IABC/Pittsburgh Executive Board 

Bryce Walat – Vice President, Electronic Communications

Bryce currently works as a Senior Writer in Highmark's multi-channel marketing team. He has more than 15 years of experience in professional and technical writing, editing, marketing, research, teaching, and instructional design experience working with corporate trainers, health care, finance, insurance, and academic institutions. Throughout his career, Bryce has lent his expertise to leading organizations in the Pittsburgh area, including IMPAQT/Merkle, Five Star Development, Inc., UPMC, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, University of Phoenix, and Carnegie Mellon University's Software Engineering Institute.  

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Alison Conte – Vice President, Finance

Alison,word enthusiast, has been a professional writer for many years. She has worked as an editor, publicist and web strategist in higher education, health care, manufacturing and social services. She now works with Highmark's multi-channel marketing team as a Senior Writer. A veteran journalist, she has been published in several books, Pittsburgh Magazine, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Sewickley Herald.    

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Mary Cvetan – Co-Director, Member Involvement

A full-time freelance writer since 2000, Mary works with a wide variety of clients, with a special focus on health care, insurance and higher education. Prior to launching her business, she served as the media spokesperson and marketing manager for Jefferson Hospital/South Hills Health System. Mary has served on the board of IABC/Pittsburgh since 2003, including terms as Co-President, Vice President of Professional Development, Vice President of Membership and Co-Chair, Golden Triangle Awards committee.

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Erin Hart – Co-Vice President, Professional Development 

Erin is a proposal writer with Telligen. She is a skilled technical and non-technical writer/editor/marketer, multi-tasker, and detail- and deadline-oriented communications professional. Throughout her career, Erin’s curiosity and journalistic background have facilitated her growth as a writer – one who can adapt easily to technical and non-technical industries, and create compelling, concise and salient content for various audiences across multiple communication platforms.

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David Phillips – Co-Vice President, Professional Development 

David is Marketing Manager with Hänel Storage Systems, a worldwide manufacturer of automated vertical storage systems, and is responsible for North American marketing initiatives. David has been resourceful and versatile throughout his career, and has worked with organizations ranging from manufacturing to media, including Heyl & Patterson Inc., Matthews International Corporation, Business Records Management, KDKA-TV and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

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Kelley Mandell – Vice President, Membership

Kelley is currently the Marketing Program Manager, Industrial & Global Accounts at WESCO Distribution. She has over 10 years of experience in marketing and corporate communications, as well as investor relations communications with the H.J. Heinz Company. Kelley is entering her fourth year as an IABC/Pittsburgh board member, having previously served as Director of Job Placement.

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Gina Puppo – Co-Director, Member Involvement

Gina is a Digital Content Manager in the Office of Enrollment Marketing at Point Park University. She is responsible for creating and maintaining engaging content for the Conservatory of Performing Arts and School of Communication sections of PointPark.edu. Prior to joining Point Park, she worked as an online editor for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and as a news producer at WTOV-TV. She has served on the Golden Triangle Awards committee and is a graduate of John Carroll University and Point Park University.    

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Dr. Karen Ferrick-Roman – Director, Student & University Relations

Karen serves as Director of Communications and Education for the nonprofit Village Theater Company, which is building a film-based education center in Sewickley. At Duquesne University, where Karen managed media efforts for 10 years, she placed more than 2,000 stories annually in local, regional, national and international online, print, radio and television outlets. A former award-winning writer and editor, Karen enjoys the energy and enthusiasm of students and their professors.   

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Craig Irons – IABC Certification Chair

Craig is Managing Editor at Development Dimensions International (DDI). In 2006, he attained the Accredited Business Communicator (ABC) credential, the global standard of professional achievement for business communicators. Craig has served on the adjunct faculty at Point Park University and Penn State Greater Allegheny, teaching courses in writing, marketing and public relations. 

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Dana Scarpino – Immediate Past President

Dana is Marketing Manager, Community Relations, at UPMC Health Plan. With nearly a decade of marketing communications experience, Dana leads public health awareness campaigns and develops marketing strategy for UPMC Health Plan's community initiatives. She has been an IABC member since 2010, and previously served as IABC/Pittsburgh’s Vice President of Judging Relations, 2012 Golden Triangle Awards Chair, and President.  

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