Grossman Yanak & Ford LLP, located Downtown, promoted three professionals and added several new staff members. Steven Heere was named senior manager of the assurance and advisory services group. Angela Marasti and Susan Harry were named senior accountants in the tax services group. In addition, the assurance and advisory services group added one new senior accountant, Thomas Krahe. The firm also added several new staff accountants. They include Scott Trickett, Larry Diday and Clay Sefter. The tax services group added two new staff accountants, Rebekah Entwistle and Joy Clark.

Carbis Walker LLP added Charles Laverty Jr. to its business valuations team. Laverty’s focus with the firm is providing valuations for estate and gift taxes, income tax purposes, business acquisition/sale/merger, value-based planning and litigation support for clients. He also assists in educating business owners on using valuations as tools to understand their business’ worth, how to create value and properly plan for the future based on specific financial goals. Carbis Walker has offices in New Castle, Pittsburgh, Meadville, Butler, Grove City, Erie and Boardman, Ohio.

McKeever Varga & Senko, located in Scott Township, added Sarah Chavis to its staff. Chavis is a graduate of Robert Morris University.

KFMR Katz Ferraro McMurtry PC added three new employees to its Downtown office. Matthew Miller joined the firm as a manager in its accounting assurance and advisory services practice area. Miller is a graduate of Robert Morris University. Rachael Mostoller joined KFMR as a senior accountant. Mostoller has more than three years of experience with a regional firm in the Pittsburgh area. In addition, Gina Rizzuto joined KFMR’s client accounting services unit as a staff accountant. Rizzuto worked as an accountant for a Pittsburgh-based printing company for more than six years.

Daniel McDowell joined North Hills-based Lally, Lally & Co. LLC, as an accountant in the tax compliance and consulting group. Prior to this position, McDowell worked at a national firm and has more than four years of public accounting and law experience. 

Joseph Mainiero was named manager in Alpern Rosenthal’s accounting and auditing department. Mainiero has six years of professional experience. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Duquesne University. Alpern Rosenthal is located Downtown.

S&T Bank named Russell Manski branch manager of its new Squirrel Hill location. Manski previously served in various positions at Citizens Financial Group and Mellon Financial Corp.

Robert Agbede, president and CEO of Chester Engineers Inc., was appointed chairman of the board of the Pittsburgh office of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland for 2007. Agbede has served as a director of the Pittsburgh office since January 2002. In addition, Howard Hanna III, chairman and CEO of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services, Robert Paul, chairman and CEO of Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp., and Margaret Irvine Weir, president of NexTier Bank, were named directors of the Pittsburgh office of the Cleveland Reserve Bank. The Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland’s Pittsburgh office is located Downtown.

Harvest Financial Corp., located Downtown, named Jason Messick vice president. Messick has been with Harvest Financial for more than 16 years in various capacities. As vice president, he will focus on individual portfolio management through the use of a wide range of investment options, including mutual funds, stocks and bonds. In addition, Anthony Hladek was named COO. In this position, Hladek will manage the day-to-day activities of the company, focusing on management of the systems that create and deliver Harvest Financial’s wide range of financial vehicles and services. He will also interface with the firm’s clearinghouse, Chicago-based Mesirow Financial.

D. Lansing Taylor was awarded the SBS Accomplishment Award for his seminal work on commercialization of high-content screening. The Society for Biomolecular Sciences Accomplishment Award is presented annually to an SBS member who has distinguished him/herself in advancing the art and science of drug discovery. Taylor is the founder, president and CEO of Cellumen Inc., located on the South Side.

Bender Consulting Services Inc. presented its sixth annual Tony Coelho Award to Greg Babe, president and CEO of Bayer MaterialScience LLC. The Tony Coelho Award is presented annually to a CEO, president or government leader who has demonstrated a significant commitment to employ people with disabilities in competitive positions, and worked to influence other business and/or government leaders. Bayer Corp. is located in Robinson Township.

Barry Smartnick joined Ergonomic & Safety Services, located in New Stanton, as human resources manager. Smartnick will be responsible for recruiting safety professionals. He will also be responsible for all aspects of human resources for the corporation.

Paul Dolan joined Aon Consulting’s health and benefits practice as vice president. Dolan brings more than 15 years of experience in the health care benefits industry to the company. Prior to this position, he was with PNC Financial Services Group where he was vice president, senior manager of corporate benefits administration.

Tony Orsini was named vice president of H. B. Maynard and Co. Inc. Prior to this position, Orsini was research and development manager. H. B. Maynard is located in Green Tree.

Ann Fisher Hohn received the Anthony L. Bucci Award for Excellence in Communication Ethics from the department of communication and rhetorical studies at Duquesne University. Hohn was selected from a wide range of communication professionals. She is vice president of communications for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Brian Hermiller was named a shareholder of Taylor Structural Engineers, located in Scott Township. Hermiller joined the firm in 2000.

KU Resources Inc. added Teresa Sekscinski and Sara Uhl to its Duquesne office. Sekscinski is an engineering project manager. She has more than 15 years of experience with developing slope stabilization plans, stormwater management plans, erosion and sediment control plans, foundation designs, RCRA remedial action plans, grading plans and wetland mitigation programs. Uhl is an entry-level environmental scientist. She has one year of experience in performing phase I and phase II environmental site assessments and soil and groundwater sampling.

Eric Beckman joined Cohera Medical Inc., located on the North Shore, as chief scientific officer. Beckman is a co-founder of Cohera Medical and is the primary inventor of the company’s proprietary adhesive technology. He joined Cohera on an entrepreneurial leave of absence from his position as George Bevier professor of engineering at the University of Pittsburgh’s department of chemical engineering.

Dr. Mark Rubino was elected president of the medical staff of the Western Pennsylvania Hospital, representing physicians at both West Penn in Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania Hospital — Forbes Regional Campus in Monroeville. Rubino received both his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Pennsylvania. West Penn Hospital is located in Bloomfield.

Kathy Fagley joined Concordia Lutheran Ministries as director of Haven Food Services. In this position, Fagley will oversee the Havens Food Service staff, design menus, manage the Haven Food Service budget and handle the catering of special events held by Concordia. She is also the co-owner/operator of Butler County Airport restaurant, The Runway.

Eric Wallace is the new chef at Trilogy, a Downtown restaurant. Most of Wallace’s career has been spent in the kitchens of various Big Burrito Group restaurants, the last three years as executive chef at Casbah in Shadyside.

Gleason Inc. named Ellen Dividock director of placement and service. Dividock’s new responsibilities will include managing all aspects of service, as well as continuing to direct the placement department. Gleason Inc. is located in Johnstown.

Edmond Shea was named vice president of property and casualty operations for Babb Inc., located on the North Shore. Shea joined the firm as a senior key account executive in June 2005. Prior to his employment at Babb, he worked as a sales and claims manager for a Penn Hills agency.

Mark Bleier joined Liberty Insurance Agency’s commercial insurance division in its Mount Lebanon branch. Bleier will focus primarily in the manufacturing and contracting fields. Prior to this position, he worked for a national insurance carrier.

Lynch Weis LLC, located in Cranberry Township, added Robert Frey Jr. to its corporate group as an associate. Frey earned his bachelor’s degree from St. Vincent College and his law degree from Widener University School of Law. He will focus his practice on mergers and acquisitions.

Frederick Pickering III joined Downtown-based Eckert Seamans Cherin and Mellott LLC as an associate. Prior to joining Eckert Seamans, Pickering was an associate with Keevican Weiss Bauerle & Hirsch LLC. As an associate in the firm’s business division, he focuses his practice in mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and securities practice groups with an emphasis on the technology industry.

Sandy Rhodes Svoboda joined Dickie, McCamey & Chilcote PC, located Downtown, as associate director of marketing. Svoboda has more than 18 years of law firm marketing and business development experience. Prior to joining Dickie McCamey, she spent 10 years in the marketing department at Reed Smith Shaw & McClay, now Reed Smith LLP, and then with Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Nicholson Graham LLP, now Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP.

John Nobbs was named partner at Blumling & Gusky LLP, located Downtown. As a member of the firm’s commercial and corporate law practice group, Nobbs’ practice emphasizes business and corporate transactions. He also has experience in the formation and counseling of nonprofit entities.

Kurt Fernsler joined Babst, Calland, Clements and Zomnir PC, located Downtown, as a senior associate. Fernsler will be a part of the firm’s construction services group and litigation services group. He has experience in litigating construction and other commercial matters.

United States Steel Corp., located Downtown, named Scott Coleman general manager of Minnesota Ore Operations. Coleman began his career with U. S. Steel in 1994 as a shift manager in the finishing operations at Fairfield Works. In addition, James Volanski was appointed general manager-environmental affairs. Volanski will be responsible for overseeing U. S. Steel's environmental efforts in the United States, as well as at its operations in Slovakia and Serbia.

Kevin Hospodar and Dave Jennings joined New Perspective, located in the Strip District. Hospodar is a 2005 graduate from Denison University and has a bachelor’s degree in cinema and a minor in psychology. Jennings has 12 years of experience as art director in production, as well as four years as creative director for an advertising agency.

McMahon & Cardillo Communication, located in Robinson Township, named Dana Sherman account executive. In this position, Sherman is responsible for providing client support in the areas of special events management and media relations. Prior to joining the firm, she worked with the William Morris Agency.

Ten United, located Downtown, named Jenn Spencer senior visual Web developer and Allison Davies account coordinator. In her new position, Spencer will develop Web interfaces, compile back-end coding and perform database design. Prior to joining Ten United, she completed Web development projects for Refiner Inc. and Internet Order LLC. As account coordinator, Davies will facilitate communications between account leadership teams and their clients.

Mizrahi Design Associates Inc., located Downtown, named Kevin Kennedy vice president and Jason Dancisin associate. Kennedy has served as creative director and account manager for the firm since 2004. Dancisin joined the creative team in 1997. As an associate, his clients will include Dick’s Sporting Goods, WESCO International, LaQuatra Bonci Associates and Strada LLC.

Dave Exterovich joined Sewickley-based Victory Media Inc. as a senior account

executive.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, located Downtown, named David Enstad retail advertising manager. Prior to this position, Enstad was with the Omaha World Herald as retail advertising manager. He also has been the advertising director for Gannett Newspapers in several markets, including the Courier News and the San Bernardino Sun.

Deborah Weppelman was named program director/executive director for the Radio Information Service, an affiliate of WDUQ 90.5 FM. Weppelman has more than 15 years of broadcast experience in both public and commercial radio. RIS is located on the South Side.

Gail Osborne, a professional geologist and area manager for Kleinfelder Inc.’s southeastern Pennsylvania area, was named to the Pennsylvania Resources Council Board of Directors. As a member of the board of directors, Osborne will aid in the council's continuing efforts to bring people, businesses and government together to prevent and solve environmental problems.

The following individuals were named members of the executive committee of the YouthWorks board of directors: chair Iris Nahemow, Nahemow Associates; vice chair Allison Lee-Mann, WQED Multimedia; treasurer Bradley Lusk, Sisterson Strategies for Business; assistant treasurer Joseph Bruce, Schneider Downs & Co. Inc.; and secretary Miranda Nickles, Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP. The following individuals joined the board of directors of YouthWorks: Martha Lubynsky, PNC Bank; Alan Lesgold, University of Pittsburgh; Janis Ripper, Pittsburgh Public Schools; Jonathan Walkush, Allegheny County Department of Human Services. YouthWorks is located in the Strip District.

Aimee Jim and William Malloy were elected as board members for the Greensburg Community Development Corp. The board is responsible for overall policy and direction of the corporation and delegating responsibility for day-to-day operations to the corporation's executive director and committees. Jim has worked for Meyer Darragh for three years, and Malloy is president and partner in ROAM Investments.

The board of directors of Calliope: The Pittsburgh Folk Music Society added three members. New board members include Joe Switala, project executive/senior project manager at the Massaro Corp., Brian Bronaugh, creative director and senior vice president for the Mullen Agency design firm, and Margaret Cassidy, senior deputy attorney general at the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General.

The Access-to-Work Interagency Cooperative named David Stragar program manager. Stragar has 19 years of experience in the transit industry. He is a long-time member of the Army National Guard, and a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Lareese Hall joined the Carnegie Science Center, located on the North Shore, as project manager for environmental education. In this position, Hall will work to develop new visitor experiences and educational programs related to ecology and the environment. In developing these programs, she will work with staff at Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and partner with other community-based organizations with an interest in environmental issues

The Shadyside Chamber of Commerce elected its 2007 executive board. Richard Rattner, owner of the William Penn Tavern, will serve as president. Jean Haller, owner of Journeys of Life, and Rick Faller of Rollier Brothers Inc. will serve as co-vice presidents. Roland Gargani will serve as treasurer, and Mitch Barcaskey of National City Bank will act as secretary.

Michael Bergquist received a Joseph E. Sterrett Fellow Award from the Erie Chapter of Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Bergquist is a partner at Malin, Bergquist & Co. LLP, located in the North Hills. In addition, he is a past president of PICPA’s Erie chapter.

Prudential Preferred Realty added several sales associates to offices in the Pittsburgh area. Mary Jo Daley joined the Beaver office. Chelsie Tumolo and Bryan Kendi joined the Cranberry office. Deborah Ereditario joined the Greensburg office. Lynn Reynolds joined the Monroeville office. Karen Zack joined the North Hills office. Sharron Stepanovich joined the North Huntingdon office; Allyson Korman Barker joined the Sewickley office; and Carol Julin joined the Slippery Rock office. In addition, Beata Murray, manager of the Murrysville office of Prudential Preferred Realty, was appointed to a three-year term on the Professional Standards Committee of the Westmoreland Realtors Association. In addition, Murray has also been appointed to serve on the same committee for The Realtors Association of Metropolitan Pittsburgh. She has been a licensed realtor since 1973 and has been the associate broker and manager of the Murrysville office since 1984.

Howard Hanna REALTOR and manager Junnie Mendelowski was named the REALTOR of the Year by the Greater Alle-Kiski Association of REALTORS. Mendelowski began her real estate career with Howard Hanna’s Allegheny Valley office nine years ago. She was appointed manager of the office in March of 2006.

Robert Thomson joined rue21 inc., located in Warrendale, as senior vice president of real estate. Thomson brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the company. Most recently, he was vice president of real estate and construction at Brookstone Corp.