Paul Furiga, founder of WordWrite Communications LLC and a former editor of the Pittsburgh Business Times, earned the Accredited Business Communicator designation from the International Association of Business Communicators.
WordWrite Communications LLC is a full-service public relations firm providing crisis communications, employee communications, financial communications, media relations and writing and editorial services. WordWrite clients include GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Koppers Inc., Medrad and the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel.
Furiga, 45, is a former vice president of Ketchum public relations and a veteran of two decades in journalism, including stints in broadcasting, newspapers and magazines.
He serves on local boards including those of the CEO Forum of Pittsburgh, the Japan America Society of Pennsylvania and The Rivers Club.
“We bring global experience to the very personal challenge of creating a company’s great story, and then sharing it with everyone who needs to know it,” Furiga says.
The ABC designation, held by fewer than 10 percent of all business communicators, is awarded to established professional communicators after a rigorous process that includes a portfolio review and a written and oral examination covering ethics, development of a communication program and philosophy and knowledge of organizational communication. Professionals who earn the ABC have demonstrated their ability to successfully manage and perform those tasks deemed essential to effective organizational communication with internal and external audiences.
ECKERT SEAMANS
H. Eric Fischer joined the intellectual property practice of Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott. Fischer, who joins the firm as an associate, focuses on intellectual property matters related to chemistry and materials science. His technical expertise encompasses organometallic chemistry, materials chemistry and the chemistry of semi-conductor processing.
DKW LAW GROUP
Stanley T. Booker joined DKW Law Group as an associate in the Litigation Practice Group. Booker focuses his practice in general litigation matters. Timothy D. Gallagher joined the firm as an associate in the Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Finance and Securities Practice Group. His practice concentrates on general corporate matters.
THORP REED
Walter D. Enick joined Thorp Reed & Armstrong as a partner in its downtown Pittsburgh office. Enick serves as the Practice Group Leader of the firm’s Real Estate Group and as a member of the Financial Institutions & Real Estate Transactions Practice Group. Enick focuses his practice in the areas of real estate law, commercial and real estate finance, and corporate and business law. He was previously a shareholder with the Pittsburgh office of Tucker Arensberg.
BURT HILL RITTLEMANN & KOSAR
Burt Hill Kosar Rittlemann Associates Director John Kosar was elected to a two-year term on the Service Associate Member Advisory Council for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association. The council creates a direct communications link to the Pennsylvania School Boards Association staff and board. New council members are elected by other business members.
H.B. MAYNARD & CO. INC.
John Connors was promoted to vice president of H. B. Maynard and Co. Inc. Connors joined the company in 1990 and has served in several consulting, operations and business development roles. His responsibilities include a focus on business development in the manufacturing sector.
Jeff Peretin was promoted to vice president of H. B. Maynard and Co. Inc. Peretin joined the company in 1996 and has served in a variety of sales and business development roles. He has responsibility for business development in the retail sector.
MEYER, UNKOVIC & SCOTT
David R. High joined the downtown law firm of Meyer, Unkovic & Scott. High is a partner in the firm’s Business Transactions & Planning Group. His practice experience includes business law for public and private companies, including general corporate law, commercial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, securities, including Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, joint ventures and corporate compliance programs.
LLI ENGINEERING
Charles V. Urso of LLI Engineering Inc. was elevated to the grade of senior member of the Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers. Senior member is the highest professional grade for which application may be made. Approximately 7 percent of the 361,000 members have achieved this grade.
BURNS & SCALO
James Lewis joined Burns & Scalo Roofing Co. as residential field supervisor. He is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of all residential roofing projects and crews. Barry Swegal joined the company as residential division manager/business leader, responsible for sales and overall operations.
ST. BARNABAS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Allyson Sveda was named director of planned giving for St. Barnabas Charitable Foundation. Her key responsibility is to identify and educate prospective donors about planned giving opportunities and encourage them to donate to the foundation.
BERNSTEIN LAW FIRM
Robert Bernstein, managing partner of the Bernstein Law Firm, was named president-elect of the American Board of Certification, an American Bar Association-approved certifier of bankruptcy and creditors’ rights lawyers.
