New Business/New Offices

GSP Consulting, a lobbyist and consulting firm, announced the opening of an office in Innovation Park in State College. The office will be led by Shawn Good of GSP's Harrisburg office.

Soffer Organization announced the opening of Roberta Weissburg Leathers at 527 South 27th St., South Side.

Contracts

The Pipitone Group was awarded a contract from the Western Pennsylvania Community College Resource Consortium, with support from the Butler County Community College Educational Foundation and the Heinz Endowments, to develop a regional online career portal. The Web site will provide all regional career counselors and community college students, as well as alumni, with career resources, information and assessments to help guide career choices.

Keystone Therapeutics Inc. has signed agreements with the Alle-Kiski Medical Center of Natrona Heights and with Heart Specialist of Lancaster to provide its Coumadin clinics with DoseResponse anticoagulation management software. Keystone Therapeutics will provide its HIPAA compliant Web-based software in addition to training and technical support.

Jack Horner Communications Inc. announced that it has recently added a number of new clients to its growing roster. It has been selected as agency of record for Hunter Truck Sales & Service Inc., based in Butler, with 12 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The agency will work with the certified Peterbilt and International Truck sales, leasing and service company in the development of a brand identity, including new marketing collateral and relaunching the company's Web site, as well as assisting with its public relations and other communications. Separately, Matthews International is working with JHC to develop a public relations program around the launch of a bronze manufacturing process which Matthews has recently debuted in its memorial and architectural divisions. The Company Corp. (TCC), based in Wilmington, Del., has hired JHC to provide design, marketing and fulfillment of a new incentive referral program for CPAs and accountants. The Company Corp. has helped people incorporate their businesses for more than a century. JHC also has been hired by the Pace School, based in Churchill. JHC will assist Pace in redesigning its marketing materials and its Web site, and will provide assistance with media relations.

Awards/Honors

Gateway Health Plan was ranked No. 15 among all Medicaid health plans, according to U.S. News & World Report/NCQA America's Best Health Plans 2005.

Rebecca Elstner, president of Elstner Construction Co. Inc., was presented with the 2005 Business Woman of the Year Award from the U. S. Small Business Administration and the 2005 8(a) Most Improved Business of the Year Award from the Minority Business Opportunity Committee.

Ripple Effects Interactive received top honors in Online Media -- Branding at the second annual Creative Media Awards in New York City. The agency was recognized for the innovative media campaign it developed for the Pennsylvania Tourism Office.

Doug Wolf, vice president of consulting at Select International, received the "Mentor of the Year" award for his work with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western Pennsylvania. Wolf has been involved with the organization for more than 10 years.

GetGo from Giant Eagle, the Pittsburgh-based convenience store retailer, has received a 2005 Excellence In Food Protection Award from the Allegheny County Food Advisory Board. The fourteenth annual awards recognizes continuing commitment in food safety and sanitation in a food facility. The 4,500 square foot GetGo, located at 1001 Lebanon and Noble Road in West Mifflin, was selected by the Food Advisory Board for the award.

MSA said its new emergency escape respirator, which provides protection against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents, is the first device of its type to win certification from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Making a Difference/Doing Good

Alpern Rosenthal embarked on a fund drive to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Including an employer match, Alpern Rosenthal raised approximately $6,000 in the month of September to be donated to the American Red Cross. The drive was initially started by accountants at the firm and quickly transformed into a companywide effort with donations coming from staff to shareholders.