March 20, 2023

Credit: The Herald-Mail, USA TODAY Network

The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics Hagerstown campus will receive $750,000 in federal funding to support an expansion of its facilities at 14516 Pennsylvania Ave. north of Hagerstown, according to a news release from the organization.

The money was a part of the omnibus spending bill passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden in December. The PIA Hagerstown project was secured by U.S. Rep. David Trone, D-6th, and U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin, both Democrats.

The Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics officially opened at its Pennsylvania Avenue site north of Hagerstown in May 2013. Recently, the school announced it would be receiving $750,000 in federal funding to help build an expansion at the facility.
The construction project will extend the hangar space where training aircraft are housed by approximately 10,000 square feet and expand the Powerplant workshop, a component of the FAA-mandated Airframe and Powerplant license earned by PIA graduates, according to the release. Due to the nationwide A&P mechanic shortage, PIA is trying to increase the number of licensed mechanics available to enter the workforce.

PIA’s Hagerstown campus currently features more than 18,000 square feet of classrooms, workshops, labs and hangar space designed to offer an effective hands-on training environment for aircraft technicians, according to the release.

Meritus announces new chief operating officer for proposed medical school
Meritus Health recently named Dave Lehr as the chief operating officer for the proposed Meritus School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Dave Lehr
Lehr currently serves as Meritus Health’s chief strategy officer, and will maintain that position, said Maulik Joshi, Meritus Health’s president and CEO.

“Dave has served Meritus Health in a tremendous capacity since he joined our organization in 2021,” Joshi said in a news release. “He’s helped Meritus bring on specialist services and physicians to serve the needs of our community as we continue to grow. Dave has been a guiding force for the proposed medical school since its inception, helping to lead our startup efforts.”

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Joshi said the accreditation process for the medical school is progressing, and construction on the state-of-the-art, 200,000-square-foot academic building has begun.

“The proposed school will help us prepare physicians who are professionally accomplished, socially responsible, and community oriented,” Lehr said in the release. “It will also improve the local economy, providing hundreds of new jobs to the region, and ultimately improving the health of our community by reducing a growing physician shortage.”

Lovisa “caters to every woman, with 150 new styles being delivered to stores each week,” the release states. Within its 1,032-square-foot space, shoppers will be greeted by stylists bringing expert advice on current trends, styling techniques and more.

“We are delighted to welcome Lovisa to Valley Mall,” Mikia Ross, senior marketing director, said in the news release. “Lovisa stores are known for trendy and affordable jewelry worldwide, and we are so excited that they continue to expand their stores within the PREIT portfolio.”

After launching its first store in April 2010, the company has more than 700 stores, the release said. Lovisa can now be found in more than 30 countries.

Shoppers will soon be able to take advantage of Lovisa’s ongoing promotion of free piercings with select earring purchases. The store is between Zales and T-mobile.

Callas Contractors marks 65 years in business
Callas Contractors celebrated its 65th anniversary on Feb. 28, according to an email from President and CEO Timothy Campbell.

“It is a proud moment to announce such an achievement with a profound contribution to so many aspects of this community both physically and charitably,” Campbell wrote. “Personnel, past and present, have been guided by the company’s core values among which serving the community is a major element.”

The company was formed in Hagerstown by Michael G. Callas “to act as a general contractor for the construction, repairing, and remodeling of buildings and public works of all kinds,” according to the company’s website.

Callas specializes in the construction of health care, office buildings, warehouses, schools, hotels, religious facilities, funeral homes, government, mixed use, retail, utilities and housing/residential, according to the website.

“Construction is a natural way in contributing, and Callas will continue this effort for many years to come,” Campbell wrote.

Local Spherion franchisee gets top honor at convention
Spherion Staffing and Recruiting recently announced that Tammy Feaster was recognized as one of the “Franchisee of the Year” recipients at the International Franchise Association’s 2023 annual convention in Las Vegas, a news release from the company said.

The IFA has more than 1,400 brands and thousands of franchisees in its network, according to the release. Every year through its awards program, the IFA recognizes individuals who contribute to making franchising the acknowledged leader in distribution methods, while spotlighting their accomplishments and innovations.

“I am so honored to receive this recognition from the IFA.,” Feaster, who owns offices in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia, said in the news release. “I love Spherion so much, and love what I do every day. It’s fantastic to be able to see all that hard work paid off.

“I’m so appreciative for the support from my incredible teams, our clients, candidates and of course the Spherion franchise community. I’m honored to represent our brand with this achievement.”

Opening? Moving? Got a new hire or promotion? Let us know
If you have details on a business coming or going in Washington County, Md., or Franklin County, Pa., email us at news@herald-mail.com.