Technology Council of Northwest PA

SCORE - Erie Earns Highest National Recognition

SCORE-Erie has been recognized by the national SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) organization as one of the top chapters in the country. SCORE-Erie was one of only nine chapters in the country to achieve this Performance Excellence Award for community work done in 2008.

To merit this award, the chapter had to meet or exceed performance criteria established by the national organization. Of the 370 local chapters, only eight other chapters achieved this status. Chapters were judged on ten criteria which measure chapter goals and performance against those goals.

During the award presentation, SCORE District Director Dave Seyboldt cited the level of accomplishments required to qualify for this achievement. He praised the chapter’s volunteers for their contributions in assisting small business and non-profit organizations in the Northwestern Pennsylvania region.

In accepting the award, current SCORE-Erie chairman, Tom Westhoff, paid tribute to past chairman, Jim Quinn during whose tenure the results were achieved; to the dedicated volunteers here in Erie and at the Meadville branch under the leadership of Ray Andel; to the on-going support of the Gannon SBDC; and to all local service providers who partner with SCORE in local economic development efforts.

SCORE-Erie has more than 40 volunteers locally including a branch in Meadville who provide free, confidential counseling to small business and non-profit groups in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Its members have held positions in almost 50 different local companies and have experience in numerous business and management disciplines. The volunteers of the chapter participated in over 600 counseling sessions in 2008 with more than 200 clients.

About SCORE:

SCORE, Counselors to America’s Small Business, is a non-profit association dedicated to educating entrepreneurs and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. SCORE is a resource partner with the United States Small Business Administration.

SCORE has 370 local chapters throughout the United States and its Territories with more than 11,200 volunteers. It was founded in 1964. The local SCORE (www.scoreeerie.org) office is located at 120 West 9th Street, Erie PA 16501 and can be contacted at 814-871-5650, e-mail score193@juno.com.