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Pittsburgh Business Times
Crunch Fitness opens location in this Pittsburgh community
Crunch Fitness now has three locations in the Pittsburgh area, the latest of which just opened in Pleasant Hills.<\p> Owned and operated by Fitness Ventures LLC, a franchisee within the Crunch Fitness system, the 601 Clairton Blvd. location is described as a $5 million state-of-the-art fitness facility that is "designed to cater to a wide range of fitness enthusiasts."<\p>
Meet 20 People to Know in Transportation and Infrastructure
20 People to Know connects the Pittsburgh business community with influential individuals in their fields. <\p> These are not meant to be comprehensive or a ranking, but rather an introduction to some of the behind-the-scenes players, key leaders and up-and-comers. <\p>
20 People to Know: Jason Zang, PennDOT District 11
In October, Jason Zang was named District 11 executive for PennDOT, making him the leader of the agency for Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties. He oversees a team of over 800 workers designing and constructing roadways, bridges and multi-modal projects, as well as maintaining the 2,579 miles of roadway and 1,805 bridges within District 11. He started at the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) as a co-op student at the University of Pittsburgh. He was previously PennDOT district bridge engineer and senior project manager.<\p> My dad is a talented auto mechanic and auto body person, and my mother is a talented artist, musician and teacher. I grew up working on cars, fixing things in the house and playing music. I think that combination led me to engineering to fix problems with creative solutions.<\p>
Saunders Mosby's Viewpoint: Pittsburgh’s blueprint for DEI action
The Vibrant Index is more than just a tool; it is a guiding principle for transformation in Pittsburgh. For the past five years, it has provided clarity as we navigate the complexities of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). This year, as 100 organizations adopt its metrics, we witness gradual progress — progress driven by thoughtful action and commitment.<\p> From its inception, the Vibrant Index has been more than an initiative; it is a commitment to creating a Pittsburgh where every individual, regardless of background or identity, finds acceptance and empowerment. Like our city’s rivers and bridges, it unites us in a shared pursuit of progress.<\p>
What a Texas court's ruling means for noncompetes and why locals care
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s lawsuit over the FTC ban on noncompete agreements won a preliminary injunction hours ahead of the July 4 holiday, essentially delaying implementation of the rule that was supposed to start in two months.<\p> Sort of. <\p>
Universal Stainless extends time frame for contract negotiations
Universal Stainless & Alloy Products and United Steelworkers Local 2332-2 bought more time to negotiate a new labor agreement.<\p> The Bridgeville-based specialty steel manufacturer and the union confirmed a continuance of their collective bargaining agreement covering hourly production and maintenance employees at the company's North Jackson, Ohio facility into mid-July.<\p>
DiAnoia's taking over former Lidia's kitchen for catering operations
Strip District staple DiAnoia's Eatery has taken over the kitchen of the former Lidia's Pittsburgh to expand its off-site catering options.<\p> After nearly two decades of operations, Lidia's, which was owned by celebrity chef Lidia Bastianich, closed in 2019. The space has sat dormant for five years, before being purchased by the Quatrini Law Group in August of last year. Despite owning the 1400 Smallman St. property, Quatrini still operates out of office space at 941 Penn Ave., and is in the process of renovating the former restaurant space.<\p>
A popular job-posting strategy can backfire
Editor's Note: Welcome to The Playbook Edition, a look at stories, trends and changes that could affect your business and career. Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for The Playbook newsletter. <\p> The hiring process sparks plenty of questions for employers and candidates alike. <\p>
20 People to Know: Doug Smith, CEC
Doug Smith, a principal in the transportation group at Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc., oversees project quality, helps develop staff technically and professionally and performs project work. Smith joined CEC in March after working for WSP USA locally. CEC provides engineering services on major projects in the region. Smith is a civil engineer with expertise in multi-modal transportation, transportation finance, long-range and corridor planning and transit. <\p> Architecture — or drawing cartoons!<\p>
Highest earning communities in Pittsburgh revealed
The wealthiest community in the Pittsburgh region is Venetia, a ZIP Code in Washington County with about 10,000 residents that has a median household income of almost $167,000.<\p> The 15367 postal code lands atop the List of the Wealthiest Communities in the Pittsburgh region again this year and is followed by No. 2 Bradford Woods (15015) in northern Allegheny County at just over $166,000.<\p>
See photos of an estate in Baden that's for sale for over $2M
An estate property is currently for sale in Baden in Allegheny County for $2.6 million.<\p> The property, which totals 3.14 acres, is listed for sale with Deb Walton of Coldwell Banker Realty. It is located at 139 Peppergrass Rd. within the Timber Creek Farms community. <\p>
20 People to Know: Meghan Sexton, Allegheny County Public Works
Meghan Sexton oversees roadway, traffic and geotechnical engineering and design for Allegheny County’s Department of Public Works, including 408 miles of roads, 518 bridges and culverts, and more than 700 roadway support structures. She also works to maintain and expand multi-modal and trail projects in the area, and addresses other infrastructure such as the county’s storm sewer systems and right-of-way acquisitions. <\p> We are planning to widen Campbells Run Road between McMichael Road and Keiners Lane in Robinson and Collier. That area is growing and has been seeing an increased amount of traffic. This project will greatly improve the traffic flow and will be a significant upgrade to the residents and visitors there.<\p>
4 tips for business travelers dealing with long airport lines
This May was Pittsburgh International Airport's busiest-ever month, and as a result, officials are encouraging travelers to get to the airport up to three hours early if traveling between 5 and 8 a.m. There were several reports last week on security lines that reached all the way to the long-term parking lot and travelers frustrated by a lack of parking and long wait times. <\p> In anticipation of a busy holiday weekend, the Pittsburgh Business Times asked officials for their best advice on navigating and streamlining the crowded airport.<\p>
Robotics Factory announces second round of accelerate program
The Robotics Factory accepted five companies to its second accelerate cohort. Previous participants have gone on to raise millions of dollars in seed funding.<\p> ForSight Assistive Devices, HeadStrait Labs, Humotech, Journey Robotics and the Reclamation Factory will all receive up to $100,000 in investment, six months of structured programing, access to industry experts and 12 months of office space at the Robotics Factory's Lawrenceville facility.<\p>
Boomerang to PNC: Cleveland Fed's former local leader takes new role
Mekael Teshome, the PNC economist tapped in 2018 by the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland as its top executive in Pittsburgh, is back at the bank. <\p> It's a homecoming on more than one level. <\p>
Keeping small sustainable: Community banks zero in on advantages
In an environment where the mantra “bigger is better” reverberates, community banks with assets under $15 billion are making the most of their flexibility and connectivity, points many say gives them an edge over their larger competitors.<\p> Only two banks headquartered in the 10-county Pittsburgh metro have total assets that top $15 billion — PNC Financial Services Group Inc. ($562 billion) and F.N.B. Corp. ($46 billion). The rest are all smaller, more community-based banks.<\p>
20 People to Know: John Robinson, Michael Baker International
John Robinson leads Michael Baker International’s Pittsburgh operation, which has about 500 employees and works on some of the region’s biggest projects, including the new terminal at Pittsburgh International Airport. Robinson joined Michael Baker, the region’s largest engineering firm, in late 2023 from contractor PJTC Holdings Inc., parent of PJ Dick, the region’s largest construction firm. Before that, he worked with PNC Bank as director of development and led the development of the bank’s LEED-certified headquarters building. <\p> I was excited to learn just how agile we are. We are not a change-averse company. If there is a better way to do something, we do it. If you have an innovative idea, you can pitch it, and frequently we implement it. <\p>
10 local leaders participate in Harvard Business School program
Last week, a delegation of 10 local business leaders traveled to Harvard University to participate in the Young American Leaders Program.<\p> Members of the local delegation were selected by Leadership Pittsburgh Inc. and the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. It was the sixth year that Pittsburgh leaders have been invited to participate.<\p>
KaliVir secures FDA approval for cancer treatment clinical trials
O'Hara Township-based KaliVir Immunotherapeutics received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take its experimental oncolytic cancer treatment to human trials.<\p> "One of the reasons why I left academia and founded KaliVir was in order to have the opportunity to actually develop the therapies that I was building in the lab and to actually take them to the step where we can treat patients," Chief Scientific Officer Stephen Thorne said. "To actually have gotten to that stage is fantastic and is obviously a big career goal."<\p>
Point State Park renovations will need to negotiate historic standards
Look for the new vision plan to bring new recreational and other amenities to a portion of Point State Park to face some scrutiny from the state agency that owns and manages it.<\p> Last month, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, City of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County jointly introduced a new vision plan for downtown that included refashioning three so-called connective corridors to better make the Golden Triangle more accommodating for residents, including families. The three corridors included a stretch near the Cultural District, Market Square and Point State Park. <\p>
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