Quantum COO Scott Staruch has been asked to serve on U.S. Senator Arlen Specter’s Academy Selection Committee for the Central Pennsylvania Region. Scott, a former Staff Assistant to Senator Specter who comes from a family of military service, was honored by the opportunity.

Scott described the experience as reassuring that the education system in Pennsylvania is producing extremely intelligent, athletic and confident young men and women, many of whom will be excellent military leaders.

Scott looks forward to continuing to serve on the Committee.

November 3, 2008: Charlie and Tony discuss each others’ candidate’s campaign highlights.
Broadcast on WHP-TV 21

October 28, 2008: Charlie and Tony discuss whether Pennsylvania is “still in play.”
Broadcast on WHP-TV 21

October 14, 2008: Charlie and Tony preview the third Presidential debate.
Broadcast on WHP-TV 21

Quantum's Charlie Gerow discusses first Presidential debate on WHP-TV 21. Charlie's joined by Obama Communications Director Robert Gibbs.

In less than a decade, National Black Chamber of Commerce President, CEO and co-founder Harry Alford has established himself as perhaps the nation’s preeminent champion of African-American business empowerment. From a visionary concept of what Blacks need to do to fully seize their place in the economic mainstream, Mr. Alford has built a global organization that has earned a place at the table in the White House and at the top levels of Corporate America.

As the intellectual and spiritual linchpin of the NBCC, Mr. Alford has been responsible for opening doors that have led to billions of dollars in new business for Black-owned businesses throughout the nation. His relentless energy and advocacy is helping forge international business opportunities for African-Americans and emerging entrepreneurs in Africa, the Caribbean, South America and the rest of the Black Diaspora. For this work he was recently named a cultural Ambassador by the United States State Department.

On Monday, January 28th, Harry was a guest on WSBA-910.

Click play to listen to Harry’s interview with Quantum’s Charlie Gerow

Jack Rafuse, Principal of Rafuse Consulting, advises government agencies, policy centers, businesses and associations on energy, trade, sanction, national security and their interrelationships. Prior to 2003, he worked for 25 years with Unocal, an international oil and gas company, with management assignments in corporate planning, regulatory economics, writing and corporate communications, issues analysis and government affairs, plus international and domestic troubleshooting assignments for the CEO.

On Monday, January 21st, Jack was a guest on WSBA-910speaking on energy developments, issues and legislation.

Click play to listen to Jack’s interview with Quantum’s Charlie Gerow

Scott Staruch, Quantum COO, has been awarded the North American Precis Syndicate “Golden Thinker Award.” This award recognizes individuals who have written feature news releases that have been published across the United States.

Dorothy York, President of North American Precis Syndicate, said their company “distributes releases for some of the best and brightest minds in PR – most Fortune 500 companies, nearly all of the 100 largest national advertisers, all of the 20 largest PR firms, over 100 associations and many government agencies. Your success marks you as a leader among some of the very savviest PR pros.”

Scott’s release, on the American Diabetes Association’s “I Decide to Fight Diabetes” campaign, was published over 1,000 times. Most stories distributed by North American Precis Syndicate are published 100 to 400 times with 400 rarely being reached. In addition to achieving 1,000 publications, over 800 of the “I Decide” story publications appeared in the top 50 U.S. markets.

Quantum Communications’ Scott Staruch joined Matt Lane, Central Pennsylvania College Public Relations Director, and Melissa Stricker, ABC WHTM-27 News Director, at Central Pennsylvania College for a panel discussion on “Preparing for a Career in Communications” recently.

Students asked questions on resume building, career challenges and highlights, as well as general advice on entering the communications field. Scott recalled several of the exciting projects he’s been involved in at Quantum over the last five years; such as handling marketing and media relations for major films, campaign consulting and working on various projects for many Fortune 500 companies.

Scott highlighted the importance of internships for the experience they provide and their attractiveness to potential employers. He also reminded students that no one graduates and becomes a CEO on day one at their first job.

Scott told students to “be prepared to do the jobs no one else at the company wants to do. Some of the best known CEO’s began their careers in the mailroom or some other “low-level entry job.” They viewed their job as an opportunity to learn the company from the bottom up, to see how each company process works. So don’t dwell on the challenge. Face the task at hand and get moving. Remember that the assignment might be difficult, but that’s why it’s called ‘work.’”

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month, and Quantum Communications encourages everyone to “decide to fight diabetes.” For the past two years Quantum has proudly supported our client, the American Diabetes Association, in asking individuals to become champions in raising awareness of diabetes. “I Decide” is a daily reminder that making healthier choices really does matter.

Show your support by wearing the signature “I Decide” charm or customized merchandise. Your purchase will help raise much needed funds to help prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of people affected by the disease.

To become a champion in the fight, visit Diabetes.org/idecide and obtain your charm and post your story why you’ve “decided to fight diabetes.”

Quantum Communications CEO Charlie Gerow has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. Founded in 1949, the Freedoms Foundation is a non-profit organization designed to educate and inspire an awareness of the principles upon which America was founded and the responsibilities of citizens in a free society.

Every year, thousands of students from around the country take part in Freedoms Foundation educational programs. These include U.S. history, constitutional rights and citizens’ responsibilities, core values, and the private enterprise system.

In addition to educating young Americans, the Foundation provides tools and support for teachers and volunteers to reach out to their communities and teach fellow Americans what it means to be a citizen of the United States. The Foundation offers help in passing along knowledge of the rights and responsibilities shared by all American citizens.

Charlie has been a longtime supporter of the Foundation. For the past several years he has served on the Foundation’s National Council of Trustees. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Keystone State Games, Inc. and recently served as a Presidential Appointee on the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary Commission.

Our friend and colleague Thom LoPiccolo died Friday, September 21, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer. Thom was not only the creative genius of Quantum Communications he was a funny, thoughtful and wise human being. He was a joy to work with and a friend to all of us on the Quantum team. In the middle of a crisis he was calm, in the presence of the ordinary he brought laughs, when it came time to do the hard work he was always ready. In a family everyone has an important role. Thom was an essential member of our Quantum Family and will be greatly missed, always remembered and forever treasured.

Thom’s patient and peaceful approach to the hectic pace and pressure of his professional colleagues was like a window to the world that should be as a servant of the Lord. His disciplined approach, his love for his craft and his dedication to his family and the Catholic Church served as a wonderful example in our midst.

His much loved wife Anita and family are in our thoughts and prayers.