Daniel T. Perkins

Founder, The Challenge Program, Inc.

Mr. Perkins served as a commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned as a Communications Officer, where he was responsible for long range, multi-channel and satellite communications. He was responsible for the management of equipment and staff to provide voice and digital communications support for the east-coast operational requirements. During his tenure, he also served as the Director of the Performance Counseling Center. In this position, he provided substance abuse counseling and training to Marines and their dependents.

As the Owner and Chief Executive Officer of MTS Technologies, Inc. (MTS), founded in 1991 by Mr. Perkins, he served as the senior executive responsible for all aspects of Firm’s business. In this capacity, he oversaw day-to-day operations and administrative management. He directed all marketing and business strategy development efforts.

In the two years prior to founding MTS, Mr. Perkins was employed by Dual & Associates as the Vice President of Administration and member of the Board of Directors. In this position, he managed all administrative functions for the Firm and in the absence of the President assumed responsibility for overall company management.

Mr. Perkins was Manager of Staffing with Booz•Allen & Hamilton, Inc. for thirteen years. He was responsible for the strategy development and coordination of efforts to hire staff to satisfy employment openings in the technology arena. He also recruited senior professionals who had responsibility for building new business thrusts.

Mr. Perkins is a 1974 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and has a Masters Degree from Pepperdine University.

Barbara A. Grandinetti

President, The Challenge Program, Inc.

As President of The Challenge Program, Inc., Barbara Grandinetti has spear-headed and expanded the Program’s outreach and recruited talented development and support personnel. Grandinetti opens doors to fundraising opportunities and develops lasting relationships with business partners, foundations and individual donors all with a single mindedness to spread the word about the program. She has a unique ability to discover and tap into people’s special talents needed to grow and expand the program. She is passionate about the program, just ask her!

Grandinetti was integral in creating The Challenge Program, Inc.’s now signature fundraising event – The Crystal Owl Gala held each spring. She helped businesses supporting high schools apply for Educational Improvement Tax Credits in Pennsylvania and the Neighborhood Investment Program in West Virginia. Through her efforts, The Challenge Program obtained their Non-Profit Organization 50l(c)(3) status of the Internal Revenue Code with contributions to the program being deductible under Section 170 of the Code.

Johnathan Garlow

CEO & President, Ford Office Technologies

Johnathan is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University where he majored in Architectural Engineering. The young executive had planned a career as an engineer and was employed in Pittsburgh when his father, John M. Garlow, founder and CEO of Ford Office Technologies, asked him to join the family business as President.

Johnathan believes in community growth and providing employment opportunities for other young professionals. He believes young people in our area need to know of the potential of staying local, not just for employment opportunities but for the quality of life. This is a great fit for The Challenge Program, Inc. which strives to keep young talent in their communities.

Johnathan M. Garlow received the Herman Buck Award on December 3, 2015 at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Awarded annually by the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, the Herman Buck Award is presented to a young man or woman under the age of 45 who has given his or her time and energy to community service. This person exemplifies unselfish commitment to the community, as did the late Herman M. Buck.

Johnathan also serves on the board of other community service organizations such as the Westmoreland Fayette Council of the Boy Scouts of America, and Fay-Penn Economic Development Council.

Anthony L. Bucci, Co-Chairman

Chairman, 9Rooftops

Tony Bucci is Chairman of 9 Rooftops (formerly MARC USA), one of the nation’s largest privately-owned marketing communications agencies with more than 250 associates in nine offices across the US including MARCA Hispanic in Miami. 9 Rooftops is a member of Eastport Holdings LLC, and Tony serves on the Board of Eastport. He is also chairman of PennAlt Organics, a Pennsylvania medical marijuana grower and provider. He previously served on the board of publicly traded Allin Corporation.

Beginning his career at MARC USA as an assistant account executive, Tony moved steadily up the ranks and was named Chairman in 1997. Under his leadership, the agency grew from a Pittsburgh-based regional agency to its national position today. Throughout his career, he has guided marketing strategy for top USA brands. 

Always a pioneer and change agent, Tony developed the industry’s first client-centric, cross-disciplinary teams and authored the American Association of Advertising Agencies(4As) Management Guide on agency structure. He also served on the 4As National Board.

Widely recognized for his leadership and philanthropic efforts, Tony has won many honors for his contributions to his profession and the community. In 2006, he was inducted into the Pittsburgh Advertising Federation Hall of Fame. Other awards include the Junior Achievement Golden Achievement Award, the Pittsburgh Opera Maecenas Award and the Vectors Man of the Year Award in Communications.

Tony currently serves as the National Board Chair of Girls Inc., a national organization serving underprivileged young girls. He is Board Chair of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and serves as Vice Chair of the Board of the Challenge Program. Previously he chaired the national board of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America and was a member of the national board of KaBoom. 

He is also past Chairman of the Boards of United Way of SWPA, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater, United Cerebral Palsy Foundation, and past Vice-Chairman of the Board of Duquesne University, his alma mater, and past President of the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera (CLO). Other past board service includes Junior Achievement of SWPA, Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force, Pittsburgh Hearing Speech and Deaf Services, and Three Rivers Center for Independent Living.

Dennis Zatlin

President, Allied Resources Group

Dennis Zatlin is a native of the Greater Pittsburgh area and the President of the Allied Resources Group, the Philadelphia-based parent company of four multi-disciplined firms throughout the US. The group came to be after making a series of acquisitions starting in 2003, established on the belief that businesses are people-based. His entrepreneurial spirit afforded him the ability to grow and scale those businesses based on the strong relationships he had formed throughout his career.

Dennis understands that investing in his employees, from the very beginning stages of their careers, is an investment in the company’s future growth. His philosophy is to create an environment that harbors creativity, strong work ethics, and drives success, rewarding those committed to that culture. Without a strong supporting staff, the health of the business would suffer.

Prior to going into business himself, Dennis spent 18 years as the Vice President of Operations for an engineering consulting firm. During those years, he forged lifelong relationships with both clientele and professionals that he and his businesses now serve.

Though his professional growth and success moved him across the state, the Robert Morris University Alum remains true to his Pittsburgh roots, gives back to the communities, and is a frequent visitor of the city. He currently resides in the Greater Philadelphia area and continues to give back to the local community. He is an active Board Member of the Great Valley Community Organization and has been involved with several charities including Bringing Hope Home.

Brad Chiesa

Private Wealth Manager, Merrill Lynch

In 2010, Brad began his career at Wells Fargo and focused on providing financial services and lending solutions to operating business and real estate investors across Western PA.

Chiesa has assumed various leadership roles at different not for profit organizations. Prior to joining TCP board, Brad was involved with the YPN board of directors for Junior Achievement of Western PA.

Brad Chiesa graduated the University of Pittsburgh with a BSBA in Finance and Accounting in 2010. He currently lives in the South Hills with his wife, Monika and daughter, Brooklyn.

Robert Murtha

Founder & President, Murtech, Inc.

Robert (Bob) Murtha currently owns and operates an environmental engineering and marine construction company, that does local, regional and national projects. Based in Maryland Chesapeake Bay Region.

Murtha is a native of Paden City, West Virginia and Orrville, Ohio. He attended the U.S. Naval Academy after high school. There he received a degree in Ocean Engineering and specialized as a combat engineer. He commanded the U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Team in Washington, D.C. Upon leaving the service, he worked in the environmental engineering arena. He later received his M.S. in Environmental Engineering from Johns Hopkins University. His desire to remain current technically and operationally continues as he was recently accepted in the Doctor of Engineering program at Johns Hopkins University.

Murtha was able to gain a unique perspective from the world travel he received in the military and with his work, and to have met and witnessed young people from small towns across the country evolve into successful young men and women. During his Marine Corps service, He served as an aide to President Ronald Reagan and through his military and civilian ventures was able to meet Presidents Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, George H. W. Bush, and William Clinton.

Bob Murtha lives with his devoted wife Rosemary, and has two daughters, Stephanie, and Jessica. He embraces his growing up in the hills of West Virginia which provided him an appreciation for family. He attributes the small-town life experiences, and the effect small-town economics can have on its people, as the biggest influences on his ability to pick himself up and succeed in reaching his goals. This is the message Bob Murtha delivers to the students of Paden City and Hundred High Schools in West Virginia. He reminds students that very few go straight to the top and that getting knocked down is part of the process but getting back up is key.

His message resonated with a Paden City HS senior, Destiny Harrison, who became a 2020 Student of the Year finalist. Harrison credits Bob Murtha’s honest presentation to the school in the fall of 2019 to help push her to overcome her own challenges.

Jennifer Howe

Board Member of  PJ Dick, Trumbull, and Lindy Paving

Jennifer H. Howe recently retired from her role as Corporate Human Resources and EEO Officer for P. J. Dick Inc., Trumbull Corporation, and Lindy Paving, Inc. and their affiliated companies.  These construction firms are headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA and are owned by the Jane Burton and Cliff Rowe families.  Jennifer is a third-generation family member and has worked for the family businesses since 1998. She will remain a Board Member for their businesses during her retirement years.  PJ Dick, Trumbull Corporation, and Lindy Paving, Inc. are proud Challenge Program (TCP) sponsors of A. W. Beattie Career Center, Beaver County CTC, and Forbes Road CTC., which is how Jennifer became so familiar with the goals and impact of TCP and why she has a keen interest in promoting the TCP program. 

Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State in Health Care Management and a master’s degree from St. Francis University in Human Resources Administration.  Prior to 1998, Jennifer worked in the fields of Worker’s Compensation claims management and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) management with Gateway Health Plan (a Highmark company) in Pittsburgh, PA and Columbus, OH. Jennifer is looking forward to drawing on her past work experiences to help her be an effective Board Member for The Challenge Program, Inc., which focuses so heavily on preparing our next generation of workers with their career goals, excellent workplace skills, and the initiative to succeed. 

Jennifer has been a long-time resident of the south hills area of Pittsburgh and plans to stay in the area during retirement.  Her family and grown children are all close by and Jennifer looks forward to being able to spend more quality time with family and to devote more time to charitable causes going forward.

Krista A. Bragg, DNP, MBA, MSN Administration,
MSN Anesthesia, RN

Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations

Highmark Health

Krista A. Bragg is currently serving with Highmark Health as the Senior Vice President, Clinical Operations. In her new role, Krista is responsible for the Highmark Health strategy and implementation of Behavioral Health services, Virtual Health services, Right Care, and Quality, Safety, Value across the enterprise. Highmark Health is a diversified company serving over 6 million clients across the nation. Previous to her role with the parent company Highmark Health, she served with the Allegheny Health Network as Chief Operating Officer for Forbes and Allegheny Valley Hospitals. 

Krista obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree graduating Summa Cum Laude and valedictorian at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  She obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing in Anesthesia and Nursing Administration, graduating Magna Cum Laude for both, at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing.  Krista obtained her Doctorate in Nursing Practice with an emphasis on  Nursing Administration from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and her MBA in Healthcare Administration from Patten University in Oakland California.  

She is a member of Leadership Pittsburgh’s  XXXXVII class and a graduate of Wharton Leadership Program of Pennsylvania.  Krista has held numerous positions throughout her decades of hospital leadership ranging from clinical and operational management roles  to her current position as a senior executive leader within Highmark Health.  Krista has been recognized as a strong patient-focused leader with an ability to inspire and mentor, build high performing teams, drive results, and transform cultures.  Krista is a known national speaker on clinical patient safety and professional topics and has numerous publications. 

Brian Galiote

Contract Administration Manager for Martin-Baker America, Inc.

Brian Galiote is currently the Contract Administration Manager for Martin-Baker America, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of ejection seats and helicopter seats for the military in the United States. 

Brian has first-hand knowledge of The Challenge Program, Inc., through his involvement with the program through Martin-Baker for the last ten (10) years.  His passion for students drove him to co-create our “Student in the Workplace” model, which The Challenge Program, Inc. is testing in three schools this year with great success.  He has been involved with several local community boards focusing on helping our youth and continues to assist the youth in the local community in several capacities.

At Martin-Baker America, Inc., Brian heads up both a workforce development effort and also champions a cultural shift to more servant style leadership. 

Tim Burns, Esq.

Attorney at Law, The Burns Law Firm

Mr. Burns is the founder of a general practice law firm based in Ebensburg (Cambria County). Prior to opening his own law practice, he served as a judicial law clerk to two Cambria County Judges and was an associate attorney in the prominent Johnstown-based law firm of Spence, Custer, Saylor, Wolfe and Rose.

Mr. Burns is an active member of his local community, serving as the solicitor for a number of non-profit organizations and churches, including the Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance. He also serves on the Cultural Affairs Committee of the Greater Johnstown Chamber of Commerce, and has held a number of leadership positions in the Pennsylvania Bar Association, including State Chairperson of the Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

Mr. Burns has been recognized by Johnstown Magazine as an “Up and Comer 35 and Under,” by Johnstown Business Weekly in its “Success by 35” column, and by Philadelphia Magazine and Law and Politics Magazine as a “Rising Legal Star Under 40” from 2005-2009. In 2005, he was the youngest recipient of the Cambria County Bar Association’s President’s Award for Community Service. He received his BS in Political Science and Certification in Secondary Education from St. Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, and earned his Juris Doctorate from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh.