Mon Valley Alliance appoints officers
Mon Valley Alliance has tackled its first initiative – selecting the majority of its board of directors and electing officers.
The alliance, formed by the March 24 merger of Middle Monongahela Industrial Development Association and Mon Valley Progress Council, announced the moves Monday.
Elected chairman and vice chairman, respectively, were John Easoz, chief executive officer of Direct Gain Consulting, and John LaCarte, president of LaCarte Enterprises. Michael Thornton, manager of the Bentleyville branch and business development officer of cfsbank, is treasurer, and Tim Urda, president/owner of Badzik Printing Services, is secretary.
They are four of the 10 board members chosen thus far – all men. The other six are: Randy Patterson, vice president, commercial banking group, S&T Bank; Louis Quarto, vice president of supply, Guttman Energy; William Lee, retired environmental sales manager, Lee Supply Co.; John Swallow, president, JMS Consulting-Wireless & Telecommunications; Edward Mendola, certified public accountant; and Bob Burke, former managing editor, Valley Independent.
The board ultimately will seat 15 unpaid members. The alliance plans to complete that duty this summer.
Applicants for the remaining five seats should contact Easoz at jeasoz@comcast.net.
When filled, the board will solicit, interview and select a paid chief executive officer.
Economic development and job creation are the alliance’s top objectives.
Until the consolidation three weeks ago, MIDA and MVPC helped drive economic development locally for a half-century. Both organizations started in the mid-1960s when steel and other heavy industries dominated the Valley.
MVPC was founded in 1965 by business leaders eager to address the closing of USS Donora Works and other economic issues. It was involved in a number of development initiatives, including the Mon Valley/Fayette Expressway and Southern Beltway, and was based in Monessen.
The council formed MIDA in 1966 to redevelop the Donora site. A nonprofit headquartered in Charleroi, MIDA focused on investment of resources and expertise, including development of business parks in Donora, Speers and Fallowfield Township.
Though those groups are gone, one of its traditions remains. The progress council’s annual dinner – called a Launch Party and Reception – will begin at 6 p.m. May 12 at the Willow Room in Rostraver Township. It will be open to the public.
MVA will honor retiring state legislators Pete Daley, D-California, and Ted Harhai, D-Monessen, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. It also will introduce its logo and its board members. The cost is $25. Call 724-684-3381 or email monvalleyalliance@gmail.com.