Chester Engineers, which provides water and wastewater and environmental solutions, has purchased several business units, including Maryland-based VIEW Engineering, from N.A. Water Systems, a part of Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies. With a staff of 300 engineers, scientists and other professionals, Chester is the largest African-American owned firm of its kind in the United States with offices throughout the country and operations in strategic international markets.

Stonewood Capital Management Inc. and Stonewood Capital's co-investment fund SBC Equity Partners LP purchased the assets of Midwest Tank Services Inc. and Tank Services Co., each of Canton, Ohio. The companies provide in-shop blasting, coating, corrosion control and related services to OEMs of large capital equipment and field excavating, blasting, coating and corrosion control services to pipelines, utilities and other industrial customers from the upper Midwest through the Southeast. The asset purchases were made by a newly formed affiliate of Stonewood Capital and SBC Equity Partners, which will do business as Tank Services Co.

Eaton Corp. said its Electrical Group had signed an agreement formalizing participation in the U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Partnership for Youth Success (PaYS) program. The program was developed to help the Army attract, train and deploy talented young people who aim to secure their future professional and career success. Eaton will consider appropriately qualified soldiers for employment once their Army service is complete.

The U. S. Small Business Administration (Pittsburgh District Office) awarded Shelley Fant Uku, president of FCG Solutions Inc., the "2008 Minority Small Business Person of the Year" award at the SBA's annual Medweek celebration. The award recognizes Ms. Fant Uku's outstanding business performance and commitment to excellence as an entrepreneur. Founded in 2000 and based Downtown, FCG Solutions provides professional, administrative and technical contract personnel to federal government agencies and corporations in the northeastern region of the United States.

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is the recipient of the 2008 Evergreen Award presented by eco-structure Magazine. The award recognizes the Tropical Forest Conservatory for its unconventional design and unique innovations that make it the most energy-efficient conservatory in the world. Phipps received first place in the "ecommercial" category of the Evergreen Awards.

Michael L. Magulick, senior partner of Wayman Irvin & McAuley, was selected by his peers to be listed in the 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers In America. He is a trial lawyer specializing in professional liability litigation with emphasis on defending lawyers, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and other health care professionals.

The Allegheny County Bar Association received a 2008 Luminary Award from the National Association of Bar Executives for an illustrated children's book, "That's No Joke." The book teaches children not to make fun of others.

Gateway Rehabilitation Center's Community Corrections program in Braddock was recently reaccredited by the American Correctional Association and received a perfect score on both mandatory and nonmandatory performance based standards for residential services.

Two Thomson Rhodes & Cowie attorneys were named in the 2008 Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition. They are Richard E. Rush for civil litigation and Jerry R. Hogenmiller for employment and labor.

David J. Dietrich, vice president at the Family Business Center at NexTier, received his Certificate in Family Business Advising from the Family Firm Institute. Earning the certificate is the culmination of a two-year classroom and mentoring educational program.