Chamber honors Wagner Family Eyecare, Oil City Area School District

The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce has named Wagner Family Eyecare, located along Route 257 in Seneca, as the 2013 Business of the Year, and Oil City Area School District as the 2013 Partner in Business. The two recipients will be honored May 16 at a Chamber mixer at Cranberry Mall. (By Jerry Sowden)The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce has chosen a local eye care practice and a public school district to receive top business-related honors in 2013.

The chamber has named Wagner Family Eyecare as the 2013 Business of the Year and Oil City Area School District as the 2013 Partner in Business.

The annual awards recognize “excellence in business…and responsible business leadership.”

A mixer to honor the recipients is set from 5 to 7 p.m. May 16 at the Movies at Cranberry in the mall.

Business of the year

David Wagner joined the practice of Tracy Sepich in 1999 as an extern while completing his education at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. Three years later he become a partner with Sepich and the next year become the sole owner of Wagner Family Eyecare.

(By Jerry Sowden)In 2011, Wagner purchased the former Black’s Bakery building on Route 257 and did extensive renovations to the structure. In addition to a growing staff, Wagner Family Eyecare has enjoyed a steady growth of patients, an increase of more than 800 percent over the past 10 years.

Stephen M. Reinsel, an Oil City native and board certified optometrist, joined the Wagner practice a year ago. The two professionals treat pediatric eye issues and specialize in low vision eye care and the evaluation and treatment of major eye conditions such as cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, hypertensive retinopathy and glaucoma.

Wagner Family Eyecare is one of a select few practices nationwide to offer services provided by a Heidelberg Spectralis OCT (ocular coherence tomography) imager with autofluorescence technology. In January, the business joined Vision Source, North America’s largest network of private practice optometric offices.

The center works closely with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services and Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to match patients’ eye needs with specific devices to enable them to continue living independently. It also is a new provider for the Veterans Administration.

Wagner said his business is able to compete in the marketplace by offering “superior customer service and state-of-the-art technology.”

He traveled a year ago on a mission trip to Haiti to set up an eye care clinic and said he plans to make the project an annual event.

Wagner and his wife Jodi are the parents of an eight-year-old daughter.

Wagner Family Eyecare will hold an open house and chamber mixer May 23.

Partner of the year

Oil City Area School District has the largest enrollment of any school district in the region and is one of Venango County’s 10 largest employers. The district employs more than 300 people with one-third of those staff members under 40, and the district lists an annual budget of $28 million.

The chamber award recognizes the school district’s effort to “work with the business community in assuring a quality workforce for the future.”

District superintendent Joe Carrico launched a business education round table forum that invites business leaders from across the county to meet with local superintendents.

Carrico said the district’s responsibility is “to be a public servant and to foster relationships with the business community in the region at-large, preparing students for integration into the community and to encourage students to invest in their community.”

To that end, students and staff serve in positions on local boards and councils and volunteer at events and in community projects.

While the school district’s impact is most strongly felt in the immediate community, there is evidence of a much larger reach within the region. The district recently took the lead in the coordination of the Regional Emergency Response Protocol for Venango County that provides a plan for school districts and emergency responders to have standard procedures in case of emergencies and public safety threats.

School facilities have been available for a variety of regional events such as the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life.

The district is committed to using local vendors and businesses for renovation, construction, events and activities, said Carrico.

When asked about the most recent challenges facing the district, Carrico said, “There is a fine art in recognizing, embracing and celebrating education as a business.”

Let Us Help You!

BNI (Business Networking International) VISTOR DAY

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Please call Evelyn Wheeler 814-673-6392

Rod Adams 814-673-4874 or

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Young Professional of the Year Award nominees announced

A young professionals group out of Venango County has released a list of the nominees for this year’s Young Professional of the Year Award.

The award will be presented at the Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange’s third annual “FLEX Presents” event, which starts at 8 p.m. Friday at the Commons at Franklin. Tickets for the dinner are $15 each and $25 for couples.

The event has drawn more than 100 guests in each of its first two years, as scores of the area’s young professionals — along with business owners who employ and work with those professionals and other high-profile community leaders and entrepreneurs — come out to see who is chosen as this year’s top “young professional.” There were eight nominees for this year’s event.

Susan Williams, executive director of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, said the presence of a significant and influential group of young professionals is more than enough reason to celebrate.

“It calls for celebration,” Williams said. “It’s great to see all the young professionals in the community stepping up and participating in leadership roles. We see them as an asset to the community.”

The Chamber co-hosts the event, provides oversight for FLEX and is the meeting place for the region’s young professionals.

Recently appointed president of FLEX, Matt Caldwell, said the group has adopted a three-pronged strategy of networking, leadership development and professional development that he said will help continue to market the area’s young professionals to those industry and business sectors seeking a fresh, new workforce.

“I think people will respond better to the young professionals in the area if we can successfully market FLEX and get people to understand it’s not just a title, it’s something we work hard for,” Caldwell said. “We stand for professionalism. Our main objective is to focus on promoting young professionals and making sure people realize that while we’re young, that doesn’t mean we’re not qualified.”

Past winners include Amanda Hippenstiel, of Oil City, and Renee Spence, of Franklin.

Hippenstiel, co-owner of State Street Furniture, co-founder of the South Side Business Association in Oil City and advocate for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) was the 2012 winner.

Spence, a former director for the Grove City and Franklin YMCAs and currently a communication specialist for Central Electric Cooperative, Inc., was the 2011 winner.

Nominees for the 2013 Young Professional of the Year Award are:

-Albert “Chip” Abramovic — Abramovic returned to Venango County in 2011 to pursue a career with Penn North Financial, and currently serves as vice president of the company. On the side, Abramovic is also very active in his “family business” at the Sleepy Hollow Golf Course. Abramovic heads a monthly business networking group called “Taking Care of Business,” which also collects donations for needy organizations throughout the community. He is also a member of the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, the Franklin Applefest Core Committee, Y.E.S. Franklin (the city’s young professional group), the local Masonic Lodge, and he serves on the board of directors for the Franklin Elks.

-Matt Beith — Beith is a licensed real estate agent with Beith and Associates, and also serves on the Franklin Planning and Zoning Commission and the Franklin Fine Arts Council board of directors. Beith is the co-founder of the Franklin Attack Tennis program, an organization aimed to renew youth’s enthusiasm for the game of tennis, and is a member of Y.E.S. Franklin and The Bridge Literary Arts Center. Beith is also a member of the Franklin Rotary Club and the Franklin Elks Lodge.

-Kurtis Bell — Bell is a manager at ServiceMaster by Bell, Inc., of Strattanville. Bell writes a monthly column in the Venango Chamber “Business Connector” and is an active member Send Out Cards Gratitude Referral Networking group. Bell also oversees miniature golf sessions for students with disabilities through the Riverview Intermediate Unit, and is an Elder who serves at the New Rehobeth Greenville Presbyterian Church, as well as a volunteer for the Camping Association of the Presbyteries of Northwestern Pennsylvania. Bell also coaches weightlifting at the Clarion YMCA and presents a lecture on the importance of good indoor air quality at the Clarion Hospital’s “Let’s Do Lunch” series.

-Josh Botts — Botts is the program director for the Venango Fatherhood Initiative and Family Services & Children’s Aid Society of Venango County, where he is dedicated to “improving the lives of children in the county by increasing the number of children growing up with involved, responsible and dedicated fathers.” Botts also serves on the Children’s Roundtable of Venango County, the Focus on Our Future board and is president of the board for the Open Door Cafe, a donation-only gathering place in Oil City’s east end. He is also a member of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention task force, the Child Near Death Review team and participates in Venango County’s Quality Service Review.

-Amanda Callinan — Callinan is a family-based mental health therapist with Family Services of Western PA, and works with families throughout Venango and Mercer counties. Callinan is a member of the Children’s Roundtable of Venango County and volunteers for and is a board member of the PPC Violence Free Network. She also organizes the PPC’s annual golf scramble. In her free time, Callinan spends much of her time planning events for domestic violence awareness and has launched an in-home therapy program for sexual abuse victims.

-Bobbi Haag — Haag works at the Oil Region CareerLink as an adult/dislocated worker coordinator, where she has been since January 2012. Haag is also a member of the United Way board of directors, and volunteers for the United Way campaign, “Totes for Tots.” A FLEX member, Haag was also involved in a number of student activities as a student at Venango College-Clarion University. While there, she was vice president of Phi Theta Kappa, president of the student senate, president of the Campus Activities board, president of the Paralegal Club, “discovery leader” for new students and sat on the board of directors for the Venango Campus Advisory Board and the Student Association.

-Jill Harry — Harry is a reporter for The Derrick and The News-Herald and also serves on the planning committee for the annual Oil Region Indie Fest, “a festival that provides original, young performers an outlet and gathering place in the community.” Harry is an active board member of the Oil City Arts Council. She has also been a long-time supporter of the Relay for Life team for the American Cancer Society, and serves the group’s publicity and online chairwoman.

-Trenton Moulin— Moulin is the Executive Director at the Bridge Builders Community Foundations. Trenton has made a practice of reaching out to the next generation fostering their understanding and engagement in the community. Trenton is active in numerous community foundations and movements including the Oil City Civic Center, Restorative Community Group Conferencing, FLEX, Oil City Main Street Program and was a driving force in the installation and supporter of the Disc Golf course in Hasson Heights Park. Trenton is a member of the Member of Petrolia Lodge No. 363 Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania, a Junior Achievement volunteer instructor and  serves on the Venango County Fatherhood Initiative Soupbox Derby Planning Board.

-Darin Paden — Paden is owner and director of the Performing Arts Academy with Darin, a dance and performing arts studio located in the National Transit Building in Oil City. Paden’s dance studio occupies a space not filled in more than 30 years, and he serves more than 200 students, and also heads a nonprofit dance team. Under Paden’s direction, the dance team provides area youth with the opportunity to demonstrate their talents through community engagement, while also giving youth leadership and teamwork skills learned through volunteerism and community partnerships. Paden’s dance team performs for local events, including Children’s Day at the Cranberry Mall, Oil City’s First Night and four holiday dance performances at local nursing homes.

Nominees will be invited to attend the FLEX Presents event Friday, March 22, at the Commons at Franklin, where one nominee will be recognized as the Young Professional of the Year. The event is hosted by the Venango Chamber and by the Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX) group.

The deadline for nominations is Wednesday.

Williams said the event has been a success in its first two years — drawing more than 100 in attendance both years — and said she expects the popularity of the event to spill over into this year.

“It calls for celebration,” Williams said. “It’s great to see all the young professionals in the community stepping up and participating in leadership roles. We see them as an asset to the community.”

Williams said the number of nominations doesn’t match the number of young professionals who deserve to be recognized, and said she’s urging community members, employers and even the children of young professionals to step forward with nominees.

“We have young professionals working in the community and walking among us every day without us realizing it,” Williams said.

For more information on the FLEX Presents event or to nominate a young professional, people can visit the Chamber’s website at http://www.venangochamber.com and click the “FLEX” tab, or email flex@venangochamber.org.

Matt Caldwell of Oil City has taken over as the new president of the Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange (FLEX) group. He is pictured here with Susan Williams, director of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. (By Jerry Sowden)

The new president of a local young professionals group said the group’s ability to adapt will determine its success in future efforts.

Matt Caldwell of Oil City has taken over as president of the Future Leaders and Entrepreneurs Exchange group, which plans to rethink some of its strategies and rewrite some of its bylaws.

“We’re going to kind of change the way we do business and … officer elections,” Caldwell said. “There wasn’t a solid voting structure, so we’re going to work on writing and putting together those bylaws,” he said.

Caldwell said structure is important in a group where the membership base shifts as members advance in their careers and have families.

“One of the things you have to acknowledge and understand with FLEX is that there will be shifts, people will age out, people get married and things change,” he said. “Just because you were active two years ago doesn’t mean you’ll be as active now.”

With more than 120 members and oversight from the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Caldwell said the group’s representation remains strong and focused.

“We want to see it succeed, we have members who want to see it succeed,” Caldwell said.

“The chamber is really behind us and they want to make sure it’s successful, too,” said Caldwell.

One of Caldwell’s first actions as president was to send out a four-question survey to existing and former members of FLEX to find out exactly what kind of information young professionals in the area are seeking, and how it can be best delivered. The survey included questions about meeting times and professional goals.

Caldwell said the group will move forward this year with a three-pronged strategy of networking, leadership development and professional development aimed at helping the region’s young professionals either market their existing businesses or achieve success with those companies where they are currently employed. Caldwell said the group also will “engage employers to take on more young professionals” with their companies.

“I think people will respond better to the young professionals in the area if we can successfully market FLEX and get people to understand it’s not just a title, it’s something we work hard for,” Caldwell said. “We stand for professionalism.

“Our main objective is to focus on promoting young professionals and making sure people realize that while we’re young, that doesn’t mean we’re not qualified,” he added.

Leading by example

Caldwell himself is the quintessential example of a young professional in the area. By day, he’s a salesmen for his father’s printing shop, Caldwell’s Printing Services on West Sixth Street in Oil City.

But Caldwell also is involved in a number of other business and community endeavors in the region. He serves on the Oil City zoning and hearing board and also is an active member of the Oil City arts council, the Oil City Civic Center board and the Oil Heritage Festival committee.

And, just this week, Caldwell was helping put together last-minute details for this weekend’s Bluegrass Festival at the Days Inn in downtown Oil City.

Caldwell said there are many other members of FLEX who give back to the community as much or more than he does.

He said, simply, it’s what they do.

“FLEX is big on giving back to the community,” Caldwell said. “And we’re always looking at more volunteer work and that kind of stuff.”

“It’s going to be a good year for FLEX,” he said. “And it’s going to be a good time, too, because there are a lot of new young professionals.”

For more information on FLEX, people can visit the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.venangochamber.com or go to FLEX’s Facebook page.

View the presentation in Prezi (without narration)

Beginning with H&R Block, a long time local business but in a new space, members new and old visited and exchanged business cards. Next we warmed up at Tropical Tanning, with only a few of the same attendees but another well attended event. Last week we enjoyed a packed house at the new offices of Representative Lee James in a joint mixer with the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce. And this week we do it again at Miller’s Design in Seneca!

How does it go? If you’ve seen one mixer…you’ve seen one mixer. We believe that if you join us for one or all of these fun and energizing events, you should feel great about business in Venango County. Let’s all support these committed chamber members and network our way to a few new relationships while we’re at it!

School Counts! in the Oil Region A pilot program beginning this spring in Venango County will aim to arm high schoolers with the tools to become employable in the Oil Region and will tackle a problem facing employers everywhere — finding employees who can pass a drug test.

The “School Counts! in the Oil Region” program is an initiative coordinated by The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce and The Oil Region Alliance that encourages employers to use high school performance records as one of the criteria used to evaluate high school job applicants.

Cranberry High School will be the first Venango County district to pilot the program this spring for juniors and seniors, with the eventual plan to expand it to 9th through 12th graders and hopefully to other school districts as well.

The program demonstrates to students the importance of building a strong work ethic in high school as it will directly affect their future employment.

“The conversation always goes back to creating a good workforce,” said Susan Williams, executive director of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce. “Schools have a role in instilling and communicating work ethic.”

Cranberry School Board members unanimously voted this week to enter into the pilot program with one caveat proposed by Superintendent Maria Pappas — drug testing.

School board president Mike Port said the board’s overwhelming support of the program stems from its many benefits that impact education and workforce development.

The criteria that students who participate in the voluntary program must meet each school year to earn a certificate include obtaining at least a “C” or better in every class, achieving at least a 95 percent attendance and punctuality rate, taking more than the minimum number of required credits, graduating from high school in eight consecutive semesters, demonstrating a positive behavior and no school suspensions, and with Pappas’ addition, passing random drug tests.

“Some people might dispute drug testing, but that’s what we’re hearing from employers,” Williams said. “It wasn’t part of the original five criteria and is the only real significant financial obligation, but it appears within the school, there is money to pay for it. This is not just Venango County; it’s a national problem. We’re not that unique; we’re facing the same issues as everyone else.”

The school board determined at Monday’s meeting that there were grant funds within the district to help fund the drug testing.

Students who voluntarily participate in the School Counts! program at Cranberry High School will know that the drug testing is part of the criteria. Other schools that adopt it may opt out of the drug testing criteria addition.

“In my experience with talking to area businesses, it has been conveyed that one of the gatekeepers to filling some of the positions in the area has been the inability to find people that can test negative for using illegal substances,” Pappas said. “If it’s an education piece with our students, this gives us an opportunity to create a platform to educate the children about it and show that if you’re going to make lifestyle choices like that (using drugs), in the end, it might hurt you. I want to set the standard high.”

Businesses who participate in the School Counts! program can’t guarantee employment to someone who possesses the certification, but Williams said it will help young people develop skills to find entry level jobs.

“This is like a good reference letter and businesses definitely supported it,” Williams said. “This program really does a nice job of being available to every student at every academic level. It doesn’t just reward top achievers. It says every student is valuable as a future employee if they do these things.”

Deb Lutz, vice president of economic development at the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry & Tourism, said part of her role in the School Counts! program has been meeting with some of the area businesses.

“Some of their challenges include finding good employees,” Lutz said. “This program seemed to be a great fit for what we’re hearing from employers and the comments from across the board are that this is not just a high school issue. We’re in the process of getting employers on board and educated about the program. Even if the business does not typically hire high schoolers, we’re still asking for their support of the program.”

Lutz met with a local group of human resources professionals to discuss the proposed drug testing component of the program, and it was met with support.

“The next step trying to get employers on board,” Williams said.

Williams is hoping the remaining Oil Region school districts will roll the program out in the fall.

Pappas said she’s confident many students will participate and succeed in the School Counts! program.

“I know we’ll have plenty of kids that earn these certificates,” Pappas said. “We’re going to identify the kids who want to work. I want to hit it head-on and say in the Cranberry School District, if you earn an employability certificate, we are vouching for you that you are drug free. I think it will be a successful partnership.”

Businesses interested in participating in the School Counts! program or anyone who wants more information can contact Lutz at the Oil Region Alliance at 677-3152 or Williams at the Venango Area Chamber at 676-8521.

For more information check our School Counts! on the Chamber’s website

The training center, which provides programs and employment in the community to people with disabilities, is marking the milestone with events all year. A ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate achievements by staff, board members, trainees and the community was held Wednesday prior to the center’s monthly board meeting.

On Jan. 23, 1973, the training center was incorporated as a non-profit organization. The center provided programs at that time to 22 trainees and taught the trainees daily living skills.

Since that time, the center has increased its programs and extended its services to the disadvantaged.

The center has also become a provider of contract packaging and commercial janitorial services throughout the region.

The program provides services to Venango, Clarion, Forest, Clearfield, Crawford, Erie, Jefferson and Warren counties.

Colleen Stuart, the training center CEO, said Wednesday that “VTDC will continue to evolve to the needs of the community, helping people reach their highest potential. The staff have really risen to make sure there are opportunities for disabled and disadvantaged.”

Training center board president Matt Nerone said he has seen a lot of change in his 12 years of service to the program and said there are plans to keep the changes going strong.

Board vice president Lisa Groner called VTDC “the biggest secret in Venango County.”

“We’re hoping more people visit us and see what we’re about here,” Groner said.

The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the Citizen of the Year for 2012, Dan Feroz, a local musician and tireless volunteer.  Dan’s long history of volunteerism has greatly impacted many citizens of Oil City and the Venango County Area in a very positive manner. In recent years, Dan has developed a passion for volunteering on behalf of the Oil City Arts and Culture Commission, formerly known as the Oil City Arts Council. He is an active member of the Commission’s Board of Directors and additionally assists in the scheduling of performers, the coordination of events like the summer Arts in the Parks Concert series, Pipeline Alley performers and the Annual Oil Country Bluegrass Festival. Dan is perhaps best recognized for his willingness to do whatever is needed.  He can be found setting up chairs, unlocking doors, cleaning up after events or supervising young volunteers. Dan has become a “go to” person when there is a job to be done.

An active member of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, Dan is a member of the Oil Heritage Festival Committee and assists with the event by scheduling entertainment and helping out wherever needed during the Festival.

As a member of the Southern Knights band, he has played numerous dances, concerts and fundraisers. Organizations that have benefitted from Southern Knights performances include, Youth Alternatives, Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Oil City Civic Center to name just a few.

Dan’s volunteerism has gone beyond the boundaries of the community of Oil City. He currently serves on the board of the Regional Counseling Center and the Board of the Colonel Drake Alliance, which is overseeing the renovation of the Lyric Theatre for eventual use by the Community Playhouse and other performing groups. He is also a member of numerous brotherhood organizations including the Oil City Eagles, Oil City Elks, Polish National Alliance and Pulaksi Club.  He is also a member of the Franklin Moose Club.

As a member of First Presbyterian Church, Dan is an ordained deacon. As a Board member he visits hospitals and nursing homes. He delivers taped worship services to shut-ins as part of their tape ministry and helps prepare the elements for the communion services. Dan is also a church representative to Boy Scout Troop 17. As a former cub master Dan continues to be actively involved in the scouting program.  With his willing spirit, he may be found setting up (or tearing down) tables and chairs, painting fences, digging ditches, or trimming shrubbery. He has recently volunteered to serve as co-coordinator of the church Bereavement Committee which organizes and prepares funeral dinners.

Dan is a humble community servant, a proud husband and father, and one whose life revolves around helping his family, friends, his church community, and others. He developed a strong work ethic when he started in his father’s machine shop starting at age 6, becoming a skilled machinist. Dan graduated from Venango Christian High School 1974. Dan graduated from Clarion University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Special Education and Rehab Science in 1989, attending classes at both Oil City and Clarion campuses. Dan received a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitative Sciences from Clarion University of Pennsylvania in 2000.

Dan served as Senior Center Director with the County of Venango for three years. During that time he joined a task force of the State Attorney General’s office. The group worked to change state laws regarding scams against older Pennsylvanians. He also worked as a Mental Health Caseworker for 4 years with County of Venango. He has also worked for Community Alternatives as a mobile therapist and behavior specialist. He currently is Director of Marketing at H & R Block.

Dan is married to Patty Feroz, who also was recognized as the Citizen of the Year in 1997. Dan and Patty are the proud parents of two sons, David and his partner Rhuta (Tokyo, Japan), Michael and his wife Elena (Washington, DC) and a daughter Hiroka Wright and her husband Jason (Frederick, MD). They have two grandchildren, Allissa and Shaun.

If the spirit of volunteerism is all about being prideful and having your heart into helping others, bettering your community, radiating a passion for volunteering that inspires others to do the same, always bringing a “can do” attitude to the forefront, being cheerful and making things better for other people, then Dan truly has captured that spirit.

The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us in honoring Dan at the Chamber’s 2013 Annual Dinner on Wednesday, February 20th at Cross Creek Resort.  For more information about the dinner visit www.venangochamber.org or call 814-676-8521.

Print the Annual Dinner Reservation Form