Welcome to our Top 100 Organizations of 2010 annual issue.

For 20 years, Pennsylvania Business Central has recognized 100 organizations – from the largest businesses in the region to much smaller non-profts – that enjoyed an extraordinary year, achieved record performance or received awards.

Once again this year, Pennsylvania Business Central received more nomination from our 16-county region than we have previously.

With more than 55,000 organizations in the region, winnowing the list down to just a top 100 is never an easy process. We receive multiple suggestions and nominations from our friends at the chambers of commerce, economic development organizations and other leaders in the business community.

In addition, we scour our pages to unearth and record organizations that have received awards or that were recognized in one way or another during the past year.

Much like last year’s list, the 2010 Top 100 Organizations list includes many of the top places to work in Pennsylvani, as well as shining stars that have performed well enough to garner recognition in publications such as Inc. and Forbes.

Our list also includes solo entrepreneurs who displayed the foresight and courage to take a risk and create an organization that positively impacted the area in the region in which it operates.

With so many potential candidates and so many worthy entities, it is truly impossible to recognize every deserving organization. If we overlooked a deserving company, a far-reaching non-profit or a rising small business, please let us know. We’ll keep an eye on them over the next year and consider including them on our next list.

Each year we strive to offer a list that reflects the breadth and depth of the diverse collection of enterprises that we’re lucky to share the region with.

It is with these thoughts in mind that we proudly present Pennsylvania Business Central’s Top 100 Organizations of 2010.

To read the full profiles of our Top 100 Organizations, pick up the latest copy of Pennsylvania Business Central.

Here’s our list:

• 1st Summit Bank
• Altoona Regional Health System
• American Eagle Paper Mills
• AmeriServ Financial
• Bad Boyz Bistro
• Blair Companies
• Blair County Chamber of Commerce
• Bonney Forge
• Bucknell University
• Cambria-Rowe Business College
• Captive-Aire Systems, Inc.
• CATV Service Inc.
• Community Partnerships RC & D
• Concurrent Technologies Corporation
• Conemaugh Health System
• Contrast Communication LLC
• Crown American Hotels
• Diamond Pharmacy Services
• Downtown Lewistown Inc.
• DuBois Regional Medical Center
• Early Care and Education Community Engagement Team, Union-Snyder
• Elliot Group
• Eureka Resources LLC
• Evangelical Community Hospital
• Excela Health
• Fame EMS
• First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
• First National Bank of Pennsylvania
• First Quality Baby Products LLC
• Fit for Play Physical Therapy and Fitness Center
• Geisinger Health System
• General Cable
• Glenn O. Hawbaker, Inc.
• Graham Insurance Group
• HC Hoodco Corporation
• Health and Science Lab at the Penn State Learning Center
• Hite Company
• Home Nursing Agency
• Homewood at Spring House Estates
• Hoss’s Steak and Sea House
• Indiana Community Action Program
• Indiana County Center for Economic Operations
• Indiana County Tourist Bureau
• Indiana Regional Medical Center
• Indiana University of Pennsylvania
• IQ Inc.
• J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital
• Johnstown Credit Bureau, Inc.
• Johnstown Welding Fabrication Industries
• Juniata College
• Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
• Kardex AG
• Keller Engineers
• Kish Bank
• Kranich’s Jewelers
• L. Robert Kimball
• Lock Haven University
• McLanahan Corporation
• McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC
• Mead Westvaco
• Mifflin County Industrial Development Corporation
• Mfflin County School District
• Mount Nittany Medical Center
• Mutual Benefit Group
• N.E.W. Customer Service Companies, Inc.
• Northwest Savings Bank
• NPC, Inc.
• Omni Bedford Springs Resort and Spa
• Otto’s Pub and Brewery
• Penn State Altoona
• Penn State University
• Penn Terra Engineering
• Penn Wind LLC / PA Solar LLC
• Pennsylvania College of Technology
• Piezo Resonance Innovations, Inc.
• Projects by Peggy
• REI Distribution Center
• Reschini Group
• S & T Bank
• Seton Hill University
• Sheetz, Inc.
• The “New” Shelter Services, Inc.
• Shirley’s Cookie Company
• Smail Auto Group
• Somerset Trust
• St. Francis University
• Stel-Tek Graphics
• Strategic Polymer Sciences, Inc.
• Superior Well Services
• Susquehanna Health System
• T-Ross Brothers Construction, Inc.
• University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
• Wal-Mart Distribution Centers
• Wayne Homes
• Wessel and Company
• Westmoreland Community Action
• Westmoreland County Community College
• Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board
• Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce
• Wolf Furniture

T-Ross Brothers Construction
Montandon

If there’s been a major construction or renovation project in or around the central Susquehanna Valley, chances are T-Ross Brothers Construction has been involved.

Thomas Ross had run the business for 38 years before his sons. Todd G. and Tom E. Ross, purchased the business from him in 1996.

For the past 15 years, Todd and Tom have taken on numerous well-known projects including Little League International, The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation and the Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce, which was a crowning achievement in 2010.

Drilling industries to bring hundreds of jobs to mended Montgomery site

MONTGOMERY – For the first time in nearly 30 years, business will bustle in Montgomery’s Old Mill corridor, where more than 200 new jobs are coming.

Jeffrey J. Stroehmann, vice president of operations for Moran Industries, said two Canadian-based companies are opening natural gas support services just south of Route 405 in the borough.

He said each of the companies, Peak Energy Services and Newalta, are expected to bring in excess of 100 family-sustaining jobs here.

“They’ll be in the average range of drilling industry wages, which are substantially better than area baseline wages,” Stroehmann said.

The project takes away an eyesore and breathes fresh life into the community, according to Jason Fink, Williamsport Lycoming Chamber of Commerce executive vice president.

“It’s a great re-use for that block,” he said. “It’s a situation where you have a community that’s identified and addressed a long-standing issue for them, a building in disrepair.”

Borough Mayor Andrew Onufrak II said cooperations among business and government leaders on all levels are bringing positive development to a community on the rise.

“It’s bringing positive development to us and we’re winning,” Onufrak said.

Compared to areas of unrest in other parts of the world, Onufrak said the local area is doing particularly well.

“We’re the fortunate ones,” he said. “We know where our future is and where it’s going.”

Services provided by the two companies are similarly broad in scope to their industry, according to Stroehmann.

“Peak is a well field support company. They provide everything short of a drilling rig itself,” he said. “Newalta does primarily the same things as Peak.”

As negotiations continue, it’s likely a third company will be arriving, which he said should fill the remainder of the lot of nearly 20 acres.

In January, what was known as The Old Mill complex was demolished, clearing the way for the new development.

Destroying a building which sat unoccupied and devoid of production for decades left behind a basement Stroehmann said will be filled with earth this spring.

Business activity should begin for Peak around the time its building is constructed, which Stroehmann said is ongoing and should be completed in 30 to 45 days.

Construction should start next week for the Newalta building, which he said should have its building completed and business production begin about a month after Peak opens its doors.

The former Old Mill office building on Main Street is expected to remain standing, allowing Moran to donate it to the borough.

The borough expects to donate the former office building to its local historical society.

The former Old Mill office is expected to be dedicated to former developer John D. “Jack” and Maureen Moran Sr., who brought a variety of manufacturing business to the lot in the early 1980s, before a less-than-ideal businesss climate closed down activity.

Onufrak said the local historical society operates out of a single downtown office, and the new development will give it an opportunity to expand when the paperwork is finalized.

“They offered the building to us,” he said. “I would like to see the historical society use it as a museum and a historical library reference center.”

Moran also is dedicating land to the borough, allowing a public access road to be built to the new businesses.

Fink credited the Moran family, including present-day developer John Moran Jr., for stepping forward and making the project a success.

“You’re going to have a direct impact to Montgomery,” Fink said.

He expects tax base revitalization from working families looking for housing, especially in the eastern end of the county.

Fink said retail businesses and restaurants will see a bump in sales, and gas stations and convenience stores will have more customers when workers are driving back and forth for work.

“We’re trying to lead our industry and stay ahead,” said Todd Ross, the company president and CEO.

According to their website, a design-build project has a team of construction professionals representing all aspects of the project sitting together from the beginning to develop a coordinated and seamless approach to meet the owner’s goals. When you choose design-build, you aren’t taking shortcuts; you are eliminating unnecessary gaps in planning, procurement and construction. Design-build gives a single point-of-contact, which means a single point-of-accountability and communication.

Green construction reduces a building’s impact on the planet, requiring less fuel and less water to serve the same occupants. Green design can also reduce operating costs and create a building that is much healthier for the occupants.

At a time when heating fuel has approached $4 per gallon, a green building will have a much higher resale value, due to lower utility bills and other advantages brought about by careful and smart design.

T-Ross Brothers employs four Green Advantage-certified staffers, and three who have certification in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

Those teams can work with owners, architects and contractors to put together plans that fit any customer’s needs and price range.

Certified green designers also work to make sure a building will meet an owner’s goals and not fall short.

Current Projects – The Company is building energy-efficient offices and homes across this part of the state. One such project is under way at Aubrey Alexander Toyota on well-traveled Routes 11 and 15 in Selinsgrove.

The design-build plan includes an 18,613 square-foot metal building addition and renovations to existing parts of storage and service bays. It features a showroom, lobby, service area, 10 more service bays, administrative and sales offices and an updated building facade. Along with those improvements, it is a green project striving to achieve LEED certification, which means a rainwater management system, optimized energy performance and indoor air quality management. It also means recycling construction waste. T-Ross Brothers will have the project completed in May.

Another T-Ross Brothers design-build project at a prominent location, slated for completion in June, is an 18,400 square-foot metal building addition and renovations to the existing facilities at Indpendence Honda on Route 11 in Scott Township. The additions include a showroom, waiting area, parts and retail space, restrooms, quick service bays, a 14-bay service garage and updated building facade. The site improvements include an expanded sales lot, additional customer parking, improved storm water management system and outdoor patio space.

Other T-Ross Brothers Projects

• The largest solar farm east of the Mississippi, a 22-acre energy project at the Central Pennsylvania Industrial Park in Milton which required the installation of more than 21,740 solar panels.
• A new Central Susquehanna Community Foundation office in Berwick.
• Expanding and remodeling the Little League International Building in South Williamsport.
• A 4,100 square-foot addition and renovations to Grace Lutheran Evangelical Church in Berwick.
• a 12,000 square-foot, two-story multi-purpose and assembly building at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Church in Elysburg.
• The Towne Camera on Main Street in downtown Bloomsburg, a building shared and designed by ArchCentral Architects, Inc. T-Ross Brothers oftens partners with ArchCentral owner, Susan McGarry, on design-build projects.

Residential Push – To expand its ability to perform custom residential design and construction, T-Ross Brothers recently hired Jesse Moore, former owner of Moore Built Homes of Winfield, as it’s residential division manager.

Moore’s creativity and 20 years of custom home-building experience will help T-Ross Brothers better serve custom home clients – who currently represent about 10 percent of the company’s business.

“My brother Jerry and I founded Moore Built Homes in 1990, so I have a lot of experience with family-run businesses.” said Moore. “That’s one of the things I appreciate about working with Todd and Tom at T-Ross Brothers.”

“Jesse will help bring our home building division to a new level, offering the same type of design-build service that we do for our commercial and industrial clients,” said Todd Ross.

Wide Range of Needs – T-Ross Brothers takes pride in getting its jobs done on time, ever since Thomas H. Ross started the company in 1958. Sons Todd and Tom, both of whom started in the business as kids, bought the firm in 1996 and have continued the family tradition.

The company can serve a wide range of construction needs, from residential homes to large commercial and governmental buildings.

A diverse staff allows T-Ross Brothers to get projects done with great efficiency. The company provides crane services, welders and workers who erect steel and install metal roofs.

The company tackles new buildings, additions, and remodeling projects of all sizes and scopes, from home construction to industrial projects.

For more information, visit www.trossbrothers.com, or call 1-800-432-9309. The company’s main office is at the intersection of Routes 147 and 45 in Montandon.

Article from Press Enterprise 2011 local business community edition

Jesse Moore, Residential Division Manager

With the recent hire of experienced homebuilder Jesse Moore, T-Ross Brothers Construction, Inc. has expanded its ability to perform custom residential design and construction.

Hired as the residential division manager, Moore is the previous owner of Moore Built Homes of Winfield.

“My brother Jerry and I founded Moore Built Homes in 1990, so I have alot of experience with family-run businesses,” said Moore.  “That’s one of the things I appreciate about working with Todd and Tom at T-Ross Brothers.”

Moore’s creativity and 20 years of custom home building experience will help T-Ross Brothers better serve custom home clients – who currently represent about 10 percent of business for the company.

“Jesse will help us bring our home building division to a new level, offering the same type of design-build service that we do for our commercial and industrial clients,” said company President, Todd Ross.

Instead of hiring a separate architect and builder, design-build teams serve both functions, with the benefits of increased efficiency and better communication.

Selinsgrove, Pa. – At Aubrey Alexander Toyota in Selinsgrove, it’s not just the new cars that are more efficient and environmentally friendly.

The dealership is also seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification for the green building and renovation project.

The work is being completed by T-Ross Brothers Construction, of Montandon. Improvements include a new showroom, lobby, service area, offices, 10 new service bays, and an updated building facade.

Efficient and enviornmentally-friendly features were designed throughout the 18,613 square foot addition, as well as the renovated areas.

Smart Building

“It’s a smart building,” said Jim Spangenberg, vice president of commercial business for T-Ross Brothers. “It works with the environment, rather than against it.”

Energy efficiency comes first with green buildings. Large, strategically-placed windows allow plenty of natural light into the space, reducing the reliance on artificial lighting. In addition, the light fixtures are dimmable and operate on motion sensors, saving on both electricity and the life of the fixture.

Other features include a high-performance heating and cooling system makes efficient use of conditioned air, while a reflective roof helps keep the building cool in the summer. Rainwater is recycled for washing cars, and motor oil is reused for heating service garages.

Smart Business

The improvements reduce Alexander Toyota’s environmental footprint, and they also make sense from a business perspective. Just like buying a hybrid, building green is an investment, but it’s one that pays off down the road.

Lower operating costs are an obvious benefit of a green building. Demonstrating a commitment to the environment can also resonate with the community – especially with eco-minded customers.

Green Construction Up

Increasingly, businesses and developers are seeing the value in green buildings.

“In the industry, nationwide, just about everything has been slow, with the exception of green construction,” says Spangenberg.

T-Ross Brothers is staying involved in the trend as much as possible. The company presently has four Green Advantage certified staff members and three LEED accredited professionals, is working on a 22-acre solar farm in Milton, and recently completed work on the LEED Gold Rated Central Susquehanna Community Foundation green office in Berwick.

“We’re constantly trying to evolve our service to our customers for their benefit,” said Todd Ross, who owns the construction company along with his brother, Tom.

“For those who are thinking long-term, the return on investment can be substantial.”

For more information, contact Matt Lutze at Alexander Toyota, or Jim Spangenberg at T-Ross Brothers Construction, Inc. 570-524-6411 or see the website www.trossbrothers.com.

Fun and games for the kids included an air bounce, sprinkler and slip & slide. Todd G. Ross, president, showed great spirit by sitting in a dunking booth. A $1.00 fee for 3 chances to dunk Mr. Ross was charged at the booth to raise money for the American Cancer Society of Central Susquehanna.

This years employee gifts were T-Ross Brothers beach towels, t-shirts and beach balls.

MILTON – with a ceremonial snip of oversized scissors, a red ribbon parted Thursday night and officially unveiled the Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce’s new office complex at 30 Lawton Lane in the Milton Industrial Park, the former Delmarva Data Center. Surrounded by members of the chamber board, President and CEO Maria Culp did the honors, telling assembled members and colleagues that the new permanent home was possible because of their support and that the offices meant the chamber could better serve them and the community.

Previously renting space in a former shoe factory in Milton, the chamber has been moving its location from place to place since the early 1980s. As the chamber grew to more than 270 members and broadened its role in economic development with business and education partnerships, the need for additional space became evident.

In the new location, the chamber now has space for four businesses and special data facilities, with a raised computer floor and separate heating and cooling for potential clients. With these assets, the chamber has planned to reposition itself as a Central Pennsylvania Chamber and Regional Resource Center.

In her remarks Culp highlighted the chamber’s designation as a Keystone Innovation Zone agent, which is attractive to start-up business that could locate on the lower level of the newly refurbished building. The grand opening awaited a thorough interior renovation by T-Ross Brothers Construction Inc. of Milton under the direction of Todd Ross, who is president of the chamber board.

Part of the ceremonies Thursday included naming of the brown and gold central conference room “The Ross Room,” which is a modernized meeting space with video conferencing and Webinar capabilities.

Ross expressed his appreciation on behalf of this family, acknowledging the strength the local business community draws from working together through the chamber. “We expect to be around for a long time to come,” he said. Earlier Culp said the chamber had hosted a steady stream of visitors throughout the day of the open house, which was scheduled to run from 10a.m. to 7p.m. with food and refreshments.

The groundbreaking was held on April 14, 2010 and included Mike and Sue Zarrett, Owners, Todd Ross, President and Jim Spangenberg, Project Manager of T-Ross Brothers Construction, and Susan McGarry of ArchCentral Architects, Inc.

The new building will be completed in September and will include another retail space and apartments.

View News Story Video (source: WBRE News)

The T-Ross Brothers Construction staff includes, foreground, Todd Ross, left, and Tom Ross; in the middle row, from left, David Gray, Lou Ann Shaffer, Janet Drumm, Dana Shrawder, Vicki Skipper, and Yvette Hummel; and , in back, Jay Bogar, Alex Legros and Mike Willow. The company’s main office is at the intersection of routes 147 and 45 in Montandon.

MONTANDON – T-Ross Brothers has prided itself as a cutting-edge builder for more than a half-century.

Today, that means “green” construction. The company is building energy-efficient offices and homes across our part of the state. And it’s tackling the largest solar farm east of the Mississippi, a 22-acre energy project at the Central Pennsylvania Industrial Park in Milton. The project will require the installation of more than 27,700 solar panels. “We’re trying to lead our industry and trying to stay ahead,” said Todd Ross, the company’s president and CEO.

More locally, T-Ross Brothers recently completed work on the new Central Susquehanna Community Foundation office in Berwick. The project maximizes day lighting for rooms and reduces water use with plumbing fixtures. The company used regional products such as the brick, windows and shingles, as well as finishes made from recycled content.

The project shows that a ‘green’ building does not have to look green or space-age, nor does it have to cost substantially more. Green Construction reduces a building’s impact on the planet, requiring less fuel and less water to serve the same occupants.