Financial planners break ground for new Peters Township building
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Gregory Weimer speaks at the construction site for the new Confluence Financial Partners building.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughan welcomes Confluence Financial Partners.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Nick Sherman
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Peters Township Council Chairman David Ball welcomes Confluence Financial Partners, with fellow council member Monica Merrell listening.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Peters Township Councilwoman Monica Merrell welcomes Confluence Financial Partners.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Steve McCarron welcomes Confluence Financial Partners on behalf of the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce.
Confluence Financial Partners, partner Gregory Weimer noted, serves families in 44 states.
“But this is our home,” he said, “and we’re looking forward to becoming a bigger and bigger part of this community.”
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Katie Montagazzi, wealth manager for Confluence Financial Partners, gets ready to help break ground for the new building.
In Weimer’s case, the new Confluence building under construction at Bebout and East McMurray roads almost literally qualifies as home: He lives nearby in Peters Township. And the firm’s other partner, James Wilding, is an Upper St. Clair resident.
And so they didn’t have to travel far for the building’s Feb. 3 ceremonial groundbreaking, on an unusually cooperative morning as far as the weather was concerned.
“We picked this location because of the site,” Weimer said. “It was becoming obvious to us that it’s a welcoming environment.”
To prove that point, the elected officials who were invited to make comments did their best to roll out the figurative red carpet.
“While we’re happy that you located in the county, we’re happier that you located in Peters,” said Monica Merrell, who serves on township council. “You’re bringing a business and you’re revitalizing a piece of property, so we thank you doubly for what you do and what you bring.”
Council Chairman David Ball also provided words of welcome, as did Washington County commissioners Diana Irey Vaughan and Nick Sherman.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Representing the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce, Marcy Santel, left, and Megan Chicone participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking.
“Financial services are an area that is underutilized by our population. I get a little preachy sometimes when I talk about the need for planning, and I’m glad that we have you stepping up,” Irey Vaughan said, also referencing Confluence’s other county location, at Southpointe in Cecil Township. Other offices are in Franklin Park and downtown Pittsburgh.
The new building is under construction at the former site of Just About Kids preschool, which was razed.
“It was a learning center before,” Irey Vaughan said, “and I like to think that it’s going to continue to be a learning center, but this time for adults.”
On behalf of Peters Township Chamber of Commerce, board member Steve McCarron expressed appreciation for Confluence’s expanded local presence.
“Although we’re a chamber of commerce, we’re also considered a chamber of community,” he said. “So we welcome you and your business here. We’re excited to see you continue to grow and succeed.”
Regarding the partners’ community activities, Weimer serves on the board of trustees for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation, and he served as vice chairman of Washington City Mission, leading the committee that built the Patriot House, a 22-bed shelter for homeless veterans. Wilding is active in organizations including Auberle, Mooncrest Neighborhood Programs, Family Promise of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Upper St. Clair Athletic Association.
Harry Funk/The Almanac
Harry Funk/The Almanac
From left are Peters Township Council members Monica Merrell and David Ball, chairman; Washington County commissioners Nick Sherman and Diana Irey Vaughan, chairwoman; Confluence partners Gregory Weimer and James Wilding; Joseph Leonello, president of project contractor Franjo Construction; and Steve McCarron, representing the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce.