Governor Rendell Honors PA's Best 50 Women in Business

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell congratulated this year's Best 50 Women in Business tonight and said their varied accomplishments reflect of the state's economic growth and diversity.

"Among the dynamic women chosen for this prestigious honor are leaders of advanced manufacturing firms, biotechnology companies, real estate firms, entertainment venues and health care providers," Governor Rendell said. "It shows how varied and talented the commonwealth's professional landscape has become."

Best 50 Women in Business winners were chosen by an independent panel of judges based on their dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women in business. Recipients must be a female resident of Pennsylvania or employed here in a senior executive management level position.

Starting next month, winners will be profiled on the Department of Community and Economic Development's Web site, www.newpa.com, with new biographies and pictures appearing each month until next year's ceremony.

"Your achievements are opening doors - for yourself, your colleagues and your neighbors," DCED Deputy Secretary for Business Assistance Dee Kaplan said at tonight's ceremony honoring the recipients. "Pennsylvania is becoming a better place to live, work and play because of your dedication and commitment."

To help female entrepreneurs move further up the road to success, the Rendell administration recently launched the Pennsylvania Business Opportunity Fund. The $2 million pilot program, launched earlier this spring, offers financial and technical assistance to women and minority-owned businesses in 13 counties in southeastern and south central Pennsylvania. Based on its success, the program may expand to other parts of the state.

For additional information on the Best 50 Women in Business, Pennsylvania Business Opportunities Fund and other business assistance programs available through DCED, visit www.newPA.com or call 1-866-466-3972.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A list of the 2008 award winners follows:

Allegheny County

Audrey L. Brourman, founder, owner and president, A.L. Brourman Associates Inc., Pittsburgh

Laura E. Ellsworth, partner-in-charge, Jones Day, Pittsburgh

Diane P. Holder, executive vice president, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh

Linda Ruckert, owner, Linda's Imprinted Products, Pittsburgh
Sharon Scheidemantle, broker of record, Achieve Realty Inc., Wexford
Sandy E. Simon, owner and artist, Kiln-in-Time Studios, Pittsburgh

Berks County
Deborah A. Kintzer, senior vice president, Westlawn Graphics, Reading

Anne L. Stevens, chairman, president and CEO, Carpenter Technology Corporation, Reading

Blair County
Bonnie Lee Hand, president, Blair Insurance Services Inc., Altoona
Amy B. Seltzer, owner, Seltzer Financial Strategies LLC, Altoona

Bucks County
Ramila Philip, Ph.D., Immunotope Inc. Doylestown
Gina F. Rubel, esquire, Furia Rubel Communications Inc. Doylestown
Donna E. Teitelman, president, Impact Executive Consulting LLC, Richboro

Butler County
Victoria A. Hinterberger, CEO, Butler County Radio Network Inc., Butler

Ann F. Morrison, senior vice president, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, Butler

Centre County

Jessica Dolan, owner, Room to Breathe Home and Office Organizing, Bellefonte

Chester County

Kimberly J. Brumbaugh, president, Brumbaugh Wealth Management Group, Glenmoore

Bronwyn L. Martin, financial advisor, Ameriprise Financial Service Inc., Kennett Square

Cumberland County

Tammy L. Shearer, vice president, Shearer Enterprises d/b/a The Camera Box, Camp Hill

Dauphin County
Linda Harvey-Burkley, principal, Ardis Communications, Harrisburg
Rhonda R. Hess, president and CEO, Rhonda Hess Associates LLC, Hershey

Janice L. Holsinger, owner, founder, and chairperson, U-GRO Learning Centres Inc., Harrisburg

Deborah Saline, principal and COO, PR Works Inc., Harrisburg

Delaware County
Mildred E. Bell, president and CEO, Skin Health Solutions, Edgemont
Mary L. Catona, president and CEO, Retriever Waste Management, Media
Marlene Weinberg, owner and operator, McDonalds, Villanova

Erie County

Misty O'Connor, founder, owner and president, Point Click Learn Inc., McKean

Lackawanna County
Sunita Arora, president and owner, ERA One Source Realty, Clarks Summit

Lancaster County
Marilyn Hedge, vice president, Susquehanna Bank, Lancaster
Sarah Young Fisher, president, Kuntz Lesher Capital LLC, Lancaster

Lebanon County
Anna Lynn Skamangas, president, The Baklava Goddess Inc., Schaefferstown

Montgomery County

Janet B. Cunningham, president and CEO, JBC Associates Inc., King of Prussia

Patricia H. Imbesi, founder and president, Patriarch Management, North Wales

Patricia J. Owens, chief strategy officer, Decision Strategies International, Conshocken

Ilyse Shapiro, founder, MyPartTimePRO.com, Wynnewood
Bonnie Squires, president, Squires Consulting, Wynnewood

Philadelphia County
Autumn Bayles, senior vice president, Tasty Baking Company, Philadelphia

Leslie Esdaile Banks, author and entrepreneur, Leslie Esdaile Banks LLC, Philadelphia

Deborah M. Fretz, president and CEO, Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P., Philadelphia

Iola Harper, president, In Good Company LLC, Philadelphia

Vernoca L. Michael, CEO and president, The Legendary Blue Horizon, Philadelphia

Keirra Strayhorn White, owner, Copper Desserts LLC, Philadelphia
Kimberly R. Williams, principal, KlingStubbins, Philadelphia

Pike County
Ellen Cabaniss Bawc, owner and president, La Tienda Inc., Milford

Union County

Erica L. Shames, editor and publisher, Susquehanna Life Magazine, Lewisburg

Washington County

Sherri Hewitt-Laird, president and CEO, The Caring Mission Inc., Washington

Westmoreland County
Carol Boerio Croft, owner and CCO, Cozy Inn Pet Resort, Stahlstown
Candy D. Valentino, founder and owner, Platinum Salon and Spa, Greensburg

York County
Lynne Grote Briel, president and founder, The Professional Edge, York
Anne E. Zerbe, attorney, CGA Law Firm, York

CONTACT:
Teresa Candori
717-783-1116

Janel Miller (DCED)
717-783-1132

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Teresa Candori of the PA Governor's Office, +1-717-783-1116, or
Janel Miller of DCED, +1-717-783-1132

Web Site: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/
http://www.newpa.com/

2008-05-19 21:03:48 0365789 PRNEWSWIRE