DEP secretary to be featured speaker at W&J seminar
Petro
Jones
Rick Shrum/Observer-Reporter
Kris Carter, outside her offices at Washington’s Landing, is an assistant state geologist with the Pennsylvania Geological Survey.
Negrin
A state cabinet official will participate in the next energy seminar at Washington & Jefferson College.
Richard Negrin, secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, will be among the panelists discussing “Harnessing Hydrogen: Exploring Local & Regional Opportunities in Appalachia” on Oct. 17. It will be a follow-up to the “Harnessing Hydrogen” event presented by W&J’s Center for Energy Policy & Management in September 2022.
Registration is open for the in-person seminar, which will feature three panel discussions on hydrogen energy in Appalachia. The event is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. to noon in Yost Auditorium on the college campus. It will be free and open to the public.
This will be the second presentation of the academic year in CEPM’s Energy Lecture Series.
Panelists will focus on the development of hydrogen energy and carbon capture and storage (CCS), and provide an update on efforts to attract a federally funded clean hydrogen and carbon capture hub to the region. These technologies and the addition of a hydrogen hub could boost the regional economy.
Adam Walters, senior adviser with the state Department of Energy, will discuss the Decarbonization Network of Appalachia Hydrogen Hub proposal, which is seeking a portion of $8 billion in federal funding available for the development of a clean hydrogen hub.
Washington native Kris Carter, an assistant state geologist with the Pennsylvania Geological Survey, also will be a panelist along with Tim Fout, senior research engineer in carbon capture at the National Energy Technology Laboratory; Mike Butler, Mid-Atlantic Region Director of the Consumer Energy Alliance; Michael Docherty, executive director of Appalachian Energy Future; Grant Ervin, director of ESG and innovation for the city of Pittsburgh; Joy Ruff, executive director of the Local Government Academy; and Richard Cleveland, Greene County economic development director.
To register or for more information, visit wjenergy.org/hydrogen.
Top alumnus
Myron C. Jones II – a senior pastor, software engineer, former college basketball captain and Washington resident – has enhanced his bountiful resume.
On Sept. 30, he received the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association’s Alumnus of Distinction award at a dinner held at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, his alma mater.
Jones, class of 1998, was presented an honor that, according to a UPG news release, “acknowledges excellence among alumni … candidates are evaluated on their outstanding level of professional achievement, service to the community, service to the University of Pittsburgh, special recognition or honors, and any other special efforts or success. It is the highest honor given by the PGAA to an individual alumnus/alumna annually.”
Jones earned a bachelor of science degree in business management, with a minor in information systems, at the university.
Since 2010, he has been senior pastor of Apostolic Christian Temple in Washington and a software engineer at Technology Services Group Inc. in Triadelphia, W.Va., specializing in web and app development. He and his wife, Amethyst, have a daughter, Donyisha.
Jones said in a statement: “Receiving my school’s highest honor is a profound validation of the dedication and perseverance that have guided my journey. “This accolade … stands as a testament to how unwavering faith, determination and seizing opportunities can pave the way to success. Most of all I am grateful.”
Peters Chamber
“Interim” has been removed from Amy Petro’s job title with the Peters Township Chamber of Commerce. She is now executive director.
Petro has officially succeeded Brian Schill, who headed the chamber for 11 years before retiring in June.
The chamber announced in a news release Monday “after an extensive search process led by members of a steering committee, we are pleased to announce that Amy Petro has been selected.”
Petro, according to the release, has a Master of Business Administration degree, “extensive involvement in our communities and schools, and a passion to help others. She has been instrumental in our Strategic Plan evolution and implementation, streamlining Chamber operations, elevating our events and programs, and building strong relationships with our members and surrounding communities.”
The Peters chamber, incorporated in 1954, is a nonprofit with about 500 members.
New at Printscape
Printscape Arena at Southpointe has expanded its offerings for the 2023-24 season.
Black Bear Sports Group, owner of the Southpointe-based facility, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony recently, during which it unveiled a state-of-the-art center for sports performance training by UPMC Sports Medicine, and a second ice sheet.
Brian Hagen, vice president of Operations for UPMC Sports Medicine and UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, said in a statement: “We’re confident that our sports performance services will make a significant impact on athletes’ training, helping them avoid injuries while focusing on achieving optimal performance in their sport.”
Murry N. Gunty, founder and CEO of Black Bear Sports Group, added: “We are thrilled to be able to extend our unwavering commitment to growing participation in ice hockey and figure skating with the expansion of the second ice rink at Printscape Arena. “The addition of sports performance training by UPMC Sports Medicine is certain to take the total athlete development experience to a new level.”