http://www.e-magnify.com E-Magnify.com en-us 2010, Seton Hill University. All Rights Reserved Wed, 10 Mar 2010 12:47:37 EST 240 SBA News Release
PRESS OFFICE
**************
SBA Proposes Women-Owned Small Business Rule To Expand Access to Federal Contracting Opportunities

Release Date: March 2, 2010
Contact: Hayley Matz (202) 205-6948
Release Number: 10-05
Internet Address: http://www.sba.gov/news

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Small Business Administration today released a proposed rule aimed at expanding federal contracting opportunities for women- owned small businesses (WOSB). The proposed rule is available for public comment for 60 days.

The proposed rule is part of the Obama Administration's overall commitment to expanding opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal contracts, in particular those owned by women, minorities and veterans. This proposed rule identifies 83 industries in which WOSBs are under-represented or substantially under-represented in the federal contract marketplace. This rule is aimed at providing greater opportunities for WOSBs to compete for federal contracts, while achieving the existing statutory goal that 5 percent of federal contracting dollars go to women-owned small businesses.

"Women-owned small businesses are one of the fastest growing segments of our economy, yet they continue to be under-represented when it comes to federal contracting," said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. "Across the country, women are leading strong, innovative companies, and we know that securing federal contracts can be the opportunity that helps them take their businesses to the next level, expand their volume and create good-paying jobs. This proposed rule is a step forward in helping ensure greater access for women- owned small businesses in the federal marketplace."

The creation of a rule to increase federal contracting opportunities for WOSBs was authorized by Congress in 2000. Since that time, SBA took a number of steps to study and analyze the market, including looking at participation by women-owned small businesses across all industries. Various draft rules were made available for public comment in prior years, but the Obama Administration chose last year to draft a new, comprehensive rule, based on the analysis of the prior studies and on all the questions and comments previously received.

Some of the components of the proposed Women-Owned Small Business rule
include:

• To be eligible, a firm must be 51 percent owned and controlled by one or more women, and primarily managed by one or more women. The women must be U.S. citizens. The firm must be "small" in its primary industry in accordance with SBA's size standards for that industry. In order for a WOSB to be deemed "economically disadvantaged," its owners must demonstrate economic disadvantage in accordance with the requirements set forth in the proposed rule.
• Based upon the analysis in a study commissioned by the SBA from the Kauffman-RAND Foundation, the proposed rule identifies 83 industries (identified by "NAICS" codes) in which women-owned small businesses are
under-represented or substantially under-represented.
o The SBA has identified eligible industries based upon the combination of both the "share of contracting dollars" analysis, as well as the "share of number of contracts awarded" analysis used in the RAND study. This differs from an earlier proposed version of the rule which identified only four industries in which women-owned small businesses were under-represented. This earlier version proposed to identify eligible industries based solely on the "share of contracting dollars" analysis used in the RAND study.
• In accordance with the statute, the proposed rule authorizes a set-aside of federal contracts for WOSBs where the anticipated contract price does not exceed $5 million in the case of manufacturing contracts and $3 million in the case of other contracts. Contracts with values in excess of these limits are not subject to set-aside under this program.
• The proposed rule removes the requirement, set forth in a prior proposed version, that each federal agency certify that it had engaged in discrimination against women-owned small businesses in order for the program to apply to contracting by that agency.
• The proposed rule allows women-owned small businesses to self-certify as "WOSBs" or to be certified by third-party certifiers, including government entities and private certification groups.
o The proposed rule requires WOSBs which self-certify to submit a robust certification at the federal ORCA Web site and also to submit a core set of eligibility-related documents to an online "document repository" to be maintained by the SBA. Each agency's contracting officers will have full
access to this repository.
o The SBA intends to engage in a significant number of program examinations to confirm eligibility of individual WOSBs.
o In the event of a contract protest or program review, the SBA will be entitled to request substantial additional documentation from the WOSB to establish eligibility.
o SBA intends vigorously to pursue ineligible firms which seek to take advantage of this program and in so doing to deny its benefits to the intended legitimate WOSBs.

The public may submit comments to this proposed rule up until close of business on May 3, 2010, to www.regulations.gov, where they will be posted after 4 p.m. EST today, or by mailing them to Dean Koppel, Assistant Director, Office of Policy and Research, Office of Government Contracting, U.S. Small
Business Administration, 409 3rd St. SW, Washington, DC 20416. Please
reference RIN 3245-AG06 when submitting comments.

### ]]> Wed, 3 Mar 2010 0:0:0 EST Westmoreland County Winner's Circle
February 4, 2010
Press Release

Media Contact: Cheri Cavanaugh, Winners Circle Marketing Communications Co-Chair, 724-834-1260, ext. 107, ccavanaugh@westmorelandca.org
Westmoreland County Winners' Circle Seeking 2010 Nominations

GREENSBURG, Pa. - Do you know a woman, man, business or organization who advocates for women, women-owned businesses and our community? Now is the time to nominate them for the 2010 Westmoreland County Winners' Circle awards. The nomination deadline is midnight February 26, 2010.

Now in its 15th year, the Winners Circle Awards Program is Westmoreland County's most prestigious business awards program. The program, which is presented by Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center, recognizes women, men, businesses or organizations who inspire others and advocate for women, women-owned business and our community. The Winners Circle awards include the prestigious ATHENA Award, the Seton Hill University Entrepreneurial Excellence Award, the Award for Community Service and the YWCA Rising Star Award.

Since the program's inception in 1995, 42 individuals and businesses or organizations have been honored at the awards luncheon which this year will be held May 19 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Greensburg.

2010 Award Criteria:

ATHENA Award
•Awarded to a woman or man who devotes time and energy to improve quality of life for others
•Mentors other women to reach full leadership potential
•Demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in business or profession

Seton Hill University Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
• Awarded to an individual (man or woman), organization or business
• Advocates for growth and success of women owned businesses
• Creative in promoting and supporting women to be valuable contributors to the Westmoreland County economy

Award for Community Service
• Presented to a woman who has contributed her time, resources and efforts to community organizations and community growth
• Contributes personal influence and involvement beyond job expectations

YWCA Rising Star Award
• Awarded to a woman, 30 years of age or under
• Exhibits early professional success and potential to obtain marked achievement
• Demonstrates willingness to help others, especially women and girls

New in 2010 is a one-step nomination process. To nominate an individual, business, or organization for a 2010 Winners' Circle Award, please visit www.e-magnify.com for details about the program and to complete and submit a nomination form. It's fast and simple to nominate someone online. If you do not have internet access and need assistance or have questions, please call Seton Hill University's E-Magnify at 724-830-4625.
Winners will be honored at the Winners' Circle Award luncheon on May 19, 2010 at Four Points by Sheraton, Greensburg, Pa.
]]> Thu, 4 Feb 2010 0:0:0 EST Office of Public Information

January 8, 2010

News Release

Media contact:
Kary L. Coleman, Director of Media Relations and Communications, 724-830-1069 (work) 724-825-8505 (cell) / coleman@setonhill.edu

E-Magnify Partners to Host Women, Money, and Opportunity Seminar 1/29

GREENSBURG, Pa.- Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center is partnering with Women Impacting Public Policy and the Pennsylvania Treasury Department's Women and Money Project to host "Women, Money, and Opportunity," a one day seminar for women business owners and entrepreneurs, on Friday, January 29, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at The Rivers Club in Pittsburgh, Pa. The cost to attend is $50 per person. Register at http://www.wipp.org/events/event_details.asp?id=88205. For more information, please contact Jason Lalak at jlalak@wipp.org.

"Women, Money, and Opportunity" will provide resources for Pennsylvania women entrepreneurs to start, grow, and innovate their businesses. The program will provide vital information, tools, and resources in three target areas, contracting, accessing capital, and business matchmaking.

Women Impacting Public Policy is a national bipartisan public policy organization that advocates for and on behalf of women and minorities in business in the legislative processes of our nation, creating economic opportunities and building bridges and alliances to other small business organizations.

Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center program provides business counseling, education/training and mentoring services to help women start and grow their businesses. Since its inception in 1991, E-Magnify has reached thousands of women through its initiatives and has distinguished itself as a leading resource for women business owners in western Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.e-magnify.com.

Seton Hill University, founded in 1885 by the Sisters of Charity and chartered as a four year college in 1918, is a coeducational Catholic liberal arts university in Greensburg, Pa. Seton Hill offers more than 30 undergraduate programs and eight graduate programs, including an MBA, and four graduate certificate programs. For more information on Seton Hill please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 1-800-826-6234.

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Kary L. Coleman
Director of Media Relations & Communications
Seton Hill University
Seton Hill Drive Greensburg, PA 15601
724.830.1069 (work) 724.825.8505 (cell)
coleman@setonhill.edu
]]> Fri, 8 Jan 2010 0:0:0 EST Seton Hill University
Office of Public Information

December 23, 2009

News Release

Media contact:
Kary L. Coleman, Director of Media Relations and Communications, 724-830-1069 (work) 724-825-8505 (cell) / coleman@setonhill.edu

E-Magnify to Offer QuickBooks Training in Janyuary and February

GREENSBURG, Pa.- Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center will offer two QuickBooks accounting software training options in January and February.

A QuickBooks workshop will be held on Tuesdays from 2-5 p.m. January 12-February 2, 2010. The workshop will be held in Room 309 of the Administration Building on Seton Hill University's hilltop campus in Greensburg, Pa. The cost to attend the workshop is $150.

E-Magnify will provide QuickBooks Consulting Clinics on January 12, 19, and 26 and February 2, 2010, from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The clinics will be held in Room 311 of the Administration Building on Seton Hill University's hilltop campus in Greensburg, Pa. The cost to attend each clinic is $65.

For more information or to register for the QuickBooks workshop or clinics, call 724-830-4625 or visit https://www.e-magnify.com/events_list.asp.

The QuickBooks workshop is an introductory, hands-on training covering QuickBooks set up, Vendor Center, Customer Center, Employee Center, and Banking Center. The class is limited to 10 participants.

The QuickBooks Consulting Clinics are designed for individuals who are currently working with QuickBooks. The clinics are small group seminars that are highly individualized. The topics covered include managing inventory, reconciling the checkbook and credit card accounts, billing, budgeting, and creating monthly reports. Each clinic is limited to five participants.
Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center program provides business counseling, education/training and mentoring services to help women start and grow their businesses. Since its inception in 1991, E-Magnify has reached thousands of women through its initiatives and has distinguished itself as a leading resource for women business owners in western Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.e-magnify.com.
Seton Hill University, founded in 1885 by the Sisters of Charity and chartered as a four year college in 1918, is a coeducational Catholic liberal arts university in Greensburg, Pa. Seton Hill offers more than 30 undergraduate programs and eight graduate programs, including an MBA, and four graduate certificate programs. For more information on Seton Hill please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 1-800-826-6234.

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]]> Wed, 23 Dec 2009 0:0:0 EST
Office of Public Information

November 6, 2009

News Release

Media contact:
Kary L. Coleman, Director of Media Relations and Communications, 724-830-1069 (work) 724-825-8505 (cell) / coleman@setonhill.edu

Technology Entrepreneurs to speak at Seton Hill on 11/17

Denise DeSimone, Sue McMurdy, Susan Tresatti, and Barbara VanKirk to share How They Are Solving 21st Century Problems with Technology

GREENSBURG, Pa.- As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week, Seton Hill University's Farrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Series will present "Impact Technology: An Entrepreneurial Perspective," a free public lecture, on Tuesday, November 17, at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served beginning at 5:30 p.m. Denise DeSimone, chief executive officer, Advanticom, Sue McMurdy, executive vice president and chief information officer, First Commonwealth Financial Corporation, Susan Tresatti, president, Taylored Solutions, Inc., and Barbara VanKirk, president and owner, IQ Inc., will serve as panelists. The event will take place in the Cecilian Hall, on Seton Hill University's Greensburg, Pa. hilltop campus. As seating is limited, please register by calling 724-830-4637 or e-mailing mendish@setonhill.edu. This event is co-sponsored by Seton Hill's MBA program and the E-Magnify women's business center at Seton Hill.

Denise DeSimone joined Advanticom as chief executive officer in 2005. Advanticom is the leading provider of integrated voice and data infrastructure. During her career, DeSimone has started four companies. Her most recent development was in 2002 with Unicorp. By 2004, Unicorp had revenues exceeding $74 million. DeSimone is the recipient of the following accolades Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business for 2009; Ernst and Young 2008 Entrepreneur of the Year for western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and northern New York; 2007 Southwestern Pennsylvania's Top Five Women Entrepreneurs; Deloitte and Touche Fast 50 Growth Companies; Microsoft Partner Development; Avaya Diamond Dealer; and Siebel Alliance Partner. DeSimone earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

Sue McMurdy serves as the executive vice president and chief information officer for First Commonwealth Financial Corporation. In this role, McMurdy is responsible for the strategic development and implementation of all data processing and technology systems. Additionally, she oversees all operations processes for the bank, security systems, facilities, and real estate for more than 120 physical locations in 15 counties in western and central Pennsylvania. McMurdy founded and serves as the executive sponsor for First Commonwealth for Women, a guiding coalition for the company whose mission is to create a supportive and rewarding work environment for First Commonwealth's nearly 1,300 female employees.

Susan Tresatti is the president of Taylored Solutions, Inc., which is a women business enterprise (WBE) certified information technology consulting company located in Saxonburg, Pa. She has over 20 years of experience in the technology field, working for Fortune 500 company Chambers Development, Inc. as well as Seton Hill University. Tresatti earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business from Point Park University and her Master of Business Administration degree from Seton Hill University.

Barbara VanKirk founded IQ Inc. in 1994 to provide professional consulting and software development services to companies with information technology needs and to contribute to the growth of information technology professionals in the Pittsburgh area. VanKirk has been recognized as the 2009 ATHENA Award Winner by the Westmoreland County Winner's Circle, one of 2008's Enterprising Women of the Year Award winners, Monroeville Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2007, and one of Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business in 2003. VanKirk earned her Bachelor of Science degree in computer science from Point Park University.

The Farrell Entrepreneurial Leadership Series is a program of The Farrell Programs for Innovation in Business at Seton Hill, and is made possible by a gift from the Farrell Family Foundation of Pittsburgh. The Farrell Programs for Innovation in Business help Seton Hill students develop the entrepreneurial skills needed to compete in a rapidly changing world by integrating entrepreneurship, grounded in the liberal arts, into all levels of the University's academic programs.

Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center program provides business counseling, education/training and mentoring services to help women start and grow their businesses. Since its inception in 1991, E-Magnify has reached thousands of women through its initiatives and has distinguished itself as a leading resource for women business owners in western Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.e-magnify.com.

Seton Hill's MBA program includes specializations in management and entrepreneurship. The accelerated eight-week sessions allow students the opportunity to complete the program in one calendar year. For information, please visit Seton Hill's website, www.setonhill.edu, or contact the Office of Graduate and Adult Studies by e-mail, gadmit@setonhill.edu or by phone, 724-838-4221.

Seton Hill University, founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1918, is a coeducational Catholic liberal arts university in Greensburg, Pa. Seton Hill offers more than 30 undergraduate programs and eight graduate programs, including an MBA, and three graduate certificate programs. For more information on Seton Hill please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 1-800-826-6234.

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]]> Wed, 4 Nov 2009 0:0:0 EST Office of Public Information

October 1, 2009

News Release

Media contact:
Kary L. Coleman, Director of Media Relations and Communications 724-830-1069 (work) 724-825-8505 (cell) / coleman@setonhill.edu

U.S. Small Business Assistant Administrator Ana Harvey Visits with E-Magnify Staff, Seton Hill Administrators

GREENSBURG, Pa.- Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center welcomes Ana Harvey to the University's Greensburg, Pa. campus, on Thursday, October 1, 2009. Harvey will visit and tour E-Magnify, which is located on the Third Floor of the Administration Building on Seton Hill University's hilltop campus from 3-4:30 p.m. At 4:30, Harvey will have dinner with E-Magnify staff, clients, and friends and Seton Hill University administrators in the Parlors (Rooms 202 and 203), which is located on the Second Floor of the Administration Building on Seton Hill University's hilltop campus.

Ana Harvey, U.S. Small Business Administration assistant administrator for Women's
Business Ownership and director the Office of Women's Business Ownership, will visit Seton
Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center, which is one of the women's business
center programs funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Women's
Business Owners, as part of her visit to southwestern Pennsylvania.

Harvey will give the keynote address at the National Association of Women Business Owners
(NAWBO) third annual "NAWBO Day: Think GINORMOUS" event on Friday, October 2, at
the Radisson Pittsburgh Green Tree Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa. The title of her presentation is
"How the SBA Can Help You Grow Your Business."

Following her keynote address, Harvey joined Seton Hill University E-Magnify Director Jayne
Huston, National NAWBO Chair Wendy Lopez and Rebecca Harris, Director, Center for
Women's Entrepreneurship, Chatham University for a Women's Business Owners Advocacy
panel discussion.

Harvey oversees the Small Business Administration's efforts to promote growth of women-
owned businesses through programs designed to provide business training and counseling, access
to credit and capital, and networking opportunities. Harvey manages a nationwide network of
women's business centers, including E-Magnify, that provide training and counseling to
entrepreneurs across the United States.

Seton Hill University's E-Magnify women's business center program provides business counseling, education/training and mentoring services to help women start and grow their businesses. Since its inception in 1991, E-Magnify has reached thousands of women through its initiatives and has distinguished itself as a leading resource for women business owners in western Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.e-magnify.com.
Seton Hill University, founded by the Sisters of Charity in 1918, is a coeducational Catholic liberal arts university in Greensburg, Pa. Seton Hill offers more than 30 undergraduate programs and eight graduate programs, including an MBA, and three graduate certificate programs. For more information on Seton Hill please visit www.setonhill.edu or call 1-800-826-6234.
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]]> Thu, 1 Oct 2009 0:0:0 EST Register Today for the Women's Economic Development Outreach (WEDO) Program

"Strategies for a Sustainable Business"

The Women's Economic Development Outreach (WEDO) program will present a panel discussion on "Strategies for a Sustainable Business" for women business owners on Friday, October 16th from 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Seton Hill University, Cecilian Hall. The prestigious lineup of speakers will feature national experts via live streaming video from Cleveland, Ohio connecting hundreds of business women across the United States. The national program will be followed by a local program focusing on WBE Certification.

Speakers for the National WEDO Program are:


Cindy Bates, Vice President, Microsoft North America

Genevieve Boss, Founding Publisher/Owner of Pink Magazine

Marilyn D. Landis, President of, Basic Business Concepts, Inc.

Mercedes LaPorta, President, Mercedes Electric

Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO, SBTV.com

Following the streaming video panel presentation, a WBE Certification Workshop will be presented by Elizabeth Bowers from the Department of General Services, Bureau of Minority and Women Business Opportunities (BMWBO). There is no additional charge for the expanded local program which will also at held Seton Hill University.

Go to http://www.e-magnify.com/press_release_2009_WEDO.pdf to find out more about the program or to register now!

Go to http://www.wviz.org/index.php/wviz/programming/wedo/ to watch the 2008 National WEDO Tour panel broadcast

]]> Thu, 1 Oct 2009 0:0:0 EST Please visit www.e-magnify.com and check out the latest features and updates! ]]> Mon, 4 Feb 2008 0:0:0 EST