‘Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest’ 2012 Class Announced

This week, the Western Pennsylvania Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation named “Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest” for 2012.

Fifty men and women were chosen for their activity in the community and success in their careers. Professionals were also selected on the basis of their commitment to others through their support of charitable causes by a steering committee, who believe each individual chosen best represents Pittsburgh’s young professionals.

I’m thrilled to say that I was chosen for this year’s class, and that I’ve raised nearly $4,000 thus far. Among the 50 honorees is Cami Hulin, owner of in .

Also this week, Patch featured this news on its Let's Go Patch site. Minutes later, I received an email from the editor of Lake Zurich Patch, near Chicago, whose best friend suffers from CF—a situation many across the world can relate to, which is one reason why this cause is so important.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects approximately 30,000 young people in the U.S.—taking the lives of many of those afflicted before the age of 37. The 50 Finest fundraising effort is in its 17th year.

Throughout the year, the 50 Finest will host fundraising events to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The final gala honoring each individual will be at the Omni William Penn Hotel on Aug. 16, 2012, which will be emceed by WTAE’s Amber Nicotra and the Talent Network’s Frank Murgia.

To support the honorees or to learn more about the gala, visit http://wpa.cff.org/50Finest. A list of upcoming honoree fundraising events can be found at http://www.Pittsburghs50Finest.com.

Here are the 2012 honorees: 

1. Jacqueline Allenberg, KYC analyst, Financial Market and Treasury Services, Bank of New York Mellon
2. Camera Bartolotta, owner, Bartolotta Investments Inc.; producer, Dolce Productions, LLC
3. Shana Bielich, financial planning associate, Coghill Investment Strategies LLC
4. Josh Bobrowsky, founding partner and head of social media, Icons Consulting; owner and head of social media, Integrated Fitness
5. Andrea Bosco, editor, Patch.com
6. Mark Burnett, special events manager, Senator John Heinz History Center
7. Angela Criscella, account executive, Group Sales and Service, Pittsburgh Pirates
8. Sarah DeMarco, director of operations, Rostrum Records
9. Corina Straub Diehl, president and CEO, Diehl Automotive Group
10. Clay Endicott, district sales manager, FedEx Services
11. Hannah Feldman, research analyst, National Cyber-Forensics and Training Alliance
12. Ted Ferdinand, diabetes care specialist, Novo Nordisk Inc.
13. Alyssa Francescone, director of marketing, Donwil Company
14. Dr. Terrence Gilbert, medical director, Hospitalist Practice, St. Clair Hospital
15. Kimberley Gill, news anchor, KDKA CBS 2
16. Dr. Christopher P. Hayner, dentist and owner, Christopher P. Hayner, DMD
17. Derric Heck, director of Strategic Initiatives, Propel Schools
18. Cami Hulin, owner,
19. Sofie Jacobs, corporate actions analyst, BNY Mellon
20. Dominic Alan Janidas, president, Orion Management Group
21. Chuck Kerber, executive corporate chef, Euphoria Post
22. Courtney King, secondary English teacher, Hampton Township School District
23. Rob Kozel, president and CEO, Mountaineer Keystone LLC
24. Mark Miller, partner, Treasure Hunt; partner, Village at Heatherbrae
25. Lisa Miracle, eighth-grade teacher, McKeesport Area School District
26. Regis Molyneaux, co-founder and director of Social Media & Sales, Midnightguru.com
27. Dr. Natalie Monaco, dentist, Nathan Laughery LLC
28. Dena Muscarella, marketing communications specialist, Thermo Fischer Scientific
29. Beth Nelson, project manager and senior architect, Desmone & Associates Architects
30. Rohn Neugebauer, owner and CFO, Studio Raw Hair and Cosmetics; real estate agent, Howard Hanna, Hampton Office
31. Jessica Neuhart, senior staff occupational therapist, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
32. Joe Nickel, logistics manager, Bridge Connections; artistic director, Madhouse Productions
33. Dawn Marie Nowry, professional model, The Talent Group
34. David Onufer, vice president of operations, Forest Hills Transfer & Storage
35. Maria Palermo, owner, Palermo Photo; assistant director, European Union Center of Excellence, University of Pittsburgh
36. K. Chase Patterson, president and CEO, Corporate Diversity Associates LLC
37. Steve Persing, account executive, Premier Innovations Group
38. Robert J. Plutto, Jr., director of operations, Marriott International
39. Clint Pohl, restaurant owner, Sauce and Rum Fish
40. Toni Ann Sacco, financial advisor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
41. Jessica Sebastian, associate lease analyst, EXCO Resources (PA) LLC
42. Demetra Serviou, member outreach analyst, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
43. Ashley Thompson, owner and president, Elliven Spa
44. Ivan Usero, bilingual agency point recruiter, Farmers Insurance Group
45. Anthony Ventura, director, Schneider Downs Corporate Finance, L.P
46. Pete Vuckovich Jr., JD, associate relationship manager, PNC Wealth Management
47. Mike Ward, business consultant, Long Nyquist and Associates
48. Tamara Whiting, account manager, Expion LLC
49. Dan Wind, sales manager, Woltz and Wind Ford, and Washington Ford
50. Jason Young, director of communications, Swank Audio Visual

Editor's Note: To make a donation, please visit my site here. Interested in being involved in an upcoming fundraising event? Email andrea.bosco@patch.com. Thanks, sincerely, for your support!