Latest news with #JARI
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
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.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Showcase for Commerce returns to Johnstown convention center
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Showcase for Commerce returned for its 34th year at the Frank J. Pasquerilla Conference in Johnstown. The three-day conference started on Wednesday. 'Johnstown is very well equipped to be a leader in the defense industrial base. We have been growing over a period of time over these 34 years,' Linda Thomson, President & CEO of JARI, said. Thomson is the outgoing president at JARI. This year will be her last showcase. She said JARI has helped Johnstown stay competitive by working with other businesses. Somerset teacher shortage, leaders warn of worsening child care crisis The 2025 Showcase for Commerce has even more exhibitions on a national and regional level. 'I think one of the things that JARI's been able to do over the years is to be, sort of a catalyst for bringing information and help to any of the companies that we work with. Everyone here works together. And I think the real lesson learned for me over these years is collaboration works. And if we all pull together, we actually succeed,' Thomson said. Thursday's Keynote speaker was Congressman Glenn 'GT' Thompson. He shared some ideas on how he believes the government acquisition process is in need of reform going forward. He also thanked all the companies and employees who provide great manufacturing for national security. He also said that being a great listener is key for government acquisitions. 'For government leaders, I mean, I think that's the most important skill that we come to the table, those elected officials, at whatever level of government. And that is, as I like to say it very simply, use what God has given us two ears, one mouth,' Thompson said. Showcase for Commerce ends at the Cambria County War Memorial on Friday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JARI program grads laud workforce offering
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – When Robin Wright signed up for the first cohort of the Johnstown Housing Authority's workforce readiness program, she saw an opportunity to be lifted up not only for herself but for her daughter as well, she said. Now, Wright is set to graduate from the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center auto-technology program, and Sha'Nya Henry, her daughter, is wrapping up her credits at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and was accepted to Drexel University for the upcoming fall term. 'This is a great program,' Wright said. 'I suggest everybody who can get into it, get into it.' She and Henry credit the offering for giving them the boost they needed to better their lives. Prior to participating last year, Wright was unemployed, and Henry had just moved back to the area after caring for her ailing father in Virginia. Wright was worried about her daughter, she said, and prodded her to join the workforce readiness program, which both agreed was a good choice. They also noted that participating in the first cohort of the program brought them closer together. 'I loved getting to do this with my daughter,' Wright said. Henry, 20, agreed, adding that they pushed each other during the multi-month classes and held each other accountable. 'Teamwork makes the dream work,' Wright said. The workforce readiness program started last year and is paid for with a federal appropriation of $250,000. JHA provides the opportunity through a partnership with Johnstown Area Regional Industries, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and PA CareerLink. Those residing in JHA locations, such as Wright and Henry in the Oakhurst neighborhood, can sign up for the classes that focus on a variety of subjects, such as resume building, mock interviews, communication skills and digital literacy. Bus passes and child care are provided as well. Dave Grimaldi, JARI director of workforce development, said the program gives area residents that 'little push' they need to better themselves, and those involved are glad to lend a hand. 'We'll work with everybody in our JHA program and get them what they want,' he said. For Wright, that was leveraging the program for assistance through the JARI Neighborhood Assistance Program she used for tuition at GJCTC and in Henry's case, it was help getting into Penn Highlands. Henry can now continue her studies at Drexel, where she'll major in English with a focus on creative writing, and Wright can pursue her dream of owning her own auto body shop. Wright and Henry 'are just two great success stories of our program,' Grimaldi said. Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky said he was so impressed by the story about the mother and daughter team that he had to meet them. He did so Tuesday at a JARI event. He said he was inspired by the results of the JARI program and how it lifts up those involved. Chernisky congratulated Wright and Henry for their success, lauded their dedication and wished them well in future pursuits. The third cohort from the workforce readiness program is set to graduate in June with the fourth starting in September. Between those events, Grimaldi said JARI is planning mini-career fairs, workforce trainings and related offerings. For more information, visit Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Getting Ahead' program starts new cohort to beat poverty in the community
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) — Bridges Cooperative Ministry, a ministry group of Franklin Street Church in downtown Johnstown, has started a new cohort of the 'Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World' program. Each cohort meets for 16 weeks as a small group in a safe and supportive environment where they can express their ideas freely and learn from one another. 'We've had 159 graduates. We started in 2015,' Carolyn Varchol, Program Director of Bridges to Success said. The program operates under Bridges to Success, which also works to move the community away from poverty. Varchol says everyone's journey out of poverty is different, which is why the classes are modeled after people who have experienced it. 'It's designed by folks who have been struggling to get by, and some of the folks have actually designed some of the modules. And some of the folks who come to this class, a lot of them are recruited by other folks who've taken the class,' Varchol said. In every new cohort, a recent graduate works as a facilitator who's received the same training and understands where they've been. 'I do see myself in, in some of the individuals that I'm helping. It helps you to understand not only your position in poverty, but it helps you to understand how you can not only problem-solve some of the things you're going through, but it helps you to understand what you can do about that,' Briana Mack, a Facilitator for the Getting Ahead program said. 'Pay what you can' photography studio open in Clearfield Participants develop their future goals and learn how to use their voices in the community to advocate for themselves. Bridges to Success said the program extends beyond graduation by providing long-term stability, and resource-building strategies. 'Anyone who's struggling to get by if, if they are tired of struggling if they want to find their own way out, this is the opportunity for they actually sit down and think about what their future, what they would like their future to look like,' Varchol said. This Spring cohort has three more months until graduation. One of the students already has plans after graduation. 'I just graduated from JARI, you know, and I just want to keep myself active and doing stuff to motivate myself in my life at the age of 65. You know, I just graduated from JARI, and I'll be going to Penn Highlands Community College in May. So I just want to do something for me till I can be proud of myself,' Bernice Sanders, a participant in the program said. There have been 26 cohorts 'Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin'-By World' program. The next cohort of the Getting Ahead program will start at the end of August. Applications are accepted year-round. Anyone trying to overcome poverty's impact on their life is eligible to apply. To apply, you can walk into the church and ask for an application or call Bridges Cooperative Ministry at (814) 539-2633. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
