30-05-2025
JARI chief, at her final Showcase for Commerce before retiring, says expo has 'created jobs and economic viability'
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Johnstown Area Regional Industries President and CEO Linda Thomson has long been synonymous with Showcase for Commerce.
She has helped shape the business and defense contracting exposition's identity since joining JARI in July 2000. Billions of dollars of production and investment have been made in the local economy thanks in part to her efforts.
Now Thomson's time with JARI and Showcase for Commerce is coming to an end. She plans to retire this summer.
This year's 34th annual Showcase for Commerce is scheduled to conclude Friday with the John P. Murtha Breakfast, press conference, public exhibition inside 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial, and luncheon.
'It's just been something that I've really enjoyed, even though it's a lot of work and effort,' Thomson said. 'I think it's something that we can all be proud of and something that, as a region, we've really become known for excellence in this defense industrial base area.'
Showcase was the vision of U.S. Rep. John Murtha, the longest-serving congressman in Pennsylvania history. The event has brought businesses to the Johnstown region, developed the local defense contracting industry and provided networking opportunities.
Thomson's first Showcase was in 2001. Murtha died in February 2010.
'Linda and I both realized that we needed to transform the Showcase to keep it relevant and to keep that value that had been created by Mr. Murtha,' Showcase for Commerce Chairman Ed Sheehan Jr. said. 'She and I were very devoted to that cause.'
Sheehan is the president and CEO of Concurrent Technologies Corp., one of the defense contractors that have benefited from Showcase over its more than three decades. Sheehan said he and Thomson 'both recognized how important the Showcase was and what it meant to the region, but also what it meant to the defense industrial base and our national security.'
A video tribute to Thomson was presented during the Government Acquisition Leaders Briefings and Panel Discussions Thursday. Comments were given by numerous people, including former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., former U.S. Rep. Mark Critz, current U.S. Reps. Glenn 'GT' Thompson and Dr. John Joyce, and Murtha's widow, Joyce Murtha.
Thompson also spoke about Thomson during his keynote address inside the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference Center.
'Linda, let me summarize things up this way, we love you,' Thompson said. 'Thank you for all that you've done to make Showcase such a great success and a great model. It's pretty easy to brag about this three-day event in Washington with my colleagues from all across the country.'
Showcase is put on by JARI and the Cambria Regional Chamber. Many local businesses, international companies, elected officials, colleges and representatives from the U.S. Department of Defense have also participated.
'It has just been such a pleasure and honor to work for all these years with people who are so committed to our region and to our economy,' Thomson said.
When looking back at Showcase's impact, Thomson said, 'The bottom line is it's grown our economy, it's diversified our economy and it's helped bring dollars flowing into us, into our area. That has created jobs and economic viability. That's certainly the bottom line.'
Cambria Regional Chamber President and CEO Amy Bradley credited Thomson for her role in that success.
'Linda is great at what she does,' Bradley said. 'She is a great convener of people and a great organizer. She's well-known and she's well-liked. I think for a lot of people she is synonymous with Showcase for Commerce.'
Bradley praised Thomson: 'I've seen her really work to transform lives.'
