Pizatella Named President
and CEO of Morgantown
Area Chamber of Commerce
West Virginia Women Work Launches Tuition
Free Training Program in Huntington
Jason
Pizatella
The Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce board of directors has announced that Jason
Pizatella has been named the organization’s new president and
CEO. Pizatella succeeds Dan
Kimble and most recently served
as Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’s
liaison to the state Legislature,
deputy chief of staff and cabinet
secretary of the Department of Administration.
“Jason certainly has the experience necessary to serve as
the chamber’s next president and, more importantly, possesses
the vision and foresight needed to help lead our organization
during a period of dynamic growth,” says Kelly Kimble, chair
of the chamber’s board. “On behalf of the entire board, we are
excited to welcome him back to the Morgantown community.”
A lifelong West Virginian and native of Fairmont, Pizatella
graduated from West Virginia University and th e West Virginia
University College of Law. Before serving in state government,
he practiced law in Charleston where he represented clients in
an array of corporate and business law matters.
“I am honored and humbled to serve as the next president
of the Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce,” says Pizatella. “The chamber is a strong advocate for businesses, and I
look forward to serving as the voice of that effort.”
West Virginia Women Work (WVWW), a nonprofit with a
history of helping women become financially secure, has opened
its newest program in Huntington. The Step Up for Women
Advanced Manufacturing Pre-Apprenticeship is a 10-week
course that trains women in high-tech manufacturing. Through
a sub-grant of the Robert C. Byrd Institute’s (RCBI) Apprenticeship Works initiative, WVWW will graduate at least 40
women over the next two years. The first class began on June
6, and the next class begins in January.
WVWW also addresses the chronic unemployment and
wage gap rampant among local women. “Single mothers still
make less than single fathers, partially because women often
work in low-paying jobs with little room for advancement,”
explains Kristina Szczyrbak, deputy director of WVWW. “We
train women for high-skill, high-wage careers without sending
them into debt, and we stick with graduates until they actually
find work.”
WVWW is seeking partnerships with manufacturers for
tours, job shadowing and guest speakers. “Our students want to
know more about manufacturing shops,” says Melinda Perron,
program coordinator. “They need role models to show them
what they’re capable of. It’s also a great way for companies to
get the best students interested in them.”
Step Up focuses on high-tech manufacturing, such as computer-numerical control machining and robotics. Students will
complete a hands-on course taught by RCBI instructor Dan
Pancake, an online manufacturing boot camp and a resource
Herd fans, are you ready to take
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www.wvexecutive.com
summer 2016
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