Don’t be afraid. We’ve got a great new site with all kinds of great, Pittsburgh-tech content. Look for features, events, workforce news and videos as a great side to the breaking news that you’ve come to devour at ye olde Techburgher.

We’re going to pull the plug on this site by the end of January. All four years of Techburgher posts can now be found at http://techburgher.com.

Stop on by already, there’s fresh news waiting for ya!

We’ll explore the Mechaverse with Bossa Nova Robotics — a new blended reality game combining robots with on-line gaming. Highmark will talk about how technology improves its operations and patient care. We’ll launch a new segment with PNC Bank detailing how Pittsburgh-developed technology is making it easier for folks to manage their money and assets.

Hosted by the PTC’s CEO Audrey Russo and Director Visibility Initiatives Jonathan Kersting, TechVibe is on the air every Saturday at noon bringing you interviews and conversations from the Pittsburgh region’s fast-moving technology and entrepreneurial communities.

Stream TechVibe Radio on www.wpgb.com or iHeart Radio.
Missed a previous broadcast? We have a massive library of podcasts right here.

TechVibe Radio is sponsored by Chorus Call, Consol Energy, EyeFlow, The Hartford, and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

“Our company has been experiencing a steady growth in the marketplace since its founding,” said Rick Newton, company founder and president. “We’ve been fortunate to have some exceptional leaders who are ready to take our company to its next level, and in addition, it will allow me to focus on developing leaders at all levels of the company and evaluate and catalyze the development of new practice areas in response to market demand,” he said.

Bill Boehner, Vice President, Practice Operations, has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Boehner joined Newton Consulting as the Project Management Office practice area director in 2008. Boehner brings more than 19 years of project management and leadership experience to his new role. Boehner will support the financial, human resource, and legal operations of the company, as well as practice and account development and European operations.

Amylyn Kyler, Director of Talent Acquisition Services, has been promoted to Vice President, People Management. Kyler joined Newton Consulting in 2007 as Director of Recruiting and Placement and has 20 years of experience recruiting, leading and managing human resources. In her new role, Kyler will support the recruitment process, employee professional development, and overall management of Newton’s unique company culture.

Shari Kienzle, Office Manager and Benefits Administrator, has been promoted to Director of Office Operations and Corporate Controller. Kienzle joined Newton Consulting in 2006 as one of the company’s first employees supporting company operations. Kienzle has more than 21 years of experience in accounting, benefits administration, and executive support. She will be supporting the company’s financial, legal, and human resource operations.

“We are also very excited to have a newly created position of Vice President, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Asia) to oversee the operations and development of our growing European subsidiary,” Newton said. “Julien Mansourian, of London, England, has accepted this position. He will build on the successful launch of Newton Consulting Europe Limited to deliver exceptional services to new and existing clients in the Europe and Asian marketplace.”

Mansourian brings 20 years of experience in information technology, project management, and finance to his new role with Newton Consulting. He previously worked at Capgemini, Accenture and Deloitte Consulting.  Mansourian will be reporting to Bill Boehner who has been instrumental in Newton Consulting Europe’s early success in 2011.

“Because of our unique compensation and business model, we’re able to attract and retain some of the best consultants in the industry, and now that extends beyond the U.S.,” said Boehner. “Furthermore, we are delighted to have a number of new employees join our team.”

Mike Buzzelli of Pittsburgh joins the Talent Acquisition Services (TAS) practice area as Recruiting Consultant. Buzzelli, a graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, most recently worked as a corporate recruiter at Westinghouse Electric Company, and has also worked at Oxford Solutions and Plan4Demand Solutions.

Alyssa Sladick of Pittsburgh joins the TAS practice as Candidate Care Specialist. Sladick is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University and brings recruiting and human resource support experience from both the public and private sectors.

Dan Bolena of Cranberry Township, Pa., joins the Project Management Office (PMO) practice as Program / Project Manager. Bolena, a certified Project Management Professional, brings extensive experience in global implementations to his new role, with 16 years of information technology experience including 12 years in program management. His prior employment included Alcatel-Lucent, Vocollect and Marconi.

Rick Arnold of Costa Mesa, Calif., joins the TAS practice as Senior Recruiting Consultant. Arnold brings more than 25 years of experience in human resources and full life cycle recruitment from a variety of industries to his new role. He previously worked at TAD PGS, The Boeing Company, and as an independent consultant.

Steve Smith of Renfrew, Pa., joins the PMO Practice as Program / Project Manager. Smith brings over 16 years of experience managing, designing and implementing human resource business application projects in a variety of industries. He has a master of project management degree in human resources from Carnegie Mellon University, and was previously employed at Bayer Corporation and PNC Bank Corp.

Micro Grants of up to $5,000 are available to support programs that engage Youth Makers, children aged 7 to 17, in the hands-on design and production of objects that respond to two themes: Wearables and Rideables. Youth Makers will be encouraged to think broadly about the themes and create items as diverse as a wearable gaming system or cupcakes on wheels.

Download a Micro Grant Application and get started on your MakeShop idea today!

Micro Grant applications are due on Monday, January 30, 2012.

Micro Grants will be awarded through public selection using an online voting process developed by The Pittsburgh Foundation. The general public will have the chance to vote on their favorite projects and thereby select the final Youth Makers for grants.

“Receiving the Product of the Year award from Customer Interaction Solutions is a testament to how CXO is successfully helping organizations and their customer-facing professionals tackle the overwhelming problems that come with organizing Big Data,” said Tracey Mustacchio, Chief Marketing Officer at Vivisimo. “Data is being created and stored at a rate faster than ever before and organizations need solutions to effectively and quickly sift through the large amounts of data. CXO gives customer-facing professionals a single view solution to quickly find and utilize information to most effectively service customers.”

Get the low down on All Covered’s acquisition of Cold Cypress and how the company is poised for serious growth in 2012.

Virtual Officeware will give listeners a few tips on HR compliance as we head into the new year.

Hosted by the PTC’s CEO Audrey Russo and Director Visibility Initiatives Jonathan Kersting, TechVibe is on the air every Saturday at noon bringing you interviews and conversations from the Pittsburgh region’s fast-moving technology and entrepreneurial communities.

Stream TechVibe Radio on www.wpgb.com or iHeart Radio.
Missed a previous broadcast? We have a massive library of podcasts right here.

TechVibe Radio is sponsored by Chorus Call, Consol Energy, EyeFlow, The Hartford, and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Consol Energy will talk about the vast amount of energy that comes out of SWPA and how technology plays a role in its safe and responsible production.

Highmark will tell you how electronic health records are improving patient care across its operations.

Hosted by the PTC’s CEO Audrey Russo and Director Visibility Initiatives Jonathan Kersting, TechVibe is on the air every Saturday at noon bringing you interviews and conversations from the Pittsburgh region’s fast-moving technology and entrepreneurial communities.

Stream TechVibe Radio on www.wpgb.com or iHeart Radio.
Missed a previous broadcast? We have a massive library of podcasts right here.

TechVibe Radio is sponsored by Chorus Call, Consol Energy, EyeFlow, The Hartford, and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

“With twelve years of experience on Allegheny County Council, I have learned a great deal about the county and its operations,” said Fitzgerald. “I am very comfortable setting priorities and making decisions about directors and administrators. My administration will hit the ground running on January 3rd. The vision teams are about our future and how we can continue to improve, promote and move Allegheny County forward.”

The six-member steering committee includes President and Business Manager of the Laborers’ District Council of Western PA, Philip Ameris; President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, Esther L. Bush; Business Manager/Financial Secretary for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 5, Michael R. Dunleavy; President of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, Barbara McNees; Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, Mark A. Nordenberg; and President and CEO of the Pittsburgh Technology Council, Audrey Russo.

“I am honored to have these six people on my team and joining me in this effort,” said Fitzgerald. “Each and every one of these members is well respected in our community, represents a sector of our county that plays an important role in our present and future, and can help me review and evaluate the recommendations that we receive at the end of this process. I look forward to working with them and am grateful that they have made this commitment.”

A total of twelve vision teams will be formed, with announcements regarding the chairs and membership of each made after the inauguration. Each team will be given a specific charge and asked to focus on the appropriate role for the county in that venue – whether it be administrative, financial or advocacy.

Each team will also be asked to specifically address diversity, sustainability and intergovernmental relations as part of their discussions and recommendations. The general public will also be able to participate in two ways. Each vision team will host a listening session in the first 30 days that will allow the public to recommend ideas, make suggestions or to express concerns that they would like to see addressed through this process.

If unable to attend a listening session, the public may also submit information through the Vision Teams’ website at www.richfitzgerald.com which will be gathered and shared with the appropriate teams. The chair, or chairs, of each team will be asked to have preliminary recommendations outlined by April with a final report submitted to the County Executive and the steering committee in May for consideration and, if appropriate, action.

“Ms. Parker is a highly respected member of the robotics industry with more than fifteen years of experience developing and fostering new business. She has extensive connections with government agencies, domestic bomb squads, and industry experts, which has enabled her to hit the ground running,” stated Reeg Allen, Director of Business Development for RE2, Inc. “We are extremely fortunate to have a professional of her caliber join our team.”

Prior to joining RE2, Parker held senior positions with several high profile technology based companies such as Allen-Vanguard, iRobot Corporation, and Applied Research Associates.

“RE2 continues to grow despite the current economic conditions,” stated Jorgen Pedersen, president and CEO of RE2. “By bringing on Ms. Parker to develop new business, I expect that RE2 will remain on a growth path and solidify its position as a robotics industry leader.”