The stars of business and industry were out Thursday night as
the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting and
dinner at the Pennhills Club.

Officials said the awards celebrate people those members of the
community willing to take a risk, roll up their sleeves and put
their nose to the grindstone for a better Bradford.

This is a celebration of the Chambers progress over the last
year and our progress as a community, Chamber President Glen
Washington said told the 226 people in attendance.

Garnering the Large Business of the Year Award was Bradford
Regional Airport; Small Business of the Year, City Beers; and
Businessperson of the Year, Martin Mike Glesk, executive director
of the Bradford Area Alliance.

In introducing Airport Director Tom Frungillo and Airport
Authority Chairman and McKean County Commissioner Clifford Lane,
Washington recalled the previously turbulent history of the airport
and noted how officials associated with it have worked hard to
transform its image and status as a viable facility not only
locally, but on the state and federal levels.

There was a time when the airport was sitting on the runway
waiting to take off, Washington said. Across the country many
small, regional airports are on the ropes and it looked like our
small airport was on the same path.

As part of its turnaround, the airport now sports municipal
water and sewage service, a proposed Pennsylvania Army National
Guard and a diversified assortment of profitable ventures,
including timber and oil and gas rights. The airport has also been
recognized on the state and federal levels as a model airport
fighting the odds in a rural setting.

The airport is critical to our economic vitality, Washington
said, adding the airport was turned around due to its leadership
and attitude for growth. Nobody ever shrinks their way to
prosperity and the BRA understands that. They are not waiting for
the future to control them and are willing to take chances and
think outside the box.

In accepting the award, Lane credited Frungillo with bringing
the lions share of the changes about, noting (he) is a proactive
thinker and not afraid of taking on a challenge.

If you believe it, you can achieve it, Frungillo said.

Later, the airport was presented with a large Bowie knife from
W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., for being Large Business of the
Year.

Another success story has been Bradford City Beers, who Bradford
Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Diane Sheeley called
the citys own little Cheers.

Its the place where everybody knows your name, Sheeley said. The
Langianese family has taken risks and overcome setbacks and
recognizes family traditions.

The establishment has been in the Langianese family for 50
years, with the management of the business being transferred in
2002 from Mike Langianese Jr. to his son, Mike Pink Langianese
after the elder Langianese suffered a stroke.

The company also had to overcome a major setback with the loss
of its franchise agreement with Annheiser Busch, which represented
80 percent of its business. City Beers also expanded its line of
products with the purchase of Gleason Distributing.

Its a great honor to be recognized by your peers, Langianese
said, noting the honor really goes to his mother and father. Since
my fathers stroke, weve endured four of the hardest years of my
career.

Langianese said the company still has a rough road to travel
with the many changes facing the industry.

Lastly, Chamber First Vice President Tim Pecora introduced
Glesk, crediting the businessman with his community service and
professionalism.

Mike Glesk is a doer and is not afraid to roll his sleeves up
and get things done, Pecora said.

To that end, Glesk is involved with Continental 1, the Tuna
Valley Trail Association, Bradford Airport Advisory Committee and
Leadership McKean County, among others.

This award is about us, it is about Bradford, Glesk said. It is
about the people who believe in Bradford, who believe Bradford can
be a better place, who believe that our future isnt going to happen
to us that we are going to determine our future.

Glesk then handed out his top 10 observations for making success
come true in Bradford, including having a positive attitude, not
having excuses for inaction, seeing issues without party lines and
trusting people Get the right people involved and good things
happen.

Of all the places that I have lived, of all the jobs that I have
had, I cant think of a better place or a more rewarding job, Glesk
said.