Director for the Ambridge Area School District, and many other local committees focused on the development of Beaver County and the Pittsburgh region as a whole.
Hosts Of Impact Networking Event
Bob Pompeani - KDKA-TV Sports Director
Born and Raised in Hopewell, Bob Pompeani is a sports anchor for KDKA-TV News at Six and KDKA-TV News at Eleven. He began his career at KDKA-TV in 1982, but his experience with hometown sports goes beyond the 31 years he's worked at KDKA.
Growing up in an area deep in sports traditions, Bob has seen all of the biggest high school rivalries as well as met players and coaches who've gone on to make sports history.
Bob spends the school year presenting the KDKA-TV "Extra Effort" award to local students who excel in athletics, academics and community service. In its 33rd year, Bob has visited over 1,200 local schools and produced feature stories on each outstanding student.
In 2015 Bob was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
In 1997 Bob was voted Pittsburgh's favorite sportscaster in a reader poll of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. In 1998, Bob became the first man ever to receive the Pittsburgh Beauty Academy's Professional Image Award — in the twenty years that PBA has handed out the honor.
Bob was also the 2000 Tri-State PGA of America Distinguished Service Award winner for outstanding contributions to local golf — getting inducted into the local Tri-State PGA Golf Hall of Fame.
Bob was inducted into the Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame in April of 2007 for his many contributions to local sports.
Bob has received the Golden Quill Award six times: first in 1987 for his report, "Earning Their Stripes," a story about hockey officiating; second in 1988 for "Project Playoffs"; and most recently in 2013 for his Pittsburgh Steeler exclusives.
Bob has won three Mid-Atlantic Emmy awards and eight AP awards for play-by-play of Steeler Pre-Season games and as host of the "#1 Cochran Sports Showdown."
Celina Pompeani - KDKA-TV Traffic Reporter
Celina Pompeani is now in her fourth season with the Pittsburgh Penguins working as the in-arena host at every home game and host of PensTV. In October of last year, she was hired as the morning traffic anchor at KDKA-TV. Before working in Pittsburgh, Celina was a general assignment reporter and weekend anchor at WTOV9 in Steubenville, Ohio.
