momentum magazine, april 2016

APRIL 2016

Closing the gender gap

<The story of girls who code>

RESHMA SAUJANI

148th ANNUAL DINNER

Sponsored by:

2016

2 • The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

*All photos courtesy of those featured unless otherwise noted.

I recently had a call from a local organization to which I

belong and after the caller identified herself, she said,

“I can see you have not been using your membership.”

That caused me to wonder whether or not our members are making the most of their Chamber membership.

Have you been able to attend Chamber events? March

saw our annual Economic Outlook Breakfast, Business

Card Exchange, B3 Human Resources seminar on Selling to the Government. The April calendar includes

the Employment Expo and the Northeast PA Women’s

Leadership Conference.

Have you sent us your news? We can’t promise to publicize all your special events, awards, employee promotions, etc., but we use as many as we can in our

Eblasts, in Momentum and on our social media sites.

Do you need assistance with grand openings and ribbon cuttings? We can help you from start to finish,

right down to using our big scissors for when the ribbon is cut.

Are you looking for employees? We have a job bank

on our website that reaches people throughout our region where our members can post job openings free

of charge.

Do you have office, commercial, industrial or warehouse space available for sale or lease? We can

list it on our searchable database.

Did you know the Chamber website has a section where our members offer coupons and discounts? Have you looked at it lately to see how being a Chamber member can save you money?

Have you been making the most of your membership?

Check our publications and website, or call and let us

help you find ways to support your business.

Sincerely,

Are You Making

the Most of Your

Membership?

President’s Message

CHAMBER EVENTS

Wednesday, April 6, 2016 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza

Thursday, April 21, 20167:30 AM - 5:30 PM

MOHEGAN SUN POCONO

ALUMNI & FRIENDS REUNION

Thursday, April 28, 2016 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

POSH @ The Scranton Club

@ScrantonChamber hosted a B3 Human Resources seminar on “The Dos and Don’ts of Employment-Related Contracts and Restrictive Covenants” by McNees, Wallace and Nurick at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center.

See what we have been up to this month on behalf of our members and community!Share your #ChamberMoments with us on social media. We’ll spread the word and you could be featured in Momentum!

#ScrantonChamber

Members of the Government Affairs Committee recently met to review @ScrantonChamber’s annual Program of Work.

Peoples Security Bank and Trust recently presented a check for its sponsorship of the second annual Northeast PA Women’s Leadership Conference later this month.

@ScrantonChamber recently celebrated the grand opening of Gibbons Ford’s new location in Dickson City.

@ScrantonChamber recently assisted Simply Lush Photography with the grand opening of its Scranton location.

@ScrantonChamber affiliate Skills in Scranton recently hosted its Healthcare Career Academy at West Scranton and Scranton High Schools. The session’s featured speaker was Elizabeth Leo, human resources executive at Moses Taylor Hospital.

@ScrantonChamber

www.scrantonchamber.com • 3

In accordance with the by-laws of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, the Nominating Committee has presented a slate of candidates for election to the Board of Directors. The names of the candidates are herewith submitted for your review:

Donna Barbetti, Office Manager, Michael Barbetti, LLC; Dr. Nichole Danova, President/Director of Surgery, Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center; Justin M. Davis, FACHE, CEO, Moses Taylor Hospital; Bridget Goryeb, Business Development, Highland Associates, Ltd.; Attorney P. Timothy Kelly, Needle Law; Ryan McGowan, Government Banking/Relationship Manager, M & T Bank; Timothy B. McGrath, General Manager, Viewmont Mall; Dr. Peter Rosecrans, General Manager, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control; Laurie M. Schwager, Senior Relationship Manager, Business Banking, Bank of America Merrill Lynch; Dr. Marwan A. Wafa, Chancellor, Penn State Worthington Scranton and Attorney Jennifer Walsh, McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC.

Additional candidates for directors can be nominated by petition bearing the genuine signature of at least 15 members of the Chamber, in good standing. Such petition must be filed with the Nominating Committee by April 18, 2016. The determination of the Nominating Committee as to the legality of the petition(s) shall be final.

If no legal petition is filed by April 18th nominations shall be closed and the candidates declared elected by the Board of Directors at its May meeting.

If a legal petition presents additional candidates, you will be notified and an election by ballot initiated.

Members of the Nominating Committee are: Alex Hazzouri, Chair; Paul Blackledge, Laureen Cadden, David Coppola, Jerry Musheno, Bud Quandel, Robert Ufberg and Lisa Zielinski; Mark Volk and Robert F. Durkin, Ex-Officio.

Official Notice to Chamber Members


Each month, The Chamber highlights a member business that is making its mark in our community. To apply for the Small Business Spotlight award visit scrantonchamber.com.The Small Business Spotlight award is sponsored by:

Sometimes there just isn’t enough space in your home or your office to store all of your belongings. Olyphant Self Storage can solve that problem and assist business owners in a variety of other ways.

Facility manager Elizabeth Turner recently explained that the facility offers temperature-controlled and standard storage units, ranging in size from 5 feet by 5 feet to 10 feet by 20 feet. They also offer a variety of other options, including package delivery and 24-hour, seven-day-a-week access. Meet Olyphant Self Storage.

What is unique about Olyphant Self Storage that sets it apart from other businesses in the same field?At Olyphant Self Storage, we have on-site management six days a week with availability 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We also offer our customers a package delivery service, which means we receive, sign for and deliver customers’ packages to their storage unit as long as we have proper

authorization. This service allows business people who work from home the ability to have their packages received and signed for as well as securely stored in their unit.

What kinds of services can you provide potential customers?In addition to standard and temperature-controlled storage units and outdoor parking space for commercial and residential vehicles, we offer U-Haul truck rentals for

the self-mover as well as moving and packing supplies. We provide a clean and safe, fully-fenced and gated, well-lit facility with 24/7 access.

What are some of the benefits of having a business located right outside of downtown Scranton?Olyphant Self Storage is conveniently located off Exit 2 from the Robert P. Casey Highway. Our easy on/off exit location allows customers from downtown Scranton to reach our facility in only eight minutes, making it easy to do business with us.

OLYPHANT SELF STORAGEOlyphant, PA

(570) 383-7107www.olyphantselfstorage.com

Member since 2015

Olyphant Self Storage is currently celebrating its 10th year in business, where do you see the business in the next 10 years? In June 2015, we completed a 50 unit expansion. We see opening new locations as a part of our future growth.

How do you think the Chamber has helped your business or will help it in the future?The Chamber provides the tools to its members to advertise, network and join groups, which allows us to meet other business people and get involved in the community. The Chamber has been a great vehicle to meeting other like-minded people looking to grow their businesses.

“WE PROVIDE A CLEAN AND SAFE,

FULLY-FENCED AND GATED, WELL-LIT FACILITY WITH 24/7 ACCESS.”

Elizabeth Turner, Olyphant Self Storage


Girls Who Code aims to close the gender gap in technology and inspire girls to pursue careers in computer science.

In her book Women Who Don't Wait in Line, Saujani advocates for a new model of leadership focused on embracing risk and failure, promoting mentorship and sponsorship and boldly charting your own course -- personally and professionally.

Saujani is a graduate of the University of Illinois, Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and Yale Law School. She was recently named a WSJ Magazine

The Chamber is pleased to announce Reshma Saujani, founder and chief executive officer of Girls Who Code as the keynote speaker at the 148th annual dinner, sponsored by PNC Bank.

Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organization that works to close the gender gap in technology and prepare our youth for jobs of the future. By exposing girls to real-life and on-screen role models,

Thursday, June 2, 20165:00 p.m. - 8:00 p. m.

Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton

Innovator of the Year, one of the 50 Most Powerful Women in New York by the New York Daily News, CNBC's Next List, Forbes' Most Powerful Women Changing the World, Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People, Ad Age's Creativity 50, Business Insider's 50 Women Who Are Changing the World, City & State's Rising Stars and an AOL/PBS Next MAKER.

This year’s Annual Dinner will be held on Thursday, June 2, from 5-8 p.m. at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel in Scranton. Sponsorships and tickets are available at ScrantonChamber.com.

GIRLS WHO CODE FOUNDER TO SPEAK AT ANNUAL DINNER

THE GREATER SCRANTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

148th ANNUAL DINNER

Closing the gender gap<The story of girls who code>

RESHMA SAUJANI

Sponsored by:

Shining at 75

SCRANTON’S SARNO & SON CELEBRATES DIAMOND ANNIVERSARY,

CONTINUES DEDICATION TO CUSTOMERS

6 • The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce6 • The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

When Ralph Sarno opened Sarno’s Custom Tailor Shop in 1940, little did he know that his surname was to become synonymous with class and elegance throughout northeast Pennsylvania and beyond.

An immigrant to the United States from Italy, Ralph saw his version of the “American Dream” come to fruition by focusing on custom suit making united with genuine customer care. The business soon began to expand and grow to include alterations, dry cleaning and tuxedo rentals. An active Chamber member for many years, one of Sarno and Son’s early locations was in the Chamber’s original building at 426 Mulberry Street in Scranton.

When Larry Sarno joined the family business, he learned the artisan skills of customer tailoring from his father, as well as many business and life lessons. He then took what he learned from his father and taught his children, Mark and Nancy, the principles needed in business. Now in its third generation, Mark and Nancy are now at the helm of Sarno and Son, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.

Sarno and Son is now a presence in 13 states and the District of Columbia. At

its inception, Sarno and Son Tuxedo offered three basic styles; today that style list has grown to more than 75 different looks, ranging from black tie to every day suits.

Within the last decade, Sarno and Son gained an international presence by joining the Savvi Formalwear co-op of independent tuxedo specialists. Sarno and Son has developed a regional network of 43 locations that are linked by computer, trading under Tuxedo

by Sarno. This allows customers with many wedding party members in various cities to coordinate their events with ease.

“It is a nice situation to help people get dressed up — people stand taller, they pull their shoulders back and they feel good about themselves,” Nancy said. “We are a dressed-down society where comfort is key. When you have a special occasion, you should want to make the effort to look your best. Ideas in fashion are changing, they are always changing; we’re changing right with them.”

What has also changed over the past 75 years is technology—gone are the days when pen and paper were the norm, now Sarno and Son uses

Ralph Sarno


PAST • PRESENT • FUTURE1940 2015

If you are standing still, you are moving backwards: “You always have to be moving forward and pressing ahead, looking for the new, innovative technology that is going to reduce costs or look for new product lines that are going to expand,” Nancy said.

Don’t worry about the guy down the street, worry about the person walking through your door: “You have to balance that with what new competition is coming your way, but you always need to be very sensitive to your customer’s needs and what he or she is looking for — what are you giving your customer that your competition isn’t?”

Surround yourself with really great people who are smarter than yourself: “Find talent that is going to move you forward — not just looking for you to teach them, but people who can also teach you. You have to learn and constantly try to figure out who can bring more to the table for you and learn from them.”

Teachings from the trenches:

BUSINESS WISDOM PASSED DOWN FROM RALPH AND LARRY SARNO

advanced computer technology to better service its customers. However, Nancy says, one key element of the business has not changed.

“What has stayed the same is our wonderful staff and the dedication people have to making sure that everything is perfect as if they are putting it together for their own family,” she said. “That is one thing we have built our company on — having great people with a dedication to quality. People can do things less expensively, but not better.”

“I hope our grandfather would be happy and impressed with where we have taken the business,” she continued. “We really do try to build on the teachings he gave our father and the teachings that our father passed down to us.”

BARBARA GIOVAGNOLIRecycling Coordinator/Manager, Lackawanna County Office of Environmental Sustainability(570) 963-2017 www.lackawannacounty.org

The month of April has been designated as “Earth Month” across the United States and this year, Earth Day will fall on Friday, April 22. In the 46 years since Americans started to celebrate Earth Day, the nation—and the world— has seen a growing trend toward more eco-friendly and sustainable living.

Earth Day observations usually involve people gathering together to clean up litter, raise environmental awareness and celebrate progress in reducing pollution. As Barbara Giovagnoli, the recycling coordinator/manager for the Lackawanna County Office of Environmental

Sustainability, explained, businesses can celebrate Earth Day every day by following five simple tips.

1: Reduce “Business waste contains materials that can be diverted from the landfill,” Giovagnoli said. “A waste audit demonstrates what is currently being thrown away. The Lackawanna County Office of Environmental Sustainability can help determine strategies for saving money by reducing waste.”

2: Reuse “Coffee breaks and water coolers can be perfect places for eliminating wasteful cups by changing to reusable mugs and refillable water bottles,” she said.

Tip 3: Recycle “Paper, cardboard and aluminum cans are easily recycled,” she said. “Place recycling

EARTH MONTH bins in convenient places for employees to use; for example, by each desk and copier for paper or in lunchrooms for containers. Also, businesses should centrally locate trash receptacles as this makes it easy to recycle and inconvenient to throw away.”

Tip 4: Review “Institutions and businesses in a municipality with more than 5,000 people are mandated by state law and local ordinances to recycle paper, cardboard and aluminum cans,” Giovagnoli said. “Bid specifications for waste hauling contracts must require recycling these items—ask for rebate options or sell these recyclables.”

5: Rethink “Energy use by the average person creates the most pollution,” she said. “Install motion sensors in less used areas or promote carpooling for employees. Businesses can even change lighting when possible to LED fixtures.”


Leadership Lackawanna is now accepting applications for the Core Program Class of 2017. The deadline to apply is April 29. In the 10-month Core Program participants gain leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of the issues relevant to the Greater Scranton area. Areas of focus include community development, economic development, government, health care, law, education, quality of life, sustainability, history and media. Members of the class also devote a large portion of their time to develop and implement community projects, hence enhancing their leadership abilities, fostering teamwork and benefiting local non-profit organizations.

Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program accepts applications from candidates who live or work in Lackawanna County. The cost is $1,350, with partial scholarships available on a limited basis. Optional graduate credit programs are available to Leadership Lackawanna participants in cooperation with Marywood University and Keystone College. Applications are available online at LeadershipLackawanna.com or by contacting Leadership Lackawanna Director, Nicole Morristell at (570)342-7711.

Lackawanna County’s Office of Environmental Sustainability provides services to assist local businesses and institutions at no cost. Call (570) 963-2017 for more information.

LEADERSHIP LACKAWANNALeadership Lackawanna Dues Campaign Open

Are you a member of the Leadership Lackawanna Alumni and Friends Association? Are you a graduate of Leadership Lackawanna? Now, more than ever, your support is needed to sustain and grow the organization. Open to anyone who wishes to support Leadership Lackawanna, members are exposed to incredible networking opportunities and save money! Donate today at LeadershipLackawanna.com.


If you were to ask Sean McCormack, co-owner of EcoIndustrial, why his company doesn’t yet have a website or social media presence, he would probably tell you that those modern methods just aren’t his style.“We market ourselves the old-fashioned way—we go out and knock on doors,” he said, adding that the company will be online by year’s end. “Social media and websites are great, but there is nothing like being in front of a person and explaining how you can help his business grow.”McCormack and co-owner Dan Frascella founded EcoIndustrial in 2011. Originally housed in the Scranton Enterprise Center, EcoIndustrial distributes both eco-friendly and standard industrial packaging supplies to manufacturing plants, distribution centers and distributors throughout Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and the Southern and Midwestern United States.When McCormack and Frascella heard about opportunities at TekRidge, they moved EcoIndustrial there in 2013. “Our business is all relationship driven—otherwise, our customers can get their supplies from anyone,” McCormack said. “We are here; we are local people providing local jobs. Our workers shop in the same stores we service. It all goes

For more information on the Chamber’s incubator program,

contact incubator program manager Aaron Whitney at (570) 342-7711

hand-in-hand—if your customers trust that you’re going to do the right thing for them and give them the highest quality at the best price and that you protect their price points, they value that.”Adding to those relationship-based benefits is the fact that EcoIndustrial is surrounded by other incubator clients who are more than willing to help each other become successful.“Being here provides us with a plethora of ideas,” McCormack said. “There are a lot of gifted people at TekRidge and we all share ideas every day. Everyone does something different. It is amazing and unusual that there’s no overlap between the businesses. Everyone has their own little niche.”McCormack and Frascella also credit the Chamber with their business’s success. “The Chamber never steered us wrong,” McCormack said. “We are proud members and we believe that for us to continue to grow our business, we have to support the same people who got us started and that’s the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is here to promote the area and create jobs—we wouldn’t be where we are today without them.”

TRIED&TRUEEcoIndustrial builds customers trust through proven methods

WE ARE PROUD MEMBERS AND WE BELIEVE THAT FOR

US TO CONTINUE TO GROW OUR BUSINESS, WE HAVE TO SUPPORT

THE SAME PEOPLE WHO GOT US STARTED AND THAT’S THE GREATER SCRANTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THE CHAMBER IS HERE TO PROMOTE THE AREA AND CREATE JOBS—

WE WOULDN’T BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY

WITHOUT THEM. – Sean McCormack,

co-founder, EcoIndustrial

INSIDE THE INCUBATOR

Bakery Deli Grocery Meat Produce

Thank Youto our sponsors

Welcomenew members


New Program Announced at Lackawanna CollegeLackawanna College recently received a $65,000 grant from Lackawanna County to help establish a new Occupational Therapist Assistant (OTA) program. The two-year associate degree program is expected to launch in Scranton for the Fall 2017 semester, establishing the only OTA program in a 70-mile radius.The county grant funding comes as part of its ongoing commitment to the Regional Bioscience Initiative. It accompanies a $50,000 grant received for the establishment of the OTA program from the Moses Taylor Foundation in December 2015.

MEMBER NEWS

AAAA Limousines and TransportationAmericold LogisticsAzar DisplaysJP Boden Services, Inc.Cintas Corp.Comfort KeepersDecipher Software Solutions, LLCEpic Health ServicesExpress Employment ProfessionalsFanelli Bros. Trucking Co.Hearing Health USAhibuThe Home DepotInnovel SolutionsKeystone Automotive Opertions, Inc.Lehigh Career and Technical InstituteLord & TaylorMature Workers Program of Luzerne and Wyoming CountiesMedico Industries Inc.NavientPack Our Party, LLCPrimericaPSA HealthcareQuidisi LogisticsRCN Telecom Services, LLCShanty Town Design, LLCStep By Step, Inc.TelerxWalmart Stores Inc.

Production Underway at Crystal Windows Crystal Window and Door Systems recently started production of aluminum windows and patio doors at its new facility in Benton Township. Of the 26 employees currently working at the factory, 24 are from the region. As it continues to ramp up operations over the coming years, the facility has the potential to employ up to 350 workers. Based on a tally by the company, well over 30 local northeastern Pennsylvania businesses have benefited from Crystal’s presence in the region, including Ramada Clarks Summit, which was the site for the Crystal National Sales Meeting in January. As Crystal’s activities expand in the future, the company expects to work with even more firms in the region. Future plans call for the facility’s window and door production capabilities to replicate that of Crystal’s New York City facility as well as related glass, vinyl and aluminum operations. An official grand opening is tentatively scheduled for this spring.

B3 Seminar: McNees, Wallace and NurickEconomic Outlook Breakfast: Wells FargoMarch Business Card Exchange: Friedman ElectricLeadership Lackawanna Core Program: Lackawanna CollegeLeadership Lackawanna Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Program: The Commonwealth Medical College


MEMBER NEWS

Steamtown National Historic Site to Celebrate National Park WeekSteamtown National Historic Site will host an entrance fee-free week to celebrate National Park Week from Saturday, April 16, through Sunday, April 24. All indoor and outdoor exhibit areas and park museum facilities, including guided tours and the park movie, “Steel and Steam,” are included in the entrance fee-free week. General park information is available by calling (570) 340-5200 during regular business hours, or by visiting www.nps.gov/stea.

Munley Speaks at National Conference

Attorney Marion Munley of Munley Law recently spoke at the American Association for Justice’s winter convention in Boca Raton, Florida. Munley’s presentation was entitled “Demonstrative Evidence: Using Visual Storytelling to Prove Damages.” She also served on a panel of speakers at the American Association for Justice’s Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Leadership Summit, discussing mistakes to avoid during case selection.

Cancer Institute Receives GrantThe Prostate Cancer Awareness Alliance (PCAA) of northeastern Pennsylvania recently awarded the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute with a $7,500 grant, which will allow the Institute to host a range of prostate cancer education and awareness activities throughout the 2016 calendar year.

ADVERTORIAL

Return Service RequestedP.O. Box 431

222 Mulberry St.Scranton, PA 18501

www.scrantonchamber.com

YOUR BUSINESS

Let’s Celebrate Together!

Is your business celebrating

a milestone year?Contact Stephanie Longo at

(570) 342-7711 or [email protected]

to request a certificateof recognition.

momentum magazine, april 2016

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