​World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia News

Philadelphia International Medicine President and CEO Edgar Vesga will join Mayor Jim Kenney, and Wawa Welcome America President and CEO Michael DelBene for a special unveiling of the 2019 Welcome America Exhibition entitled Philadelphia a Global Medical Hub since the 1700s. The unveiling will take place Thursday, June 20, 2019, at 10:00 am at Philadelphia International Airport, Terminal A-East (post security).
 
Special honoree: Dr. Stanley Plotkin, Wistar Institute Physician, Scientist, Scholar, who discovered the rubella vaccine (part of the MMR vaccination) and helped discover the rabies vaccine for canines and humans.
 
On Thursday, June 20, 2019, at 10:00 am, as part of the 2019 Welcome America Celebration, the Philadelphia International Airport will once again unveil a special exhibit, highlighting the city of Philadelphia. This year’s exhibit will feature Philadelphia as a global medical hub dating back to the 1700s.
 
The surprise exhibit will be unveiled during a ceremony at the Philadelphia Airport and will include remarks from Mayor Jim Kenny, Edgar Vesga, President, Philadelphia International Medicine, and Michael DelBene, CEO, Welcome America.
 
Philadelphia International Medicine worked closely with Leah Douglas, Director of Image and Chief Curator, Philadelphia International Airport, to lend advice and guidance for the exhibit.

“Philadelphia has always nurtured the spirit of creativity and innovation. As the city of “firsts,” Philadelphia has been a pioneer in healthcare since the 1700’s – from the creation of the first hospital, to identifying the mosquito as carrier of yellow fever to the first to discover the Philadelphia chromosome, a cure for Hepatitis B, and being the father of American Surgery. Philadelphia continues to lead the way in gene therapy, and many lifesaving discoveries. We are also the first World Heritage City in the United States,” says Edgar Vesga.
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About Philadelphia International Medicine Philadelphia International Medicine
Since 1999, healthcare organization, Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM), has been dedicated to connecting international patients, doctors, and practitioners with specialized services from world-renowned Philadelphia area hospitals. PIM’s current network of eight (8) hospitals includes Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Hospital, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as anchor organizations and affiliate healthcare organizations include Wills Eye Hospital, Rothman Institute, the Vincera Institute, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, and the Renfrew Center.

​www.philadelphiamedicine.com

By Graziella DiNuzzo

It’s not surprising that Dave DeLizza chose to major in engineering at Drexel University.

 “I remember dad would take me to his jobsites while the bridges were under construction to show me how they were built,” says DeLizza.  “The two I remember the most are the Girard Avenue Bridge (completed in 1972), and the Spring Garden Street Bridge over the Schuylkill (completed in 1965).” DeLizza was nine years old when his dad, who spent 30 years working for the City of Philadelphia as a Civil Engineer, took him to the ribbon cutting ceremony for the Spring Garden Street Bridge.

“Dad also had a drafting board set up at our house. I enjoyed watching him prepare house plans for side renovation projects,“ recalls DeLizza.

Born and raised in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia, DeLizza learned to respect hard work while helping at his family’s neighborhood sandwich shop. 

Today, photos of children and grandkids line the shelves of Dave DeLizza’s office at Pennoni in Philadelphia. On July 1st, DeLizza will officially begin his role as the fourth President and CEO of Pennoni, succeeding Tony Bartolomeo who held that position for the past 20 years. DeLizza sits comfortably in his chair to talk about his career at Pennoni, which technically began in 1976 when he worked on the survey crew as a Drexel University co-op student. He would continue to complete all three of his co-op periods at Pennoni.

“I love my job,” smiles DeLizza.

Upon graduating from Drexel University in 1979, DeLizza asked founder and then President, C.R. “Chuck” Pennoni for a full time job and was told there weren’t any immediate openings. However, a few days later, DeLizza received a phone call that would place him on his successful career journey. “When I met with Mr. Pennoni he told me one of the engineers had resigned and he offered me the position of staff engineer.”
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“Dave has a proven track record of demonstrating our goals of excellent reputation, profit, and growth through strong leadership, as well as expressing Pennoni’s core values of honesty, integrity, and service in all business dealings with both external and internal clients,” said Chuck  Pennoni, in the recent press release announcing DeLizza’s appointment.

DeLizza has held various roles at Pennoni from Haddon Heights Office Director to New Jersey Regional Manager, Director of Strategic Growth and most recently Chief Operating Officer. Founded more than 50 years ago, Pennoni is an ENR Top 500 consulting engineering firm with 35 offices across the United States.

“When I worked out of the Absecon Office in New Jersey, working with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority in Atlantic City, it was like an engineer’s dream. We had so many challenges."

​By Graziella DiNuzzo

It poured for days before our biggest event of the year, but on May 15, the sun shined its light over historic Fairmount Waterworks in Philadelphia and the 2019 World Trade Centers Day honorees. The stage was set, videos cued, food and bar stations opened, and the WTCGP was ready to celebrate. See photos

Ian Bush, Broadcaster, KYW 1060 Newsradio, opened the Award Program with his recollection of 9/11 and the significance of why each year the WTCGP pays homage to those individuals and organizations who define our mission. After introducing President Linda Conlin and Board Chairman Gary Biehn, the jazz band played Barrett Strong’s “Money (That’s What I Want).” Conlin, laughing, reminded the over 250 people in attendance, that yes, it was their only fundraiser of the year and thanked all of the sponsors, especially title sponsor, Independence Blue Cross. Chairman Biehn reminded the audience of the work that the WTCGP does, including signing an MOU with Tianjin China, and how the dollars raised will help WTCGP increase global trade for the Greater Philadelphia region.

Family, friends, and the who’s who of the Greater Philadelphia business community listened attentively as Ian Bush cued up each of the Tribute Videos. The jazz band played Michael Jackson’s “Got Me Working Day and Night” as Phenom People’s Keca Ward, Sr. Director Talent Acquisition and Mohan Gunti, VP Technical Operations were handed the award for the inaugural Drexel University Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship Award by Dean Donna DeCarolis. 

Bachman Turner Overdrive’s “Taking Care of Business,” was the walk-up/down music for the family business, Sandmeyer Steel Company, who received the Member Company of the Year Award. On stage to accept the award for the almost 70-year-old company, were Ronald P. Sandmeyer, Jr., President and CEO, Rodney C. Sandmeyer, Executive Vice President, John M. Curley, III, Vice President International Sales and Global Marketing, and R. Paul Sandmeyer, III, Manager, National Inside Sales and Materials Procurement. Ronald Sandmeyer thanked the audience and gave a special shout to Walt D’Alessio who was instrumental in helping Sandmeyer secure funding for its facility in Northeast Philadelphia. Sandmeyer had never exported until they met with WTCGP in 2007.

Tony Rastelli, President and his son, Vice President, Anthony Rastelli accepted the Global Business Leadership Award following the music of Motown’s, “Get Ready.” With a majority of their exports to the Middle East, Rastelli spoke of his fearless determination to get high-quality food into the hands of US military and people who appreciate his family’s commitment to quality.

Dan Hilferty, CEO Independence Health Group thanked the band for playing “Peter Gunn,” and set the tone for the evening’s grand finale by saying, “If we need an example to follow in doing more, I am here to honor the perfect role model. Walt D’Alessio is a mentor, a colleague, and a dear friend.”

The tribute video to founding WTCGP board member Walt D’Alessio, winner of the Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement, featured colleagues who reminisced on how D’Alessio’s 50 years of work and vision helped improve the infrastructure and neighborhoods of Philadelphia. D’Alessio, known to many for being humble and funny is revered for growing not only the city of Philadelphia but also executive careers.

Before inviting D’Alessio to the stage, Dan Hilferty, added, “Walt’s goal has always been to build something lasting that improves people’s lives. That’s the driving force behind his 17-year commitment to the World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia and probably a hundred other projects that those of us in this room have worked on with Walt.”

The audience rose to their feet for a standing ovation, while the band played “Theme from Superman.” As soon as D’Alessio made his way to the stage, he immediately redirected the attention from himself by saying it was his wife Barbara’s birthday, and the evening was her birthday party.

Via Holtec International

​​We are pleased to announce that Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ETR) has agreed to sell the subsidiaries that own Indian Point Units 1, 2, and 3, located in Buchanan, N.Y., to a Holtec International subsidiary for decommissioning. The sale, which will be effective after Unit 3 has been shut down and permanently defueled, includes the transfer of the licenses, spent fuel, decommissioning liabilities, and Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts (NDT) for the three units.
 
“The sale of Indian Point to Holtec is expected to result in the completion of decommissioning decades sooner than if the site were to remain under Entergy’s ownership,” said Entergy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Leo Denault. “With its deep experience and technological innovations, Holtec’s ability to decommission Indian Point will benefit stakeholders in the surrounding community.”  
 
With this agreement to sell Indian Point, Entergy has now announced the sale of its entire remaining merchant nuclear fleet for decommissioning.
 
Following regulatory approvals and transaction close, Holtec plans to initiate decommissioning at Indian Point decades sooner than if Entergy continued to own the units. A more defined timetable will be developed in connection with Holtec’s preparation of its Post-Shutdown Decommissioning Activities Report (PSDAR) and Site-Specific Decommissioning Cost Estimate (DCE). Holtec will submit those reports to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), likely in the fourth quarter of 2019. The transaction closing is targeted for the third quarter of 2021.
 
The transaction is subject to closing conditions, including approval from the NRC. The companies also plan to seek an order from the New York State Public Service Commission (PSC) disclaiming jurisdiction, or alternatively, approving the transaction. Closing is also conditioned on obtaining from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) an agreement confirming Holtec’s decommissioning plans as being consistent with applicable standards.
 
The request for IPEC’s License Transfer will follow the ongoing Oyster Creek (N.J.) and Pilgrim (Mass.) License Transfer Applications (LTAs), which are moving smoothly through the NRC’s system, with anticipated approvals to occur in enough time to enable the License Transfer of Oyster Creek on July 1 and Pilgrim about six weeks later. These ongoing LTAs are giving the NRC, which is already quite familiar with Holtec through 15 active NRC dockets maintained by the Company, an in-depth knowledge of Holtec’s technical, financial, QA and program management capabilities that should facilitate future review of IPEC’s application.
 
Holtec and its affiliates specializing in demolition and decommissioning will deploy operating processes and methods that enable them to expedite site clean-up and minimize occupational dose to workers.Minimizing any incidental disruption of the land, water, and air at and around the IPEC site is an overarching undertaking that is a part of Holtec’s core expertise. Drawing on its own and its affiliates’ expertise in ensuring personnel safety and its pioneering decommissioning technologies, Holtec expects to accrue tangible benefits for the local community by returning the site (excluding the site’s heavily shielded storage casks on the storage pad safely storing the spent nuclear fuel) to productive use much sooner than would occur if Entergy selected the maximum SAFSTOR option under the NRC regulations. Holtec will transfer all of the spent nuclear fuel to its dry fuel storage cask systems to be stored at the on-site reinforced concrete pads, which will remain under guard, monitored during shutdown and decommissioning, and subject to the NRC’s oversight, until the U.S. Department of Energy removes it in accordance with its legal obligations, or until Holtec’s proposed Consolidated Interim Storage (CIS) facility in New Mexico, named HI-STORE CIS, is ready to begin accepting spent fuel from across the country.

Via Philadelphia Business Journal

By John George  – Senior Reporter, Philadelphia Business Journal
2 hours ago
 
Swiss drug maker Roche entered into a definitive agreement Monday to acquire Philadelphia gene therapy pioneer Spark Therapeutics in an all-cash deal valued at $4.8 billion.

The proposed deal is expected to close during the second quarter. It doesn’t mean Spark is leaving the city — where it has made its home since 2013 and recently announced plans to expand.

Under the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by both company’s boards but still requires regulatory and shareholder approval, Spark will continue its operations in Philadelphia as an independent company within the Roche Group.

The deal calls for Roche to pay Spark stockholders $114.50 per share, which represents a premium of 122 percent over Spark’s Feb. 22 closing price.

A Spark spokeswoman said the company, which has about 370 employees, is not making executives available to comment on the proposed merger at this time because it is still early in the transaction process.

In a statement, Spark co-founder and CEO Jeffrey D. Marrazzo said Spark has built “unmatched competencies in the discovery, development and delivery” of genetic medicines. “But the needs of patients and families living with genetic diseases are immediate and vast. With its worldwide reach and extensive resources, Roche will help us accelerate the development of more gene therapies for more patients for more diseases and further expedite our vision of a world where no life is limited by genetic disease.”

Severin Schwan, CEO of Roche, said Spark has proven expertise “in the entire gene therapy value chain” and its technology may offer important new ways to treat serious diseases. “In particular,” Schwan said, “Spark’s hemophilia A program could become a new therapeutic option for people living with this disease. We are also excited to continue the investments in Spark’s broad product portfolio and commitment to Philadelphia as a center of excellence.”

Read more.

Philadelphia International Medicine Press Release

Philadelphia, PA,  January 23, 2019 - Philadelphia International Medicine signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Panama Clinic, in Panama City, on Wednesday, January 16th.  The Panama Clinic is scheduled to open its state-of-the-art clinic and medical offices in May 2019 within a multifunctional property located inside the Pacific Center Complex, which will also contain a Marriott Residence Inn, Office Tower, supermarket, theater, gym, restaurants and a picnic area for children. 

The MOU was signed by Edgar Vesga, President and CEO, Philadelphia International Medicine and Theodoro Constantinau, President of the Panama Clinic and Dr. Edwin A. Villalobos, Medical Director, Panama Clinic. Also in attendance were Georgia Athanasopulos, Consul General of Panama in Philadelphia and representatives from the PHL Airport and PHL Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The partnership between PIM and Panama Clinic was brought together by Georgia Athanasopulos, who has been Consul General of Panama in Philadelphia since 1996.  

“Philadelphia International Medicine represents the greatest medical institutions in the Philadelphia area. Panama City is a hub, and many will benefit from the top-level care they can now receive. Before the attention was given to opening of the canal, now Panama City is investing in the medical community. I am excited to be working with Edgar who has vision and moved so quickly,” says Athanasopulos.

“This MOU will allow the Panama Clinic to collaborate with our hospitals and physicians in education and clinical care; particularly in areas of neurology, ophthalmology, cardiology and telemedicine,” says Edgar Antístenes Vesga-Arias, President and Chief Executive Officer, Philadelphia International Medicine.

The Panama Clinic is led by Dr. Edwin Villabos, Medical Director.

“We see Philadelphia International Medicine as a major health gateway for our communities in Panama, providing Access to high level medical technologies and research, “ says Villabos.
 
Some of PIM’s current partnerships include the Mexican Society of Cardiology, Cancer Tec 100 Hospital, San Javier Hospital in Mexico; the Dominican Society of Neurology, Center for Diagnosis and Medical Advancement in Telemedicine and Dominican Society of Hematology and Oncology in Dominican Republic; the Medical Association of Jamaica in Jamaica.
 
About Philadelphia International Medicine Philadelphia International Medicine
Since 1999, healthcare organization, Philadelphia International Medicine (PIM), has been dedicated to connecting international patients, doctors and practitioners with specialized services from world-renowned Philadelphia area hospitals. PIM’s current network of eight (8) hospitals includes Fox Chase Cancer Center, Temple University Hospital, and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as anchor organizations and affiliate healthcare organizations include Wills Eye Hospital, Rothman Institute, the Vincera Institute, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and the Renfrew Center.

​www.philadelphiamedicine.com
 

By Graziella DiNuzzo, Director of Communications and Development , WTCGP

President, Carlos Gonzalez Jr., walked past the stacks of unwrapped Christmas presents towering in the corner of the conference room, a few floors above the American Cable Company warehouse in Northeast Philadelphia. “I still have to wrap my grandkids presents,” he smiles.

“Welcome to American Cable Company.”

 “None of this would have happened if my dad hadn’t won the lottery to leave Cuba with me, my sister and mom in the late 60’s,” Gonzalez says with outstretched arms pointing to the shelves lined with toy sized John Deere and Caterpillar trucks and cranes.

 “When we got off the plane in Miami, the person greeting us asked my dad where he wanted to go and he said, north. We ended up in Queens New York. I still remember the milk crate on the fire escape we used as a refrigerator and how our laundry would get frozen stiff on the outside clothesline.” 

Six months after arriving in New York, Carlos Sr. accepted a job as a painter, and relocated his family to North Philadelphia. It wasn’t long before Carlos Sr. was supervising 50 people. “He was a leader,” Gonzalez says.

“He worked so hard, had an idea, and made it happen.”

After a day of painting, Carlos Sr. would hand make replacement auto battery terminals– a part sought after by area mechanics.

“I would go around Philly collecting scrap metal.”

“We would melt down the lead from scrap in a homemade 55-gallon drum furnace - in our garage. Back then we piped the exhaust through our home chimney,” laughs Gonzalez. No, we weren’t afraid.”

 “My dad would go door-to-door selling to mechanics from the trunk of his car.”

Carlos Sr. eventually quit his day job and dedicated the rest of his life to growing his idea into a business.

“I was in high school in 1976 when we first started the company,” Gonzalez recalls. “The lead would be dumped into our yard and we would hand lift every bar. Friends and family would help. It was hard, but we did it.”

​Orders were coming in fast.

“Harry” was their first distributor – one of the first in a series of instrumental people who would become like family.  

​“We didn’t have a contract, just a handshake, just our word.”

Quality Control Manager, Daryl Greene recalls, “I remember Carlos Senior’s strength, in character. And physically, he was a strong man. A good man.”

Matthew Tretter, Plant Manager adds, “This is a nice family run company. They treat everyone like family. Carlos Senior would tell us to get it done and get it right.”

In the 1980’s Edgar Huertado saw a man driving a forklift in the parking lot of American Cable’s first warehouse. He asked the man for a job and the man, Carlos Sr., told him to come back the next day – he’s been working with the family for 38 years.

“He was like a father to me,” says Huertado, now an Engineer.

Gonzalez slaps Huertado on the back “And I remember my mom asking what Edgar wanted for lunch.”

Today, American Cable Company, Inc. comprises five manufacturing divisions, which include battery cables, wiring harnesses, assemblies, components, and contract manufacturing. All products are made in America from its 170,000 square foot manufacturing facility located in Northeast Philadelphia, PA. American Cable sells their products to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), defined as manufacturers who resell another company's product under their own name and branding.

American Cable customers also include John Deere, Caterpillar and small to medium sized businesses requiring customized parts.

In 2005, American Cable began to export.

“Approximately 30% of our sales are export,” says Henke de Vos, Global Sales Manager. “We export to the UK, Poland, Germany, India, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, France, Brazil, Italy and most recently, Australia.”

With the support of Dale Foote, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia International Trade Specialist, American Cable has set up distributors in Italy, Australia, and Poland.

 “Our company is well known for delivery and flexibility and superior engineering support,” adds de Vos.

In addition to its highly skilled, trained staff, American Cable hires and trains through IMPACT Services Corporation, a community organization that helps economically disadvantaged, as well as veterans and ex-prisoners find meaningful employment.

Carlos Gonzalez Jr. has been President of American Cable since 1990. Although retired, Carlos Sr. would start his day at the factory at 5 am every morning.  In 2010, Carlos Sr. celebrated his last birthday, his 82nd - at the warehouse.
“I know what the American dream is – it’s real. If you can make it anywhere, it’s here. I know what it took for my dad to get here,” says Gonzalez.


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​http://www.americancableco.com

Download the presentation here.
View photos of the event here.

“Great But Also Good,” the title of PA State Treasurer Joseph Torsella’s recent personal commentary on President George H.W. Bush, expresses in its simplicity what so many have been sharing this week about the leader and the man.   It was how Barbara Bush spoke about her husband, then - Presidential Candidate George Bush when I first met her in 1979 at a Springfield, Mass. Chamber breakfast. I was impressed by the resume and equally impressed by how she spoke of the man, his strength, kindness, humility and above all, love of country and of family. I said, “Sign me up!”  And thus began work on the Bush Presidential primary campaign, later the Reagan-Bush campaign, that led to me Washington, DC., as a young political appointee. With earlier positions at State and USIA, I was proud to serve President Bush as an Assistant Secretary of Commerce, overseeing worldwide offices dedicated to promoting this great country of ours to international visitors.  I will always remember President Bush’s personal participation in a video showcasing the beauty and diversity of America, where the film ended with the President asking, “So what are you waiting for, an invitation from the President?  America, it’s yours to Discover.”   Soon after, we received hundreds of letters from people abroad who had seen the video. 

​One, in particular, I shall never forget, where a British citizen remarked, “How wonderful for you to publicly declare your love of country!”  I also remember his kindness toward and appreciation of staff, at every level. How President and Mrs. Bush would delay departure to Texas during the Holidays so that USSS agents would have time for family.  That was Bush 41.  Unabashedly proud of our country and considerate of others. I later worked for his son, Bush 43, as an Assistant Commerce Secretary for Trade and, then, Vice Chair at Ex-Im Bank.  So when I went to the Capitol Rotunda on Tuesday, I joined so many Americans in saying thank you, President Bush, for your dedicated and principled leadership and for your love of country. And I expressed gratitude for the opportunity he gave me to experience and appreciate the nobility of public service.  It is my hope that many young people who came to know President Bush through the stories and tributes of these last few days will also be encouraged to serve our great country. 

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Linda Mysliwy Conlin
President, World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia