July 6, 2022 | Pittsburgh Works Together
PITTSBURGH – The board of Pittsburgh Works Together announced today that Michael Huwar, president of the Peoples division of Essential Utilities Inc., has been named co-chair of the business-labor alliance.
Huwar succeeds Morgan O’Brien, who will remain on the Pittsburgh Works board after two years of helping guide the organization to a prominent role in economic development in the Pittsburgh region.
The group also announced that Donald F. Smith, president of the Regional Industrial Development Corporation (RIDC) of Southwestern Pennsylvania has joined the Pittsburgh Works Together board.
Huwar, a native of Perryopolis who currently resides in Franklin Park, will join Tom Melcher, business manager of the Pittsburgh Regional Building and Construction Trades Council as co-chair of Pittsburgh Works.
“You have labor and business all working together for the same goals: a robust economy, jobs for everyone, a higher standard of living, a focus on vulnerable neighborhoods, and low-cost energy and all the benefits that implies,” Huwar said. He also praised O’Brien’s service to the group, which enters its third year after it was launched as a joint business-labor-civic leader group devoted to an all-inclusive economy that builds on the foundation of traditional industry while advancing new economy technologies.
Melcher welcomed the new co-chair.
“Morgan laid a solid foundation on which to build, and Mike’s appreciation for the work of organized labor marks him as a leader ready to bridge the gap and make sure that business and labor recognize the crucial bond they share in building a stronger economy in our region,” Melcher said.
Jeff Nobers, executive director of Pittsburgh Works, said the organization is preparing to lean into a post-pandemic era that emphasizes an all-of-the-above economy. He said he is especially pleased to welcome Smith, of the RIDC, to the board.
“Don has played a leading role in strategic economic development efforts in the region,” Nobers said. “His insights and experience will make him an indispensable addition to the board.”
Huwar joined Peoples after more than 34 years with Columbia Gas, where he served in numerous director and vice-presidential roles, becoming Columbia’s president and Chief Operating Officer for Pennsylvania and Maryland.
He currently serves on the board of directors for the Marcellus Shale Coalition and the Energy Association of Pennsylvania.
The board officially installed both Huwar and Smith at its June meeting.
Contact: Jeff Nobers - 412.977.1263
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