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Todd Allen, 36
ABOUT HIM: Started a bus-tour company to take travelers to the southern part of the United States. The tour includes an informative look at the civil-rights movement with an intention to preserve its place in history. Assistant professor, communications, Geneva College. Advocate for diversity and education, school-board member, mentor; doctoral student.
IN HIS WORDS: "Many young people don't understand the significance of the civil-rights movement and how it shaped our collective history. Through my work, I am able to show how people fought to secure the rights and privileges they have today." |
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Rudy Berk, 37
ABOUT HIM: Director, information design, for Viz, the Pittsburgh office of General Dynamics C4 systems, formerly MAYA Viz. Working on data-visualization software to help people collaborate and make better decisions. Numerous awards for innovations in design; mentor to Carnegie Mellon University students.
IN HIS WORDS: "Like you, I see Pittsburgh as a city with great cultural energy. My goal is to keep our city as vibrant and creative as possible, and to attract and retain talented artists, designers and thinkers while I’m at it." |
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Robert Bowser, Ph.D., 39
ABOUT HIM: Internationally recognized scientist working to find a diagnostic test and improved treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Associate professor of pathology, University of Pittsburgh. Co-founder, Knopp NeuroSciences Inc. (KNS); board member, ALS Association.
IN HIS WORDS: "We know so little about ALS. My research uses new technologies to discover how ALS develops. A local ALS patient helped finance this research, and I hope to honor him by creating improved treatments for ALS, and maybe a cure." |
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Matthew Burger, 36
ABOUT HIM: Shareholder, Buchanan Ingersoll PC. Trial attorney specializing in contract and trade-secret litigation. Community work includes Beginning With Books, Pittsburgh X-PAC, PUMP, Disciplinary Hearing Committee for Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Resides in Fox Chapel with wife, Erin; children, Emma and Will.
IN HIS WORDS: "To paraphrase David Lawrence, Pittsburgh requires imagination and a certain recklessness to succeed. We must continue to reinvent our city by improving government efficiency, supporting young leadership, and building upon our unique neighborhoods, work ethic and sense of community." |
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Joseph T. Carei, 37
ABOUT HIM: Chef/owner, Caileigh's Restaurant, Uniontown. Founder, president, Fayette Opportunity Network. President, Laurel Highlands Chapter, Pennsylvania Restaurant Association. Stage III colorectal-cancer survivor since February 2002. Cancer-awareness promoter and fundraiser for community groups. Cross-country, Little League and soccer coach.
IN HIS WORDS: "Cooking is my passion, but I also work hard to enrich Fayette County. Since I moved here 13 years ago, I have been contributing to those who are in need, celebrating young professionals and mentoring scholar-athletes." |
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Jason Coll, 34
ABOUT HIM: Associate artistic director, Pittsburgh CLO. Programs and manages CLO Cabaret Theater; composer of musicals; playwright; church music director at St. Sylvester's Parish; singer; actor. Member of BMI musical theater workshop in New York City. Married to Lisa Klein.
IN HIS WORDS: "Pittsburgh is blessed with so many cultural and artistic treasures. In a time of economic struggle, it's important to support and nurture those arts that have brought us pride and national recognition. Experience all we have to offer!" |
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Michael Costabile, 36
ABOUT HIM: Chief financial officer, Amerinet Central, a health care group purchasing company. Visual artist; on-air host for WRCT 88.3fm; Leadership Development Initiative participant. Board member, Friends of Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Haiti. Resides in Bradford Woods with his wife, Shelly, and son, Owen.
IN HIS WORDS: "Things that inspire me are family, friends, energetic and fun people, learning, fairness, logic, curiosity, art, music and looking at things from all sides. I'm fortunate to know so many people who are and have been unselfish mentors to me." |
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Jennifer Daurora, 28
ABOUT HER: Business-development analyst, McGinnis Sisters Special Food Stores. Next generation family-business owner; economic-development advocate; Entrepreneurial Fellows Center alumna; corporate taste tester. Community work includes Junior League of Pittsburgh, Girls Hope, Allegheny College Alumni Council and Alpha Chi Omega sorority.
IN HER WORDS: "Do all that you can to promote and develop our region so your children and grandchildren have a wonderful place to live, work and play. Don't think of yourself or your present situation - think of their bright future." |
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Sherrie Flick, 38
ABOUT HER: Artistic director and co-founder, Gist Street Reading Series. Author; freelance writer and editor,
Lens Cap, Silver Eye Center for Photography's newsletter; editorial assistant, Western Pennsylvania History magazine; educator, baker and
gardener. Lives on the South Side slopes with her husband, Rick.
IN HER WORDS: "Five years ago,
Gist Street started as a way to find 'home' in a strange new city. Each month, as the food, writers, staff and audience assemble, the city leans
forward on its rusty folding chair and whispers, 'Where else?'" |
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Derek Gaskins, 34
ABOUT HIM: Marketing manager, Giant Eagle. Manages marketing for GetGo, Iggle Video, photo labs, state stores and banking. Founder, Gaskins Productions/ Glamourlife.com, a marketing company that produces upscale promotional events for trendsetters. MBA, Kellogg/Northwestern University; wife and business partner, Tina; children, Gigi and Godot.
IN HIS WORDS: "My Southeast Washington, D.C., upbringing by parents committed to academic excellence made me the well-rounded person I am. I live by Thoreau's credo: 'Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.'" |
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