Business & Merchant

Last Updated on Friday, 29 December 2023 21:32

Mon Valley Regional Chamber Honors Members

Pictured (L to R): Leanna Spada, MVRCC Executive Director; Karen Kosh, Owner Studio K; George and Ronalyn Apodiakos, By George; Lisa Lyons, His Place Coffee, Community and More; Dr. Ed Zelich, Superintendent Charleroi School District; Armand Ferrara, MVRCC President.

Shown at the Penn Highlands Mon Valley CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit tour are (l. to r.) Lauren Palmquist, Special Assistant, Office of the Lt. Governor; Mimi Falbo, Penn Highlands Mon Valley CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit Consultant; Kelly Macheska, BSN, RN, Unit Director, CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit; Dr. Latika Davis-Jones, Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Gopi Vadlamudi, MD, Medical Director of the CNX Foundation Substance Recovery Unit; and Heather Franci, MBHA, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer, Service Line Director, Heart Center, Lung Center, Brain & Spine, Oncology Services, Penn Highlands Healthcare.

Three Mon Valley Businesses were honored along with the Superintendent of the Charleroi Area School District, Dr Ed Zelich, at the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce (MVRCC) 2023 Annual Christmas Awards Gala held on Friday, December 1.

Over 100 guests were in attendance for the celebration, which was held at Nemacolin Country Club in Beallsville. The evening commenced with an array of appetizers and complimentary drinks followed by an awards ceremony. Opening remarks were given by the President of the MVRCC, Armand Ferrara, in which he thanked those in attendance as well as the sponsors for the event, stating “It is our favorite time of year when we have the chance to honor our members and events like this are only made possible by the support of our loyal businesses and organizations in the Mon Valley.”

The program was then turned over to the Executive Director of the Chamber, Leanna Spada. For the presentation of awards, Spada gave a short biography about each honoree “Our chamber is proud of all of our members' accomplishments but the one theme you will notice throughout tonight’s presentation is not only are these members successful in their line of work or their business but as human beings, Spada remarked, “Not only are they hard-working but they lead with kindness, they give back, and are humble while doing so. This is genuinely what it means to be a success.”

The 2023 Outstanding Business Development Award was presented to George and Ronalyn Apodiakos, owners of ‘By George Restaurant’ located at 1 Monongahela St. in Monessen. This award is given to a business that has successfully expanded its product line and shown significant growth. Since opening its doors in 2015, By George has been steadily growing and expanding throughout the last eight years. By George offers a mixed cuisine of Greek, American, and Italian, and with two to three daily specials new dishes are always being offered.

The 2023 Excellence in Business Award was awarded to ‘Studio K Salon’ and Spa located at 329 Fallowfield Avenue, Charleroi. This award recognizes a business that continually and consistently provides outstanding products and services as well as demonstrates longevity operating over 20 years. Owner Karen Kosh celebrated her 22^nd year in business this past summer. Studio K is a full-service salon offering manicures, Pedicures, acrylic and gel nails, tanning, spray tanning, massages, facials, and permanent makeup. This business has demonstrated what it takes to go that extra mile.

The 2023 Regional Service Award went to ‘His Place Coffee, Community and More’ located at 100 Third Street in Monessen. Lisa Lyons, Executive Director of Full Potential Projects, accepted the award. His Place Coffee, since its inception in 2019, has serviced a broad range of individuals. They give back to the community through numerous programs and donations they provide. Even if it’s a safe place you are looking for to relax and feel safe, His Place is that place.

The top honor of the night went to Dr. Ed Zelich, the recipient of the “Shining Star” Award. This is an award that focuses on individual achievement in both career and contributions to the community. An individual who displays outstanding personal and professional attributes and shows a commitment to his/her vocation. Dr. Zelich’s career spans over thirty years, starting in the classroom and now serving as the Superintendent of the Charleroi Area School District. Dr. Zelich was appointed Superintendent of Charleroi in 2014 and has never stopped making the children his priority every day. Charleroi Area school district is known for having a strong academic reputation as well as a wide range of educational programs and first-rate facilities.