FOX56 Salutes Positive People
Positive things are happening all the time in NEPA. FOX56 along with Chevy would like to say thank you by saluting the Positive People who are truly making a difference throughout NEPA.
For more information on Chevy visit online at www.chevytoday.com.
Steve Barrouk
FOX56 salutes Steve Barrouk, the president and CEO of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, who recently announced his retirement after nearly two decades of working to make the Wyoming Valley a better place to live.
Stephen Barrouk announces retirement from Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry
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WILKES-BARRE, Pa. - Stephen M. Barrouk, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry, announced today that he will retire as of August 4, 2006.
"It has been a privilege to be able to plan and build the future of this community for 18 years, working on projects designed to create jobs and continually improve the quality of life in Greater Wilkes-Barre and the surrounding area,"Barrouk said. "I am proud to say that we have made great strides and our area is a much better place for everyone. Although I will be retiring, I plan to continue to support the tremendous progress our community is making now as the potential we always knew was there is being realized."
"Steve Barrouk's commitment to this community is unwavering,"stated Chamber of Business and Industry Board Chairman Robert E. Dunham. "Although he has decided to retire from the Chamber, we know that, in addition to spending more time with his family, he will continue to work for progress here in his hometown."
During his tenure, Mr. Barrouk was instrumental in locating more than 125 new companies and in creating and retaining thousands of jobs in Greater Wilkes-Barre. Through his leadership, the Chamber worked to expand and fill the area's two business parks and to build three new parks - the Corporate Center at East Mountain in Plains Township, Highland Park in Wilkes-Barre Township and Hanover Crossings in Hanover Township. According to Barrouk, "We worked with our partners - from the host communities to officials from the county, state and federal levels - to create a business environment conducive to attracting new businesses here. At the same time, while much emphasis is placed on development, we never lost site of improving our environment even though it was often very difficult. We're proud to say that two out of every three acres of land developed at our parks was formerly mine or environmentally scarred land. This was an important part of enhancing the quality of life of our area as well as our image to prospective employers and investors."
At Highland Park, Barrouk - with Chamber Board and staff - worked to develop land that was once called "the moonscape"into a business park. The Chamber was a leading advocate for the arena, donated the 51 acres of land for the project, and purchased the AHL franchise that brought the now hometown Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to the area. Since its opening, the arena consistently ranks among the top facilities in the country and has provided both national visibility for the community and new entertainment opportunities to residents. At the same time, the Chamber was also an advocate for the Exit 168/I-81 interchange, the expansion of Highland Boulevard and major upgrades to Mundy Street - all of which facilitated tremendous business and retail growth in the area.
Early in his tenure, Barrouk worked to unite and strengthen the Greater Wilkes-Barre Partnership. Today, that organization is called the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry - parent company to the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Development Corporation. Mr. Barrouk the staff and the Board have also taken leadership roles in promoting the regional cooperation needed to build a new economy and improve the quality of life of Northeastern Pennsylvania. These efforts have included the creation of Penn's Northeast and the Great Valley Technology Alliance.
As part of the work to elevate the region's economy, Barrouk and the Chamber also turned attention to the center of the community - Downtown Wilkes-Barre. The organization stepped out of what might be considered a traditional Chamber role and became the developer of last resort for what was then the Pomeroy's building and is now Public Square Commons - home to the Chamber offices. Continuing their mission to reinvent the community with city, county, state and federal officials and the local colleges and universities, the organization, under Barrouk's leadership, co-hosted Downtown visioning sessions. The Chamber then formed the Diamond City Partnership - a partnership best known for its Clean and Green program to enhance the City. The organization took on another new Downtown project at the former Woolworth's Five and Dime on South Main Street. Now known as the Innovation Center @ Wilkes-Barre, the facility is home to entrepreneurs looking to build their business in the area and is the potential site of an intercollegiate bookstore.
Most recently, the Chamber, under Barrouk's leadership, completed one of the most aggressive projects yet - the Northampton & Main Redevelopment Project. The 160,000 square foot urban mixed-use entertainment-based commercial and residential project in Downtown Wilkes-Barre continues to move forward, with the recent opening of the 14-screen Wilkes-Barre Movies 14. Retail and loft housing will follow. Barrouk adds, "This is the most important project for the Downtown in recent history. It reflects a new confidence in the City and will stimulate new investment."
These efforts combined with others that the Chamber has and continues to play a supporting role in.
Barrouk continues, "It is about enhancing the overall quality of life of our community. There are many parts to that. The organization has been looking to the future by working as a partner in the revitalization of the Riverfront area, the enhancement of the regional airport, passenger and freight rail issues, and much more."
Chamber of Business and Industry Chairman Robert E. Dunham announced that Michael Lombardo, the Chamber's Chief Operating Officer, will serve as the organization's interim President while the Executive and Personnel Committee of the Board of Directors complete the search for a new President and Chief Executive Officer.
"Mike is involved with the Chamber's major projects and will work closely with the Board and its various committees to ensure that we continue to move forward during this transition,"explained Dunham. "We are fortunate to have someone with Mike's talents and abilities, as well as our committed Chamber staff, to further our progress."
The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry and its affiliates - The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Development Corporation and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Industrial Fund - are community, economic development and business service organizations charged with the mission of collaborating with community and regional partners to create quality employment and business opportunities and improve Greater Wilkes-Barre's quality of life through strategic planning, programs and investments in our community. Further information is available by calling (570) 823-2101 or visiting www.wilkes-barre.org.
- Copyright © 2006 by Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business and Industry. All rights reserved.
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