Business & Merchant

Last Updated on Monday, 30 December 2024 00:17

Mon Valley Regional Chamber Honors Members

Pictured L to R: Regional Service Award Recipients, Betty Mugrage, SWTS; Dana Chambers, SWTS; Rachel Rotolo, Site Administrator PA CareerLink Mon Valley; Lisa Neil, President, SWTS and Adele Hopkins Administrative personnel, PA CareerLink-Mon Valley

Pictured L to R: Ashley Seman, Executive Director of MMVTA, Shining Star Award; Justin Forlini, Armando's Pizza, Excellence in Business Award

Two Mon Valley Businesses were honored along with the Executive Director of the Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority, Ashley Seman, at the MVRCC 2024 Annual Christmas Awards Gala. The event was held at St. Spyridon’s Hellenic Center on December 5.

The evening commenced with an array of appetizers catered by By George Restaurant and complimentary drinks followed by an awards ceremony. Opening remarks were given by the President of MVRCC, Armand Ferrara, in which he thanked those in attendance as well as the sponsors for the event.

“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,” said Ferrara.

The program was then turned over to the Executive Director of the Chamber, Leanna Spada. “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 a member of our community,” said Spada. She added “Not only are they hard working but they lead with heart, they give back, and are humble while doing so. This is genuinely what it means to be a success.”

The 2024 Excellence in Business Award was presented to Justin Forlini and the Forlini Family, owners of Armando’s Pizza located at 538 Fallowfield Avenue in Charleroi. This award recognizes a business that continually and consistently provides outstanding products and services as well as demonstrating longevity.

The 2024 Regional Service Award went to PA CareerLink-Mon Valley, Site Administrator, Rachel Rotolo, accepted the award. The Chamber singles out a deserving non-profit group that they wish to recognize for their contributions to the community and to our quality of life in the Mid Mon Valley and surrounding regions. Formerly located in Donora, this past year moving its new location in Charleroi, this center has become the heart of job placement, training, and workforce development for so many in the Mon Valley and beyond.

The top honor of the night went to Ashley Seman, 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 that displays outstanding personal and professional attributes and shows commitment to his/her vocation. Ashley has been serving as the Executive Director of Mid Mon Valley Transit Authority for the last five years. During Spada’s introduction she stated about Ashley “she has shown unwavering commitment to the community, and also what it means to lead with purpose and serve with heart, and for reminding us how important it is to be active, engaged, and involved in community”. Seman serves on numerous boards and has been instrumental in many advances within the transit authority.