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Changes at the HelmErie’s Outgoing and Incoming Leaders Reflect

on the Past and Look to the Future

Save the DatesERCGP Signature Events

2011 Signature Event Sponsors

April 28Celebration of ExcellenceBayfront Convention Center

May 25Annual Golf OutingPeek’n Peak Resort and Spa

July 23 New!Beer on the Bay Burger King Amphitheater-Bayfront

October 5Fall Member FestShades Beach Park Pavilion

November 17Annual MeetingAmbassador Conference Center Hemingway Ballroom

As of January 1, 2011

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contents[ [

Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Mission StatementLeadership to attract, retain and expand business.

Board of DirectorsPeter BalmertJohn J. BarberDr. Donald L. BirxJohn BloomstineKurt BuseckCarl CarlottiTerrence CavanaughRosanne CheesemanGary L. ClarkJoel DeutermanMary L. EckertThomas C. HoffmanTimothy HunterThomas KennedyCharles G. KnightLeonard A. KosarJohn P. LeemhuisJohn T. Malone

President/CEOJim Dible

Vice President, ChamberClaudia Thornburg Vice President, Economic DevelopmentJacob A. Rouch

Vice President, Growth PartnershipMary Bula

EditorJoelyn J. BushContributing Writers John ChaconaJennifer Duda Amanda PrischakDesign Tungsten Creative GroupFor Advertising Information Julie Graff, Sales Executive 814.454.7191; jgraff@eriepa.comStaff Joelyn J. Bush, Director of Marketing & Communications Sara Galbreath, Sales Executive Julie B. Graff, Sales Executive Melanie A. Johnson, Business Retention & Expansion Program Manager Doug M. Massey, Workforce Development Coordinator-Training Cathy Noble, Events Coordinator Michael Pistone, Director of Research Linda Robbins, Accountant Susan M. Ronto, Membership Coordinator

814.454.7191 • fax: 814.459.0241 • www.EriePA.com 208 East Bayfront Parkway, Suite 100 • Erie, PA 16507

Above: The ERCGP recently applied and was successfully awarded a ReTool Erie grant to enhance and redesign its business retention and expansion program. This proactive outreach program is designed to collect and identify the needs of the region’s busi-nesses, connect them to appropriate resources available in the economic development system, and help them grow and expand in Erie.

On the Cover: The statue on this issue’s cover was dedicated in 1997 in front of the Blasco Memorial Library, a fitting memorial for a local hero and legendary leader. Colonel Strong Vincent is best known for his leader-ship of soldiers during the Battle of Little Round Top at Gettysburg in July 1863. He was born in Waterford, Penn-sylvania on June 17, 1837 and died at the age of 25 after suffering a gun shot wound in combat. During the battle, as his troops lay quietly on the field at Gettysburg awaiting orders, he notably said, “Today will either bring me my stars or finish my career as a soldier.” Strong Vincent’s actions are considered by military historians to have turned the important Battle of Gettysburg into a northern victory—he is considered a national and a local hero.

Chairman’s Comments ....................... 2

Welcome New Investors .................... 3

Business After Hours ........................... 3

Retiring ERCGP Leader Leaves Career in Full Bloom ........................4-5

Gannon President Will Part with Legacy and Much Progress ..........8-9

Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future ..............................12

Ready to Serve ....................................13

Pennsylvania Native Leads Behrend with Broad Experience ...............................15

Superintendent Relies on the Power of Learning ..............................17

Way To Grow! .......................................21

Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Magazine www.EriePA .com February 2011

Our Online Resources to You

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commentschairman’s[ [2

Today’s reality is that we all live in a world of constant change, at an ever-increasing pace. Our businesses, community institutions, and government entities must initiate and respond to significant changes at every level. Transitions in leadership are part of the inevitable changes, and there is much we can learn from those who have been at the helm and those who are now assuming the helm.

This edition of ERIE Magazine will focus on gaining insight from several outgoing and incoming leaders in our business community. We are proud to feature three departing leaders: Angela Bontempo, who has just retired from Saint Vincent Health System after serving as its President and CEO since 2001; Dr. Antoine Garibaldi, who is leaving Erie to become President of the University of Detroit Mercy on July 1, 2011, after serving as Gannon University’s President since 2001; and (last but not least) our very own Jim Dible, who is “really retiring” this year from his position as the President and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership since 2008 (after retiring the first time in 2007 from his position as President and CEO of the Times Publishing Company).

We will also speak with three new leaders: Dr. Don Birx, who just took over as the new Chancellor of Penn State Behrend after Jack Burke’s retirement; Jay Badams, who just ushered in the 2010-2011 school year as the new Erie City School District Superintendent; and Scott Whalen, who just took the baton from Angela Bontempo as the new President and CEO of Saint Vincent Health System.

These six individuals may vary in their particular leadership styles and personalities, but they also have much in common. First, they know how to deal with change. They are not afraid of it. Rather, they recognize its desirability or at least its necessity and they harness change to further the missions of their organizations. They ultimately develop, implement and embrace positive changes, using them as tools for improvement.

Second, they are passionate about taking their organizations to the next level. They are always moving the goalposts back. They are constantly “forward leaning,” as GE’s Vice Chairman John Rice described it at our recent Chamber and Growth Partnership session with him. They understand fully that if you are not moving forward, you are falling behind.

Third, they focus on service, both to their own stakeholders and to the community at large. They are active listeners, which enables them to better understand the needs of those they serve. And they serve us with a positive attitude. They blend realism (“the art of the possible” in Jim Dible’s words) with a spirit of optimism—a fundamental belief that our combined efforts can make a difference for the better.

So, to the new arrivals, the community welcomes you and looks forward to working with you. To those who are departing, we thank you for your extraordinary service to your organization and to our region. You will be missed.

“When you are finished changing, you’re finished.”—Benjamin Franklin

P.S. This “Chairman’s Comments” page appears in this edition of your ERIE Magazine instead of the usual “President’s Perspective” page written by Jim Dible, because Jim is featured in one of our other articles in this issue. I apologize to the many readers who were looking forward to Jim’s always well-written and thoughtful comments on this page, but instead ended up with my thoughts above. I am fully cognizant that this experience may be like when you are expecting to read George F. Will, but then you actually get Alfred E. Neuman. In reality, however, it’s just another example of Jim’s many leadership skills—the ability to “manage upward” and delegate when appropriate!

welcome new investors[ [

If you know a company or organization that wants to invest in Erie and in their business, please contact Sara Galbreath, sales executive, at (814) 454-7191 or sgalbreath@eriepa.com.

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Northwestern PA Chapter of the Appraisal InstituteFor 78 years, the world’s leading organization of professional real estate appraisers. Leading the way in fostering and promoting the highest standards of appraisal practice among real estate appraisers in the U.S.Mr. Gary Carmosino 5624 Peach Street Erie, PA 16565 (814) 836-0555

Equipment Exchange CompanySpecializes in the sale, purchase, auction and appraisal of used further prepared food processing equipment. EEC maintains a complete refurbish shop with the ability to test and repair many of the machines they sell. Mr. Robert Breakstone 10042 Keystone Drive Lake City, PA 16423 (814) 774-0888

Glowacki Management CompanyA premier real estate management and leasing company that handles a wide range of real estate management needs from high rise apartment buildings to single residential rental units, retail strip plazas to office parks. GMC provides value added proactive services resulting in clean, functional, professional image, profit-generating real estate for their customers so they can focus on their business.Ms. Bridget Shames 2950 West 12th Street Suite 50 Erie, PA 16505 (814) 452-3681

180 Physical Therapy, Inc.Independently owned and operated outpatient physical therapy provider specializing in rehabilitation for orthopedic and neurological conditions.Mr. John DeAngelo 3740 Sterrettania Road Erie, PA 16506 (814) 838-9180

M-DOT IncorporatedA retail technology company, providing retailers with an enterprise platform to manage their digital coupons and incentives. The M-Dot Network connects retailers, digital coupon issuers and shoppers, eliminating paper coupons, speeding up check-out lanes.Mr. William M. Catania 130 West 8th Street Erie, PA 16501 (814) 459-6232

Erisco IndustriesA contract manufacturer of custom wire formed products with facilities in Erie, PA and Monterrey, Mexico. Both ISO9001:2008 certified. Diverse product mix ranging from steel wire manufacturing to wire forming, fabrications, and assembly. Mr. John Zinna 1133 West 18th Street Erie, PA 16512-1068 (814) 459-2720

Travel Center Inc.A full service travel management company offering leisure travel, group travel, business travel, incentive travel, chamber travel and meeting planning services. Ms. Pat K. Cinfici 4500 Perkiomen Avenue P.O. Box 4309 Reading, PA 19606 (800) 782-5605

Bayfront Maritime CenterA not-for-profit community based educational organization whose mission is to develop and implement unique hands-on maritime themed educational, vocational and recreational opportunities for the community.Mr. Richard Eisenberg 40 Holland Street Erie, PA 16507 (814) 456-4077

The Sherr CompanyA renovated Meiser Building houses an event space, 21 la rue dix, on the first floor. The second, third and fourth floors are office floors, available for rent or condos.Ms. Janet Sherr 21 West 10th Street Erie, PA 16501 (814) 397-2910

We look forward to seeing you at these networking events for Chamber investors. Please RSVP to the Chamber at (814) 454-7191 or cnoble@eriepa.com.

Reservations required name tags will be provided.

All Business After Hours take place from 5 – 7 p.m.

March 24, 2011 Erie Art Museum 411 State Street Erie, PA

April 14, 2011 Lake Erie Spine & Injury Center 1005 Peninsula Drive Suite A Erie, PA

May 19, 2011 Lake Shore Country Club 5950 Lake Shore Drive Erie, PA

4

Retiring ERCGP Leader Leaves Career in Full Bloom By Jennifer Duda

Jim Dible’s philosophy on leadership has guided him throughout his life, and it’s one that he has certainly lived since he and his wife Judy planted their roots in Erie more than 15 years ago. From breaking new ground at one of Erie’s largest and longstanding family companies to leading the economic development efforts to take Erie into the future, Dible has successfully displayed that a good leader uses their own personal and professional growth to leave a lasting impact on those that they serve.

Dible will retire as President and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership (ERCGP) after the search for his successor—now underway—is completed. But that’s not to say this is his first attempt at a foray into retirement. In 2007 he announced he would retire as President and CEO of Times Publishing Company at the end of the year. He was turning 65, and was ready to spend more time with his family—especially his ten grandchildren. But some folks in Erie didn’t think it was time for Dible to stop blooming just yet; a

couple of weeks after announcing his retirement, he was approached about the possibility of joining the team at the ERCGP.

After consulting with some community leaders he respects, and most importantly with Judy, to whom he’s been happily married for 47 years, he came on board with the ERCGP at the beginning of 2008, tasked with helping to achieve financial stability, and to mentor the team at ERCGP to grow its ability to lead efforts to retain, grow and attract business to the Erie region.

“I dramatically increased the average age of the ERCGP team upon arrival,” he jokes, “But the time has flown by, now I’m 68, and it’s time for someone to continue partnering with our team and our investors to keep up the positive momentum.”

“A good leader knows that the best thing he or

she can do is to surround themselves with good

people and then get out of their way.”

“Bloom where you are planted.”

5

A native of Tiffin, Ohio, and 1964 graduate of Kent State, Dible came to Erie in 1996 when he was named general manager of the Times Publishing Company. Dible was instrumental in the successful merger of the Erie Morning News and the Erie Daily Times into the Erie Times-News in 2000. And in 2003, he became the first non-family member to become CEO of the Mead family’s Times Publishing Company in its 115-year history.

Throughout his tenure at both Times Publishing and the ERCGP, Dible gained a unique perspective of where he believes Erie’s present and future leaders should focus their efforts.

“I firmly believe Erie is on the brink of great things. We’ve come through a painful transition to a more balanced economy of manufacturing, education, health care and hospitality,” he says. “We have recognized through initiatives like Erie Together the reality that poverty must be addressed for us to be truly successful. Things like the Inland Port Project and the combined and collaborative efforts of the more than a dozen economic and community development organizations who work collaboratively every day to retain and grow jobs will make it happen in the coming years.”

Through his life experiences Dible has also gained a great deal of perspective on leadership. He credits the influence of two books for dramatically shaping his leadership style over the years.

“They are a generation apart, but are the two books I wore out yellow highlighters marking up things that resonated with and excited me. First was ‘In Search of Excellence’ by Tom Peters back in 1982.” One of his favorite statements from this read: “Leadership is many things. It is patient, usually boring coalition building. It is the purposeful seeding of cabals that one hopes will result in the appropriate ferment in the bowels of the organization.”

He continues, “Second was ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins in 2001. Note that 19 years later I was still learning how to be a leader. Collins described ‘Level 5 Leaders’ as the ones able to help organizations go from being good to being great.”

Additionally, Dible offers these words of advice to the next generation of Erie leaders: “Understand the difference between management and leadership. Management is tactical. It means you know how to make the train run on time. Leadership is strategic and visionary. It means you have the ability to paint the picture of what the future could be, and that you are willing to empower others (inherently meaning you give up power) to make it happen. I’ve had lots of titles in my professional career. But I’ve always been the same person with the same values. I’ve always believed that providing an environment where people feel they can experiment and grow is the best thing I could do for any organization.”

And it’s those people he’s led and worked with, Dible says, that have helped him to bloom into the leader he is today.

“When I’m asked what makes a good leader or what I’m most proud of, my answer always centers around people,” he says. “I’m most proud of the people I have worked with at Times Publishing and the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, who have always made me look better than I had any right to be viewed. A good leader knows that the best thing he or she can do is to surround themselves with good people and then get out of their way.”

“I’ve always believed that providing an environment where people feel they can experiment and grow is the best thing I could do for any organization.”

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Well Done

Saint Mary’s Home of Erie thanksAngela Bontempo of Saint Vincent Health System for her leadership in advancing Catholic health care in our area and welcomes Scott Whelan to his new position in advancing Catholic healthcare. And thanks Dr. Antoine Garibaldi for his leadership in Catholic higher education at Gannon University.

Caring across the Centuries

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8

Gannon President Will Part with Legacy and Much Progress By John Chacona

So, it’s no surprise that when asked about his most significant accomplishments as president of Gannon University, he cites the $40 million in funds raised from private and public sources but also the strengthening of the university’s Roman Catholic identity and mission.

This devotion to both quantifiable and symbolic progress is no contradiction. It is the essence of Dr. Garibaldi’s leadership style.

“I’m a big proponent of management by walking around, and getting out of your office,” Dr. Garibaldi explained. “A good leader is a strategic thinker. A good leader has to be prospective, concise, driven but focused, has interpersonal skills and can relate to anybody. I believe in treating everybody with respect and making sure that if something needs to be done, no matter how small, even the president can do it. We all have to remind ourselves that we all can be humble and that to move forward you have to be willing to do the little things.”

Since being named president in 2001, Garibaldi has also done the big things.

During his tenure, Gannon’s enrollment has swelled by 24 percent,

to more than 4,200; the endowment more than doubled and the university earned seven consecutive rankings in the top tier of universities in the northern region of the United States by U.S. News & World Report magazine’s annual list of “America’s Best Colleges.” He also transformed downtown Erie as more than two-dozen buildings were built, purchased or renovated by the university, including the $5 million Erie Technology Incubator.

Dr. Garibaldi credits this impressive progress to the implementation of a rigorous strategic planning process on five-year cycles. “Our first plan was developed in my first six months at the university. Now we’re in the third year of the second plan, and by evaluating the progress every year and sharing it with the university

community, trustees and alumni, everybody can see what our plan is all about and what our goals are. That also makes it very easy for a prospective funder or donor to see where the university is headed.”

The discipline and success are catching. “I’m also pleased that the plan is serving as a guide for other entities. For the first time, the Alumni Association has a strategic plan. Now, when we talk about getting a group

together to talk about a plan, nobody cringes,” Dr. Garibaldi adds.

Dr. Garibaldi’s dedication to the planning process will be one of his first orders of business when he becomes the president of the University of Detroit Mercy on July 1, the first layman to lead the 5,200-student

As a native New Orleanean, Antoine Garibaldi knows a thing or two about change and renewal. And he also knows the value of longstanding traditions and a sense of continuity.

9

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school formed in 1990 by the consolidation of Jesuit-affiliated University of Detroit and Mercy College of Detroit.

The city of Detroit is undergoing great economic and social re-engineering. Dr. Garibaldi sees the challenges facing the auto-making capital as larger-scale analogues of those facing the Erie region. And he is optimistic about the region’s prospects.

“Often times people will say, ‘You have to adjust,’” he recalls, noting that his arrival at Gannon came shortly after significant

reductions in manufacturing employment in Erie. “Still despite those tough economic situations, we achieved the goals we set forth—though sometimes it takes a little longer that you expected.”

His arrival also came less than 90 days before the events of September 11, 2001, a date he remembers vividly. “Within a matter of 90

minutes, we were all in the old ballroom in Waldron Hall with a prayer service that was by far the most moving experience that I’ve ever had. It was a time to gather and show our strength in one another, and that showed me what the Gannon University community was all about.”

11

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Angela Bontempo reflects on Saint Vincent’s yesterdays and tomorrows

Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future

By Amanda Prischak

When Angela Bontempo, MHA/MBA, FACHE, who recently stepped down as CEO and president of Saint Vincent Health System, began that role in 2005, she knew she was taking on more than a job—she was shouldering a legacy.

“It was exciting and daunting,” says Bontempo in reference to being the first person who was not a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph to run Saint Vincent. “There were so many great, strong women who came before me.”

With this thought in mind, preserving Saint Vincent’s identity via a process of mission integration became one of her early initiatives: “Everyone—from the surgeons to the cooks—are educated about the mission of Saint Vincent.” So serious was Bontempo about maintaining that mission that she appointed Sister Ricarda Vincent, SSJ as vice president of mission integration, a newly created position Bontempo refers to as one of her proudest accomplishments.

When asked about other accomplish-ments, Bontempo mentions the hospital’s renewed push for top-notch quality. “Most people think of quality in terms of: Is the room clean? Is the food good?” she says. “But that’s only one dimension.” As with mission integration, Bontempo put her money where her mouth is, this time creating another senior level position to over see the hospital’s quality initiatives. What’s more, she also spearheaded Lean Six Sigma, a system that uses data and statistical analyses to increase performance. That effort led to Saint Vincent receiving a number of quality awards including the American

Hospital Association-McKesson Quest for Quality Award® in 2008, the 2009 Premier Award for Quality (AFQ), and recognition as a Top Performer by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

Bontempo, a self-proclaimed people person who says her colleagues are what she’ll miss most about the job, is also proud of her effort to reach out, inspire, and recognize each of Saint Vincent’s 3,000 employees through quarterly forums. “We’d hold five or six one-hour sessions over two days to capture all the shifts,” she explains. “It was a time to update the associates about accomplishments and be available to answer any questions or concerns.” She also made sure that those in-person sessions were available via web-streaming, so that employees in the offices outside the hospital and throughout the county could participate.

It’s these sort of measures, she says, that define a leader. “When times are hard, you have to really inspire people,” she says. And, of course, you must also be compassionate: “I was adamant that there would be no layoffs during this recession.” Incredibly, there weren’t.

Even in light of all the positive changes she instituted, Bontempo is quick to admit that healthcare is always a challenge. “The question always is, how do we deliver quality, faith-based healthcare in a time of increased regulation and legislation?”

She’ll continue to grapple with those questions when she begins teaching a seminar at University of Buffalo School of Management in March. “Though I have dreams of painting and doing sculpture, I need to ease out of the adrenaline rush!” she jokes. She also plans to continue the clinical research she’s done throughout her career.

Though it remains a tense time for the American healthcare system, Bontempo remains solidly optimistic about the future of Saint Vincent. For one, she believes in her successor and his vision. And then there’s her faith in the Sister of St. Joseph, who founded the hospital in 1875.

“The mission of Saint Vincent is so right,” she says. “As long as everyone keeps their eyes on the needs of the people and not remain overly concerned about the bottom line, everything will work out.”

13

For Scott Whalen, leading Saint Vincent means being a servant-leader

Ready to Serve

Scott Whalen, PhD, FACHE, Saint Vincent Health System’s new CEO and president, says his biggest strengths for this big job are his diverse work experience and a special, people-centered model of leadership.

Whalen, who assumed the reins from Angela Bontempo at the start of 2011, served in many different capacities at institutions that include everywhere from a university in Florida to a health foundation in Ohio. Whalen says that each of these positions prepared him for his work at Saint Vincent: “Being exposed to many different leadership styles allows me to judge the effectiveness of many different approaches,” he says. “I’ve had to do everything from making quick changes to assessing financial performance to participating in clinical training.” Whalen mentions

that the final skill in the trio is especially helpful in his new role. “Having clinical experience makes it easier to identify with and actively participate in conversations with practitioners,” he explains.

He also maintains that leaders should be good listeners, inspirational, and committed to setting a vision. But most of all, they need to understand that their job is to bring out the best in other people, which is why he subscribes to the servant leadership model that challenges a leader to ask how he can best serve his team. “This moves the focus away from me and onto the leadership team,” he says. “And, to foster accountability and a proactive approach, it also allows leaders to inspire people to effectively get the job done.”

Whalen, who came to Erie and Saint Vincent in August , where he initially served as the chief operating officer, was glad to come to a place with such a strong commitment to Catholic healthcare. “The nice part of Saint Vincent is that it’s backed by a strong and dedicated mission,” he says. “Plus, with the Sisters of St. Joseph overseeing it, you know the mission is being lived out every day!” He says he plans to do everything he can to further a brand of healthcare that’s based on social justice and the common

By Amanda Prischak

“When times are hard, you have to really inspire people, and, of course, you must also be compassionate.” —Angela Bontempo

good. “How can I not?” he poses as a rhetorical question. “It’s so much bigger than me.”

Whalen says his main goal is to learn all he can about the culture of Saint Vincent; only then, he says, will he feel comfortable mapping out the key work of his tenure. Not that he doesn’t have a grasp on the basic aims, “I look forward to working with the medical staff and the associates to enhance the quality of care, to make sure the infrastructure ensures a bright and vibrant future for Saint Vincent, and to prepare for healthcare reform.”

Outside of work, Whalen enjoys spending time with his family that includes five adult children and seven grandchildren and settling into his new community. The last part, he says, is easy given that a neighbor presented him with a big pan of lasagna during his first day here. “Erie is so friendly!” he enthuses. “I’ve never been so warmly greeted by a community.”

“Being exposed to many different leadership styles allows

me to judge the effectiveness of many different approaches.”

—Scott Whalen

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15

Pennsylvania Native Leads Behrend with Broad ExperienceBy John Chacona

Versatility has not always been a quality prized in the specialist-obsessed upper reaches of the academy. And to be sure, Donald L. Birx, the new chancellor of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, is a specialist.

Dr. Birx holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from University of California Berkeley; a master’s degree in biophysics and an MBA in finance, both from Miami University of Ohio; and a doctorate in electrical engineering from the University of Dayton.

But as his academic credentials imply, the man who was chosen to replace John D. “Jack” Burke, who retired in June 2010, is a specialist in many areas.

Dr. Birx arrives in Erie after spending the preceding four years at the University of Houston System, where he had been vice president of research. He also served as interim vice provost/president for research and professor of physics at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, while simultaneously serving as president and founder of PSI, a corporate entity at the institution for technology development and incubation. And that is just his academic career. Dr. Birx also spent 19 years in the private sector, at Systems Research Laboratories Inc. in Dayton, Ohio.

He credits this broad experience for “an ability to work across diverse fields, the ability to synthesize ideas across communities,” skills he will apply at Penn State Behrend. Sounding very much like an engineer, he says, “It’s an orientation on how the pieces and parts fit together, and a real appreciation for the ‘win-win’ strategies that benefit everyone, where challenges become opportunities, and where organizations can work together rather than going it alone.”

One could call this the engine that has powered the economy of the vibrant American southwest, and Dr. Birx, a native Pennsylvanian, believes it can work here, too.

“There’s no reason why Erie shouldn’t be a leading, growing, vibrant community,” he says. “It is that, but not to the extent it could be given the heritage, resources, history here.”

One of his goals is to make Penn State Behrend an environment for taking new ideas and applying them in practice to the challenges a region has. He says, “You can

One of his goals is to make Penn State Behrend an environment for taking new ideas and applying them in practice to the challenges a region has.

sometimes see things from so many different angles that you can get caught up in it, but you can also see how you can engage the entrepreneurial spirit that looks at the broad perspective. I love the cross-disciplinary emphasis between science and business, and folding in the liberal arts, we want to create a learning center that’s welcoming and helps people to get skills that complement what they have already.”

Dr. Birx cross-disciplinary experience at New Mexico State gives him an acute understanding of the potential of Knowledge Park. “Penn State Behrend wants to focus on experiential learning, on creating an open laboratory environment and putting together groups that cut across disciplines and boundaries,” he says. “We want to use Knowledge Park so that students can work on projects while they’re here to work on 21st Century challenges. Knowledge Park is a place where you can translate ideas to practical realities quickly.”

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Leaders are often expected to know everything and to have all the answers right away. But Jay Badams’ philosophy on leadership is a little different.

“A true leader is first and foremost a learner,” Badams says. “I feel that in order to be effective, I need to learn more now than I ever did before. Acknowledging that you don’t have all of the answers is not a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of wisdom. Great leaders model both a strong work ethic and a strong learning ethic.”

The value Badams places on learning seems appropriate given his new leaders-hip role: He took over as superintendent of the Erie School District last July, replacing Dr. Jim Barker, who retired after 17 years in the post.

“The scope of the job is rather large; I serve about 13,000 students and their families, and about 1,600 employees, and do so with the full awareness that our district operates thanks to the local, state and federal tax revenue of our citizens,” Badams says. “Oddly enough, I love the challenge. I am energized by the great work that I see happening in our schools. I see teachers going above and beyond every day, and children thriving. But I also see some children facing great obstacles who need us to do more.”

Badams was no stranger to the Erie School District when he accepted the superintendent position. He’s held many different positions with the district since he and his wife Tiffany moved their family to Erie in 1996. He worked as a teacher, assistant principal, curriculum coordinator and director of high schools before taking a brief hiatus from the district in 2007 when he accepted a position as superintendent of

schools in the Wattsburg Area School District. But Badams returned to the Erie School District a little over a year later to move into the role of assistant superintendent. As an Erie resident, taxpayer, and parent of four children who have either graduated from or currently attend Erie’s public schools, Badams says he knew that this was the place he belonged, and where he could have the most positive impact.

“Having worked for the district for over a decade, I knew that many of the district’s long-serving senior administrators were retiring and someone would need to see the district through a tough transition period during a very challenging economic situation,” he says.

And now as superintendent, getting the district through these tough economic times is the scope of Badams’ short- and long-term goals.

“In the near term, I plan to reorganize the district and to bring increased efficiency to our operations,” he says. “The Erie School District has a lot to be proud of; we really have done an outstanding job as an urban school district and I’m keenly aware of the need to preserve that great record of achievement in the face of this fiscal stress. But until we balance our checkbook and create a sustainable, multi-year budget, we will be facing an uphill struggle.”

In the longer term, Badams plans to put into place a meaningful strategic planning process to renovate and

revitalize the district’s schools, not only for the students in the system, but for the economic health of the entire Erie community.

“Our students deserve quality facilities. And our teachers and administrators, who are under ever-increasing levels of accountability for student performance, should have resources that are on par with those enjoyed by their peers in other districts,” he says. “I firmly believe that the success—or failure—of our urban school district has far-reaching implications for the economic viability of our city. People decide where to live based on the perceived quality of the school system. If we allow our schools and our education system to deteriorate, more people will abandon the city than will move in. We can’t let that happen.”

In keeping with his leadership philosophy, Badams hopes to accomplish this by continuing to learn and grow in his role as superintendent, and by earning the trust of the people of the school district.

“In addition to a willingness to learn, I believe that a good leader must have integrity. You have to clearly articulate who you are as a leader, who you are as an organization, and where you are going,” he says. “It sounds trite, but you really do have to build a shared vision that includes all of the many people and groups who have a stake in your business. And in the case of a school district includes just about everyone.”

Superintendent Relies on the Power of Learning in New Leadership Role

By Jennifer Duda

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Foreign Business Mission andGroup Tour of Italy: Sorrento and theAmalfi Coast with a Night in Rome.

October 7-14, 20118 Days ~ 6 Nights ~ 11 Meals

February 25th, 1-3pm & 5:30-7:30 pmErie Chamber, 208 East Bayfront Parkway,Suite 100, Erie, PAcnoble@eriepa.com

WhenWhere

RSVP

All travel arrangements by Boscov’s Travel: (800) 755-8020

Join us for this upcoming presentation to learn more.

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Thank you to Jim Dible for your commitment, dedication and

service to all things “Erie”!From the Smith Provision Company

Have you implemented leading-edge technology that sets you apart from others in

your industry?

Have you helped others to be successful through technology

you have developed?

If you answered yes, we would like to spotlight your

innovation at our annual

Celebration of Excellence

dinner being held April 28 at the Bayfront Convention Center.

Contact Claudia Thornburg at (814) 454-7191 x141 for

more information!

Please accept our thanks for your years of service

to our community. Jim Dible, Angela Bontempo and Dr. Antoine Garibaldi.

A warm welcome to Dr. Donald Birx, Jay Badams

and Scott Whalen.

Wishing you all the best of luck.

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Congratulations and Thank You, Jim!

Your years of support helped put

Erie’s tourism industry on the

road to success.

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Northwest Direct: 1-877-672-5678 • www.northwestsavingsbank.comMEMBER FDIC

Congratulations, James Dible!Thank you and good luck in your future endeavors.

The Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership recently helped cut ribbons with a number of new or expanding Investors. We are excited for your success and appreciate the opportunity to help you mark these momentous occasions!

Left:Peacock Furniture Galleria843 Pittsburgh Avenue Erie, PA 814-833-0517

Way To Grow!

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Above:21 la rue dixThe Sherr Company 21 West 10th Street Erie, PA 814-397-2910

The above image is a QR code, short for “Quick Response” code for mobile version of eriepa.com. When you see a QR code, use your phone’s QR reader application to scan it. Mobile phone users with an installed QR reader application can scan a QR code and instantly be driven to a company’s web page for additional information.

Your ERCGP has gone mobile!

Scan our QR code and visit the mobile

version of eriepa.com

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We’ll Miss You, Jim!

Photo by: Katie Nagle

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

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ERIE, PA

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O P E N I N G M A R C H 4 T H . W AT C H F O R D E TA I L S !