Mark kennison
shelby allen courtney semplice As a man of action, Mark Kennison did not hesitate to take on a significant role in the redevelopment of the Downtown area of his hometown in Washington County. The entrepreneurial program at Washington and Jefferson College was an ideal opportunity to expand his skill set and further fuel his ambitions. He went from business administrative major to business owner while still in college. Mark co-founded Just Dogs! Gourmet, a high-end dog treat company, with his father during his junior year, which was awarded by Entrepreneur Magazine as one of top 500 hottest franchises in the country. Mark is set to open his fifth business, after the opening of The Upper Crust, The Italian Market, and Rachel Rose’s coffee house and bakery. With the Presidents Pub and Grille set to open late summer, his next big plans led to the creation of a growing real estate development. He continues his ties to his alma mater by sponsoring current college students with various charities, including the half-naked mile for the Salvation Army, and hosts fundraisers for organizations like Washington Literary Council. His plans include traveling the world, but will always call Pittsburgh and “little Washington” home. Top Supporters: Candy Turner, Sports Clips, Winston McKeever, Men’s Wearhouse, Aaron Bucci, Donley Brick, Ryan Julian, American Glass, Beards Auto, Bar Marco, Family and Friends Strong will and dedication are just two of many traits that Courtney semplice says she received from her mother. When Courtney was just seven, her father passed away, leaving her mother widowed with three young children. Her mother went back to work, got all three children through college, and set the perfect example for Courtney and her siblings of what hard work and perseverance can achieve. Courtney tries to carry on the traits she has learned from her mother in both her personal and professional life. Courtney graduated Magna Cum Laude from La Roche College, and then later went on to receive her MBA from South University. Professionally, Courtney is one of only three partners within the New York Life Pittsburgh General Office, and is the only female member of the New York Life management team. Outside of work, Courtney is just as active. She plays hockey and flag football, and recently was awarded a bronze medal at the 2015 World Ball Hockey Championships while competing with Team Ireland. While balancing work and sports, Courtney also volunteers and donates to the ALS Association, Camp Erin, March of Dimes, and Purple Stride for Pancreatic Cancer. Top Supporters: Redbeard’s Bar and Grill, New York Life, Friends and Family, Teammates As the oldest of eight siblings, Josh Pisarcik learned the value of leadership at an early age. Josh graduated from California University of Pennsylvania with a degree in business administration. After taking on multiple projects as a project engineer with Mascaro Construction Company, he acquired the position as manager of business development, where he currently serves with many noteworthy organizations, including Engineers’ Society of Western PA and Rebuilding Together Pittsburgh. Josh’s role as house captain for Rebuilding Together allows him to build 82
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josh pisarcik homes and provide a better future for low-income families. Josh leads a very active and healthy lifestyle, as he enjoys playing golf and taking classes to become a yoga instructor. He continues to work hard and raise money for the Foundation in honor of his favorite 8-year-old, Sofia. Top Supporters: United Rentals, Baden Bolt, Wholesale Builders, Chris Marteney As a proud seventh generation dairy farmer from Smock, Pa., Shelby Allen now enjoys surrounding herself with a network of like-minded, diverse professionals in the growing City of Pittsburgh. Shelby earned her degree in communication studies at California University of Pennsylvania, where she concentrated her degree in television and radio. Since moving to Pittsburgh in 2006, Shelby continues to showcase the wonderful city to all of her out of town recruits while working for DICK’S Sporting Goods. While maintaining a solid career as an executive researcher and relocation specialist, Shelby is ready to get involved with charity and give back to her new community. Top Supporters: Pittsburgh Winery, The Steel Trap, Dickerson Creative Communication, Flume Beauty
Justin Heinle vowed to provide clients who cannot afford a professional fitness trainer with free services as long as they commit to the goal of getting healthy. After completing his education at California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s in sports management in 2011, followed by master’s in exercise science in 2012, this young professional successfully launched his own business, Movement 4 You, which has since grown rapidly. Justin’s mission for his business clearly follows his drive in life to help people improve their quality of life as he watches them transform for the better through his training. After moving to the Pittsburgh area after his graduation, Justin is the perfect example on how the city has transformed itself to become a destination for young people like him who hope to start a business and someday raise a family. Leslie Staron graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in human resources management. As a growing professional, Leslie is a senior recruiter at Bayer Corporation/Oxford Solutions, Inc., and has volunteered her free time to local professional contacts and Discover HOPE Here by providing career counseling, offering resume review recommendations, conducting LinkedIn training, and providing guidance on interview skills to job seekers in the Pittsburgh area. Just as Pittsburgh is the City of Champions, Leslie strives to help others become champions in their career paths. Those who live and work in Pittsburgh inspire Leslie to share the city with the people of the community who dedicate themselves to pursuing a professional career. Top Supporters: Doug Austin, The Lithium Battery Company, Marcy Colkitt & Associates, Oxford Solutions, Inc., Family and Friends Rachel Kernic shows immense Pittsburgh pride and a passion for fashion by
hosting events in the city’s center. She participates in the annual Glitzburgh fashion show to raise money for organizations like Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC