Free registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.Lessons in Leadership in the wake of Katrina
In August, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf coast, testing the compassion and generosity of all Americans. In the aftermath, it was difficult for any of us to envision a recovery for that area.
Americans responded by giving money, sending supplies, and signing up to volunteer. Lisa Scales, COO, and Larry Hokaj, CTO, both of Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank were called upon by America’s Second Harvest, The Nation’s Food Bank Network, to aid in the relief effort. Although their initial impressions led them to believe their work would be similar, they returned to Pittsburgh with great contrast in experience.
Lisa was assigned to work with FEMA and representatives from American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and other social service organizations at the Joint Field Office (JFO) in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This group functioned as a coordinating committee for the delivery of Mass Care services throughout Louisiana. They were responsible for assessing current service delivery mechanisms, identifying gaps, responding to requests for assistance, and making recommendations on service priorities and needed service development. They reported up to the Mass Care Area Command on policy issues and solicited service support resources.
Larry was assigned to work with those remaining staff members at the New Orleans Food Bank in New Orleans, LA, in rebuilding computer infrastructure and redefining the core procedures for recording the millions of pounds of food coming in and going out. His experience there was undoubtedly divided between an organization lacking direction and leadership and the same organization transformed to one back on track with a purpose and a mission.
Together, Lisa and Larry will lead a discussion of good management (and its absence) relative to what they observed during those trying circumstances.
Speakers:
Lisa Scales has been involved with food security issues since 1993. She is the Chief Operations Officer for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Prior to this, Lisa was a Co-Director for Just Harvest, a community-based, anti-hunger advocacy and education organization located in Homestead, PA. While there, she served as Director for the Women’s Leadership & Organizing Project, and as Field Supervisor for the Hometown Hunger research project on childhood hunger. Lisa obtained a B.A. from Seton Hill University and a J.D. from Boston University School of Law. She serves on the Board of Three Rivers Community Foundation, which provides grants to a variety of social justice organizing efforts in Southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as on the Board of the Funding Exchange, a national membership organization of progressive, social justice community foundations. Lisa has been an active member of the Community Food Security Coalition and the Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture. She has also served on the Boards of Sharp Visions, Inc. and GLSEN.
Larry Hokaj is the Chief Technology Officer of the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. Since 2000, he’s led the organization’s IT initiatives and has worked to align the IT strategy with the business strategy of the Food Bank. He holds a B.S. degree in Computer Science from West Virginia University and has attended training course in project management, network administration, and application development. Larry is the owner of Computer Allies, a sole proprietorship specializing in computer consulting and repair.
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Date: April 1, 2008
Time: Program - 4:00-6:00 PM
Place: Forbes Road Career and Technology Center in Monroeville (directions follow)
Sponsor: CoREM (the Council on Realizing Excellence in Management)
Cost: free
Registration: Contact Brien Palmer at bpalmer@interlinkbusiness.com or 724-733-5007.
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Directions to Forbes Road Career & Technology Center
The Center borders Boyce Campus of CCAC. Address: 607 Beatty Road, Monroeville, PA. 412-373-8100
From Downtown Pittsburgh: Go east on Interstate 376 (Parkway East) approximately 15 miles and get off the Parkway in Monroeville at exit 14B (Plum), just past exit 14A (Rt. 48). Proceed north through the intersection with the traffic light to the stop sign at Beatty Road. Van Horn’s Funeral Home will be on the far left corner. Turn right on to Beatty Road and drive to the second stop sign (Community College of Allegheny County--Boyce Campus entrance). Turn right and go approximately 100 feet. Turn left into the Forbes Road Career & Technology Center entrance (Gateway Press building is on the right).
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CoREM is an all-volunteer, nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization. All our revenues come from membership dues. If you find our services valuable, please sign up for membership and submit your tax-deductible $35 fee. (Make checks out to “CoREM”.) Give it to our treasurer Dennis Snedden or send it to him at 613 Library Av., Carnegie, PA 15106-2910.
CoREM provides a forum for the critical study of original and effective leadership methods and principles through collaboration and lifelong learning, to benefit individuals, organizations, and our communities.
