CONGRATULATIONS!

Entrepreneur 2007 WINNERS

Non-Profit
Leah Spangler
Executive director
The Learning Lamp

108 College Park Plaza, Johnstown, PA 15904
(814) 262-0732, www.thelearninglamp.org

Innovation is Spangler’s number-one priority. This she accomplishes by working in partnership with the school district, family- and county-based organizations. Together they find and match community needs, and fill niches with before- and after-school services, including child care.

First job: Spangler baby-sat at age 12, but considers her first real job to be when she worked as a cashier. One summer when age 14, she was bored while at the beach – went to a local five-and-ten store, claimed that she was 16 years old, and was hired on the spot.

Guiding philosophy: “Every child who needs support outside of a school day deserves that support.” Spangler advocates that success in education translates into success in life. Learning Lamp programs are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels – and they ensure benefit from enrichment and reinforcement activities which enhance classroom learning.

Book or inspiration: Spangler worked at KYWTV in Philadelphia, for anchor-woman, Diane Allen, as her “gopher,” making coffee and ripping scripts. There she learned the value of integrity, and that “reputation is all you have.” She still teaches others to “work hard and be ethical – it will serve you well.” Favorite books include The Cathedral Within by Bill Shore and How to Change the World by David Bornstein.

Biggest recent accomplishment: Receipt of a 21st Century Learning Center grant which funds after-school programming for children, four days per week. “This is a brand new organization,” Spangler said, “and we didn’t think we’d get the grant. It came from a competitive bid, and we’re now funded for three years.”

Community involvement:
• Board member of Allegheny County Red Cross blood services
• Member of West Hills Regional Fire Services Task Force which helped two fire companies to successfully join services
• Elected to Westmont Hilltop School Board
• Raised money for fire department and new playground in Johnstown

Charity of choice: The Learning Lamp

“Leah has done a phenomenal job of taking a two-person agency to a much larger, almost state-wide operation in only four years. It would be difficult to find anyone with more vision, innovation, energy, and commitment than she brings to The Learning Lamp. The agency would not be where it is today, without Leah at the helm.”
-Robert Knipple, chairman of the board of The Learning Lamp; director of Alumni & Community Relations at
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

“ The Learning Lamp’s primary goal is to fill the educational needs of children that public schools either cannot fill, or may need help filling. Leah follows the premise of ‘Larry the Cable Guy,’ ‘Git-’er-Done!’ No question about it, she can ‘Git-’er-Done! I believe it was Bobby Kennedy who said that, some people see things and say, why. I see things and say, why not? Leah puts these two things together, and that’s what makes things happen.”
-Glenn Thompson, PhD, superintendent of the Bedford Area School District

Government/Economic Development
Alexander J. Graziani
Executive Director
Smart Growth Partnership of Westmoreland County

UPG, 166 Millstein Library, 150 Finoli Drive, Greensburg, PA 15601
(724) 836-7048, www.smartgrowthpa.org

With a BA in political science, a master’s in public policy and management, and membership in the American Institute of Certified Financial planners – Graziani is well trained for his unusual job. He’s the director of a non-profit, non-governmental community group that deals with quality and growth issues – involving interaction with dozens of municipalities, planners, townships, developers, and local and state agencies. It’s the only group of its kind in Pennsylvania and, perhaps, the nation.

“ We believe that good development begets good development – and attracts great development,” he said. “We believe in quality of place and hope that the partnership can be an example for other parts of the state and country.

First job: As a second-grader, Graziani helped his three older brothers deliver advertising “doorknob-hangers.” Later he delivered newspapers and did lawn work.

Guiding philosophy: “For me, it’s my faith,” he said. “I use the golden rule as it relates to servant-hood. You can’t go wrong if your interest is to serve others – to make them and their communities successful.”
Biggest recent accomplishments: “After six years, the organization is hitting its stride and receiving a level of acceptance,” he said. The Route 30 Master Plan is its biggest accomplishment, encompassing land use, maintenance, access, and planned development to avoid congestion. “We’re taking the lead – with the state, PennDOT, developers, local, and county – doing this study. We’re all in a ‘big tent,’ talking about a common approach to land use, infrastructure, improved access, and a higher level of intra-government cooperation.”

He also completed the National Charrette Institute Charrette Planner & Manager training at Virginia Tech this spring.

Community involvement: Pennsylvania State Planning Board, associate director of the Westmoreland County Conservation District, BOD of the Greensburg-Hempfield Library, Westmoreland County Public Participation Panel for transportation planning, member of Latrobe Hospital PATH, and an active member of the Greensburg Alliance Church.

Charity of choice: Greensburg-Hempfield Library

“Alex is a good guy. He really balanced the two greatest challenges of the Smart Growth Partnership: First, establishing a new organization and making that organization serve as a blueprint model for other similar organizations in the state; and second, he has, with laser-beam precision, focused on tackling community problems brought on by growth and development. This includes traffic and congestion; and on the other (down) side, urban decay and stagnation. One needs an entrepreneurial approach and attitude to deal with these issues, and get the job done. We’re lucky, in southwestern Pennsylvania, to have Alex and his skills to meet the challenges we’ll face in the coming years.”
-Mike Walsh, vice chairman of the Smart Growth Partnership BOD; founding member of the partnership

“ What Alex has done is help raise the community’s level of consciousness and show the importance of economic development. He alerted area citizens to the concept that smart growth enhances the quality of life. He is tireless, enthusiastic, and a passionate professional – that passion really distinguishes him. When you converse with Alex, the passion he exudes comes across almost like an explosion! He brings a human side to an otherwise technical profession. Because of his vision, ability, and knowledge, we formed a partnership that brings together the resources of two great institutions, Penn State and the University of Pittsburgh. I really value my working relationship with Alex, and see him as a very important resource in the community.”
-Gary Sheppard, community extension director for Penn State Cooperative Extension in Westmoreland County