Philadelphia’s Bassetts Ice Cream, Growing Globally and Now Available in Taiwan

Posted on January 22, 2020 by Graziella DiNuzzo

By Graziella DiNuzzo

Taiwan has now joined the growing list of countries who have fallen in love with Philly’s own Bassetts Ice Cream. “One of their top executives had tasted Bassetts Ice Cream while traveling and had been trying to get it ever since,” says Michael Strange, President, Bassetts Ice Cream, referring to an executive at Hi-Lai Foods, the parent company of Harbour Buffet Restaurants.

Harbour Buffet Restaurant, Taiwan’s all-you-can-eat restaurant chain will now include Bassetts Ice Cream on their menu at seven locations starting January 2020. Strange explains that Bassetts has been pursuing Hi Lai foods since 2011, “thanks in a large part to Pennsylvania’s Authorized Trade Representative in Taiwan, Irene Tsai, we were able to navigate our way through it all finally and find a way to get our ice cream to Taiwan.”

Quoted in a recent article in Taiwan’s Savor LifeStyle Magazine, Tsai says, “The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is the US state with the most representatives in the world, and has established their presence in Taipei for 15 years. I have had the good fortune of having tasted Bassetts every time I go back to Pennsylvania for meetings.”

Left to Right: Irene Tsai, Zemin Liu, Hi Lai Chief Brand Officer and Harbour Buffet Restaurant Chef

Zemin Liu, Hi-Lai’s Chief Brand Officer tells Savor Life Magazine, “Considering the needs of the Taiwanese consumers, we will introduce 12 flavors including Peanut Butter Swirl, Cookies and Cream and Pomegranate Blueberry.”

Roning Wu, Director of Marketing, Hai-Lai Foods, speaks at news conference in Taiwan

At a press conference, Roning Wu, Director of Marketing for Hai-Lai Foods was pleased that the Taiwanese will be getting the “exact same product as in the US,” since the brand is so “wildly popular in the States and Korea.”

Tubs of Bassetts Ice Cream at Harbour Buffet Restaurant in Taiwan

History of Bassetts Ice Cream in Philadelphia

In 1861, using a mule-turned churn on his farm in Salem New Jersey, Lewis Dubois Bassett invented what would become America’s oldest ice cream – Bassetts.

By 1885, Bassetts Ice Cream was sold at fifth and Market Street in Philadelphia and by 1892 moved to its current location inside Reading Terminal. Ice Cream production was also moved into the basement of the Reading Terminal location.

“I am certain that my great, great grandfather would be both amazed and proud that Bassetts Ice Cream is now available on the opposite side of the world,” said Strange.

Exporting Ice Cream takes some strategic logistics planning. “When we were first approached by them we needed to make sure that our product would be handled correctly and that we wouldn’t be limiting our brand’s potential growth within the market. About four years ago, we were very close to agreeing on a sale, but could not quite get to the final step. Since then Hi-Lai’s distributor for meats, Mayfull Foods Corporation, added a huge, brand new storage freezer that would make for the perfect environment for our ice cream and the capabilities of delivering to a broad array of clients all while maintaining the cold temperatures needed to maintain the quality of our ice cream door to door. All of that being said, what kept the conversations alive was the superior taste and quality of Bassetts Ice Cream.

One of the reasons for our success in Asia is that our ice cream is less sweet than many of our competitors,” says Brian Bebee, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Bassetts. “From our experience it seems it’s something the Asian palate prefers.“

Bassetts manufuctures its Ice cream in Pennsylvania using the highest quality ingredients including fresh butter, non-fat milk, and fresh and dried fruits.

Tourists and Philly-area locals traditionally line-up at Bassetts’ only brick and mortar store at Reading Terminal on North 12th Street in Philadelphia. President Barack Obama is said to have enjoyed a cone.

With the help of the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP) international trade specialist, Dale Foote, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Office of International Business Development, Bassetts began exporting to China in 2008 and on June 7, 2017, opened its first store in South Korea.

Today, consumers in South Korea can get their scoop at one of over 31 Bassetts stores, called Bassetts Ice Cream Café. The cafes also serve sandwiches, beverages, coffee and ice cream cakes.

Bassetts Ice Cream is planning to export to additional countries “we are in the early stages of conversations with prospects in Malaysia, Chile, Bermuda and the Middle East,” says Strange.

It may not be long before everyone around the world gets a taste of America’s oldest ice cream.

Packaging Progressions: Providing Safe, Clean and Efficient handling of your food

Posted on December 27, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

By Graziella DiNuzzo

Ever wonder how the piece of paper you find in between beef patties gets there? Most probably not. At one time, human hands painstakingly placed the paper, one at a time, to separate each patty in an assembly line, until engineer Lawrence Ward had an idea that would revolutionize the meat industry. In 1989, Ward invented the Arc’Tronic Hole Perforator – Packaging Progressions Inc. was born.

Dante Pietrinferni was working as a Production Manager at Mechtronics Industries, a machine-building company, when Mr. Ward discovered him and offered him a job. It was 1992 and with only six employees, Pacproinc® was designing and manufacturing automatic, high-speed interleavers and stackers, eventually obtaining a patent for their “Inline Foldover” method in 1995.

Pietrinferni became President of Packaging Progressions in 2011.

“Our machines operate at the highest speeds, we have superior customer service and the most industry expertise. We were first to market and consider ourselves number one in the world,” smiles Pietrinferni.

Applications for Pacproinc® began with Philly steaks and now include bacon, cheese, cookie dough, puff pastry, empanadas and tortillas, pasta sheets, burger patties, flatbreads and pizza bases, and sliced deli meats.

“We are able to take our core technology and adapt it to many products.”

Popular brands packaged on Pacproinc® machines include Domino Pizza, Subway, and McDonald’s.

“As we grew we were able to develop other packaging solutions within the food industry.”

Today, Pacproinc® has expanded its line of hole perforators, interleavers and stackers to include custom and standard conveyors, value-added services, and a full range of interleaving materials.

“Our biggest domestic sellers are bacon and burger packaging machines.”

Pacproinc® began exporting in the mid-nineties, but not without some challenges and lessons learned.

“We learned the hard way that a handshake deal is not a good idea. We worked with a man named Mr. Sleegers, whom we met at a trade show and eventually became our European representative. We knew we needed a local presence in order to provide the level of service our customers are used to.”

Dante Pietrinferni demonstrates the burger-packaging machine

“We had various levels of success in Europe through 2000, until Mr. Sleeger decided to reverse engineer our machines and make his own version. He essentially took over our European market.”

In July 2019, Pacproinc® was acquired by Middleby Corporation, a global leader in the foodservice industry.

“The benefit that excites us the most is being able to leverage Middleby’s international assets to help us sell our products all over the world. Our biggest challenge to selling internationally was our lack of service and sales support within a territory. International customers were reluctant to buy from a company that did not have a local presence and provided support from the U.S.”

In 2019, Pacproinc® sold its machines into Canada, Malaysia, Peru and the U.K.

“We have sold parts, materials, and machines to Australia, Thailand, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Canada, Peru, Mexico and the U.K. “

Packaging Progressions manufacturing warehouse

Bacon packaging machine

Pietrinferni recalls a meeting organized by WTCGP and the Korean PA Authorized Trade Representative, “We were meeting with a South Korean company, in a Greek restaurant in Germany. The South Koreans seemed angry. By learning some cultural awareness from our WTCGP contact, we understood that was just their communication style.”

As the food industry grows to changing consumer demands, Pietrinferni understands that Pacproinc® will need to adapt.

Dante Pietrinferni demonstrates robotic arm

“We have a lot of discussion about using paper versus plastic and are looking for more sustainable methods. Some clients require a heavier wax coating on the paper. We are always working on different formulations.”

During a tour of the plant, Mr. Pietrinferni demonstrated a robotic arm that the engineers are looking to integrate with their machines.

“We have developed new designs that work with our core technologies and created about 8 to 10 patents over the years.”Today, Packaging Progressions (Pacproinc®) has 65 employees and during the last three years have consistently recorded 15% growth each year.The future looks bright for Packaging Progressions.

“We not only provide a safe and sanitary solution to packaging fresh and frozen food, we also have superior 24/7 customer service. No one else can do what we do.”

P’alante! The Father and Son Construction Duo Who Never Stop Moving Forward

Posted on October 23, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

Dan Labrador had just picked up his son Niko from school when he spotted it – “a white, very used, newly painted van…a beauty,” he knew immediately it was the one. As soon as he arrived home, Dan spoke with his wife Maggie and discussed his plans to start his own contracting business. With Maggie’s support, Dan gave his two-week notice to the painting company where he was working full time, “we put everything we had at that time – all the credit cards totaling about $4,500 and our company was off.”

Dan founded Lyon Contracting Services, LLC in 2011 on the principles inherited from his fearless father who left Cuba in 1967 for a better life in America, “with nothing but a bag in hand,” says Dan. “The fact that you came from a place where you were not free makes everything much more bearable.” In 1970 Dan’s mother, brother, and sisters joined his father, “I was the youngest and born here, and consider myself the celebration baby,” Dan laughs.

Dan recalls the moment as a young boy when he listened intently to his father’s conversation about starting a business, “I saw that look in his eyes and I knew as a young boy that one day I would have my own business too.”

Lyon Contracting Services is a full service general contracting company, headquartered in Philadelphia, with commercial and residential clients within 60 miles of Northeast Philadelphia. Lyon offers construction specialties and sub-packages from rough and finished carpentry to drywall, acoustical ceiling and millwork installation and full-service painting.

Running a family business wasn’t always easy. To get through the day, Dan’s family says this Cuban word …P’alante!

Dan explains, “When things aren’t going well…you exhale. P’alante! When things are going great…you celebrate, P’alante! When things are going wrong…you make it right, P’alante!”

Dan credits his wife, a first-generation American from Puerto Rico, for helping him navigate the challenges of running a family business. While their business was growing, so was their family with the addition of Dan’s two daughters who were born a year apart. “When my son was in his first year of college he told me he wanted to work with me. That was the game-changer and how our business got stronger.”

“Growing up my father and I were best of buds, I was his mini-me everywhere he went,” says Niko. As I grew older I wanted to be just like him and be with him as much as I could.” After completing two years of community college, Niko decided to join his father fulltime. “That was in the summer of 2012. I started out just following Dan everywhere. Through the eight years, I slowly developed and gained more responsibility and moved up to project manager,” Niko explains.

“The car rides are literally the best times with my father, some of the most hilarious moments and most important life lessons I’ve learned have been during a workday car ride together.”

As a minority-owned and operated business and a first-generation Cuban American, Dan understands the challenges that immigrant communities face in the workforce. “You’re limited when you are from another country; you have the language barrier and don’t have a huge network.” Dan has made it his mission to pay it forward by sourcing workers with highly specialized skills, developed in their native countries.

“It feels great that we might have a little part in creating a bit of that American Dream for their families.”

Every fall, the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce (GNPCC) participates in Minority Enterprise Development Week, a citywide initiative giving special recognition to a minority-owned business. GNPCC nominated Lyon Contracting and Mayor Kenney honored the Labrador family in a special ceremony on Monday, October 7th.

According to the US Senate Committee on Small business and Entrepreneurship, over the last 10 years, minority business enterprises accounted for more than 50 percent of the two million new businesses started in the United States and created 4.7 million jobs. There are now more than four million minority-owned companies in the United States.

“I’m very thankful and humbled,” Dan says. My wife, my daughters, my son are the reason and why we hope to build a business where we can serve our clients and our entire team for generations to come.

By the time Dan was 20 years old he was married, working full-time had a young son and was taking college courses at Temple University. In 2017-18, Dan was among the 14th cohort of 20 graduates who recently completed the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business-Greater Philadelphia program.

Niko understands his father’s drive – “it’s in his blood.” In his new role as Vice President, Niko plans to continue to reach a greater audience through new marketing communication platform including social media and website development. But Niko admits, “There is still so much more. I plan to work beside my father for many years to come, learning from him one car ride at a time.“

http://www.nephilachamber.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/gnccc_fall_inbusiness_and_inside_directory.pdf

Visual Software’s Technology Will Revolutionize Healthcare and Education in Remote Regions around the World

Posted on October 8, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

By Graziella DiNuzzo

In Swaziland (now officially eSwatini) Africa, a man with Aids walks many miles through precarious terrain to arrive at the nearest clinic. If he is lucky to be seen that day, the clinic attendant will need to conduct testing to determine a diagnosis – testing alone may kill him, the attendant, or any number of people who might mishandle his infectious blood. The clinic does not know this man’s history – no computer, no database, no medical record.

The narrative is the same in a mountainous village in Lesotho, Africa where a young child’s already limited education, anchored in a primitive one-room schoolhouse, makes him virtually invisible – no computer, no school record, no access to the world.

When Robert Hutchison, President and CEO of Visual Software, attended a networking event hosted by the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia, US Commercial Service and Bucks County Community College, he met Victoria Senome, President of the African and Caribbean Business Council.

“Victoria said our software would be revolutionary in Africa,” said Hutchison, “and I am learning firsthand that she’s right.”

Two weeks later, in October 2018, Hutchison found himself on his first trip to Lesotho, Africa, with a mission group from the National Baptist Convention and meeting with the minister of education who welcomed him with open arms.

Since then, Hutchison has made four trips to six countries in Africa, Jordan and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq…and he’s getting ready to leave for Africa again next month.

“Globally, we had already worked in Australia and England, but what led me to Africa was a desire to use the software we developed to maximize impact, not profit.”

Hutchison is now on a mission.

“I had been praying about how to use our products to make a significant contribution to the world, and then opportunities in Africa opened up.”

IT has always been Hutchison’s calling. His 40 years in the computer / software industry includes working at Bell Laboratories on the UNIX Operating System project, and developing advanced mathematical modeling software for internationally known clients. He also created an advanced warning system for one of the largest telephone systems in the world and written three textbooks.

Hutchison and his team at Visual Software created Sustainable Applications and Solutions optimized for use in rural settings and large communities. Using a private cloud-based system, the software can maintain basic and advanced information for healthcare and education sectors.

Robert Hutchison, President, Visual Software, stands inside Visual Software’s test lab

“From building databases and providing individual IDs to e-based learning and more, lives will be improved and saved. In some places, 14 out of 100 women now die in childbirth. Technology will make a huge difference and improve that statistic.”

Since 2001, Visual Software has served millions of students and companies in the US, Canada, Europe, Africa and Australia. With close working relationships with Microsoft, Oracle and many regional systems integrators throughout the US, UK and Australia, they are able to provide custom, integrated platforms. Visual Software has been a Microsoft Certified Partner since 2003 and an Oracle Gold Certified Partner since 2014. They are also members of the international security group OWASP.

So with no electricity, how does a poor village power up computers?

“We are working with solar equipment providers to create a low-voltage solar energy package that supplies the needs of schools and clinics without generating the heat normally associated with such systems,” Hutchison explains.

“By eliminating the solar inverter, the heat generated is far less and the system runs more efficiently. By reducing the heat, the need for cooling fans is eliminated, thereby reducing the amount of dust making its way into the equipment. By reducing dust, the equipment lasts longer.”

Robert Hutchison wheels out a black metal rolling cart with several shelves. He places a laptop on top of the cart and lifts it to point out the encased heavy rubber covering.

Robert Hutchison demonstrates customized cart and military-grade laptop

“Students will use hardened laptops, tested to the Military standard 810G for durability and resistance to moisture and dust. The carts will hold the equipment inside and the outside will be fitted with solar panels. Wireless networking will connect to the Internet. The cart can be wheeled between rooms. Having all components pre-packaged eliminates much of the work of deploying the solutions in these remote locations.”

And what about wireless connectivity?

The Visual Software team had to re-write the software for low bandwidth, in consideration of markets like Africa with high internet access costs. “In Africa, Internet customers pay for their wireless internet data by the gigabyte; there are no unlimited data plans as is common in the US. As of May 2019, data rates for 10GB of data range from USD $8.37 (Egypt) to $279 (Equatorial Guinea). “

In Sierra Leone, there is a hospital called Emergency, established by an Italian NGO in 2001. To date, Emergency has treated 798,496 patients and was a critical resource during the Ebola crisis – all without technology.

“Outside the hospital in Sierra Leone there are extreme environmental challenges, like dirt, mud and flooding from monsoon rains but inside the hospital is spotless. They even have white PVC encased doors so they can be wiped down. But they still log all of their patient blood tests in big ledger books.”

Since 1994, Emergency has opened its doors free of charge to victims of war, refugees and the sick at its hospitals located in Afghanistan, Central African Republic, Iraq, Sicily, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

As the son of a refugee, Hutchison has a deep understanding of the long-lasting affect of humanitarian aid. His mother and aunt were part of the massive child refugee evacuation called “Los Niños”, during the Spanish Civil War”, cramming nearly 4,000 children into a steamship to England, who were also come to be known as the “Basque Children.” His mother was eventually adopted by a family in Northern England. His grandparents were captured by Franco’s forces, put into slavery and then moved to concentration camps. After the war, his grandparents lived out the remainder of their lives in Mexico.

Hutchison is paying it forward.

“I have been donating my time and resources to this project in Africa. The best part of Africa is the people.”

Once the technology is implemented, the goal is to create jobs and set up the project to be self-sustaining. Visual Software will provide support when needed.

“Within the first year of our education deployment, we intend to deploy classroom technology to 1,000 schools with an eventual target of over 30,000 schools in the first five years.” Hutchison smiles.

What’s next?

“Visual Software recently connected with several of the PA Overseas Authorized Trade Representatives ATRs during our recent September 19 and 20, 2019, Bringing the World To PA (BTW2PA) events in Philadelphia during their one-on-one ATR meetings to discuss market expansion in the UK and Australia, as well as market entry strategies for Scandinavia, the Czech Republic, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (Arab Gulf region). Visual Software has already done some great work in Australia with many more opportunities to expand upon their initial success,” said Dale Foote, International Trade Specialist for the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia.

Robert Hutchison and his team are transforming lives, one byte at a time.

Click here for more information on Visual Software’s Sustainable Solutions.

Trade Talks: Van Horn Metz CEO speaks with NBC10 News

Posted on August 27, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

Click here for video

Van Horn Metz and Company, provide just the right ingredients companies need

Posted on August 6, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

by Graziella DiNuzzo

Did you ever look at the interior of a car and wonder how it was made, or why the paint is so shiny? Most likely not. After visiting with member company Van Horn, Metz & Company (VHM), I look at these things differently.

“Take a walk through Home Depot,” says President Barry Fisher. “It is safe to say that at least one or more of the raw materials we sell was used to make just about everything in the store.”

From Pigments like Iron Oxides and Titanium Dioxide to Additives like UV Stabilizers and Hyperdispersants and Resins like Epoxy Esters and Low VOC alkyds to Dyes like Lake Pigments and FD&C, and Extenders like Attapulgite Clay and Barium Sulfate…whew…VHM has everything the Industrial markets need to formulate their products.

Anamaria Tanase, Market Development Manager for Van Horn, Metz & Co. agrees that sorting through their vast product line is overwhelming for folks outside the industry. “Think of baking a cake,” she says. The ingredients the customer may need are some Pigment, Additive, Resin, Extender, etc. …mix it all or some together and the end result might become a bio-based sealant or paint for your deck.

Navigating through VHM’s product line may also be daunting for new and established customers as well, which is why VHM has a team of 18 specialized technical experts with vast industry experience, training, and education, to assist with product development every step of the way from production to placement. The VHM team is located across the central and eastern US, and their logistics and warehouse capabilities include 12 warehouses and six sales offices.

“We bring value with the products we sell,” says Mr. Fisher. “Our team develops long-standing relationships with our customer’s team to ensure they get it right the first time.”

The VHM story began in 1950 when Harold Van Horn and Donald Metz joined forces to form Van Horn, Metz. The idea for their business came about while the men were working on camouflage paint formulations for the US government during World War II, beginning the journey for VHM to become the leading specialty raw materials distributor in North America.

As distributors for over 25 renowned companies including Chemours, Evonik, Cargill, Lubrizol, and others, VHM maintains its position to provide the most advanced products – safely.

“All personnel are required to complete Hazmat training. Handling chemicals is taken seriously,” adds Mr. Fisher.

VHM is a long-standing member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD) and recently passed its sixth NACD Responsible Distributor verification. VHM also belongs to the American Coatings Association (ACA), Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), the Federation of Societies for Coating Technology and the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia (WTCGP).

“It was six years ago that we began exporting,” Mr. Fisher explains. “We are currently doing business in Canada, Germany, Brazil, Mexico the UK and China.”

Mr. Fisher is a member of the WTCGP Advisory Council. “WTCGP has been a help for VHM, most importantly, it was our introduction to White and Williams law firm that has given us the critical legal advice we need to continue our work internationally.”

Mr. Fisher also credits a Temple University intern who joined the VHM team almost a year ago. “Fresh eyes are helping us with our inventory management and our supply chain challenges.”
The Greek Philosopher Plato once said that necessity is the mother of invention. Each year thousands of products are invented and for those that succeed, VHM may have a little something to do with it…not to mention the ink to print this article.

https://www.vanhornmetz.com/

Pennoni has been home to Newly Appointed President and CEO Dave DeLizza since 1979

Posted on June 13, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

By Graziella DiNuzzo

It’s not surprising that Dave DeLizza chose to major in engineering at Drexel University.

“I remember dad would take me to his jobsites while the bridges were under construction to show me how they were built,” says DeLizza. “The two I remember the most are the Girard Avenue Bridge (completed in 1972), and the Spring Garden Street Bridge over the Schuylkill (completed in 1965).” DeLizza was nine years old when his dad, who spent 30 years working for the City of Philadelphia as a Civil Engineer, took him to the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Spring Garden Street Bridge.

“Dad also had a drafting board set up at our house. I enjoyed watching him prepare house plans for side renovation projects,“ recalls DeLizza.

Born and raised in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, DeLizza learned to respect hard work while helping at his family’s neighborhood sandwich shop.

Today, photos of children and grandkids line the shelves of Dave DeLizza’s office at Pennoni in Philadelphia. On July 1st, DeLizza will officially begin his role as the fourth President and CEO of Pennoni, succeeding Tony Bartolomeo who held that position for the past 20 years. DeLizza sits comfortably in his chair to talk about his career at Pennoni, which technically began in 1976 when he worked on the survey crew as a Drexel University co-op student. He would continue to complete all three of his co-op periods at Pennoni.

“I love my job,” smiles DeLizza.

Upon graduating from Drexel University in 1979, DeLizza asked founder and then President, C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni for a full-time job and was told there weren’t any immediate openings. However, a few days later, DeLizza received a phone call that would place him on his successful career journey. “When I met with Mr. Pennoni he told me one of the engineers had resigned and he offered me the position of staff engineer.”

“Dave has a proven track record of demonstrating our goals of excellent reputation, profit, and growth through strong leadership, as well as expressing Pennoni’s core values of honesty, integrity, and service in all business dealings with both external and internal clients,” said Chuck Pennoni, in the recent press release announcing DeLizza’s appointment.

DeLizza has held various roles at Pennoni from Haddon Heights Office Director to New Jersey Regional Manager, Director of Strategic Growth and most recently Chief Operating Officer. Founded more than 50 years ago, Pennoni is an ENR Top 500 consulting engineering firm with 35 offices across the United States.

“When I worked out of the Absecon Office in New Jersey, working with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in Atlantic City, it was like an engineer’s dream. We had so many challenges.”

DeLizza eased into global business for Pennoni after accompanying then President of the WTCGP, Joanna Savvides to the World Trade Centers Association General Assembly in Barcelona Spain. Chuck Pennoni was one of the founders of the WTCGP and first Board Chairman. DeLizza also attended the General Assembly in Pescara Italy.

“I met Joanna in 2004 when we were looking at international opportunities,” says DeLizza. “Joanna helped us make some great connections.”

DeLizza credits the WTCGP for “doing all the leg work.” He attended several trade missions between 2007-2008 with Dino Ramos, then Director of Trade Services. “We went to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Panama. I learned so much watching Dino navigating his way in these countries. Dino was a wealth of knowledge and has so much international experience.”

DeLizza has been a Board Member of the WTCGP since 2014 and has served on the Advisory Council from 2010 through 2014. He has also helped lead the WTCGP International Design and Engineering Consortium (IDEC) since 2008.

As President of Pennoni, DeLizza plans to use Pennoni’s 5-year Strategic Plan as a guide for the company’s future.

“We are a 100% employee-owned company. I want to focus on the growth of the firm—both organic growth as well as M&A opportunities.”

DeLizza is grateful for his co-op opportunity at Pennoni, which helped fuel his long career with the firm.

His advice to recent college graduates, “Just get into the workforce and find something that you like to do. Get involved in organizations like the WTCGP where you can expand your network of contacts which will help you throughout your career.”

In his acceptance speech, DeLizza remarked, “I follow in the footsteps of Chuck Pennoni, Rick Piccoli and Tony Bartolomeo. To say I have some big shoes to fill would certainly be an understatement.”

While pointing at family photos, DeLizza wants me to know, “Pennoni is like my second family.”

World Trade Centers Day 2019 Recap Video…and that’s a wrap!

Posted on May 29, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

Who’s Who in the Greater Philadelphia Business Community Celebrated the 2019 World Trade Center Day Honorees

Posted on May 25, 2019 by Graziella DiNuzzo

By Graziella DiNuzzo

It poured for days before their biggest event of the year, but on May 15, the sun shined its light over historic Fairmount Waterworks in Philadelphia and the 2019 World Trade Centers Day honorees. The stage was set, videos cued, food and bar stations opened, and the WTCGP was ready to celebrate. See photos

Ian Bush, broadcaster, KYW 1060 Newsradio, opened the Award Program with his recollection of 9/11 and the significance of why each year the WTCGP pays homage to those individuals and organizations who define our mission. After introducing President Linda Conlin and Board Chairman Gary Biehn, the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble played Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want).” Conlin, laughing, reminded the over 250 people in attendance, that yes, it was their only fundraiser of the year and thanked all of the sponsors, especially title sponsor, Independence Blue Cross. Chairman Biehn reminded the audience of the work that the WTCGP does, including signing an MOU with Tianjin China, and how the dollars raised will help WTCGP increase global trade for the Greater Philadelphia region.

Family, friends and the who’s who of the Greater Philadelphia business community listened attentively as Ian Bush cued up each of the Tribute Videos. The jazz band played Michael Jackson’s “Got Me Working Day and Night” as Phenom People’s Keca Ward, Sr. Director Talent Acquisition and Mohan Gunti, VP Technical Operations were handed the award for the inaugural Drexel University Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship Award by Dean Donna DeCarolis. Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Business,” was the walk-up/down music for the family business, Sandmeyer Steel Company, who received the Member Company of the Year Award. On stage to accept the award for the almost 70-year-old company, were Ronald P. Sandmeyer, Jr., President and CEO, Rodney C. Sandmeyer, Executive Vice President, John M. Curley, III, Vice President International Sales and Global Marketing, and R. Paul Sandmeyer, III, Manager, National Inside Sales and Materials Procurement. Ronald Sandemeyer thanked the audience and gave a special shout to Walt D’Alessio who was instrumental in helping Sandmeyer secure funding for its facility in Northeast Philadelphia. Sandmeyer had never exported until they met with WTCGP in 2007.

Tony Rastelli, President and his son, Vice President, Anthony Rastelli accepted the Global Business Leadership Award following the music of Motown’s, “Get Ready.” With a majority of their exports to the Middle East, Rastelli spoke of his fearless determination to get high-quality food into the hands of the US military and people who appreciate his family’s commitment to quality.

Dan Hilferty, CEO Independence Health Group thanked the band for playing “Peter Gunn,” and set the tone for the evening’s grand finale by saying, “If we need an example to follow in doing more, I am here to honor the perfect role model. Walt D’Alessio is a mentor, a colleague, and a dear friend.”

The tribute video to founding WTCGP board member Walt D’Alessio, winner of the Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement, featured colleagues who reminisced on how D’Alessio’s 50 years of work and vision helped improve the infrastructure and neighborhoods of Philadelphia. D’Alessio, known to many for being humble and funny is revered for growing not only the city of Philadelphia but also executive careers.

Before inviting D’Alessio to the stage, Dan Hilferty, added, “Walt’s goal has always been to build something lasting that improves people’s lives. That’s the driving force behind his 17-year commitment to the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and probably a hundred other projects that those of us in this room have worked on with Walt.”

The audience rose to their feet for a standing ovation, while the band played “Theme from Superman.” As soon as D’Alessio made his way to the stage, he immediately redirected the attention from himself by saying it was his wife Barbara’s birthday, and the evening was her birthday party.