PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

		Profile of the Week Melody Miller • Job: Director of finance and operations, Arthritis Foundation, Western Pennsylvania Chapter • Age: 23 • Ambitions: To always serve others. • First job: Communications coordinator, Health Care for the Homeless. • Hardest job/why?: Graduate school, because it has taught me I have so much to learn. • Biggest work challenge ever: Holding my first fund raiser. • Favorite stock/mutual fund: Those worth the most money. • Away from work I: Support the local economy. • Dream vacation: Jacksonville, Fla., in February to watch the Steelers win the Super Bowl. • Favorite book: "No Greater Love" by Mother Teresa • If I won the Lottery, I'd: Support Incarnation Academy, the finest elementary school I know of; and I'd work with local homeless providers to educate the public to the alarming homeless statistics in our city and our country. In Allegheny County alone, more than 2,100 men, women and children are homeless every night, and the number of homeless families continues to rise.

Accounting

KPMG said Demetrios D. Mahramas, based in KPMG's New York City office, was admitted into the partnership.

Schneider Downs hired these employees: Marc Brdar, internal audit senior accountant; Kevin Carlson, Lauren Craig, Cecilia M. Frerotte, Robert L. Gerstenberger, Douglas J. Morally, Eric W. McLaughlin, Amy L. Ruzinok, Kari L. Sievers, all audit staff accountants; Jennifer A. Caivano, internal audit manager; James Carroll, audit in-charge accountant; Adam Jurison, tax in-charge accountant; Sonya C. Kanidis, tax assistant; Elizabeth Ley, tax senior; Samuel A. McKinley, tax staff accountant; Misty Parshall, audit senior; Michael D. Rost, financial analyst; Andrew M. Gracan, regional manager, business development; Frank Dezort III and Robert M. Whalen, managers; and Amy A. Smith, technology implementation specialist.

Associations/Organizations

Matthew H. Smith, associate, Babst Calland Clements & Zomnir, was named to the Allegheny County personnel board.

Banking, Finance

Credit Management Co. hired Melissa Zurich as marketing director.

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh elected four members to its board. New directors: David M. Applegate, chairman, GMAC Bank, and president/CEO, GMAC Residential, and Gerard M. Thomchick, senior executive vice president and COO of First Commonwealth Financial Corp. Returning directors: Marvin N. Schoenhals, chairman of the FHLBank's board, and H. Charles Maddy III, president/CEO, Summit Financial Group Inc.

Education

Terry O'Rourke was named associate director for marketing at Duquesne University.

Investments

Ronald W. Yost joined H.L. Zeve Associates, Investment Counselors, as vice president.

The Fragasso Group Inc. promoted Christine Robinette and Brian Robinette to vice presidents of investments.

Law

Kevin M. Gormly joined the litigation department of Fox Rothschild's Pittsburgh office. He focuses on commercial and civil litigation matters.

Buchanan Ingersoll shareholders Jeffrey S. Blum and Brian J. Clark were named to the transition team of attorney general-elect Tom Corbett, who will be sworn into office Jan. 18. Volunteer members of the transition team focus on the criminal law division, public protection division, civil law division and management services. Blum practices with the tax section; Clark heads the environmental practice group in Harrisburg and is a member of the real estate and financial services sections.

Marketing

Thomas W. Crowley joined Brady Communications as chief operating officer.

The Pipitone Group hired Brian Lowe as interactive senior developer, marketing technologies department, and promoted Elizabeth Taylor to graphic designer.

Nonprofit

The Children's Institute appointed Maureen Mahoney director of development and marketing.

New Business/ New Offices

Roland C. Gargani started a tax and consulting practice in Shadyside. He specializes in the international individual tax and consulting services. He is a certified public accountant with degrees from Duquesne and Robert Morris universities.

Business Notes

Herbein + Co. Inc. named two of its local shareholders to the firm's new executive committee. Christopher L. Korbich will serve as operating officer/assistant secretary in charge of Western Pennsylvania operations. Joel S. Kunkel will serve at-large on the committee, which has operational oversight for all firm activities.

L.J. Melody & Co., the real estate banking arm of CB Richard Ellis, has arranged financing of $14.8 million for construction of an office property, the RAND Corp. building, Oakland. It is expected to open in January 2006 and be a midrise with a net 107,000 square feet-plus of Class "A" office space. Principal Real Estate Investors LLC provided construction/permanent financing on behalf of Fifth and Craig Street LP. Jim Starman, managing director, L.J. Melody & Co.'s Pittsburgh office, arranged the financing.

Pittsburgh CareerLink is seeking 20 candidates to participate in a no-cost Computer Specialist Training Program. The User Support Certificate provides technical knowledge for employment opportunities involved with user support, help desk specialist, applications support, PC support and training. Two grants awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor to the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board have made it possible for Pittsburgh/Allegheny County CareerLink to offer the Computer Support Specialist Training Program. For information and applications call 866-317-JOBS(5627).

BUSINESS NEWS Dividends

Mylan Laboratories Inc. declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of 3 cents per share, payable Jan. 14 to shareholders of record Dec. 31.

Ampco-Pittsburgh Corp. declared a regular quarterly dividend of 10 cents per share on its common stock, payable Jan. 31 to shareholders of record Jan. 14.

Community Bank declared a dividend of 20 cents per share, payable Dec. 21 to shareholders of record Dec. 9.

Emclaire Financial Corp. declared a quarterly cash dividend of 25 cents per share, payable Dec. 17 to shareholders of record Dec. 1.

United Community Financial Corp. declared a fourth-quarter dividend of 7.5 cents per share, payable Dec. 15 to shareholders of record Nov. 30.

Marketing Alliance Inc. declared a quarterly cash dividend of 12 cents per share, payable Jan. 31 to shareholders of record Dec. 15.

North Pittsburgh Systems Inc. declared a common stock quarterly dividend of 18 cents per share, payable Jan. 18 to shareholders of record Jan. 3.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. declared a quarterly cash dividend of 6 cents per share, payable Jan. 7 to stockholders of record Dec. 23.

Bankruptcies

Baker Equipment for Athletics & Recreation Inc. a k a B.E.A.R. of Pennsylvania Inc., 5960 William Flynn Highway, Bakerstown. Chapter 11.

Sunlark Hospitality Group Inc., 130 Heaven Lane, Mars. Chapter 11.

Juniata Fabricators Inc. R.T., 350 North Bald Eagle, Tyrone. Chapter 11.

Penultimate Properties Corp., 1510 Dark Shade Drive, Windber. Chapter 7.

Ideal Contractors & Developers Inc., 7425 Washington St., Pittsburgh. Chapter 7.

Grants/loans

Tickets for Kids Foundation has been awarded a $1,500 grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to include hundreds of underprivileged children and families in the annual holiday performance of Black Nativity.

South Park Theatre received a $750 grant from PA Partners in the Arts for public relations in its upcoming season. PA Partners in the Arts is a program of the PA Council on the Arts, a state agency. South Park Theatre will begin its 11th season in May.

Junior Achievement of Southwest Pennsylvania received a $15,000 grant from the MetLife Foundation to support Junior Achievement's after-school partnership with YouthPlaces. YouthPlaces is a nonprofit organization that provides at-risk youth with safe places to play and learn life skills.

Awards/Honors

Markos Tambakeras, chairman, president and chief executive officer, Kennametal Inc., was named 2004 Industrialist of the Year by the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Society of Industrial Office Realtors. He was recognized for his leadership in transforming Kennametal into a global competitor and was honored for his various contributions to the local community.

Grogan Graffam said John G. Brosky, retired Superior Court judge and of counsel to the firm, received the Distinguished Alumni Award from University of Pittsburgh School of Law at its annual dinner.

Carrie Coghill, president, D.B. Root & Co., was named a Winner's Circle Advisor. She has been ranked one of the top 40 female advisers in America and was showcased in the August 2004 edition of Research Magazine.

Ray Huber, recently retired vice president of retail human resources at Giant Eagle Inc., was awarded the Declaration of Independence Award and the Israel Peace Medal by Israel and State of Israel Bonds. He was recognized for his support and dedication to Israel's continuing effort to build a strong economy and secure lasting peace. The award has a reproduction of the Declaration of Independence of the State of Israel and the Israel Peace Medal hung on a ribbon, framed side by side.

Kozy Rest Kampground, www.kozyrestkampground.com, was recognized as having the best Web site in the state at the Pennsylvania Campground Owners Association Meeting. Kozy Rest Kampground is near Route 8 in Harrisville.

The Arthritis Foundation Western Pennsylvania Chapter recognized Charles Cost, chief executive officer, Cost Co., as the 2004 Arthritis Foundation Testimonial Dinner honoree. He was recognized for this honor on Nov. 17, during the 22nd Annual Testimonial Dinner, which raised more than $190,000 to benefit the Arthritis Foundation.

Louis P. Stanasolovich, CEO/president/founder, Legend Financial Advisors Inc., was selected by Robb Report Worth magazine in its October 2004 issue as one of "The Nation's 100 Most Exclusive Wealth Advisors."

Junior Achievement of Southwest PA Inc. was awarded the organization's Platinum Summit Award and Peak Performance Team Award. JA of Southwest PA was recently recognized for these accomplishments at the Junior Achievement Eastern Regional Training held in Wilmington, Del.

The American Dietetic Association recently named Giant Eagle Food and Nutrition Advisor Judy Dodd one of eight national recipients of its 2004 Medallion Award. She won the annual award for her 30-year commitment to the field of nutrition education.

David Hoffmann, financial adviser, D.B. Root & Co., was featured in the Nov. 22 edition of Investment News. He discussed the benefits of the new wealth management program, soon to be offered by Commonwealth Financial Network.

Fitting Group was chosen to showcase two pieces of its work in The Creativity Annual. Both the "Brand Spanking Billboard" and the "Brand Spanking Campaign 3" will appear in the 34th edition, to be distributed next summer.

Jendoco Construction received the 2004 Master Builders' Association Building Excellence Award for CORO -- Center for Civic Leadership in the Design Build category. The project was a pilot project for the LEED CI Green Building Rating System Program -- CI means commercial interiors.

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 and requires experience reflecting professional maturity.

The Tommy Maddox Foundation has bestowed its prestigious "Company That Cares" Award to Fox Rothschild LLP. Edward J. Kabala, the firm's Pittsburgh office managing partner, accepted the award at the foundation's fund-raising gala dinner at Heinz Field. The foundation was launched in 2003 by Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox and his wife Jennifer to help disadvantaged children through mentoring, camping and other activities that serve as a leadership example.

Robert Kimball & Associates, Architects and Engineers, was named as one of the Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania. Kimball was ranked number 40 among large size companies (more than 250 employees). The awards program is a partnership between the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Team Pennsylvania Foundation, Kuntz Lesher LLP, Central Penn Business Journal and Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Christopher T. Lee, shareholder, Dickie McCamey & Chilcote, received the "Attorney of the Year" award at the McDonald's Annual Claims and Litigation Workshop. Lee is co-chair of the food and beverage industry practice group; he concentrates on food and beverage liability.

Michael D. McDowell, attorney, arbitrator and mediator with offices in Pittsburgh, has qualified as an arbitrator for the National Securities Dealers Association Dispute Resolution Roster of Neutrals.

Jim Urso, senior help center analyst with Giant Eagle, was named the 2004 Pittsburgh Service & Support Professionals Help Desk Analyst of the Year.

The Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation will honor James E. Rohr, chairman and chief executive officer, PNC Financial Services Group, for his leadership and the firm's continuing commitment to help area children at JDRF's Thirteenth Annual Rainbow Gala, April 16, Hilton Pittsburgh, Downtown.

Making a Difference/Doing Good

Merrill Lynch recently made donations to five organizations serving the people of Western Pennsylvania; The Central Pennsylvania Autism Education and Resource Center, The Community Foundation of Greene County, The Greater Erie Action Committee, Junior Achievement of Southwestern PA and the Scholastic Opportunity Scholarship Fund. To celebrate these gifts Mike McClain, director, Merrill Lynch, Western PA Complex, hosted a luncheon at the Duquesne Club. Three of the five organizations were represented as well as all eight of the Merrill Lynch offices in Western Pennsylvania.

American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. said more than $790,000 in donations was raised by its customers through the company's Great Gifts charity program, which aimed to promote teen volunteerism in action rather than words. From Oct. 27-Nov. 16 teenagers and young adults throughout the United States and Canada joined its employees by donating a dollar or volunteering their time to support Jumpstart, YMCA National Safe Place, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada. Its associates also volunteered thousands of hours of community service and collected hundreds of books and personal care items in support of the Great Gifts program.

Let us know ...

Dateline Pittsburgh appears every Wednesday. To propose an item, send information to Natalie Hill, Dateline Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh 15222, fax to 412-263-0908 or e-mail to nhill@post-gazette.com. Photos submitted for the print edition version of this column may be sent via e-mail in JPEG format, 170 DPI, to photos@post-gazette.com. Photo size should be an 8- by 10-inch or 4- by 5-inch head shot at 170 dpi.