ABOUT US

I started my real estate career in 1989. I specialize in residential and commercial properties throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania for SWC Realty. I have earned the designations of Graduate Realtor Institute, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Accredited Buyers Agent Council and the Real Estate Educators Association. I have won many awards for sold units and volume dollars throughout my career. I also am a licensed real estate appraiser with Ferrara Appraisal Service, working with attorneys for their clients estates, divorce and market evaluations.

I am very active in the community. I have been President of the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce for a 20 year stretch, serving in that same capacity 30 years ago. I have served as the Chairman for the Charleroi Area School Authority until 2020 when it was incorporated into the school board. I am also on a loan review committee for the Washington County Council of Economic Development. In addition, I am on my church finance council and just finished my third term of serving on the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission, this past year as the chairman. I am a Lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, Charleroi Chapter. Over the years I have been an officer of or member of the Washington Greene Association of Realtors, Charleroi Rotary, Pennsylvania Association of Realtors and National Association of Realtors.

I am married to Gerry, and this past year we celebrated our 51st wedding anniversary. We have one daughter, Amanda and son-in-law Brian Pendo along with their two sons, our grandsons, Blake and Tanner who presently go to school in Charleroi. Two more members of the family are my 3 year old Corgi mix, Buddy, and granddog, Magnum, a full blooded Doberman.

Debbie France graduated from Belle Vernon and attended Cal U. She started working for Audrey Custom Draperies in 1980 and then purchased the business in 1994. Debbie has served as Past President for the Belle Vernon Rotary and Past Vice President of Charleroi Boro Council. She is currently the Treasurer of the Charleroi Park Trustees and the Treasurer for the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Ronalyn Apodiakos and her husband George own By George Restaurant, in Monessen.  Before opening the restaurant, she was a small business owner with her own scrapbooking store. She is a graduate of Monessen High School. She earned her Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from PennWest California.  She is also the Event Planner/Caterer at St Spyridon Hellenic Center. Ronalyn is very involved with the community, having served on numerous boards in the Mon Valley. Rona resides in Belle Vernon with George and her 3 sons, Markello, Niko and Dimitri.

Christie Johnson is an accomplished professional with vast experience in various roles, currently serving as an Operations Manager at Ignite Business Incubator and Coworking Space in Washington, Pennsylvania. She has a robust background in operations management, employer relations, and social services. Her career journey includes significant roles such as Employer Relations Coordinator, Service Coordinator, and Director of Social Services, as well as with experience in high-pressure environments. Christie holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from PennWest California and is actively involved in community service as a Board Member at Harmony Life Center.

Corinne Laboon is the System Communications Manager for Penn Highlands Healthcare. She offers more than 35 years of communications marketing experience in the health care, nonprofit and manufacturing industries. In her communications role with Penn Highlands Healthcare, she oversees media relations and internal communications. For 11 years, she served as the Vice President of Marketing for Penn Highlands Mon Valley (formerly Mon Valley Hospital).

Prior to joining the health system, Ms. Laboon was the Director of Internal Communications for UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. During her tenure, she helped lead the internal and external communications for the Hospital’s move from its Oakland location to the new state-of-the-art $625 million facility in Lawrenceville.

For 13 years, she served as the Director of Communications for the Bronze Division of Matthews International Corporation, the world’s leading supplier of cast bronze identification products. From 1984 through 1994, Ms. Laboon was the Director of Communications for the Greater Pittsburgh Convention; Visitors Bureau (now VisitPittsburgh). Following graduation from Duquesne University with a degree in Journalism, she began her career as a reporter for the Pittsburgh Press and Pittsburgh Business Times. Ms. Laboon is the author of the book, I Will Survive: Techniques for Coping With a Health Challenge.
She is a resident of Pleasant Hills.

I lived in Charleroi for about 50 years. I have worked for SPHS for 30 years, starting as a caseworker and holding various positions, until being appointed CEO in 2021. I have my undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Penn State. I have graduate degree in social work from California University and am a licensed PA social worker. I graduated from Charleroi High School in 1987. I am married for 30 years to Brian,  who works at West Rock (formally Rock Tenn) and I have one son, Chase, who is in medical school.

I have served on many advisory boards and committees, including leadership roles over the years and I am interested in serving to support the economic and social viability of our region.

Rachel Rotolo is the Site Administrator at the PA CareerLink® Mon Valley. She started her career in workforce development in October of 2018 as a Job Developer with Southwest Training Services, Inc. In early 2021, she was promoted to her current leadership role where she now coordinates with partner agencies to provide seamless services to job seekers and employers. Rachel grew up in the small town of New Sewickley Township located in Beaver County with her parents and five siblings. She is a 2009 graduate of Freedom Area High School and received her B.A. in Psychology from Penn State University in 2013. She then decided to further her education and obtained her M.A. in Counseling from Geneva College in 2015. Rachel and her husband, Lee, now reside in the Mon Valley Area with their three children, two girls, and a boy.

President & CEO United Way of Mon Valley. Effective fundraiser in the Mid-Mon Valley for over 20 years. Supporting programs to prevent hunger & homelessness. Preparing families, children, seniors and those with disabilities to live their lives to the fullest potential. In addition to his deep commitment to the United Way System the Mid-Mon Valley and his Family, the Monessen native has an educational background in Business Administration and Accounting having worked for a CPA firm, Director of Payroll and Employee Benefits in the Health and Human Service sector and in Radio and Communications as Assistant to the President. He is a member of the Monessen Rostraver Rotary Club, Epiphany of our Lord Church and serves on numerous committees. An avid golfer, guitar and piano player and the proud owner of a miniature schnauzer named Louie.