The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce selected Dorrit J. Bern as the recipient of the 2006 Paradigm Award, the region’s most prestigious award for businesswomen.
Bern is CEO of Charming Shoppes Inc., which employs 30,000 associates and owns 2,300 stores and 13 catalogs. The company is the country’s third-largest specialty retailer with annual revenue of nearly $3 billion. Bern is one of only 19 female CEOs among all Fortune 1,000 companies.
“This is a proud moment for us. With our roots in Philadelphia, we’re a growing local company with global efforts now being recognized by our own Philadelphia business community,” says Bern.
Bern has a strong commitment to community service. Through her “Speaking Woman to Woman” initiative, she addresses issues facing women, such as domestic abuse. Through this connection, Bern recognized the need for plus-size women to see positive images of themselves, so she launched Figure magazine in 2004.
“Dorrit Bern is a positive force in the Greater Philadelphia region,” says Mark S. Schweiker, president and CEO of the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. “She has incredible business savvy and also sets a fine example of how business leaders should give back to the community. Greater Philadelphia is a better place because of Dorrit Bern, and we are proud that she is the recipient of the … 2006 Paradigm Award.”
Bern will receive a $50,000 charitable gift, provided by support from Devereux, which she will allocate to organizations that benefit women’s issues. She will also hold a seat on the chamber’s board of directors for one year and will receive her award at a luncheon in March.
INTRACORP
Intracorp appointed Margaret Alakson vice president of case management operations.
She previously worked as senior executive leader of Medinsights. Her experience includes management and sales roles with Managed Comp, and Crawford and Co. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from the University of Nebraska and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from West Texas State University.
Intracorp is a wholly owned subsidiary of CIGNA Corp.
I-TRAX INC.
Raymond J. Fabius, president and chief medical officer of I-trax Inc., was elected to the board of directors of the American College of Physician Executives (ACPE) for a three-year term.
He has been an active member of the ACPE since 1987 and was recently named a Distinguished Fellow of the college. Fabius earned his medical degree from the Medical College at Hahnemann University (now Drexel University) and completed his pediatric residency training at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.
STONEBRIDGE BANK
Stonebridge Bank appointed Ann Duke director of retail services and marketing.
She takes this position in addition to working as vice president of compliance and legal counsel. She was a founding director of the bank before she joined as a full-time employee.
4R SYSTEMS INC.
4R Systems Inc. appointed John Nives senior vice president of sales and service.
Nives brings more than 25 years of experience in technology sales, marketing and business management to his role at 4R. Prior to joining the company, he worked as vice president and general manager of Marketing Technology Solutions. He has also held executive positions with VNU/Nielsen Marketing and Media Research. He began his career in management science at Kraft General Foods.
He earned an MBA in finance and computer science from Pace University and a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering from State University of New York at Buffalo.
ADMARK NETWORK INC.
Admark Network Inc. hired Chris Mesigian as director of business development and sponsorship. He is responsible for attracting new clients and coordinating new programs and projects for Admark’s existing portfolio.
Mesigian earned a bachelor of science degree in graphic communications from Clemson University. At Clemson, he was a member of the Clemson University Rowing Association. He worked as the rowing sales manager for Nielsen-Kellerman Rowing Electronics from 2000 to 2005
BLANK ROME LLP
Lawrence J. Beaser received the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Wachovia Fidelity Award. Beaser is a partner with Blank Rome LLP.
The award is presented annually to someone who helped improve the administration of justice and has exhibited faithfulness to the profession.
Beaser served as chancellor of the association in 1994 and now serves the board of governors as counsel.
AMERICAN READING CO.
American Reading Co. hired Holly De Leon as executive vice president of sales.
She comes to the company after working as an independent sales consultant. Prior to that, she was vice president of sales for LeapFrog SchoolHouse. She has also worked as vice president of sales and teaching innovations and was the founder of Mid-Citsie Speech and Hearing Clinic in Fort Worth, Texas, where she practiced for 15 years.
De Leon earned her bachelor and master of science degrees in speech and language pathology from the University of North Texas.
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