Entrepreneurs to Discuss Natural Gas Business and Job Opportunities

Students and members of the general public can hear about the abundant possibilities for small businesses, entrepreneurs and employment created by the Marcellus Shale natural gas industry that is booming in the northern tier counties of Pennsylvania and other parts of the country.

A panel of entrepreneurs who have successfully tapped into the diverse opportunities this industry provides will convene at The University of Scranton’s McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center on Thursday, March 1, at 7 p.m. One of the panelists has started six different businesses that currently employ more than 200 people.

“The program outlines opportunities for any majors,” said Alan Brumagim, Ph.D., associate professor of management and director of the Entrepreneurship Program at The University of Scranton. “We are finding in the entrepreneurship minor that about half the students are non-business majors from a variety of departments.”

Panelists are Adam Diaz, president and CEO of the Diaz Companies Group; Rick Marquardt, director of the Natural Gas Technology Program at Lackawanna College; Joe Pipitone, owner of Top Notch Tree Care; Ryan Stalker, operations supervisor for Williams (an energy infrastructure company); Greg Scheer, owner of GCS Home Inspections; and Stephen Pendrak, supervisor, gas regulation at UGI Utilities. Greg Banks, a business/economics specialist at Lackawanna College, will moderate the discussion.

Presented by Lackawanna College and The University of Scranton Entrepreneurship Program, in conjunction with the Northeast Pennsylvania Technology member colleges and universities, the panel discussion is free and open to the public.

For additional information, call 941-7401.