All Business Podcast

In this episode we welcome Dr. Saba Khan, Director of CHOP food Pharmacies and Chris Brand, Director, Communications and Social Impact at The GIANT Company. Recently, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) announced the expansion of its Healthy Weight Food Pharmacy to a second location in West Philadelphia. The expansion was made possible by a longstanding partners at the GIANT Company. The aim of the new location is to increase food access to more patient families, while also providing ongoing support to identify and address broader social determinants of health. The new Food Pharmacy 2.0 is a part of CHOP’s Healthier Together Initiative. Launched in 2019, Healthier Together focuses on some of the most pressing health and economic needs in neighborhoods surrounding the hospital’s campus.

In this episode we welcome Erin Harrell, Director of Oncology Sales for Kroger Specialty Pharmacy. Kroger Specialty Pharmacy is the nation’s largest independent specialty pharmacy. It services primarily oncology, auto immune, pulmonology physicians and cystic fibrosis centers in all 50 states and PR. KSP has Centers of Excellence for each disease states it services across the 10 stateside locations. KSP is dedicated to serving patients with chronic illnesses requiring complex care. They optimize patient outcomes by blending a high-touch, caring patient experience with specialized clinical knowledge, personalized total life care programs and administrative expertise. Erin has over 18 years of medical sales experience. Of this, 14 years have been in the specialty pharmacy segment. Throughout this time, she has sold in neurology, infectious disease, organ transplant, cardiology, hepatology, gastroenterology, pulmonology, dermatology, and rheumatology but focus primarily on oncology. She's been in sales manag

We're pleased to welcome Jen Strobel, Vice President of Human Resources for Flagger Force, to the PA Chamber's All Business Podcast. Flagger Force is an industry leader in temporary traffic control and construction work zone safety throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. Throughout her career at Flagger Force, she has developed innovative programs to cultivate leaders, foster collaboration and provide opportunities for growth including the creation and co-sponsorship of the Workforce Development Program at Flagger Force. She is an advocate for providing career opportunities to people with diverse backgrounds. Jen has been recognized numerous times throughout her career with several awards including the Athena Award from the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce, the 'Woman of the Year' Award from the Association of Builders and Contractors, Central Penn Business Journal 'Forty Under 40' Award and the Millersville University Outstanding Service Award.

We're pleased to welcome Brian Tedeschi, President of Think Communications, Inc. to the re-launch of the PA Chamber's All Business Podcast. Brian is a 30-year public relations, advertising and product launch veteran – bringing strategic communications expertise to bear for leading healthcare, consumer and specialty brands, including Penn State University, Pittsburgh Business Group on Health, Philips Respironics, Calgon Carbon, Hyde Marine, Sheetz, Eat’n Park Hospitality Group, Primanti Bros., Rite Aid Corp., Matthews International, Columbia Gas and Equitable Resources, among others. Prior to launching Think Communications in 1998, he served as national marketing director for the Iron & Steel Institute/Steel Recycling Institute, where he helped lead communication initiatives for the automotive, appliance, steel construction framing and specialty markets. He also previously served at Burson-Marsteller, one of the world’s largest public relations agencies and SBC Advertising in Columbus, Ohio. Brian serves

On last month’s All Business podcast, we sat down with Harrisburg University and discussed their work with STEM curriculum in the high school and how HU is bringing that exposure to students through dual enrollment, early college programs and summer exploration camps. This month is PART 2 of our Harrisburg University interview where we take a look at women in STEM. With over 70 percent of jobs today requiring STEM skills, only 24 percent of the STEM workforce is made up of women who comprise about half of the entire workforce. But Harrisburg University is changing that and has created a network specifically devoted to women professionals in STEM and the development of professional women in science and technology— preparing women with real-world strategies and relationships that support development and advancement personally and within their careers. Listen in to Bili Mattes and Rubina Azizden from HU and hear the dynamic impact the university is making!

Kids who like to fix things, make things, or understand how things work by taking them apart are getting the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild while earning college credits through Harrisburg University’s innovative programs. Harrisburg University is opening the doors to middle school and high school students to unleash their passion for science and technology and channel their drive for knowledge and a career that will have an impact in a constantly changing world. The All Business podcast welcomes Ryan Korn, Director of Secondary Services, Programs and Partnerships with the University to talk about how they are helping early learners unleash their STEM talents.

Listen in to this month’s All Business podcast to meet Myra Brown, CEO and Owner of NWON – National Workforce Opportunity Network. You’ll hear how they are providing not only job readiness skills but career preparedness to help businesses get the right candidates to meet the staffing needs and build a skilled workforce.

With the increased need for employees for open positions at companies across the Commonwealth, learn how one Pennsylvania staffing company is connecting outstanding employees with the best companies in the area! Listen in to this month’s All Business podcast to hear from Jim Carchidi, Chief Executive Officer of JFC Staffing Companies who is not only building a great workforce for companies here in Central PA, but is a leader at building his own employee fan-club through innovative ways to motivate and encourage employees at JFC!

What started as a DJ business in high school and has grown into a full-service entertainment service company, Klock Entertainment is a true entrepreneurial success story. Listen in to this month’s All Business podcast and meet Jason Klock, founder and President of Klock Entertainment, as he takes us on his journey of success, shares his vision, and explains how he grew his business into this award winning, fast-growing company today!

As the health insurance renewal time is upon us, we invite you to meet PA Chamber Insurance’s new Chief Operating Officer, Brian Orsinger. Listen in to this month’s All Business podcast to get his insights on where health insurance for businesses is going and his vision for PA Chamber Insurance’s continued and growing success.

As employers are looking to fill in-demand positions for their organizations, one pool of potential employees that have skills and are looking for opportunity are re-entry candidates. Listen in to this month’s All Business podcast and learn how the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections is working to build sustainable, employer-driven career pathways that prepare inmates with in-demand skills while incarcerated, and that connect those individuals to jobs, support services, and ongoing education upon release.

Highmark Inc. is universally recognized as one of the leaders in healthcare. But their contributions go well beyond providing healthcare benefits – listen in to this month’s All Business podcast and learn how they make a significant financial, community and sustainability footprint here in the Commonwealth, and the partnership approach they take to address the varied needs of our communities!

This month’s All Business podcast takes us to Happy Valley, State College, PA where we discuss the business of hospitality with Hospitality Asset Management Company – known as HAMCO for short. Listen and learn how HAMCO has built and continues to expand its property base and how their commitment to quality, their employees and decades of experience awarded them the Choice Hotels prestigious Premier Hotelier Award!

This month’s All Business podcast takes us back to school where we are talking to Dr. Ruth Patterson at Olney Charter High School in Philadelphia about their JAG program—Job’s for America’s Graduates. Listen in and learn how this program is teaching students employability skills and increases their workforce opportunities, all while reducing poverty and unemployment.

This month’s All Business podcast welcomes Stacy Kyle, Director of Business Development and Partnerships from member organization AHEDD. With so many jobs available across the state, one company is making a difference in filling those employment opportunities and helping Pennsylvanian’s with disabilities. Listen in to hear how AHEDD is serving youth in transition from school-to-work, and adults who are looking for employment in the community.

The first All Business podcast of the year features Jim Rodgers, Chief Strategic Officer from member company Dawood Engineering. Listen and learn how Dawood has grown over the past twenty years and their important contributions to Pennsylvania’s economic landscape! From designing, overseeing and coordinating projects varying in size such as single well-pad sites, to major highway reconstruction projects, to community wide land use planning and design—learn about their exciting new ventures and how they continue to grow not only here, but across the country.

This edition of the All Business podcast features Allison Davenport, CEO, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan. Listen in to learn how UnitedHealthcare is creating a future health workforce that meets a community’s diverse and distinct health care needs and grooming the next generation of health care talent in Pennsylvania through their Diverse Scholars Initiative.

Keystone Canna Remedies is the first medical marijuana facility to open in Pennsylvania, establishing its residency in Bethlehem, PA. The All Business podcast welcomes Victor Guadagnino Jr., Chief Business Development Officer for Keystone Canna Remedies to explain how this family-owned facility has become one of Pennsylvania’s premier medicinal marijuana dispensaries, the myths and facts surrounding medicinal marijuana, and how it is changing the landscape of traditional patient care and improving quality of life for their patients.

How do companies recruit the future workforce they need that have the skills they want? It’s a critical area for businesses across the Commonwealth. The Challenge Program, Inc., based in Johnstown, PA plays a crucial role in developing Business/Education partnerships while introducing students to careers in their communities and building the necessary employability skills. The All Business podcast welcomes Barbara Grandinetti, President of The Challenge Program, Inc., and Myra Bernhart, Workforce Development Manager of The Challenge Program, Inc., to tell their story, how they are changing the face of workforce and introducing students to jobs that exist in their communities – and introducing businesses to their future employees!

The All Business podcast welcomes Dr. Maurice Flurie, CEO of Commonwealth Charter Academy. Tune in to hear how this unique educational institution is changing the landscape of traditional learning. You’ll hear about their focus on filling workforce needs and their students’ future success. Commonwealth Charter Academy not only concentrates on fostering each students’ achievement, but also on the family – offering support and services so the family is integral to the learning environment!