Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce holds Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting in Pittston Feb. 26

PITTSTON — The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce held its annual Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting on Friday, Feb. 26 at the Gramercy Ballroom & Restaurant.

Jerry Champi, current president of the chamber, introduced Michelle Mikitish during the event, the chamber’s new executive vice president/secretary. Mikitish took over on Jan. 1 for Rosemary Dessoye, who retired after 26 years with the chamber. Mikitish thanked all the members for attending and expressed her excitement in looking towards the future with members under her tenure.

Principal speaker, Christine Jenson, site administrator, PA CareerLink Luzerne County, discussed the benefits of local businesses partnering with CareerLink. Cindy Vough, constituent services and outreach representative for state Sen. John Yudichak, served as the breakfast’s general chairperson.

Jenson, a native of Scranton with roots in Greater Pittston, oversees the CareerLink offices in Wilkes-Barre and Hazleton, the region’s largest employment and business services agency in Luzerne County, which has become a one-stop center for both jobseekers and employers.

“Our goal is to engage business, industry, education, economic development, and community organizations to participate with the public workforce development system to identify workforce challenges and develop strategies and solutions to address these challenges,” Jenson said.

Even though Jenson’s focus was how to help businesses, she also said CareerLink offers many services to jobseekers, the under-employed and those looking to make a career change.

Jenson said there are some misconceptions about the office. “We are not the unemployment office; we got out of that business 18 years ago,” she said.

The PA CareerLink Luzerne County is funded through the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Investment Board and operates under the direction of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, which provides government resources on the local, state and national level.

Jenson stressed most programs through CareerLink are free because of state funding. Employers can post jobs for free. Businesses can also receive assistance in marketing open positions, job screening, administration of assessments, interviewing and scheduling.

Employers and the unemployed can go to www.jobgateway.pa.gov for help in the job or employee search.

Other programs are available including seminars through CareerLink. For further information contact Christine at f70-822-1101, ext. 3057 or Trina Moss at 570-822-1101, ext. 297.

Greater Pittston businesses can contact Brandi Bartush at the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce for membership information or other question by calling 570-655-1424 or emailing to info@pittstonchamber.org.

Members of the head table of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce’s Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting pose for a photo. First row, from left, are Cindy Vough, general chairperson of the breakfast; Christine Jenson, principal speaker, site administrator, PA CareerLink Luzerne County; Michelle Mikitish, chamber executive director/secretary; Patricia Stella, chamber first vice president. Second row, Jerry Champi, chamber president; Atty. Samuel Falcone, chamber counsel; Stephen Grossbauer, chamber treasurer; Richard Kazmerick, chamber third vice president; Atty. Joseph Burke, chamber immediate past president.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Chamber-Mid-Winter-Meeting-1.jpgMembers of the head table of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce’s Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting pose for a photo. First row, from left, are Cindy Vough, general chairperson of the breakfast; Christine Jenson, principal speaker, site administrator, PA CareerLink Luzerne County; Michelle Mikitish, chamber executive director/secretary; Patricia Stella, chamber first vice president. Second row, Jerry Champi, chamber president; Atty. Samuel Falcone, chamber counsel; Stephen Grossbauer, chamber treasurer; Richard Kazmerick, chamber third vice president; Atty. Joseph Burke, chamber immediate past president. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Cindy Vough, general chairperson of the Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting, speaks at the event, sponsored by the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. Vough is the constituent services and outreach representative for state Sen. John Yudichak.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Chamber-Mid-Winter-Meeting-2.jpgCindy Vough, general chairperson of the Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting, speaks at the event, sponsored by the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce. Vough is the constituent services and outreach representative for state Sen. John Yudichak. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Michelle Mikitish, executive director/secretary of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, addresses members during the chamber’s Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting Feb. 26.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Chamber-Mid-Winter-Meeting-3.jpgMichelle Mikitish, executive director/secretary of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, addresses members during the chamber’s Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting Feb. 26. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Christine Jenson, site administrator, PA CareerLink Luzerne County, is the principal speaker at the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting at the Gramercy Ballroom & Restaurant, Pittston.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_Chamber-Mid-Winter-Meeting-4.jpgChristine Jenson, site administrator, PA CareerLink Luzerne County, is the principal speaker at the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce Mid-Winter Breakfast Meeting at the Gramercy Ballroom & Restaurant, Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch