Golubock, Roseart and Crosby'sReceive Chamber's 2009 Awards

The Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the winners of their 2009 Awards. Each year the membership receives a ballot with three nominees in each category; Business Person of the Year, Small Business of the Year, and Large Business of the Year. This enables the membership to recognize those organizations, businesses and individuals furthering the chamber’s mission of economic growth and quality of life.

Business Person of the Year, Harvey L. Golubock, President and Chief Operation Officer of American Refining Group, has presided over the growth of the Bradford refinery since 1997 when it was purchased from Witco Corporation. He has provided consistent leadership, support and volunteerism for over 11 years touching nine non-profit organizations, affecting the inner core of our community.

When Mr. Golubock took the helm of ARG, the refinery was in jeopardy of being shut down. Since then, employment has more than doubled to over 325, the facility has built a finished lubricants business from zero to over $150 million in revenue, and the refined products business has grown and crude oil throughput rates have increased almost to capacity. Mr. Golubock has been integral in garnering almost $45 million in capital improvements and expansions.

Through Golubock’s efforts, ARG supports community and civic organizations by means of both monetary contributions and service. By example, Mr. Golubock encourages employees to participate and be active on not-for-profit boards and in professional organizations. His community service includes Beacon Light Behavioral Health System (since 1998, past Finance Committee Chair and Board Chair for seven years); Bradford Area Alliance (since 1997, Currently Co-chair); Bradford Regional Medical Center (Co-chair Natural Resource Division, current capital campaign); Penn Brad Oil Museum (Board); Bradford Area Master Plan Project (Chair Economic Development Council); Oil 150 (celebration steering committee); Pennsylvania Oil & Gas Association (POGAM, co-chaired effort raising $30,000 to partially fund Bradford Area High School’s oil and gas program); Temple Beth-El of Bradford (Board); University of Pittsburgh at Bradford (co-Chair current capital campaign, Advisory Board since 1998, past chair of Enrollment and Student Affairs Council/Advisory Board)

Golubock received the Presidential Medal of Distinction for service to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in 2008. In 2007, Mr. Golubock taped a PCN Network tour of the refinery. He received a BS degree in chemical engineering from City College of New York and an MBA degree from Rutgers University.

Other nominees for business person of the year were William S. Fargo, Director Global Accounting/Controller for Dresser Piping Specialties, and Carolyn Boser Newhouse, President of SuperUser Technologies.

Both the large and small business of the year awards are based on the organization’s investment and expansion, product/service development, economic stability, job creation and community service. Receiving the 2009 Large Business of the Year award is Crosby Marts.

Crosby Marts started as a family owned business founded in 1902 as Sunnybrook in Bradford. Today, seven Crosby convenience stores are located in the Bradford area are part of Reid Stores, Inc., a subsidiary of The Reid Group who operates 23 other stores under the names of K + K Food Marts and Crosby Marts throughout western and central New York. Crosby Marts strive to be recognized as the best marketer of motor fuel products and related services. Initially “convenience stores” were seen as a handy complement to traditional fuel service stations. Now they provide invaluable service regardless of your destination.

Crosby/Reid has been investing in the growth of the company through acquisition and new locations. Locally, significant resource investment and expansion includes partnership with Fullington Trailways to set up a bus stop at the 573 South Avenue store offering public service from Buffalo to Pittsburgh, major interior renovations including the Lewis Run location and razing and rebuilding the 1002 E. Main Store to include Bradford’s first Tim Hortons’ restaurant. This growth affords opportunities for their customers as well as their employees.

Productive partnerships with organizations and people are a testament to their growth. Their latest local expansion added three full-time and 20 part-time people. They consistently promote from within the organization and are proud that all of the current store mangers have been promoted from within. Honesty, trustworthy, customer focused, team spirit, cost conscious and entrepreneurial traits are valued, expected and rewarded. Business partners receive expert staff services such as training in store operation, management techniques, business development, employee relations, merchandising strategies, operational guidelines, market analysis and surveys, store image and assistance to secure national and regional franchises.

Community involvement: First Night Bradford, Kinzua Outdoor and Travel Show, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce, Bradford Regional Medical Center annual donor, and the Derrick City and Rew Volunteer Fire Departments. Reid Stores are active members in every major trade organization involving the petroleum, service station and convenience store industries, providing useful knowledge and competitive strategies.

The other nominees for Large Business of the year were Kane Hardwood Division of The Collins Companies and the Bradford Area School District.

Receiving the 2009 Small Business of the Year award is Roseart Company which was founded by Philip M. Rose on March 12, 1957, located at 12 Lincoln Avenue. The business remains in the family to this day with Ralph and Judy Rose and Mark and Kelly Platko acquiring the company from their father/grandfather Mr. Rose’s estate in June, 2000. In April 2002, it reopened for business. On June 23, 2008, the business moved to Main Street.

The move to Main Street afforded the owners space to expand their retail products and services. They added to their original line of table lighters and ashtrays with new styles and new materials such as exotic woods and ocean treasures made from sea shells. Roseart also added new gift products from companies such as Wendell August, Chef Specialties, Smethport Specialty Company, W.R. Case and Sons Cutlery, Zippo Manufacturing Company, Joshua’s Path all-natural soaps, local artisan’s handmade jewelry, and a humidor offering fine-quality cigars. Roseart will personalize gifts for any special occasion such as retirements, recognition, weddings. They consistently focus on offering quality, unique gifts made locally and in the USA. Gift wrapping and shipping services make it easier for their customers.

In addition to the storefront, consumers can purchase online. Roseart has international and domestic distributors with customers local and from as far away as Scotland, New Zealand, Japan, Philippines, New Mexico, and Ontario, Canada. They are working with North Central PA Regional Planning and Development Commission to increase their export business.

Roseart has hired three part-time staff in addition to the four owners’ involvement. One works at the store and two in manufacturing with Mark. They contract services from various area vendors. Roseart supports community events. On December 12, 2008, Bri and Cassy Platko won 1st place for the Living Windows display.

Ralph and Judy Rose also own Wright Monumental Works, Inc. on East Main Street, Bradford. Community involvement includes holding board positions on: Oak Hill Cemetery Association and Bradford Gun Club and active on committees or programs of the Bradford Oil 150 Committee, Bradford Family YMCA and Bradford Club.

The other nominees for Small Business of the Year were Eldred World War II Museum and the Era’s Less Fortunate (ELF) Fund.

All nine will receive awards and recognition during the evening.