The Pittsburgh Smart 50 help spark the region’s business success and strength

 
pit_MichaelRobbMichael P. Robb
Executive director
Center for Community Resources, Alliance for Nonprofit Resources, Nonprofit Development Corp.
When Michael P. Robb joined the Center for Community Resources as executive director in 2005, the nonprofit social service organization was on the verge of bankruptcy.
Under Robb’s direction, the organization has grown into three distinct nonprofits, tripling both its combined budget and staff. Seeing unmet needs, he created a nonprofit that supports other nonprofits that lack the financial capacity to fully achieve their goals, as well as property development and construction services with a nonprofit focus.
The organizations consistently offer services to individuals and the community that are essential, innovative, unique and demonstrate a commitment.
The nonprofits also expanded beyond Butler County. The Center for Community Resources provided services in Armstrong, Butler, Indiana, Lawrence and Mercer counties to more than 13,000 individuals last year.
This year, the agency expanded into Clarion County, working with Clarion County Mental Health to re-establish a consumer-led mental health drop-in center.


 
pit_RobertRogalskiRobert Rogalski
CEO
Excela Health
Now 10 years old, Excela Health continues to hold true to its mission of improving the health and well-being of every life it touches through its more than 4,700 employees, 585 physicians in 35 clinical specialties, 180 allied health professionals, 19 residents, and 1,000-plus volunteers and auxiliary members.
A Pennsylvania nonprofit corporation, Excela Health offers care across a continuum from prevention and wellness to emergency care, acute care, intensive care, outpatient care, physical, speech and occupational rehabilitation, home care, hospice, and medical equipment and supplies.
When Robert Rogalski became Excela Health’s CEO, the organization had recently undergone a merger of four hospitals — Latrobe, Westmoreland, Fricke and Mercy Jeanette. Mercy Jeanette has since closed, but the other three remain, and Rogalski has unified those cultures over the years.
Under the leadership of Rogalski, Excela Health remains a fiscally responsible organization, continuously looking for ways to consolidate, integrate and initiate practices and processes that can sustain the organization over time.


 
pit_LanceRuttenbergLance Ruttenberg
President and CEO
American Textile Co.
According to the Family Business Institute, only 30 percent of family-owned businesses reach the second generation and just 12 percent make it to the third generation.
President and CEO Lance Ruttenberg is the third-generation leader of American Textile Co., a provider of bedding solutions. It has been his family’s ownership that has enabled the company to thrive.
Over the past five years, the company’s strategy has delivered high double-digit growth as it expanded demand with new products and a growing customer base. This rapid rise is the result of a conscious effort to create innovative allergy and temperature control products that are recession proof, as well as the company’s calculated strategy to manufacture and ship items at four strategically located sites in the U.S.
This year, the company also opened a newly expanded manufacturing and distribution center that doubled its space and employment. This development makes American Textile part of the textile resurgence across the Southeast.


 
pit_HarishSalujaHarish Saluja
Executive director
Silk Screen
In 2015, the Silk Screen Asian Film Festival, dubbed one of the best Asian film festivals in the U.S., will celebrate its 10th year. The festival is expected to draw nearly 10,000 movie buffs to view nearly 40 films.
While the festival has proven a great success, its executive director, Harish Saluja’s vision for Silk Screen extends well beyond the screen.
Since its founding, Silk Screen has expanded to become a year-round organization with educational and entertainment offerings across western Pennsylvania. The programming ranges from Chinese dancers at Pittsburgh’s First Night Celebration on New Year’s Eve to thought-provoking screenings of Asian films in collaboration with two of the top private schools in the region.
Saluja also continues to innovate. His latest project, Silk Sounds, is a musical group that is a combination of Western and Asian cultures.
Silk Screen’s emergence as a cultural institution provides newcomers to Pittsburgh, and their neighbors with deeper Pittsburgh roots, an environment for great cultural interaction, understanding and art.


 
pit_CharlesSandersCharles “Chuck” Sanders
Founder and CEO
Urban Lending Solutions
CEO Charles “Chuck” Sanders co-founded Urban Lending Solutions in 2002 as a small title and settlement services provider. ULS and its subsidiaries offer a wide variety of services to clients, including mortgage fulfillment services, home retention solutions, valuation services, title and settlement services, document generation and call center services.
Sanders quickly understood that the backbone of a well-run outsourcing operation is a skilled and highly trained staff. ULS has developed a comprehensive approach to ensuring staff members reach their highest potential through four training programs.
BeUrban is a required compliance and ULS company-specific training that covers new employee orientation, and client contractual and regulatory courses.
Work@Urban consists of readiness training that takes place to help new businesses and new employees to do their daily roles.
Grow@Urban are professional development certificate programs that help employees grow new skills outside their daily roles.
Lead@Urban is a program dedicated to building the capability of the company’s leadership.