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A Sense of Place
Community service is more than good manners. It’s good business, too.
Taking Risks
Understanding how the right risks mean big returns for your company.
Excelling Full Circle
McInnes Rolled Rings–exemplary in industry, employees and Erie’s Eastside
Metered Success
FMC Technologies measures up and gives back to the community
IN OUR COMMUNITY Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
Safety 1st, 2nd & 3rd The driving force
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Waddell & Reed
Celebrating Over 75 Years of Service
L to R: Shelley Tomcho, Division Administrator; Gregory Brumagin, Financial Advisor; Daniel L’Herbier, intern; Trevor Walbridge, Financial Advisor; Bruce Phillips, Financial Advisor; Gilles Mulard, Financial Advisor; Vincent Mastrey, Financial Advisor; Jim Tracz, Managing Principal; Jared Wells, Financial Advisor Associate; Gregory Brawn, Financial Advisor; Duane Rose, Financial Advisor; JoAnn Kincade, Assistant to Jeffrey Fox; Matthew Malinowski, Financial Advisor; Bill Beggs, Assistant to Larry Kozik; Julie Deringer, Assistant to Larry Kozik; Jeffrey Fox, Financial Advisor; Larry Kozik, Financial Advisor. Missing from photo: John Stone, Financial Advisor; Scott Racut, Financial Advisor.
Fi n a n c i a l Pl a n n i n g • i n v e s tm en t s • i n su r a n c e ViSiT uS AT ouR neW LocATion 410 Cranberry Street, Suite 210, Erie, PA 16507 814.864.1199 • 800.840.9506 • www.jtracz.wrfa.com
Shelley Tomcho, Dan L’Herbier, JoAnn Kincade, Bill Beggs and Julie Deringer act as non-registered associated persons of Waddell & Reed, Inc. They are authorized to assist Advisors with approved activities. They are prohibited from soliciting, creating a market or account for any securities, investment advisory or insurance services. These activities are the sole responsibility of the Advisors, in addition they are not authorized to enter into any contractual obligations on behalf of Waddell & Reed, Inc. or otherwise bind the firm. Insurance products offered through insurance companies with which Waddell & Reed has sales arrangements. Waddell & reed, inc. member siPc
20082 (03/14)
ERIE MAGAZINE APRIL/MAY 2014
New Investors FE ATURE AR TICLE S A Sense of Place Community service is more than good manners. It’s good business, too. by John Chacona
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Taking Risks 19 Understanding how the right risks mean big returns for your company. by Lesley Ridge Excelling Full Circle 24 McInnes Rolled Rings-exemplary in industry, employees and Erie’s Eastside By Gretchen Gallagher Durney
IN E ACH ISSUE Erie Ambassador
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Regional Initiative Update 13 Career Street
SPECIAL EDITIONS Athena PowerLink® 9 Louis J. Tullio Community Service Award
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Metered Success 26 FMC Technologies measures up and gives back to the community By Gretchen Gallagher Durney Safety 1st, 2nd & 3rd The driving force by Nadeen Steffey
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Follow, Fan, Tag, Connect…
HELLO ERIE! We’ve got an App for that!
ERCGP BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014 OFFICERS Dr. Keith Taylor, CHAIR Marsha Marsh, VICE-CHAIR David Tullio, SECRETARY Mike Weber, TREASURER . BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dr. Jay Badams Joel Berdine Dr. Donald Birx John Bloomstine Carl Carlotti Terrence Cavanaugh Gary Clark John Dill Mary Eckert Scott Eighmy Jeffrey Evans James Fiorenzo Charles “Boo” Hagerty Timothy Hunter Chuck Knight John Leemhuis, Esq. Jim E. Martin
Now available on iPhone and Android. Search “Hello Erie” and discover what Erie has to offer.
Don’t miss out on the fun, request a Visitors Guide or download our free mobile app today! Call 800.524.3743 or email info@visiterie.com to receive your free guide.
Bob Mazza Marlene Mosco Jack Munch Neil Parham Jim Riley Jim Rutkowski, Jr. Matthew Schultz Nick Scott, Jr. Gretchen Seth Ron Steele Tom Tupitza, Esq. Russell Warner, Esq. Scott Whalen Mary Beth Wilcher Dr. Julie Wollman Scott Wyman
ERCGP STAFF Barbara C. Chaffee President/CEO
Sabrina Chirco Director of Research
Jacob A. Rouch Vice President, Economic Development
Douglas M. Massey Director, Business Action Team
August P. Schiava Vice President, Chamber
Cathy Noble Events Coordinator
Linda C. Robbins Financial Officer
Susan M. Ronto Membership Coordinator
Benjamin C. Pratt Executive Director, Growth Partnership Division
Brett Wiler Account Executive
Nadeen M. Steffey Director of Marketing and Communications EDITOR Nadeen M. Steffey CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Chacona Lesley Ridge Gretchen Gallagher Durney
800.524.3743 | VisitErie.com
VisitErie major sponsors:
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Follow, Fan, Tag, Connect…
APRIL/MAY 2014
ADVERTISING INFORMATION: Brett Wiler Account Executive (814) 454-7191 x137 bwiler@eriepa.com
EXCELLENCE
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
New Investors Agility Marketing
Agility Marketing is a nationally recognized provider of customer relationship management (CRM) services, specializing in a highly professional approach to direct marketing and customer care. Joseph DiFuccia 2323 West 38th Street / Erie, PA PH (814) 868-4824 / FX (814) 864-4287 www.agilitymarketing.com
Better Business Bureau of Western PA
BBB is an unbiased, non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior.
Habibi Mediterranean Cuisine Mediterranean cuisine restaurant. Samer Mustafa 127 West 14th Street / Erie, PA PH (814) 920-4756
Humes Chrysler Jeep Dodge New and used car dealer.
Matt Clark 1010 Route 19 North / Waterford, PA PH (814) 796-2666 / FX (814) 796-8475 www.humesforcars.com
Pamela Marlowe 1001 State Street, Suite 1400 / Erie, PA PH (814) 722-8760 www.bbb.org/pittsburgh
J’s Flooring Center
Bits n Pieces
Jeff Eger 1271 East Grandview Blvd. / Erie, PA PH (814) 825-1248 / FX (814) 825-1820 www.jsflooringcenter.com
Long arm quilting services, hand spinning supplies. Rebecca Hill 3214 West Lake Road, Unit 4 / Erie, PA PH (814) 232-9559
Camp Fitch YMCA
Camp Fitch is a year round resident camp located in Northwest Pennsylvania. Our mission is to put Christian principles into practice through camping programs. Matt Poese 12600 Abels Road / North Springfield, PA PH (814) 922-3219 / FX (814) 922-7000
CPR – Erie
We provide exceptional customer service for the repair of all makes and models of cell phones and small electronic devices. Jeff Bollinger 1907 Rotunda Drive / Erie, PA PH (814) 868-3000 / FX (814) 898-3076 www.cellphonerepair.com
Erie Sport Store
Full line sport store with key departments in outdoors, golf, ski, hockey and awards shop. Rich Weber 1920 Keystone Drive / Erie, PA PH (814) 866-0200 / FX (814) 866-5771 www.eriesportstore.com
APRIL/MAY 2014
We are a full service flooring store carrying all major brans of tile, hardwood, laminate, and vinyl. Any project large or small, we provide the knowledge and expert service you deserve, giving you complete confidence in a quality job.
GIVE THE GIFT
THAT GIVES BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY.
ERIE DOWNTOWN GIFT CERTIFICATES accepted at MORE THAN 45 LOCATIONS Order yours today at
ErieDowntown.com (814)455-ERIE
EXCELLENCE
King Cobra Karate, Inc.
King Cobra Karate, Inc., is recognized as the premier martial arts center that advances multifunction/martial arts offerings building upon a lifestyle of maturity, discipline and humanity. John Barton 3738 West 12th Street / Erie, PA PH (814) 860-1602 www.kingcobrakarate.com
Full-service premiere residential design and contracting firm specializing in kitchens, bathrooms, family rooms, and basement living spaces -- remodeling and new construction. Two local showrooms. Turnkey capabilities. Established in 1976. John Sitnik 2664 West 8th Street / Erie, PA PH (814) 835-4502 / FX (814) 835-0492 www.thekitchenvillage.com
Lakefront Flooring
Tony DeMichele State Farm Agency
Flooring sales and installation.
Tony DeMichele State Farm Insurance Agency, providing all your insurance and financial service needs. We offer auto, home, life, bank, health and business insurance.
Judd Kirner 2425 West 12th Street / Erie, PA PH (814) 455-2877 www.lakefrontflooring.com
Ray Wakley’s Car Care & RV Center
The Kitchen Village
RV sales and service, parts and accessories. Winnebago, Forest River, Coachmen, motorhomes, Travel Trailers.
Tony DeMichele 717 Indiana Drive / Erie, PA PH (814) 455-8669 / FX (814) 452-4861 www.insuremetony.com
Ray Wakley 10261 West Main Road / North East, PA PH (814) 725-9608 FX (814) 725-2473 www.wakleyrv.com
REMMCO, Inc.
General machining services. Capabilities include band saws, CNC lathes, vertical and horizontal mills. Kara Haas 4494 Remington Road / North East, PA PH (814) 725-3450
South Shore Party Rental
Party rental serving all of Erie County. Full line of party rental equipment including, tents, tables, chairs, dishes, linens, photo booth, gaming trailer, and much more. David Schack 100 Industrial Drive / Edinboro, PA PH (814) 734-1133 / FX (814) 734-4231 www.southshorerental.com/index.htm
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APRIL/MAY 2014
EXCELLENCE
SPECIAL E DITION S TORY
Congratulations to this year’s ® ATHENA PowerLink panel recipients! by Linda Stevenson ATHENA PowerLink® was introduced to the Erie Community fifteen years ago and since has provided professional mentors to more than 33 women business owners. The ATHENA PowerLink® program is a nationally recognized resource for the development and improvement of a broad range of companies that are owned by, and created by, women entrepreneurs. In addition, the ATHENA PowerLink® program is a business mentoring program designed to increase the growth and profitability of women owned businesses. ATHENA PowerLink® strives to help women business owners navigate hurdles and barriers to growth such as achieving access to new networks, mentors and best practices--previously unavailable to them. Also, ATHENA PowerLink®helps women business owners deal with staff/ employee management issues. Although the number of women owned businesses has been growing fast and furiously for some time, the growth rate for women business owners is slower than that of their male counterparts. There are a number of factors that come into play. However, to a large degree, this disparity is due to the lack of high level professional business connections and a perceived sense of isolation by these women business owners….So imagine what a hand-picked advisory panel of business experts can do for the growth of their businesses? The premise is simple--a panel of expert volunteers advises a woman business owner on important issues specific to her business with the goal of increasing the development and success of her business. The program “links” a woman business owner with an advisory panel, recruited from the Erie community, to work with her at no cost for one year. Each advisory panel is tailored to the specific needs of the company as defined by the business plan, goals and objectives of the
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Pictured L–R: Melissa Sulkowski, Lea O’Connell, Erin Green business. The panel’s goal is to ultimately help the woman business owner learn how to network better, access capital and implement best practices. Part of the entire process is the relationships that are forged between the business owner and her advisors…relationships that last well beyond the year-long project. Bottom line…the mission of ATHENA PowerLink® is to increase the growth and profitability of women-owned businesses. Congratulations to this year’s ATHENA PowerLink® panel recipients: Erin Green, Verify Services, LLC Lea O’Connell, Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe Melissa Sulkowski, Nurturines, LLC For more information log on to www.ATHENAerie.org.
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
ERIE AMBASSADOR FEATURE:
Dom Acharya Fall 2013 Alumni
Born in Bhutan, Dom Acharya, his parents and siblings arrived in the United States and Erie in 2008 as part of the resettlement process from the refugee camps in Nepal where they lived for 16 years. In May 2013, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, Magna cum Laude, from Mercyhurst University. Although he felt he knew the area fairly well, Dom wanted to participate in the Erie Ambassador program and get to know Erie even better.
“Erie has been a very welcoming community.” By day, Dom is busy visiting high school students throughout the county as an Erie County Youth Coordinator and Career Counselor at NWPA CareerLink. For fun, you will find him peddling his bicycle on his favorite trail around the peninsula. Last season, Dom peddled 500 miles. You will also find him helping his neighbors and community members with paperwork, computer issues, interpreting the language for them, and working with others to open a community center.
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AMBASSADORS
The group is searching for a large facility for the community to gather and meet, and where assistance can offered to help people like his parents become engaged citizens. When asked what his favorite Erie Ambassador Session was, hands down, the Presque Isle Tour, or ‘aqua bus ride’. “It was my first time ever on a boat, and getting to interact with members of the Coast Guard and how nice they are,” Dom said. He also found the tour of Erie Water Works interesting. As a biologist, learning the what, why, and how our city water is taken care of and seeing the internal workings of the city was an enriching experience. Dom thanked the Chamber for having him in the EA program, and has found Erie to be a very welcoming community. He and his family have purchased a home in the city. There are now about 60 homeowners from the approximately 5000 strong Nepalese community in Erie. On having a mortgage, Dom stated “living the American dream!” For information on the Erie Ambassador program visit our website www.eriepa.com/chamber/erie-ambassadors.
Career Street provides a vehicle for employers to offer quality career exploration opportunities to Erie County youth. EXCELLENCE
Career Street enables employers • Schools, counselors and teachers to share information about their company as well as career education • Non-profits opportunities by connecting with: • Erie County youth Through Career Street’s interactive and searchable website, businesses can post career education experiences such as hosting a company tour, speaking to a classroom, or working in partnership with schools to provide job shadowing and internships. The opportunities you create will be seen by educators seeking business involvement. Career Street staff will facilitate connecting your opportunity with schools and students. Working together through Career Street, we can help to ensure that students are better prepared for life after school and that businesses can ultimately have access to talented, qualified workers.
g n i t C e n n Co youth
Help us pave the way for a skilled and engaged workforce for years to come.
Contact Us:
CareerStreetErie.org info@CareerStreetErie.org 814.464.8614
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Career Street is a community service program of the Erie County VocationalTechnical School Foundation. The ECVTS Foundation has established an advisory board of community leaders to ensure Career Street meets the needs of students and business alike.
COMPREHENSIVE KNOWLEDGE Attorneys at Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C., possess comprehensive knowledge of the unique legal issues faced by school administrators and board members. As solicitors for many educational organizations, we stay abreast of recent developments, identify emerging challenges, and implement preventive legal strategies to minimize risk for our clients. Whether you are seeking counsel on the school code, sunshine act, ethics, bond financing, labor issues or a special education problem, rely on us for prompt, cost-effective answers.
Education Law • Special Education • Finance • Labor & Employment Workers’ Compensation • Disciplinary Matters • Real Estate Claims Prevention • Governmental Immunity
Knox McLaughlin Gornall & Sennett, P.C. Erie, PA | Jamestown, NY | North East, PA 814-459-2800 | www.kmgslaw.com
SAVE THE DATE Golf Outing 5-21 Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Peek’n Peak Resort and Spa
Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnership 2014 Signature Events Sponsorships available; contact Brett Wiler at bwiler@eriepa.com for details!
APRIL/MAY 2014
9-25
Fall Member Fest
11-6
Annual Meeting
Thursday, September 25, 2014 Shades Beach Thursday, November 6, 2014 Bel-Aire Clarion Hotel & Conference Center
Working together through Career Street, we can help to ensure that students are better prepared for life after school and that businesses can ultimately have access to talented, qualified workers.
ConneCting youth
Regional Initiative Update submitted by Jennifer Nygaard Pontzer Erie’s newest and most exciting initiative to interface local employers, educators, nonprofits and youth is up and running. Funding came together in the fall with generous grants from the Erie Community Foundation, United Way of Erie County, and the Workforce Investment Board as well as equal contributions coming from each of the public school districts as well as the Catholic Diocese of Erie. Local business owners, educators and nonprofit leaders came together to form an Advisory Board and a hiring committee was put together in search of an Executive Director. Jennifer Nygaard Pontzer has been hired and all the pieces are in place for a successful program designed to give students opportunities to explore a variety of careers offered right here in Erie.
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EXCELLENCE R E G I O NA L I N ITIATI VE U PDATE S Help us pave the way for a skilled and engaged workforce for years to come.
Contact Us:
CareerStreetErie.org info@CareerStreetErie.org 814.464.8614 Career Street is a community service program of the Erie County VocationalTechnical School Foundation. The ECVTS Foundation has established an advisory board of community leaders to ensure Career Street meets the needs of students and business alike.
Career Street was officially launched on February 24 and has been a flurry of activity since. The website, www.CareerStreetErie.org has grown significantly. With a common goal of exposing Erie youth in grades K-12, to a variety of career experiences stemming from what Erie County has to offer, Career Street is sure to make an impact. FOR CAREER STREET TO BE SUCCESSFUL, LOCAL EMPLOYERS MUST BE ENGAGED. Want to become involved? Go to www.CareerStreetErie.org and register. Contact Jennifer Pontzer at jpontzer@careerstreeterie.org. This is your chance to have an impact on the youth of today and the workforce of tomorrow.
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“Consumers are statistics. Customers are People.” -Stanley Marcus, chairman emeritus, Neiman-Marcus
EXCELLENCE
APRIL/MAY 2014
EXCELLENCE
A Sense of Place Community service is more than good manners. It’s good business, too.
by John Chacona
You might have heard of the French word terroir. Loosely translated, it describes a sense of place that derives from the geography, climate and soil that ties an agricultural product to the land from which it came. It’s the reason that wine made from chablis grapes in the Napa Valley taste different from wine made from Chablis grapes in the Rhone Valley of France. In a broader sense, it’s also what gives the trend to buy, source products and shop local such momentum. Bob Mazza knows all about terroir. It’s what brought his father, Joseph, from the Italian province of Calabria to North East to start the family winemaking business. It’s what led Anton Weber to buy the Smith Provision Company, which started as a small butcher shop in Erie, and bring the craft of making fine sausages and smoked meats from Bavaria. It was the factor that compelled the owners of Fuhrman’s Cider Mill, a Belle Valley landmark for
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more than a century, to rebuild and expand the mill after a devastating fire in 2007. The sense of place is also what motivates these three Erie County businesses to give back to the communities that fostered them, to support community initiatives and to keep the soil and business climate a rich and fertile one for the Joseph Mazzas and Anton Webers of the future. If there is anyplace in Erie County that could symbolize the so-called “locavore lifestyle,” it would be Fuhrman’s Cider Mill, Bakery and General Store. From the salvaged barn-wood beams to the premise-baked pies and the local products on the shelves of the general store, Fuhrman’s is a monument to the principal of “think global, act local.” That Fuhrman’s is open at all is evidence of the widely held perception of the mill as a community asset. A group of five private investors and their families came together in
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Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
“The project reminded me of the Flying Tigers in China...undermanned, overworked, and successful.” -Gerhard Neumann, on the development of the successful GE Variable Stator Experimental Engine
2010 for the purpose of reopening the historic landmark that was a seasonal tradition for generations of families. The investor group, which called itself the 8270 Group, for Fuhrman’s new address, 8270 Peach Street, added a bakery and a general store and made the place a year-round attraction. In 2011, they even added a 100-by-175-foot outdoor skating rink. A signature event is the Ciderfest Celebration. Morgan Schaaf, Fuhrman’s general manager and a member of one of the five investor families calls it, ”a full day of cider and food tasting, cookie munching, Smith’s hot dogs cooking, games and fun for kids. We won’t charge an admission fee. We want it to be a way that everyone who wants to can come be a part of a traditional Erie Autumn celebration and history that is--and hopefully always will be– Fuhrman’s Cider Mill. “ The commitment to community extends to other projects supported by Fuhrman’s, which this past autumn included hosting the Autism Societ y of Nor thwest Pennsylvania’s Autism Farm Fest, supplying harvest season treats for Blessed Sacrament parish’s Octoberfest, and baking cookies to support National Homeless Awareness Weeks in November.
“Our community involvement stems from the desire we have to keep providing Fuhrman’s Cider Mill memories to families young and old.” Schaaf says, “Our community involvement stems from the desire we have to keep providing Fuhrman’s Cider Mill memories to families young and old. We never get tired of the smiles and comments every time we put on our Fuhrman’s T-shirts, set up our table and open up our coolers of freshly-pressed apple cider at events around our community.” Another way that Fuhrman’s supports the community is by stocking locally made products, among them
APRIL/MAY 2014
wines made by Mazza Vineyards. Bob Mazza, Joseph Mazza’s son, now oversees the business after his brother, Frank, left to help develop winery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. An early advocate of community involvement, Mazza was a crucial member of the Erie Tourist and Convention Bureau, one of the precursor organizations of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, which he continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors. In the 1980s, Mazza was an instrumental part of the event-centered renaissance that included the return of the Erie Air Show, the creation of the Eriesistible Power Boat Classic and the first Tall Ships Festival.
“If you’re successful it gives you the opportunity to give back to the community in the form of public service.” Recognizing Mazza’s energy and dedication, thenGovernor Tom Ridge appointed Mazza in 1996 to the Pennsylvania Farm Show Commission, where his advocacy for Pennsylvainia wines led them to be sampled and sold in 2000 for the first time in the 84-year history of the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Mazza was also a key player in the reorganization that led to the establishment of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership and what is now known as VisitErie. “Both organizations got stronger as a result,” Mazza said. Getting stronger is a guiding principle for Mazza’s community involvement efforts, but strength, he believes must proceed from strength and success from success. “Being in business in this community has afforded us a lot of opportunities in the region. If you’re successful it gives you the opportunity to give back to the community in the form of public service, but you have to be personally successful to have the time, resources and stature to do that.” Always future-minded, Mazza is pleased to see his son, who is also involved in the family business, taking up the challenge of service. “He’s starting to take my place on some of the committees that I served on for a long time, and that’s very gratifying. The fact that the next generation is taking over is really healthy for the community.” And that’s precisely how giving back to the community becomes part of the terrior of the local business climate, and how great places grow to be greater places.
EXCELLENCE
Merchant Direct Loans: • NO COST for your business to participate • Offer your customers simple and convenient Erie FCU financing right at your business • Your customers receive 1% off their approved interest rate, just for using you as their merchant
www.eriefcu.org
Kristi Bailey Director of Business Development Services
(814) 825-2436 Ext.1035 KBailey@eriefcu.org
Loans subject to credit approval. Membership eligibility required. EFCU Chamber Ad 0314horiz.indd 1
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“Now you hear this. Take good care of those people in that speech of yours. In this room are the finest 1,200 people in this country. They deserve the best you can give.” -Dave Thomas, Wendy’s founder, on the occasion of a speech by Tom Peters to Wendy’s franchisees
EXCELLENCE
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“Our job is to get good information to the decision makers that need to make sure their organization is moving in the right direction, be that in terms of human capital, financial, marketing, sales, or general upkeep.”
EXCELLENCE
Understanding how the right risks mean big returns for your company. by Lesley Ridge
When one hears about a company doing business with industry power houses such as Xerox and IBM or government organizations the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Homeland Security, visions of our national’s capital and other metropolitan areas most likely come to mind. But, there’s one such company thriving with their “outside of the beltway” thinking on behalf of these organizations here in Erie. Tucked away on the first floor at 100 State Street, McManis and Monsalve Associates has quietly grown since landing in Northwest Pennsylvania. The company helps organizations in the private and notfor-profit sectors as well as government agencies determine the best direction for their company to achieve continued success through risk mitigation and analysis. “We have a lifespan of 30 plus years,” said Paul Kenny, president of McManis and Monsalve Associates. “In
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a nutshell, we take qualitative and quantitative data and synthesize it so an organization’s decision makers have the information they need to grow successfully.” In 2000, McManis and Monsalve Associates operated out of Virginia with a team of five in a small office. Fast forward 14 years, and the company has grown to 123 full-time employees. It also lays claim to an impressive and expansive client list that includes the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security, IBM, and several others in the financial and manufacturing and packaged goods industries. “Our job is to get good information to the decision makers that need to make sure their organization is moving in the right direction, be that in terms of human capital, financial, marketing, sales, or general upkeep,” said Kenny. “Through Marco’s vision and our talented team, we identified what we inherently knew–our process.”
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“One is happy as a result of one’s own efforts, once one knows the necessary ingredients of happiness: Simple tastes, a certain degree of courage, self-denial to a point, love of work, and above all, a clear conscience.” -George Sand
Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership
That process, in fact, has its own name. McManis and Monsalve Associates operates under their trademarked Intelligence Led Management™ approach. In short, the company pulls from a bench of intel analysts, subject matter experts, and experienced consultants best suited for each client. The assembled team then uses processes like organization diagnostics or a succession plan strategy to then identify and analyze potential risks that company may encounter. “These things - our experts and our ‘toolkit’ if you will - coupled together allow us to say ‘this is our process, this is how we go about it, and this is why it works’,” said Kenny. “It’s how we defy risks that are inherent to an industry or an organization.” Beyond the Intelligence Led Management™, however, Kenny emphasizes the depth of knowledge, expertise, and talent that makes up the McManis and Monsalve team.
peers and national organizations for their approach to business and client successes. McManis and Monsalve’s accolades include places on several lists including the Top 100 Hispanic Companies, Top 100 Minority-owned Businesses, and Top 500 Veteranowned Businesses in the United States. “We’ve been fortunate enough to be have been chosen for some of these awards...it’s really the recognition by a group or body that looks at our organization and says ‘Wow, they do these things on a continual basis,’ that represents different entities of what we do and the people on our team that’s really rewarding,” said Kenny. In part, it comes down to practicing what one preaches. McManis and Monsalve stepped into the Erie market with an intention of expanding locally, supporting other local businesses, and giving back to the community in ways that would spur additional economic growth and success.
“In any organization, particularly when you’re in a service related industry, the human capital or the folks that are within your environment are really your greatest asset.”
“In any organization, particularly when you’re in a service related industry, the human capital or the folks that are within your environment are really your greatest asset,” said Kenny.
And much of the talent is local. Many McManis and Monsalve Associates are graduates of Mercyhurst University’s Applied Intelligence Program. Kenny also cites a focus on collaboration, high customer retention rate, a healthy company culture, and the employees’ ability to have “skin in the game” as some of the keys to excellence at McManis and Monsalve.
In 2010, the firm acquired a small janitorial services firm to help secure a certification as a HUBZone business. HUBZone, or Historically Underutilized Business Zone, is determined by census data that looks at underdeveloped areas and low tax base. Erie, falling into this category, seemed like the opportunity for which CEO Marco Monsalve was looking to expand the company’s footprint in a sustainable way. “Big shops were consolidating contracts, and while we were a minority and veteran owned business, we saw the potential for HUBZone to be successful,” said Kenny.
“Folks that come to work for us enjoy the environment, the flexibility, and the ability to be “intrepreneurs” said Kenny. “Our employees have a voice within our company and are encouraged to pursue that entrepreneurial spirit within McManis and Monsalve.”
It’s proven to be a positive decision for the company. Since receiving its HUBZone certification, McManis and Monsalve has doubled the size of the janitorial services company with employees working in multiple locations and works closely with the St. Benedict’s Education Center.
It should come as no surprise, then, that a company so vested in its people would be recognized by its
“Our goal is to continue growing that company to help folks from St. Benedict’s community get acclimated
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EXCELLENCE to a new environment, find work they may not have otherwise found, and provide them with a sound employee program,” said Kenny.
when we took advantage of the raw materials and resources we currently have.” “To me,” Kenny added, “that is excellence. It’s seeing the opportunities,
understanding the components, and recognizing how to mitigate risk and then take action to achieve long term sustainability and growth.”
It also helps McManis and Monsalve continue their work with select government agencies. “Not only is our HUBZone certification a way for our company to be involved within the community, but it helps us secure new contracts, which leads to more economic growth and development,” said Kenny. “At the start, there were thousands of firms bidding on these contracts and now - due to many different reasons - there are less than five. That gives us tremendous opportunity to continue winning these government bids and bringing the business to Erie.”
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Kenny hopes that McManis and Monsalve Associates approach to bringing business to Erie helps spur something much more than an immediate economic impact. “Our region is going through a massive exercise right now to answer the question of how we grow as a community,” said Kenny. “Why not strive to be an intelligence hub recognized nationwide? We have the right components - great minds and local universities, infrastructure, firms like ours to make it excel. I hope once day, someone will interview the next generation of leadership at this company and take note that a wonderful thing happened in this community,
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CONTRIBUTED COLUMN
SPECIAL E DITION S TORY
Louis J. Tullio Community Service Award
Art Arkelian In 1949 and 1950, Art Arkelian was an integral part of two of the best football teams at Gannon College. The Golden Knights posted an 8-0 record during their first season in 1949, the only undefeated season in school history. Art Arkelian was later named to the Associated Press Little All-America team and the All-Pennsylvania third team for his 1949 exploits. Art Arklelian’s early passion for sports and his marketing finesse running radio station WWYN provided Erie the gift of the longest on-going sports banquet in the country. Art launched the first banquet in 1964 with a hiatus when he resided in Florida when Gary Miller carried the torch and then passed it back to Art upon his return to Erie. Art’s sports banquet provided great experiences and memories for young and old; for sports aficionados and young athletes with a dream; and financial contributions to charitable organizations such as MakeA-Wish Foundation, The Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation and The Biletnikoff Foundation/Tracey’s Place of Hope. Art Arkelian, will be honored at the ERCGP Celebration of Excellence banquet on April 10th with the 2014 Louis J. Tullio Community Service Award as part of the evening’s festivities. The Louis J. Tullio Community Service Award recognizes a person or persons who have performed outstanding service by actively using abilities, initiative, resources and energies to sustain and improve the Erie
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Photo by GREG WOHLFORD, Erie Times-News Reprinted with permission from Times Publishing Company, Erie, PA. Copyright 2014
community for the present and future generations. Nominations for this special award are voted on by the Board of Directors of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership annually. Mr. Arkelian is the founder of the annual Charity Sports Banquet and has been organizing the event for 50 years. The list of sports legends he has been able to bring in for the event year after year include the likes of Joe DiMaggio, Johnny Unitas, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Bart Starr, and Erie’s own Fred Biletnikoff, whose foundation, which helps youth at risk, was the benefactor for this years event. Each year the banquet recognizes local high school athletes. This past February Cathedral Prep’s Billy Fessler and Felix Manus-Schell were honored co-Erie City players of the year. Brandon Reiser of Northwestern was named Erie County player of the year.
“We recognize Art Arkelian for his energy, commitment and passion that provided the Erie community with 50 years of memorable sports banquets. We celebrate Art for being a role model in the community; for the creativity he brought to his radio career, his empathy to those in need and his deep and abiding love, loyalty and faithfulness for his family and friends.” –Barbara C. Chaffee, ERCGP President/CEO Congratulations Art!
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SPECIAL E DITION S TORY
CONGRATULATIONS Art Arkelian on receiving the 2014 Louis J. Tullio Award HARRISBURG, PA
WASHINGTON, DC
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ERIE Magazine recently won a Gold ADDY in the category of Magazine – Series at the 2014 Erie Advertising Club Awards. Congratulations to the combined team from ERCGP and PAPA Advertising, including (left to right) Skip Papa, Liz Papa, Brett Wiler and Emily Antill. Missing from the photo is Nadeen Steffey, ERCGP director of marketing and communications.
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“Excellent firms don’t believe in excellence – only in constant improvement and constant change.” -Thomas J. Peters
EXCELLENCE
Excelling Full Circle McInnes Rolled Ring–exemplary in industry, employees and Erie’s Eastside
by Gretchen Gallagher Durney
It is, afterall, our habits that contribute to our success or failure – our excellence, or lack thereof.
The makers of steel rolled rings from 4” to 144” in diameter, in carbon, alloy, and stainless steels, they contribute to industrial applications such as bearings, gears, and specialty flanges. In turn these support industries such as oil and gas, mining, power generation, food processing, and aerospaCusce.
Embodying such excellence is a thriving modern company whose distribution covers the expanses of North America all the way to Europe. But the start of such a full circle of merits begins right here on Erie’s east side – at McInnes Rolled Rings.
With its cutting edge technology as well as an expansion that doubled the facility in 2012 to 120,000 square feet, the facility is state of the art. But also at the heart of its success is the “team oriented workforce and culture,” said Shawn O’Brien, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.
It would seem Aristotle had the right idea long ago when he scrawled, “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
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EXCELLENCE
IN HIGH GEAR “In our industry the key differentiator is speed to the customer from quotation to delivery, and we’re the fastest in North America,” said O’Brien. Competitive pricing and outright quality are essential, “but it’s our responsiveness that gives us our competitive edge.” That efficiency lends McInnes the ability to give their customers a worry-free experience from an initial quote to shipping out the finished product. Rapid rate may in part be derived from their focus. Instead of crossing into machining and fabricating and thus being an added competitor within that market, they focus solely on the best overall seamless rolled rings and leave the machining to the experts. The factor of speed certainly applies to the actual construction of the plant as well, which in just the past ten years has tripled in size. Within those walls they’ve also quadrupled in production capability, and doubled employment to 80 associates. The McInnes template is now a globally recognized brand and the company is “committed to growth in Erie,” said Tim Hunter, President and CEO. SHARING IN PRIDE & PROFITS The reputation for speed. The strong and dedicated work force. The ex pansion in physic al facilit y size and productivity. The secret?
“We define excellence by being the supplier of choice for our customers. Being the fastest and most reliable source for rings in the industry is where we differentiate ourselves from the competition.” this is typically having loyal employees who positively hold other employees accountable. “Through these programs everyone at McInnes Rolled Rings is a stakeholder and has a vested interest in the continuing success of the business,” said Hunter. McInnes strives toward consistently providing a top notch experience to its customers. High marks assuring this come in the form of a biannual customer satisfaction survey, where for several years running “100% of the respondents said that they would recommend us,” said O’Brien.
Hunter may offer a piece of it with the philosophy he touts.
“We take these responses personally and there is a collective pride that grows from this positive feedback. It keeps us striving for excellence.”
To maintain their success in the market, they must keep up the pace of the cycle time to the customer. “As a result, all of the associates at our company work in teams with the constant goal of improving speed by enhancing productivity.”
STEADFAST Once-thriving giants like Erie Engine and Machine Company (EEMCO) and Kaiser Aluminum may have paved the way in manufacturing on Erie’s east side, but full-steam ahead in those tracks now is McInnes.
So by partnering with their associates, who might be known as employees or simply paid workers outside of this environment geared toward excellence, all associates share the company’s success through profit sharing as well as productivity bonuses when goals are met.
With its headquarters and sole location on East 12th Street, and its commitment to caring for the customer and core teams of workers, it would seem they will only continue to excel.
Such plans for a business exude excellence in their ability to change a culture from simply getting the job done – to emphasizing details and togetherness while maximizing profits at the same time. Another benefit of
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Manufacturing, Hunter said, is alive and well in our community at McInnes Rolled Rings. “All of this growth and investment will continue to have an impact in our community for years to come.”
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Photo Credit – Tim Rohrbach
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.” -Aristotle
EXCELLENCE
Metered Success FMC Technologies measures up and gives back to the community
by Gretchen Gallagher Durney At the pump or before it gets there – precision counts with oil and gas. So for local manufacturing facility FMC Technologies, their attention to detail and excellence comes in the form of being a global leader in producing custody transfer meters for the oil and gas industry. Measuring the transfers of petroleum from one type of vessel to another – and from one owner or pocketbook to the next – must be precise. The company strives to provide solutions to customers to ensure their success. But coming before that, internally, said Carol Nicotra, Communications Manager, is the development of employees via opportunities for individual career development and advancement globally. “Our company strives to create an environment that encourages innovative thinking, solutions-driven results, and community responsibility.” The latter of these has most recently become an even stronger initiative for the firm, who has been in Erie since 1926 and always participated in local events. “We believe that there is a need to work
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with the organizations and institutions who are focused on improving Erie economically,” said Nicotra, “resulting in growth for all industries doing business in this area.” Thus problem-solving goes beyond their product. “It is vital for our company and our employees who live and work here, that FMC Technologies is a contributor to finding solutions,” she added.
SOME SOLUTIONS
With schools recently having undergone the PSSAs (Pennsylvania System of School Assessment), the STEM acronoym may have bounced around during test preparation. However for the company, teaching others about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math is something that happens outside of the classroom. Their initiatives for the community “provide an outlet for our employees to volunteer their time, show leadership skills, or teach others about STEM, all while making a difference in the community they live and work in,” said Nicotra. The company’s community involvement comes in a lineup of local organizations. They support the U.S. Brig Niagara, the Children’s ExpERIEnce Museum, local elementary schools, Roar on the Shore, March of Dimes, and the Heart Association. In addition, topping off that list – this
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spring they will sponsor another large feat – the entire construction of a new Habitat for Humanity home.
THE BUSINESS + BEHREND
This equation started in 2010 when FMC Technologies began an internship program with Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, in their School of Engineering. “We had a need to find exceptional talent that could support our growth expectations,” said Nicotra. In the past four years the internships have grown to encompass more than engineering, now covering every discipline at the company. Thirty Behrend students are currently employed in marketing, accounting, information technology, human resources, manufacturing, and quality.
From senior management to local interns, the company digs for solutions to come out on top, and offers a vision that challenges its employees to stand apart from others. Holding it important for every member of their global team to “be the one to live their core values,” they state that it boils down to behavior. When values guide decisions and actions – that can’t help but spill over into reflecting behavior – and a community. Such core values reflect a journey toward excellence that if continued – and metered and transferred – will count precisely for Erie and beyond.
Nicotra said the interns have become an essential part of the organization. “They are working on real projects, are included in all employee activities, and provide a fresh approach to how we conduct business, offering a new perspective for our veteran employees to consider.”
FROM THE TOP
Any company that is a global leader, likely begins with strong leadership and a vision of excellence and perseverance behind that. For Vice President and General Manager Jim Ertl, excellence at FMC Technologies circles back again to solutions. “Excellence is when we provide a solution each time and every time to each of our customers.” The solution, he added, “is superior to our competition and meets the challenging requirements from our customers – and ultimately makes the customer successful.” Personally, Ertl said he envisions excellence as a journey rather than an endpoint. “So focusing on an ever improving benchmark leads to achievement. Achievement inspires… inspiration drives vision…vision retains the goal for excellence.”
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“The quality of a person’s life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor.” -Vince Lombardi
EXCELLENCE
Safety 1 , 2 & 3 st
nd
rd
THE DRIVING FORCE
by Nadeen Steffey As a long standing utility company in the region, Penelec prides itself on the safety of their employees first and foremost. “Safety drives our business every day” stated Scott Wyman, President of the company. “We spend a significant amount of time training and talking to employees about working safely, following the established rules and work procedures and watching out for each other.” Penelec employs approximately 185 people through the Erie district office. Scott has long been employed by the utility, First Energy for 22 years, and Penelec for the last 12, named President a year and a half ago. Safety training touches a bit on what the employees have access to. The majority of Penelec employees
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are highly skilled and receive extensive training. Not only lineworkers and engineers that most people think of, but also substation electricians, meter technicians, and heavy truck mechanics. While all of these positions come into the company with some prior training, they also have a variety of training available to each of the craft lines. For example, when a junior lineworker is hired, they have to complete two additional years of training which includes a few weeks of classroom training, on-the-job training, as well as progression tests to assess the knowledge and understanding of the individual. That type of training and progression is used in all the craft lines. Additional professional development includes a company tuition reimbursement program that encourages employees to attain college degrees. For professional
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engineers (PE’s), the company offers a number of courses throughout the year that help our PE’s obtain their required professional development hours (PDH’s). The company also offers a significant number of other training and development opportunities such as CPR, first aid and driver training along with all the required safety training. Penelec also provides opportunities for employees to learn how to be a trainer, teach courses, and instruct other employees in specific areas of interest. When asked how the company develops and maintains employee’s long term, Wyman indicated that in addition to professional development, the company offers a competitive salary, a flexible benefits package, and provides a pension to employees upon retirement, all of which contribute to Penelec employees staying with the company for the bulk of their career.
“Being flexible and adapting to changing economic and social conditions also helps with retention.” Being flexible and adapting to changing economic and social conditions also helps with retention. For example, with the shifting employee base to a younger generation, a generation that doesn’t know what it’s like to not have a cell phone or the internet, one of the new things the company is offering is a cash balance pension program. This generation of employees is more inclined to switch companies throughout their careers. A traditional pension plan may not attract or fit the “inclination” of this generation. The benefit of a cash balance pension plan is its portability – if the employee leaves the company they can take their pension with them. This may not sound like a retention tool, however this option gives us an opportunity to get young people into the company then utilize all the other retention tools in an effort to keep them. If training, professional development, and a flexible pension program weren’t enough, throw in profit sharing for all employees. FirstEnergy offers a Short Term Incentive Program (STIP) annually for all employees. The company sets targets based on calendar year performance, typically involving items dealing with safety, finance, customer service and reliability. If the targets are met for all the incentive goals, employees can earn a percentage of their salary in the STIP program. Each incentive goal has a range associated with it and the payout amount is interpolated from the target so the payout can range from as low as 3% to as high as 9%. There is one “driver” in order for the STIP award being granted, and that is the company at a minimum
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has to hit the low end of earnings guidance, where earnings is calculated including the cost of the program. “The company publishes the list of goals early in the year, then sends out updates to all employees on a quarterly basis to ensure everybody knows how we’re performing in relation to the incentive target/goals.” Wyman explains. Not only is the company generous to its employees, but Penelec is involved in a significant number of charitable organizations and community focused fundraising events, all of which help make Erie a better place for all citizens. Penelec is actively involved in economic development activities, not only trying to attract new business to the area, but working to retain and improve the business environment that already exists in Erie and the surrounding areas. Many organizations supported by their employee volunteers including the American Red Cross, Junior Achievement, United Way, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and Multiple Sclerosis Society. Wyman himself is the 2014 Chair of the All-American Soap Box Derby. I asked Scott to define excellence for his business, he explained, “Excellence, in our business, is defined many ways. But one goal clearly stands above all others – and that is personal safety. Electricity is invisible and while training can eliminate the danger of electricity, electricity can be unforgiving. Mistakes, no matter how small, can cause serious injury and even death. We can always find ways to get the lights back on and ways to get back on budget after a tough month, but we don’t get a second chance with accidents and injuries. One thing we continually tell our employees, our customers and the public is we will get the lights on as soon as our safe work practices allow, and not one second sooner.”
“…one goal clearly stands above all others – and that is personal safety.” “While we believe we are an excellent company, we also know that one employee not working safely or not following safe work rules is not acceptable. The day we get every employee to follow every safety rule and follow all safe work practices, we will truly be an EXCELLENT company in everything we do.” And on excellence personally, Scott feels excellence is doing what you set out to do whether it be personal improvement, reaching a milestone at work, or helping a family member or friend reach their goal. “Excellence is setting your sights on something, then doing what it takes to get there and doing it safely!”
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April 24
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS
5:00 – 7:00 PM J.H. Bennett Moving & Storage 1705 Raspberry Street Erie, PA
May 15
Business After Hours is a members only networking event of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Contact Cathy at (814) 454-7191 x146 or cnoble@eriepa.com for more info.
5:00 – 7:00 PM EmergyCare 1701 Sassafras Street Erie, PA
June 19
5:00 – 7:00 PM The Hammocks At Millcreek 4500 Hammock Drive Erie, PA
FIRM. firm (fûrm) Adjective: Constant; Steady; Securely or Solidly Fixed in Place Verb: To Give Additional Support To Synonym: MacDonald Illig Usage: MacDonald Illig is the firm that Western Pennsylvanians have trusted for over a century.
100 State Street • Suite 700 • Erie, PA 16507 • MacDonaldIllig.com • 814-870-7600
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