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ADVERTISING OPTIONS ADVERTISING CONTACTS Chris Peterson • cpeterson@mbausa.org Frank Mehler • fmehler@mbausa.org 814/833-3200 • 800/815-2660 Learn more about the organizations that are building for the future in November’s Business Magazine! In this issue, we’ll explore some the exciting resources available — from architecture, surveying and construction firms to consultants, law firms, real estate agencies and banks — as well as some recent infrastructure updates and investments that are under way! • Read by more than 15,000 influential business leaders (CEOs, executives, owners). • Distributed throughout Pennsylvania, as well as eastern Ohio and western New York. • Ads are included in the digital version at no extra cost and link directly to your organization’s website. AD SPACE DEADLINE: Friday, September 30, 2022 AD FILES DEADLINE: Monday, October 10, 2022 Not getting the service you deserve from your current financial institution? At Erie FCU, you’re a valued member, not just a number. And it’s our business to keep your business growing. (814) 825-2436 Ext. 1052 h@eriefcu.org Loans subject to credit approval. Working Capital Lines of Credi Equipment Financing Commercial Real Estate Loans Business Expansion Loans If your business needs money to grow, take advantage of new opportunities, or buy equipment, be sure to talk to our business lending team about all of the options we offer. You’ll find everything you love about your credit union, now for your business. adno=SP33566814-833-6516 www.malenohomes.com Welcome Home... Whether you’re building or remodeling, we’re here to handle all the details of your project with professionalism and unparalleled expertise. We respect your schedule and your budget, and we treat every project with the same care and commitment to quality we would our own home. Talk to us today about your plans for new or improved living space. Just call or visit us online to arrange your free, no-obligation consultation. 18 OPTION Company1 Profile $1,400 (Call for details.) OPTION AdQuarter-page4:$525OPTION Half-page3 Ad $790 OPTION Business5:Card Ad $210 OPTION Full-Page2 Ad $1,300 LEGAL Q&A LEGAL Q&A | GET ANSWERS WHAT NOTICE DO EMPLOYEES NEED TO GIVE THEIR EMPLOYERS FOR FMLA LEAVE? In general, employees should give their employers as much notice as possible when requesting leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). While not required to use the term “FMLA” when seeking leave, the employee must provide sufficient information for the employer to determine if the leave qualifies for FMLA protection. When an employee seeks leave due to an FMLAqualifying reason for which the employer has previously provided FMLA leave, the employee must specifically reference the qualifying reason for leave in notifying the employer. WHAT NOTICES MUST EMPLOYERS PROVIDE TO EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE FMLA? Employers must provide employees with the following notices regarding the FMLA: General Notice Rights and Responsibilities Notice Eligibility DesignationNoticeNotice
DOL Clarifies FMLA Designation Is Not Discretionary The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides job-protected leave for certain family and medical takes time off for an FMLA-qualifying reason, the absence as FMLA leave and provide written notice According to the FMLA regulations, employees are when making request for leave in order to have they only have to provide the employer with enough determine that the reason is FMLA qualifying. Employers have questioned whether it is permissible some or all of the employee’s available paid leave FMLA-qualifying, even when the absence recent opinion letter from the Department their question. The opinion letter clarifies designating paid leave as FMLA leave, this delay. For example, an employee want to exhaust his or her available paid and then take unpaid leave for 12 weeks According to the DOL, once an eligible to take leave for an FMLA-qualifying employee can decline FMLA protection employer may not delay designating employee would prefer the delay. The takeaway for employers: When an indicate that an employee’s need for reason (for example, an employee tells she would like to request time off to employer should begin the FMLA leave employee’s time off request is covered does not mention FMLA. If the employee’s FMLA, the employer must designate written designation notice to the employee. Tammy SHRM-CP,Lamary-Toman, is vice 814/833-3200,Manufacturerpresidentwww.bartlettsignserie.com7628KlierDriveFairview,PA16415814/392-7082
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Wabtec recently celebrated its 150th anniversary and opening of its new headquarters in Pittsburgh this past fall.
WABTEC CELEBRATES 150 YEARS OF REDEFINING TRANSPORTATION INDUSTRY Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB), a high-tech supplier for the freight and transit rail industries, celebrated 150 years of innovation and the grand opening of its new headquarters in Pittsburgh this past fall. The company’s origins began in Western Pennsylvania with founder George Westinghouse Jr.’s invention of the automatic air brake — a breakthrough that redefined the transportation industry and saved lives. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) recognized the significance of Westinghouse’s air brake to society with a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark designation. The Westinghouse air brake joins an exclusive collection of 273 artifacts from around the world that have been designated historic mechanical engineering landmarks, heritage collections or heritage sites. The ASME History and Heritage Committee selects these artifacts based on their engineering attributes, role in the evolution of the mechanical engineering profession, and significance to society in general. As part of its 150th-anniversary celebration, Wabtec also celebrated its new, state-of-the-art offices in the heart of Pittsburgh’s North Shore community. The office will house roughly 250 employees and play a critical role in accelerating the future of transportation. For more information, visit www.WabtecCorp.com.
BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW ERIE INSURANCE RANKED AMONG BEST RENTERS INSURANCE COMPANIES
HI SPEED SMALL PART ASSEMBLY MACHINES, ROBOTICS, PRECISION MACHINING AND PRODUCTION MACHINING Automated concepts & tooling (814) www.acat.us.com796-6302 Providing Quality Early Care & Education Programs: 6 locations in Erie County Ages 6 weeks 12 years Pre K Counts DHS licensed Keystone STARS Infant/Toddler Contracted Slots Summer Programs Creating lifelong learners one child at a time 125 YEARS1895 2020 Early Connections, formerly the YWCA of Erie, proudly continues our mission of supporting the success of young children and their families through leadership, advocacy, and quality programs in early care and education. 814 874 0144 www.earlyconnectionserie.org facebook.com/earlyconnectionsinc Providing Quality Early Care & Education Programs: 6 locations in Erie County Ages 6 weeks 12 years Pre K Counts DHS licensed Keystone STARS Infant/Toddler Contracted Slots Summer Programs Creating lifelong learners one child at a time 125 YEARS1895 2020 Early Connections, formerly the YWCA of Erie, proudly continues our mission of supporting the success of young children and their families through leadership, advocacy, and quality programs in early care and education. 814 874 0144 www.earlyconnectionserie.org facebook.com/earlyconnectionsinc Providing Quality Early Care & Education Programs: 6 locations in Erie County Ages 6 weeks 12 years Pre K Counts DHS licensed Keystone STARS Infant/Toddler Contracted Slots Summer Programs Creating lifelong learners one child at a time 125 YEARS1895 2020 Early Connections, formerly the YWCA of Erie, proudly continues our mission of supporting the success of young children and their families through leadership, advocacy, and quality programs in early care and education. 814 874 0144 www.earlyconnectionserie.org facebook.com/earlyconnectionsinc 12 JANUARY 2020 mbabizmag.com November 2022 Construction & Real Estate Issue BUSINESSMAGAZINE VOL. XXXII NO 9 | SEPTEMBER 2019 HIGHMARK HEALTH, AHN SAINT VINCENT OFFICIALS LOOK FORWARD WITH $140 MILLION INVESTMENT IN HOSPITAL CAMPUS, NWPA PLUS: VIEW THE MBA’S LATEST TRAINING PFEW,SPOTLIGHTCOURSESQ&A:PABUSINESSWEEKSTRESSVALUEOFBUSINESSEDUCATIONA PATIENTFORPARTNERSHIPEXCEPTIONALCARE SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONSSECTION:MBATRAININGGRADUATESFAMILY OWNED FIRM MARKS 30 YEARS AS PREMIER GENERAL CONTRACTOR SPOTLIGHT Q&A: EDDC CHIEF SHARES WHY NOW IS THE BEST TIME TO INVEST IN ERIE VOL. XXXIII NO. 11 | NOVEMBER 2020 mbabizmag.com
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BUSINESSMAGAZINE VOL. XXXV NO. 9 | SEPTEMBER 2022 PROVIDING CUTTING-EDGE INTEL, CYBERSECURITY EDUCATION FOR TODAY’S BUSINESS WORLD PLUS: MBA OFFERS NEW TRAINING COURSES FOR FALL 2022 SPOTLIGHT Q&A: VNET CHIEF TALKS TECH, TIPS FOR IT INVESTMENTS
Students, educators, business and community leaders will join us at the Bayfront Convention Center for an amazing exhibition of innovation, technology and career opportunities available in today’s manufacturing industry. In the evening, we will welcome a sold-out crowd of business leaders to the region’s premier networking occasion of the year, our 117th Annual Event, featuring keynote speaker George Blankenship, former executive at Tesla, Apple Computer & GAP Inc.
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READ ON THE GO! For the most current Business Magazine updates, mbabizmag.comvisit DEPARTMENTS EVENTS BUSINESS BUZZ WHAT’S NEW PEOPLE BUZZ AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS HR CONNECTION WORKPLACE TRENDS HR Q&A GET ANSWERS 21 © Copyright 2022 by the Manufacturer & Business Association. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use of editorial, pictorial or advertisements created for use in the Business Magazine, in any manner, without written permission from the publisher, is prohibited. Unsolicited manuscripts cannot be returned unless accompanied by a properly addressed envelope bearing sufficient postage. The magazine accepts no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts or artwork. The Business Magazine and Manufacturer & Business Association do not specifically endorse any of the products or practices described in the magazine. The Business Magazine is published monthly by the Manufacturer & Business Association, 2171 West 38th Street, Erie, Pa. 16508. Phone: 814/833-3200 or 800/815-2660. Mission Statement: The Manufacturer & Business Association is dedicated to providing information and services to its members that will assist them in the pursuit of their business and community interests. – Board of Governors Executive Editor Karen Torres ktorres@mbausa.org Contributing Writers Casey Naylon Jezree Friend Thomas Pendleton Rachel Tserkovniak Feature Photography Matt Mkleckphotography.comKleck Addtional Photography CaseyiStockPhotoNaylon Design, Production & Printing Printing Concepts Inc. printcon@erie.net Advertising Sales Frank cpeterson@mbausa.org814/833-3200Chrisfmehler@mbausa.org814/833-3200MehlerPeterson NETWORKING AND MORE See exclusive coverage of our first annual IMPACT Luncheon & Volunteer Fair! Manufacturer & Business Association Headquarters: 2171 West 38th Street Erie, PA. 16508 Pittsburgh: 600 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 190 Cranberry Township, PA 16066 814/833-3200 |800/815-2660 | www.mbausa.org FEATURES WHAT’S INSIDE | FEATURED STORY 3 Technology Trends The importance of staying current and connected. COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE 4 Mercyhurst University The Catholic university, which marks its 30th year in cutting-edge intel education, is continuing to advance its programming in the field of intelligence studies and building its reputation as a leader in the field of cybersecurity while training students to meet the demands of today’s business world. SPOTLIGHT Q&A | TECHNOLOGY 9 Joel Deuterman, president and chief executive officer of Velocity Network (VNET) in Erie, Pennsylvania, discusses the importance of staying current with technology, the growing need for cybersecurity, and how to make the most of technology investments. EDITORIAL LEGAL BRIEF | CONSIDER THIS 11 A look at why technology licenses should be agreed to with care. Thomas Pendleton ON THE HILL | POLITICS 15 2022 Election Forecast: Expect another close year. Jezree Friend SPECIAL SECTION | TRAINING CATALOG INSERT See the latest training courses available at the MBA. On the Cover: Mercyhurst University is a leader in intel education and emerging technology-related careers, including cybersecurity and corporate security. Shown here with a student are Mercyhurst University’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Joanne McGurk, Ph.D., President Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity Christopher Mansour, Ph.D., and Intelligence Studies Executive Director Lindy Smart, M.S. For full story, see page 4. 18131217 1mbabizmag.com SEPTEMBER 2022
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advancements are being made in our region. In 2022, Mercyhurst University, for one, is marking its 30th year in cuttingedge intel education, and we’ll discuss how the University is advancing its programming in the field of intelligence studies and building its reputation as a leader in the field of cybersecurity as well.
Here are a few things to consider when it comes to staying current and connected: Cloud technology is at the center of remote work, and experts can expect more collaboration than ever before in that space. “Because so many companies now have fully remote or hybrid operations, cloud-based collaboration tools will be at the forefront in 2022,” said Ray Blakney, CEO and co-founder of online language school Live Lingua. Collaboration technology also will be sup porting more creative and engaging ways of working online, such as using Virtual Reality (VR) headsets to enter virtual rooms with colleagues and using different tools to brainstorm. Workplaces will be increasingly relying on collaboration tools to enhance connection and build team relationships.
Another key trend for the digital work place is ubiquitous computing. Ubiquitous computing stems from the concept of the Internet of Things (IoT) and means comput ers will be found in everyday devices.
Experts say the postpandemic workplace will continue to ride the wave of rapid digital transformation that has been happening over the past two years. Moving forward, businesses are looking at transformation strategies and investments that focus on increasing engagement and productivity.
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In addition, we’ll hear from Joe Deuterman, president and chief executive officer of Velocity Network (VNET) in Erie, Pennsylvania, about the importance of staying current with technology and how to make the most of your organization’s technology investments.
TECHNOLOGY TRENDS
THE IMPORTANCE OF STAYING CURRENT AND CONNECTED
Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella says that we are entering an era of ubiquitous computing and ambient intelligence. Experts anticipate more buildings and workplaces are going to harness ubiquitous computing and smart features to enhance user experience, creating more efficient and comfortable work Employeesenvironments.alsowillstart having more personalized digital workplaces based on their habits and preferences. AI will be in the background helping them find information more intuitively across multiple Accordingplatforms.totheHarvard Business Review, up to 65 percent of current managerial tasks have the potential to be automated by 2025. This begins with automating repetitive tasks and workflows such as scheduling, approving expense reports and monitoring task completion. The next generation of automation technology will be able to perform more complex tasks like providing performance feedback and building new peer-to-peer connections. In this edition of the MBA Business Magazine, we’ll examine how technology is impacting the business world and what ACCELERATE YOUR ORGANIZATION!
Plus, to keep up with your tech investments, be sure to check out the latest training courses available at the MBA in our new Training Catalog or visit mbausa.org to learn more!
WHAT’S INSIDE | FEATURED STORY
“COVID changed the business world forever where intel went from a nice to have to a need to have,” explains Lindy Smart, M.S., executive director of Intelligence Studies at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pennsylvania. “Right now, we are on the forefront of creating a program that takes advantage of what will come out of that as far as what companies need.”
COVER STORY | LOCAL PROFILE
John Olszowka, Ph.D., dean of the Ridge College and associate vice president of Graduate Programming and Strategic Academic Initiatives, and Intelligence Studies Executive Director Lindy Smart, M.S., are advancing the direction of Ridge College’s robust intel programs.
The Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences — named after Erie native Tom Ridge, 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and first Secretary of Homeland Security — is the largest of the four colleges at Mercyhurst, with nearly 1,100 students in undergraduate and graduate programs.
For government agencies and private employers, how such information is analyzed and interpreted can create numerous opportunities — more informed policy decisions — as well as challenges — potential security threats — never dreamed of before.
Joanne McGurk, Ph.D., President Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity Christopher Mansour, Ph.D., and Intelligence Studies Executive Director Lindy Smart, M.S., look on as a student works on a cybersecurity lesson in the Federal Resources Corp. Cyber Education Center.
If there is one lesson to be learned from the COVID pandemic, it’s the importance that technology is having on our world.
Mercyhurst University’s Vice President of Academic Affairs
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Advancements in computer hardware and software are not only enhancing our lives, but also providing greater access to information than ever before.
Providing Cutting-Edge Intel, Cybersecurity Education for Today’s Business World
In addition to cybersecurity and corporate security, a major part of this advanced programming is the competitive and business side of intelligence — a demand that isn’t slowing down. “It’s data driven,” says Smart, “and every single part of a business from the CEO down to the VPs and directors need decision support.”
Christopher Mansour, Ph.D., an assistant professor and co-founder of the Cybersecurity programs at Mercyhurst University, came to the University from Villanova, where he earned his doctorate in engineering with a concentration in cybersecurity.
Assistant Professor Christopher Mansour, Ph.D., leads students through a mock hacking in one of the University’s cybersecurity labs. Mansour is a co-founder of the Cybersecurity programs at Mercyhurst.
“You’ve got three people here who are extremely creative, energetic and passionate, and it’s reflective of the faculty and the staff that we have here,” Olszowka notes.
At Mercyhurst University, a private, Catholic liberal arts school founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1926, providing cutting-edge intel education has been a major part of its programming for the past 30 years. The University began its Intelligence Studies program — the most established civilian curriculum in the country — in 1992 and has continued to grow it exponentially since the terrorist attacks of September 11.
One of those areas is the increasing demand for cloud security. Mansour took the opportunity to develop a course, which maps what the industry needs, while also incorporating a Cloud Security Practitioner certificate — a highly sought-after certification today.
“Over the past 30 years, we’ve had more competitors, but we’ve also continued to grow and evolve in new areas, such as cybersecurity and corporate security, and we’re still leading the field while providing a robust liberal arts education,” notes John Olszowka, Ph.D., dean of the Ridge College and associate vice president of Graduate Programming and Strategic Academic Initiatives.
The $2 million, 8,000-square-foot facility currently houses Federal Resources Corp., as well as two computer mathematics labs, a cybersecurity lab, and several collaboration areas. The facility is also home to the Center for Intelligence Research, Analysis and Training, better known as CIRAT. CIRAT is a training center and pipeline for Intelligence students that gives them the opportunity to work with business and government agencies on real-world projects.
Mercyhurst University has set itself apart in the resources available to students and other partner organizations. Complementing its highly regarded Intelligence Studies program, the University has a state-ofthe-art cyber education center, opened in 2018, which has advanced both the University’s status as one of the leaders in the field of intelligence studies and an opportunity for Erie to build its reputation as a leader in the field of cybersecurity.
Expert Faculty and Administrators
The tech investment complements Mercyhurst’s robust curriculum and continuing investment to attract top intel and cyber professionals to its faculty to better prepare students for work in government or industry. Smart, for instance, is the Ridge College’s first female executive director of Intelligence Studies. A Harborcreek Township native and Mercyhurst graduate, she joined the University in spring 2022 after several years in a high-profile role at Target Corporation’s headquarters in Minneapolis, Minnesota. At the retail giant, she developed and implemented competitive intelligence risk strategy and rose through the ranks to become director of competitive intelligence.
“This freedom allows us as faculty members to develop cutting-edge needed courses without a lot of bureaucracy,” notes Mansour. “We are always innovating.”
In 2022, Mercyhurst University’s Intelligence Studies program will mark its 30th anniversary. Administrators at the Ridge College are planning a celebration to commemorate the milestone, starting with the University’s homecoming celebration from September 28 through October 1.
Several renowned intelligence experts will be returning to campus to serve as guest speakers, including retired FBI Agent Robert Heibel, founder of the Intelligence Studies program and deputy chief of the FBI Counter-Terrorism Division, and James Breckenridge, Ph.D., former dean of the Ridge College, who currently serves at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. An international panel of Mercyhurst alumni also will be attending virtually, and various speakers will be featured throughout the year. To learn more, visit Mercyhurst.edu.
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The program is part of the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences — named after Erie native Tom Ridge, 43rd governor of Pennsylvania and first Secretary of Homeland Security — and the largest of the four colleges at Mercyhurst, with nearly 1,100 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. A Center of Excellence for distance and online learning, the Ridge College develops top talent in the areas of intelligence, information management and applied science through hands-on education and training.
Brian A. Fuller, a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and director of Operations for the Ridge College, supports all operations related to the academic curriculum for Ridge College activities. He also is director of the CIRAT as well as the Innovation Entente Lab (IEL), and oversees the University’s internship program.
Administrative changes at the University — including the 2021 inauguration of Mercyhurst’s 13th president, Kathleen Getz, Ph.D., and addition of Vice President of Academic Affairs Joanne McGurk, Ph.D., and appointment of Olszowka, a tenured history professor, as dean of the Ridge School — also have helped to cultivate a culture of support particularly in course offerings and collaboration between “They’redepartments.giving us the ability to be creative about what we want to do, and so if we want to partner with cyber and intel for different classes or how our students can collaborate, they’re fully on board,” explains Smart. “The administration here has set us up for success.”
Another new program is the Certified Ethical Hacker, starting this fall. An undergraduate course will be introduced in the spring. >
Mercyhurst University to Celebrate 30 Years of Intel Studies Program
“Here, at Mercyhurst, students can develop and hone their skills, which they can utilize in government, state and federal agencies, as well as in business and other areas,” Olszowka explains.
As part of this cross-level training, students don’t work as an analyst, data scientist or in cybersecurity autonomously. They learn to support each other and gain a better understanding of their roles, so that when they go out into the job market, intel or computer information science community, they understand how to leverage those capabilities.
The University also has worked with numerous local businesses through its Innovation Entente lab, or Beehive, and law enforcement as well. One recent example is the Erie Police Department, which received a grant to start an intel fusion center in the criminal investigations division. One of Mercyhurst’s grad students became its first analyst.
Mercyhurst University students developed the scenarios from the Intelligence Studies’ perspective and threat, and from the Cybersecurity side, provided the counter-action exercise that helped agencies collaborate and come up with a solution.
Local Partners One of Mercyhurst’s most visible partners is Federal Resources Corp., which joined with the University to expand the cyber education center in 2021, and which specializes in providing IT modernization solutions and services that focus on cybersecurity, cloud, data analytics and infrastructure to the U.S. government. The company, founded by Erie native Jeremy Young, has hired numerous Mercyhurst graduates from the Ridge College.
According to Mercyhurst administrators, the goal for the University is to create an employment pipeline and job opportunities for students when they graduate and to have them step into a position that they’re already aware of, and the employer is already comfortable with their level of capabilities.
Administrators say many of the University’s internships have been made available by former students who are working in these fields, a number which increases every year. In fact, Mercyhurst boasts a 93-percent to 96-percent employment placement rate in a field within the first year of graduation.
“They are now doing actual intelligence support to critical investigations,” Fuller says. According to administrators, the University is always open to engaging with more local partners. “If they want our help, they want to do a project, they want an internship, we’re absolutely here to do it, no matter if it’s Intel, cyber or some other area,” Fuller says.
Scott Stewart, a Warren, Pennsylvania, native who is majoring in business and competitive intelligence as well as finance, has benefited from the flexibility and accelerated studies. He came to Mercyhurst with 30 credits right out of high school. Stewart is a second-year student, but a junior academically, and will be starting his master’s in organizational leadership in the fall. His goal is to work in the private sector. “Lindy’s (Smart) career path is amazing, so maybe I can follow in her footsteps,” he says.
Mercyhurst’s internship programs are offered as an elective, year-round (200 hours of degree-related work over a 16-week semester period, or about 12 and a half hours a week). The internships provide a pipeline for students to be able to better attain cutting-edge jobs and positions in a variety of fields in the government sector and private sector while they are still students. Mercyhurst students are involved in internships at Erie Insurance, FRC and local businesses and manufacturers, but also at the FBI, Dell, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the Security Executive Council, and Pfizer, to name a few.
At Mercyhurst University, students can gain the real-world experience to collaborate with industry and government, not only during senior capstones, but in other unique projects as well.
For instance, during Cyber Impact ’22 held in March in Buffalo, New York, Mercyhurst students collaborated with the U.S. Department of Defense to organize tabletop exercises for a taskforce including military police, the FBI, FEMA, and Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Security Agency. The scenario: What happens if someone tried to hack the Robert Moses Niagara Hydroelectric Power Station in Niagara, which powers half of New York, and how to protect it.
“As a university, we’re not just here servicing students, but the community as well,” says Olszowka. “Service is a part of our mission, and we have a group of students and faculty who can help. At Mercyhurst, our focus is about providing opportunities for our students, but also giving back.”
Brian A. Fuller, a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant and director of Operations for the Ridge College, also oversees the CIRAT, a training center and pipeline for students to work with business and government agencies on real-world intelligence projects.
“We have a lot of people joining in from different places across the nation taking those courses and they already are employed,” explains Mansour. “They want this to either deepen their knowledge in the cybersecurity area or switch careers into the cybersecurity area.”
The Ridge College also offers a new online master’s program in Cyber Risk Management and Cybersecurity. The online program is for working individuals who want to go into the field. There are 12 courses in total, but taken as one course at a time every eight weeks, to cover all the skills needed in the industry.
Another big draw for students is the chance to work with 22 vendors, their systems and programs as part of training offered through the CIRAT, such as Authentic8, Reqfast, S&P Global, ZoomInfo, Knowledge 360, IBM’s i2 Analyst’s Notebook, and Red Scope, to name a few. “It teaches them not just the tradecraft behind why they’re doing it, but introduces them to those tools they will need to utilize when they get into the job market. We’re building a robust toolbox for them.”
At Mercyhurst University, students can gain hands-on experience starting their freshman year versus the traditional junior year of a four-year bachelor’s degree program. “Mercyhurst, in particular, offers the flexibility to allow those students to get their hands dirty with those technologies and core courses from Day One,” says Mansour.
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At the CIRAT, “We’ve also briefed entire boards of Fortune 500 companies and directors of directorates within government agencies both in person and virtually,” adds Fuller. “It’s a great experience for the students and for our clients.”
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Since 1990, VNET has been providing IT support, hardware support and consulting to businesses in the Erie area. Please describe your presence in the northwest PA market today. More than 32 years ago, it was almost a novelty to have one PC introduced into a small business. Today, computer hardware is ubiquitous. VNET is not only a trusted consultant and hardware procurement partner, but we also are a dedicated 24/7 IT helpdesk, a provider of state-of-the-art fiber Internet services, and a trusted partner for cybersecurity against the latest threats.
What’s your best advice for businesses when it comes to assessing their technology needs? Make an honest assessment of the costs to your business in the event of data loss or data theft. If the unthinkable happened to your office, such as a fire, would you have a way to transition to a temporary office with your data intact? How long would such a transition take? Taking this approach will help to determine what services, safeguards and technology are needed to minimize the risk to your business today while also having a plan for improvement going forward. Our team would be glad to help you through such an assessment. How can our members learn more about VNET and its services? Call us at 888/833-9111 or email us at sales@vnet.us. We are passionate about technology and cybersecurity, and we look forward to starting a partnership with your business soon.
Technology plays a vital role in business survival. It can help an organization increase productivity and save time and money. Here,
VNET Chief Talks Tech, Tips for IT Investments
Joel Deuterman, president and chief executive officer of Velocity Network (VNET) in Erie, Pennsylvania, discusses the importance of staying current with technology, the growing need for cybersecurity, and how to make the most of technology investments.
We have become the largest IT and fiber Internet services provider in northwest Pennsylvania — with no signs of slowing down. In your opinion, what are the biggest technology trends that should be on employers’ radars in 2022? If the last few years have shown us anything about technology, it’s that the work-from-anywhere model is viable for many businesses. For some, the transition to home offices was necessary to keep their business going. Investments in cybersecurity, VoIP, and reliable fiber-to-the-home Internet are key to staying agile in uncertain times and remaining relevant when trying to hire new staff.
We recognize that cyber attacks are a growing threat for small businesses and the U.S. economy. What’s the best way to protect small businesses on a budget? The key to any budget is to have predictable expenditures and avoid costly emergencies. Proper cybersecurity cannot contain any shortcuts. However, because of our size and experience, we provide a service plan called TITAN that, for a fixed fee, offers a whole suite of cybersecurity services and protections. When it comes to investments, how critical is it for operations to stay current with their technology? In the “old days,” staying current usually just meant an increase in speed and storage. Moore’s law stated that the number of transistors in a circuit would double every two years. However, this isn’t the case anymore. Today’s new microprocessors provide security and biometric capabilities that are arguably more important than just incremental speed increases. Bad actors who are out to steal or ransom your data are very cunning and sophisticated, so having a team like Velocity Network watching over your cybersecurity needs is invaluable.
SPOTLIGHT Q&A| TECHNOLOGY 9mbabizmag.com SEPTEMBER 2022
To learn more about our Managed IT Services, please call 800 - 837 - 5790 or email sales@ecsconnects.com. Whether you are looking for fully Managed IT services or support for your existing IT team, we have a solution to help you achieve your technology goals. Cybersecurity • Next-Gen Network Firewalls • Email Protection • Endpoint Security Networking • Local and Multi-Site Networks • Wireless • Secure Remote Access Cloud Services • Storage • Backups / Disaster Recovery • Applications Microsoft 365 Email • Office Apps • Collaboration (SharePoint / Teams) • Support / Management Remote Monitoring / Management • Help Desk • Update and Patch Management • Hardware Workstations • Servers • Peripherals •
LEGAL BRIEF | CONSIDER THIS
For more information, contact Thomas Pendleton at MacDonald Illig Attorneys at 814/870-7756 or tpendleton@mijb.com.
Thomas Pendleton is a partner at MacDonald Illig and has matterswideandnonprofitrepresentingbeenbusinesses,corporationsindividualsinavarietyoflegalformorethan25 years. He concentrates his practice on business matters, including preparing agreements and commercial litigation.
Limitations of Liability What are the limitations of liability? Is the licensor responsible for lost profit if something goes wrong with the Technology? Is the licensor limited in damages to amounts paid by the licensee over a specified period of time? For example: What happens if software or a related website becomes infected by a virus or malware and is unusable for a period of time? Some of these subjects may be considered “boiler plate” in a contract and may not be given much thought by either the licensor or the licensee. However, failing to think about these things creates a very real risk that the goals of the business venture, including the license will not be met, leading to disappointment and monetary loss on one or both sides. It is worthwhile to carefully think about a license before signing it.
What is the Technology being licensed and does the Technology meet the needs of business? In simple terms, does the license allow the business to pursue its goals?
Limitations on Use Are there geographic or industry sector limitations on the use of the Technology? Do these limitations prevent the business from expanding into a potential market?
Technology licenses and the agreements that control how the license is used are now a common feature of most businesses. These licenses and related agreements govern the use of software, intellectual property and other technology (collectively, “Technology”). Although it may seem convenient and cost effective to simply accept the license offered, businesses should make sure that the license actually meets the needs of the business.
Term What is the term (length) of the license?
In summary, a license is created when the owner of Technology (the “licensor”) grants a bundle of rights (but less than full ownership) to the recipient (the “licensee”).
Does the license automatically renew or are there conditions on continued use of the license? Does the business have to give written notice in order to renew the license?
Technology owners benefit from a license
Exclusivity Is the grant exclusive, or do others have the right to use the Technology through a similar license? An exclusive license is more valuable to the licensee, but the licensor will expect a higher royalty in exchange for exclusivity.
Here are several parts of the license and questions that a business should ask itself before agreeing to it: The Scope of the Grant
Technology
Compensation What compensation is owed for the license? Is there an annual fee? Is the compensation based upon the number of users of the Technology or are there royalties due based upon the sale of products using the Technology?
Licenses Should Be Agreed To With Care 11mbabizmag.com SEPTEMBER 2022
Termination of License What happens when the license terminates? Must the Technology be returned or can the user of the Technology continue to use the Technology without having access to periodic updates? Is there a buyout of the license at the end of the term, making the business an owner of the Technology?
because they retain ownership over the Technology but profit from the licensee’s use of the Technology. Licensees benefit from the license because they can exploit the Technology in their businesses without the investment of time and money to develop the Technology in the first place.
Clearfield Wholesale Paper (CWP) is 100 years old this year! Founded in June 1922, CWP was started by the great-grandfather of current president, Joel Peterson, to fill the supply needs of company stores owned by mining companies and local groceries.
One thing that hasn’t changed in 100 years, according to Peterson. “Our focus on customers, employees and community has been the key to CWP’s success, and we plan to continue this focus and success long into the future,” he says.
“Our combined technologies will optimize the rail network and deliver a rail ecosystem with increased productivity, efficiency and safety.”
The criteria focused on leadership, culture and holistic well-being approaches, including mental health, financial security, physical health, social connectedness, job satisfaction, metrics and evaluations. Entries were reviewed by a panel of peer employer judges. According to ERIE’s Director of Benefits Jody Irwin, the expanded criteria raised the bar for employers, but ERIE has always prided itself on offering exceptional benefits that go beyond the basics as well as tools to help employees and their families maintain good health.
For more information, visit ismerie.com.
CWP’s products have changed over the years from retail supplies to janitorial, facility, industrial packaging, safety, breakroom and office supplies, food-service disposables and floor care equipment, most of which can be ordered online.
For more information, visit wabteccorp.com.
ARINC’s RailwayNet product provides connectivity to the Interoperable Train Control (ITC) Federated Network that supports PTC messaging, including full message functionality, back-office, and operations center services, system monitoring, and support.
The Business Group reimagined the award criteria this year to reflect a global perspective and to integrate and honor the importance of health equity and the employee experience.
The awards, now in their 17th year, were announced at the Business Group’s annual conference in Nashville.
ARINC’s rail solutions business supports transit, regional, inter-city, commuter, subway, and light rail systems across the United States and Canada. This includes dispatch and back office capabilities with fully integrated train control and Positive Train Control (PTC), control center integration and customer information systems, as well as cybersecurity and life-cycle management solutions.
Wabtec has been a leader in the rail industry for over 150 years and has a vision to achieve a zero-emission rail system in the United States and worldwide. This transaction is expected to further Wabtec’s digital and electronics portfolio, and help drive increased productivity, safety, and efficiency across the global rail network.
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB) is focused on creat ing transportation solutions that move and improve the world. The company is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions and value-add ed services for the freight and transit rail industries, as well as the mining, marine and industrial markets.
BUSINESS BUZZ | WHAT’S NEW WABTEC
“We are proud that Erie Insurance continues to be recognized for its commitment to employee health and well-being,” said Irwin.
CELEBRATES 55TH YEAR IN BUSINESS
“ARINC’s rail solutions systems, coupled with Wabtec’s digital and electronics portfolio, will accelerate the industry’s journey of rail optimization,” said Nalin Jain, president of Wabtec’s Digital Electronics business.
Wabtec Corporation (NYSE: WAB), a leading global supplier for freight and transit rail, has acquired Collins Aerospace’s ARINC rail solutions business segment, a provider of intelligence-based rail dispatch and back office solutions. The financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
Industrial Sales & Mfg, Inc. (ISM) is marking its 55th year in business in 2022. The company is a premier manufacturer and supplier of quality machined, fabricated and assembled compo nents for hundreds of valued customers including a number of Fortune 500 companies. Located in Erie, PA and family owned by the Rutkowski family since 1967, ISM has more than 175 employees and 185,000 feet of manufacturing space in three facilities.
For more information, visit cwp-online.com
12 SEPTEMBER 2022 • mbabizmag.com
INDUSTRIAL SALES & MFG, INC.
ERIE INSURANCE RECOGNIZED AS A ‘BEST EMPLOYER FOR EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH AND WELL-BEING’ BY BUSINESS GROUP ON HEALTH Erie Insurance (ERIE) is one of 44 large employers recognized by the Business Group on Health as a 2022 Best Employer for Excellence in Health & Well-Being. The annual awards program recogniz es companies across diverse sectors for advanc ing employee well-being through comprehensive and innovative benefits and initiatives.
CLEARFIELD WHOLESALE PAPER MARKS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
Wabtec’s recent acquisition of Collins Aerospace’s ARINC rail solutions is expected to accelerate the industry’s journey of rail optimization. ACQUIRES COLLINS AEROSPACE’S ARINC RAIL SOLUTIONS
For more information, visit erieinsurance.com.
One hundred years later CWP maintains its roots in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, and now serves a vast array of customers including industrial, com mercial and institutional sectors across multiple states and has expanded the product offering to 40,000 items.
BUSINESS
TRAINING @ THE MBA LEARN IT TODAY . . . APPLY IT TOMORROW! OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2022 Harness the true potential of your workforce with professional training @ the mba!
LEADERSHIP CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I (Cranberry Township) 10/4 and 10/5 Course I (Butler) 10/18 and 10/25 Course I 10/26 and 11/2 Course IV (St. Marys) 10/19 and 10/20 Course IV 10/20 and 10/27 Course V (One Day) 10/19 LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course V 10/26 HUMAN RESOURCES HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — LEVEL 1 (In Person and LIVEOnline) Retention & Benefits (a.m. only) 10/6 HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — ADVANCED (In Person and LIVEOnline) Understanding the Fair Labor Standards Act (a.m. only) 10/20 A SUPERVISOR’S GUIDE TO EMPLOYMENT LAW (LIVEOnline, 1 to 2 p.m.) 10/4 MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS MUST-HAVES OF COMMUNICATIONEFFECTIVE (a.m. only) 10/18 SAFETY/QUALITY BLUEPRINT READING 10/24 and 10/25 ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION (Cranberry Township) 10/24 ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION 10/17 ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION (St. Marys) 10/31 OCTOBERCLASS LOCATIONS * A.M. classes run 8 a.m. to noon, and P.M. classes run 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. All courses are held at the MBA Conference Center in Erie, unless otherwise noted. Cranberry Twp. MBA Pittsburgh Office 600 Cranberry Woods Drive, Suite 190 Erie MBA Conference Center 2171 West 38th Street Butler Fairfield Inn 200 Fairfield Lane St. Marys Community Education Council 4 Erie Avenue, Suite 200 * Handicap access and parking available at all sites. ONSITE TRAINING CONVENIENCE: Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it. CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to halfday programs, we will tailor any program to fit your specific needs. FOCUSED INTERACTION: Group training discussions focus on the key topic areas specific to your company’s environment. REGISTER TODAY! VISIT: MBAUSA.ORG CALL: 814/833-3200 800/815-2660 EMAIL: MLESNIEWSKI@MBAUSA.ORG Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If notice is four business days or more, a full refund will be made. If notice is less than four business days, or if you do not show up for the class, no refund will be made. NOTE: You may substitute another individual from your organization at any time and at no cost. MANUFACTURER 2022 “The information presented was beneficial and pertained to my work and my life. The discussions really made you think about issues and opportunities you may have as a manager.” — Chelsie Zents, Erie Insurance
DECEMBERMANUFACTURERNOVEMBER&BUSINESSASSOCIATION TRAINING SCHEDULE COMPUTER TRAINING Learn the coolest tips and tricks to the latest computer applications available today. Classes can be taken individually or as part of a certificate series. • Access I 11/2 • Excel: Advanced Functions (LIVEOnline, 9 to 11 a.m.) 11/1 • Excel: Charts (LIVEOnline, 1 to 3 p.m.) 11/1 • Excel Level I (LIVEOnline, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) 11/16 • Excel Level I 10/6 and 12/13 • Excel Level II 11/9 • Excel Level III 10/5 and 11/15 • Excel Level III (St. Marys) 10/19 • Intro to Power BI 12/6 • Microsoft Teams (a.m. only) 10/18 • Word Level II 11/10 • Word Level III 12/14 LEADERSHIP CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course II (Cranberry Township) 11/1 and 11/2 Course II (Butler) 11/8 and 11/15 Course II 11/30 and 12/7 Course III (Cranberry Township) 11/15 and 11/16 Course III (Butler) 11/29 and 12/6 Course V (St. Marys) 11/9 and 11/10 Course V 11/10 and 11/17 LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course I 11/3 TOP 10 ESSENTIAL SKILLS FOR SUPERVISORS 11/9 HUMAN RESOURCES HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — LEVEL 1 (In Person and LIVEOnline) Employment Law (a.m. only) 11/10 HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — ADVANCED (In Person and LIVEOnline) Pre-Employment Screening (a.m. only) 11/17 MARKETING/COMMUNICATIONS PRESENTATION SKILLS (a.m. only) 11/4 and 11/11 SAFETY/QUALITY GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONING & TOLERANCING 11/14 and 11/15 ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION 11/21 OSHA 10-HOUR 11/9 and 11/10 LEADERSHIP CERTIFIED SUPERVISORY SKILLS SERIES Course I 12/1 and 12/8 Course IV (Cranberry Township) 12/13 and 12/14 LEADERSHIP FOR TEAM LEADERS SERIES Course II 12/1 Course III 12/15 WORKPLACE CIVILITY (1:30 to 4:30 p.m.) 12/9 HUMAN RESOURCES HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — LEVEL 1 (In Person and LIVEOnline) Unemployment Comp & Workers’ Comp Basics (a.m. only) 12/8 HR ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATION SERIES — ADVANCED (In Person and LIVEOnline) Job Descriptions & Reasonable Accommodations (a.m. only) 12/15 SAFETY/QUALITY ONE-DAY FOOD SAFETY CERTIFICATION 12/19 “Very interesting and informative program. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in improving their leadership skills.” — Lisa Hadden, Marquette Savings Bank “Outstanding course and trainers who kept us engaged at all times.” — Stefanie Ingramm, INEOS Pigments
How you need it. When you need it. Where you need it. Considered a leader in professional development and computer training for more than 25 years, the Manufacturer & Business Association offers you the ease and flexibility of onsite training for your group. ONSITE CONVENIENCE: Nothing beats the convenience of training conducted at your facility. Let our expert instructors bring the training you need, when you need it, where you need it. CUSTOMIZED PROGRAMS: From full-day to half-day programs, all of our courses can be tailored to address your organization’s specific needs. FOCUSED INTERACTION: Facilitated by our training specialists, your employees’ experience is further enhanced through group discussion on key topic areas specific to your company’s work environment. For more information about onsite training programs, contact Tracy Daggett, PHR, Manager of Professional Development Training Services at 800/815-2660, 814/833-3200 or visit mbausa.org.
Zinna also is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA). He also serves as the Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Fairview School Foundation, a Flagship Niagara League’s Mariners’ Ball Committee Member, on the Board of Directors for Early Connections, Inc., and is a member of Hamot Health Foundation Board of Corporators.
Slezak joined Bongiovanni’s team in 2016 as manager of Investment Operations. He holds the CFP (Certified Financial Planner) and CIMA (Certified Investment Management Analyst) designations, along with his FINRA Series 7 and 66 licenses. The Generational Wealth Management team of nine is committed to providing clients with the highest quality financial planning and investment advisory services. Lucas is also a member of the Investment and Wealth Institute, which is a standards body for financial professionals who embrace excellence and ethics.
PEOPLE BUZZ | AWARDS AND PROMOTIONS
ZINNA NAMED YOUNG LEADER TO WATCH McGill, Power, Bell & Associates, LLP (MPB) recently announced that one of its partners, Matt C. Zinna, CPA, has been named a Young Leader to Watch by the Pennsylvania Institute of CPA’s (PICPA).
Ross is a graduate of Gannon University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in entrepreneur ship with minors in finance and marketing. He has completed multiple programs through the PA Banker’s Association since 2017 through the School of Banking and School of Commercial Lending. Additionally, Ross is a graduate of both the Jefferson Educational Society’s Civic Leadership Academy, as well as the Erie Regional Chamber & Growth Partnerships Ambassador AnProgram.Erienative, Ross is a dedicated member of numerous community organizations. He currently serves as chair of the Americans for the Competitive Free Enterprise System (ACES), vice president of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Erie County, and treasurer of Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church. Ross was also recently named a 2022 class recipient of the Erie Reader’s 40 Under 40 Award in recognition of his forward-thinking leadership.
SLEZAK BECOMES ASSOCIATE PARTNER
MBA Board of Governors Chairman Jana Goodrich expressed thanks on behalf of the Board for Krahe’s service and support in making this a seamless transition. “The Board of Governors wishes to recognize and extend our gratitude for the dedication you have shown to the Manufacturer & Business Association throughout your tenure,” she said. “Your commendable work ethic, professionalism and accomplishments over the years have helped to sustain and enhance our many members throughout Pennsylvania. We wish you all the best as you choose your next professional endeavor.”
John Bongiovanni, CFP and Generational Wealth Management, affiliated with one of the nation’s leading financial services companies — Northwestern Mutual, recently welcomed Lucas B. Slezak as an associate partner. Slezak assists in advising Generational Wealth Management’s more than 500 clients in 20 states.
“Nathan Ross’ enduring commitment to delivering the highest standard of service to Northwest Bank’s customers makes him the perfect candidate to assume the role of regional AVP,” said Kuchcinski. “We look forward to all of the valuable contributions he will surely bring to his new role.”
13mbabizmag.com SEPTEMBER 2022
A dedication to Krahe for his 30 years of service will be featured in October’s Annual Report.
Northwest Bank recently announced Nathan Ross as regional assistant vice president and community commercial relationship manager. Ross joined Northwest Bank in 2015 and has served in various management roles within the institution over the last seven years.
Lori Joint has been named interim president and chief executive officer of MBA, and John Krahe has agreed to remain “lead oversight” of this year’s Manufacturing Day and the Annual Event to continue the momentum and success of those critical MBA events. He also will provide a consulting/support role until the end of the calendar year.
Founded in 1896 and headquartered in Warren, Pennsylvania, Northwest Bank is a full-service financial institution offering a complete line of business and personal banking products, employee benefits and wealth management services. As of April 19, 2022, Northwest operates 142 full-service community banking offices and eight free standing drive-through facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Indiana.
Joint was named vice president of the Manufacturer & Business Association in 2014, overseeing the Communications,Marketing, Government Affairs and Insurance Departments. She joined the Association as an intern in 1990 while attending Gannon University and was hired as computer training instructor in 1995. She has since held various key roles at the MBA, including as Computer Training manager, account executive for the MBA Business Magazine, and as director of Government Affairs before being named vice president, and now interim president and CEO.
NORTHWEST BANK NAMES ROSS AS ERIE RELATIONSHIPCOMMERCIALMANAGER
John M. Bongiovanni, Adam B. Jack and Slezak use Generational Wealth Management as a marketing name for doing business as representatives of Northwestern Mutual. Generational Wealth Management is not a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, insurance agency or federal savings bank. Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI (NM) and its subsidiaries.
After many discussions about where it has been, where it is now, and where it needs to be in the next five years, the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA) recently announced a leadership change.
Goodrich also noted, “The MBA Board also thanks Lori Joint a long-tenured and well-respected senior leader at the Manufacturer & Business Association for her willingness to accept the position of interim president and CEO while an executive search is conducted. Under her leadership, the MBA will continue to aggressively pursue and to expand the opportunities and resources provided to our member companies, and to continue the growth of our influence on public policy and government in support of our region’s manufacturers and businesses.”
In his new role, Ross will continue to develop meaningful relationships with new and existing commercial banking clients throughout Greater Erie. He also will actively manage a commercial portfolio and serve as brand ambassador for Northwest Bank within the community through service projects and client engagement.
WITH JOHN BONGIOVANNI, CFP & GENERATIONAL WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Zinna joined MPB in 2019. He brings more than 17 years of experience in audit and attest, and consulting services to the nonprofit, higher education and governmental development industries. He is a member of the firm’s Nonprofit and Government Service Group and Quality Control committee.
The PICPA annually recognizes roughly 25 of its members under the age of 40 who demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to the accounting profession through the PICPA or community service. In addition to climbing the ranks quickly at their organizations, past winners have gone on to serve as PICPA leadership, committee chairs and conference speakers.
MCGILL, POWER, BELL & ASSOCIATES’
MANUFACTURER & BUSINESS ASSOCIATION ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP CHANGE
Secondly, while there are more Democrats in Pennsylvania, many are much more moderate than their counterparts in places like San Francisco. Their party affiliation is often attributed to family and union ties and influenced by economic indicators.
For context, in 2020, Democrat Joe Biden edged President Trump by just over 1 percentage point, and Democrat Attorney General Josh Shapiro won by 4.5 percent.
Mehmet Oz, from the daytime television show, “Dr. Oz,” came on the Pennsylvania political scene last December and won, what came to be a three-way race for the Republican nomination, by less than 1,000 votes. Oz touts name recognition, large crowds and seemingly stops at every diner he Recentcrosses.polling has shown over 10 percent of Pennsylvania voters are up for grabs. Those voters will make their decisions after the much-anticipated heavy television, mail and digital advertising that will hit its stride in DemocratsOctober. are facing strong political headwinds as the economy is consistently cited as the Number One issue. Additionally, Pennsylvania voters have 54 percent and 46 percent unfavorable views of President Biden and Governor Wolf, respectively. Worth noting, only 17 percent of Pennsylvanians see their standard of living better than it was four years ago. Given the continued rise in inflation, that number won’t be going down. Lastly, 54 percent say Pennsylvania is on the wrong track. If traditional wisdom that a grassroots base goes a long way holds, this will be another close election, and we may see voters split their ticket again. However, the same electors split their ticket. Republican Tim DeFoor won the race for Auditor General by 3 percent, and Republican Stacy Garrity won the State Treasurer’s office over a sitting incumbent by less than 1 percent.
Another2022ElectionForecast:CloseYearforCandidates
U.S. Senator Pat Toomey is not term limited, but after serving two, six-year terms choose not to run again to create an open seat. Most political pundits have this race as a toss-up. What was thought to be a competitive Democratic primary was handled with ease as Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman won with a landslide 58 percent of the vote, 32 percent more than second place. Before running for lieutenant
Now, Governor Wolf is constitutionally limited to two, four-year terms, making the race for Pennsylvania’s next governor an open seat. It was largely known in government and political circles, Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s re-election campaign in 2020 was footing for his goal to replace Wolf. Coupled with his strong fundraising ability, he cleared the path and ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in OnMay.the Republican side of the aisle, Pennsylvania State Senator Doug Mastriano faced a crowded field with eight others on the ballot. Mastriano made a statewide name as an outspoken critic of the Wolf administration’s business closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though he was vastly outspent, he rallied a large amount of grassroots support and handily won with over 43 percent of the vote, 23 percent more than the second-place finisher.
governor, Fetterman had previously unsuccessfully ran for U.S. Senate only to lose in the primary. He has a strong online presence and after visiting every county more than once, wields commanding grassroots support.
Pennsylvania has become one of the most politically competitive states in the country, having metamorphosed into deep purple. A decade ago, Democratic candidates had the luxury of a million more registered voters than Republicans. In just a short time, that number has been cut in half and continues to shrink.
Jezree Friend is assistant vice president of External Relations at the Manufacturer & Business Association. Contact him 814/833-3200,at 800/815-2660 or jfriend@mbausa.org.
The last two governor’s races have been landslide victories for Democrat Tom Wolf, but other statewide races have been very close. This can be contributed to two reasons. First, a provision — not given much attention in the now controversial “Act 77” — removed the option for a straight party ticket vote, giving many voters permission to cast a more educated decision.
ON THE HILL | POLITICS
15mbabizmag.com SEPTEMBER 2022
BI IT’S
Discover how to analyze your organization’s data more efficiently and uncover new insights and trends with Microsoft’s Power BI — a powerful collection of software, apps and services. This course will show you how to link and model data in Power BI to create visual reports and see results in a snap. Plus, you’ll get a great introduction to the Power BI web app that you’re going to love! POWER TIME POWER UP YOUR
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ERIE, PA MBA CONFERENCE CENTER 2171 WEST 38TH STREET AT PITTSBURGH AVENUE DECEMBERTUESDAY, 6 TIME: 8 A.M. - 4 P.M. COST: $210 MBA MEMBERS $300 NONMEMBERS REGISTER TODAY! VISIT: MBAUSA.ORG CALL: 800/815-2660814/833-3200 EMAIL: MLESNIEWSKI@MBAUSA.ORG Cancellation/No-Show Policy: If notice is four business days or more, a full refund will be made. If notice is less than four business days, or if you do not show up for the class, no refund will be made. NOTE: You may substitute another individual from your organization at any time and at no cost. NEW CLASS! INTRO TO MICROSOFT
Getting Started… Learn the super cool components of Microsoft’s Power BI, such as how to work with Power BI files, connect to data sources, create reports and work with visualizations.
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Using Reports… Examine how to manage report pages, change report view options, work with visualizations and add static objects to a report.
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Instructor: Casey Naylon Naylon is a computer and digital media specialist at the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA), where she teaches the MBA’s regionally recognized computer training offerings and maintains and develops the organization’s many social media channels and web platforms.
TO
2. Twenty-six percent of workers considered quit ting because of a lack of usable technology.
3. Sixty-five percent of employees said they would be more productive if they had the right tech tools at their disposal.
Microsoft Power BI — 101
Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence and data visualization tool for converting various sources into interactive dashboards and analysis reports. Power BI stands out with streamlined publication and distribution capabilities. But is it a good choice for your organization?
The survey was created and distributed by the AppR.I.S.E. (Risk Initiative for Student Engagement) program in the Walker College of Business at Appalachian State University in collaboration with Selective to gauge the insurance impact that COVID-19 has had on professional office small businesses in the United States.
For businesses who want more reporting power and analytical muscle than that offered by Excel, Power BI is the next level in business intelligence. With Power BI, businesses can assemble, scrutinize and visualize data from across the company, giving them greater insight into their operations and performance, and allowing them to make more informed decisions based on real data.
MAJORITY OF SMALL BUSINESSES LACK CYBER INSURANCE COVERAGE
The findings highlight an awareness gap among small businesses about the risks they face from cybercrime. Twenty-eight percent of data breaches impact small businesses, and phishing attacks account for over 30 percent of breaches, making them the biggest cyber threat for small organizations.
Different Power BI versions like desktop, device-based (SaaS) and mobile Power BI apps are used for different platforms. It provides multiple software connectors and services for business intelligence. There are few key features that make Power BI really stand out:
• Pre-built dashboards and reports for SaaS Solutions.
• Users can input massive quantities of data into Power BI that many other platforms would struggle to process.
• Built-in machine learning features can analyze data and help users spot valuable trends and make educated predictions.
• Power BI is cloud-based, so users get cutting-edge intelligence capabilities and powerful algorithms that are updated regularly.
Power BI is growing in popularity among businesses seeking better insights, interactive dashboards and strong reporting. Now is the time to leverage the many tools and services available that can help you prepare for a successful Power BI adoption and improve your data insights across the organization. Learn more about how you can get started on leveraging Power BI for your organization with our one-day, hands-on introduction to Power BI on December 6.
HR CONNECTION | WORKPLACE TRENDS 17mbabizmag.com SEPTEMBER 2022
5. Only 20 percent of C-suite leaders said they would put some of their budget toward improving technological offerings of the company, and only 21 percent of IT leaders said they prioritize user friendliness when picking new technologies to integrate into the company.
• Secure and reliable connection to your data sources.
4. Most employees (64 percent) were in agree ment that technology helps shape morale.
Here are five key takeaways from the survey:
SURVEY: NEARLY HALF OF EMPLOYEES FRUSTRATED BY WORKPLACE TECH
Nearly half of employees are frustrated with the technological tools they use in the workplace, according to a recent survey by technology company Ivanti. The report, published in June 2022, surveyed 10,000 workers across the United States, U.K., France, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, China and Australia — including IT specialists and C-suite executives — to understand their relationship with workplace technology.
1. Half of employees surveyed (49 percent) were frustrated by the technological tools they use at work.
A 2021 survey of small businesses conducted by Appalachian State University in coordination with Selective found that cybersecurity and technology issues were growing concerns for 44 percent of survey respondents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, only 20 percent of survey respondents have cyber insurance coverage.
“The pandemic has brought countless challenges to small businesses, including a pressing need to protect against cyber threats. With so many employees working from home and using cloudand web-based applications and personal email accounts, it’s a playground for cyber attackers,” said Mike MacMullin, vice president, Small Business.
“Small businesses need a concerted approach to mitigate the detrimental financial and reputational risks associated with a data breach.”
Casey Naylon is a computer and digital media specialist at the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA), where she teaches the MBA’s regionally recognized computer training offerings and maintains and develops the organization’s many social media channels and web platforms. Contact her at 814/833-3200, 800/815-2660 or cnaylon@mbausa.org.
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SUPPLEMENT, ENHANCE, AND SUPPORT YOUR EXISTING IT WORKFORCE. Internal IT departments are operating in increasingly complex environments, from managing compliance requirements to cybersecurity to cloud computing initiatives, all while striving to maintain the company networks, manage hardware and software, and fulfill the support needs of company employees. The roles and responsibilities are expanding, and often your access to high quality talent is a bottleneck. THE RIGHT CO-MANAGED IT PARTNER CAN TRANSFORM YOUR EXISTING IT TEAM by expanding their capabilities. CMIT Solutions offers customized Co-Managed IT agreements that capitalize on what your internal staff does best. Let them do what they do best, and let us do the rest.CMIT SOLUTIONS OF ERIE IS A FULL SERVICE IT SUPPORT AND CONSULTING FIRM. We provide traditional IT managed services to small to medium businesses and Co-Managed IT Services to larger companies that have their own internal staff. CONTACT US TODAY AT 814.806.2637 or visit www.cmitsolutions.com/erie to learn more about how we can become part of your technology team! WHEN COULD YOUR COMPANY USE CO-MANAGED IT SERVICES? • Your IT project list is longer than your ability to execute in a timely manner • Your IT staff is too small or overworked • Your staff has knowledge gaps • You need redundancy for institutional knowledge held by a single person or small staff • You have compliance requirements that you need help interpreting and operationalizing • You are ready to employ automation to handle routing monitoring and maintenance activities ADVANTAGES OF CO-MANAGED IT SERVICES • Foster efficiency and productivity by providing your in-house staff with tools and technology that free them to focus on the IT tasks that matter most • Build employee morale by allowing your resources to do the work they are best suited for • Retain control over operations while tapping into expertise that will bring best practices to your company along with the staffing to help get things done • Experience faster project execution • Save and reallocate personnel costs • Increase your cybersecurity posture by having the right monitored security layers www.cmitsolutions.com/erie Beth Burnside, Owner THE LANDSCAPECYBERSECURITYISDAUNTING… HELP IS ON THE WAY. CO-MANAGED IT SERVICES FROM CMIT SOLUTIONS OF ERIE
CONTACT US Visit our website to learn more. We are your local Pennsylvania-based water treatment experts. P: 814-265-0959 | E: Prochem@Prochemtech.com W: prochemtech.com Offering a full range of innovative water management treatments, ProChemTech can create the perfect water treatment system for your unique facility. INNOVATION IN WATER MANAGEMENT 20 SEPTEMBER 2022 • mbabizmag.com
SPECIAL SECTION | NETWORKING AND MORE
Kathryn Schaaf of Industrial Sales & Mfg., Inc. in Erie was the winner of the “Making a Difference” raffle basket.
Participants were encouraged to stop and get cards stamped at each booth to learn more about each of the fair exhibitors and their volunteer programs.
The IMPACT fair featured 14 nonprofit exhibitors with volunteering opportunities available in the region.
Heather May Caspar, executive director of theSisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network, wasthe guest speaker at this year’s luncheon.
More than 50 people attended the inaugural event, exchanging ideas about how they engage their teams through volunteer opportunities.
The Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA), in conjunction with the MBA Business Magazine, held its first annual IMPACT Luncheon & Volunteer Fair on July 21 at the Association’s Conference Center in Erie to share the business benefits of getting involved and giving back. For information on upcoming events, visit mbausa.org
21mbabizmag.com SEPTEMBER 2022
Plan options No matter the size of your business, we have the right plans to meet your team’s needs.
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID ERIE, PA PERMIT #199
Trust As a longtime leader in health insurance, we build strong, long-lasting relationships with our clients.
You demand the best from your team. In return you want to give your employees the best that you have to offer. And with multiple affordable plan options for businesses of all sizes, an award-winning Health Care Concierge Team, and access to high-quality care locally and while traveling, UPMC Health Plan has you covered to meet your company’s diverse needs.
Value As part of an integrated health care system, providers and payers work together to deliver high-quality care at affordable costs.
Access Give employees access to the best doctors and hospitals of UPMC, as well as many community doctors and hospitals, and an extensive national network of outstanding providers across the country.
Work with the best.
More reasons why businesses choose UPMC Health Plan
To find out why 95% of businesses that choose UPMC Health Plan stay with UPMC Health Plan visit UPMCHealthPlan.com/employers. Go to upmchealthplan.com/best for more information.
