News

Janai Williams Smith Honored for Woman Leadership


This past weekend Janai Williams Smith was honored with an Onyx Woman’s Leadership Award, which celebrates some of Pittsburgh’s top women in leadership roles for their support and commitment to other women, businesses, social justice, and in our communities at large.

“Receiving this award means that I have a platform to help empower women by serving as an example to them. It also means a time of transition in our firm from my father to me. It’s the closing of an era of his leadership and an exciting time for me to further pursue the projects that I am passionate about.” – Janai Williams Smith
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Matthew Horton elected as a Director to Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach’s Board

Congratulations to Matthew Horton PE, E. Holdings, Inc.’s Technical Services Manager, on his election as a Director to Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach (SPEO).  Matthew shares, “It is truly a great opportunity to make new connections as well as develop existing relationships with the people and organizations that are a part of SPEO. I look forward to providing insight from the perspective of a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) with ambitious plans for the future .”

Since 1995, SPEO has brought together engineering consulting firms, government, and regional officials to identify and help address the assistance needs southwestern Pennsylvania’s minority and woman-owned businesses. As a MWBE, E. Holdings, Inc. is excited to have representation on the Board of Directors and to have a hand in providing guidance and support to the region’s MWBEs.

To learn more about SPEO visit: www.speo-pa.org

 

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E. Holdings, Inc. honors Janai Smith on International Women’s Day

Today in recognition of #InternationalWomensDay we are celebrating E. Holdings, Inc. Managing Director, Janai Smith.

Janai has built a firm that has become a dominant figure within Pittsburgh’s consulting industry.  Her family’s MWBE consulting firm has participated in and led some of Pittsburgh’s most prominent infrastructure projects.  Through her senior project management, Janai secured contract renewals for a regional infrastructure project and expanded geographically to provide similar services in areas like Flint, Michigan.

Janai receives recognition from her peers and is active in her community. She was recently recognized as an Emerging Pioneer by the Hill District Community Development Corporation (CDC) at the organization’s 30th Anniversary Celebration Most importantly Janai has hired women as leaders in the firm.  She is an active member in the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA (AACCWP), Southwestern Pennsylvania Engineering Outreach (SPEO), and the Society of Women Environmental Professionals (SWEP) – Three Rivers.

Janai is a champion for her team. Three out of E. Holdings, Inc.’s four service lines are led by women managers.   She also ensures that the MWBE firm is staffed by a diverse workforce.

#womenshistorymonth #girlpower #mwbe #consulting

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Theresa Davis Shares Her Experiences as a Black Woman in Tech

Watch Theresa Davis share her experiences as black woman in tech

In honor of Black History Month click the above link ^ to watch Theresa Davis, Information Delivery & Technology Manager, at a Black Tech Nation event sharing her experiences as a black woman in tech, leading a diversity recruitment initiative at HP, and how she plans to continue to be a champion for diversity in her department at E. Holdings, Inc.

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E. Holdings, Inc. INSPIRED at JA Career Fair

In excited anticipation, thousands of children and teens rushed the Monroeville Convention Center on the morning of Wednesday, November 29, 2017. Their eagerness wasn’t caused by a sporting event or famous singer at the center that morning. Instead, the children had come to plan for their futures at the Junior Achievement Inspire Career Fair.

Their enthusiasm was palpable. 2000 fifth grade and high school students from Western PA schools came out to meet with over 60 companies to learn more about the workforce and their place within it. Unlike most career fairs, this one was complete with lots of laughs, smiles, and surprisingly, selfies.

“I wondered what would reach these students, and what better than selfies!” said Theresa Davis, Information Delivery & Technology Manager for E. Holdings, Inc. The firm’s selfie photo prop was a hit with the students that day: more than 200 students took a photograph using the social media-inspired prop. But E. Holdings, Inc.’s team members were more concerned with getting students to think long-term and brainstorm about their career interests.

E. Holdings, Inc. team members chatted with students about the firm’s upcoming 2018 Summer Internship Program and prompted the youth to post their ideal career paths on a poster board in their booth. To their surprise, they quickly ran out of notes to fill.

“We ran out of sticky-notes, so I just told the kids to write their career choice beneath what someone else wrote–and they were glad to do so,” remarked Angela Souza, E. Holdings’ Deputy Communication Manager.

The youth seemed determined to turn their “…Dreams into Plans” like the career fair’s tagline. Surely, E. Holdings, Inc. can help them along the way with its upcoming internships in engineering, communications, and information technology.

 

 

 

 

 

 

E. Holdings Inc’s 2018 Summer Internship Program information will soon be posted on our website at www.eholdings.biz. Please frequent our News & Awards page for updates.

See photos, selfies, and more from the JA Career Fair and Follow Us on Facebook!

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E. Holdings, Inc. is a consulting firm which specializes in the implementation of effective public outreach, public and community relations programs, as well as urban and strategic planning with a focus on non-profit and governmental sectors. In order to help understand how people connect to their built environment, E. Holdings, Inc. provides technical services in the areas of professional engineering, project and program planning, infrastructure inspection, GIS-based mapping, assessments and evaluations, and data management and document control. We also provide information delivery and IT services.

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E. Holdings, Inc. presents at University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Geography Awareness Week 2017

On November 14, 2017 Kellie Cominsky, Communications Coordinator at E. Holdings, Inc. presented at her alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown during Geography Awareness Week.  Geography Awareness Week occurs annually each November and Professor Dr. William Kory organizes activities and lecture series throughout the week.  This week aims at providing students with a firsthand view of what it is to be a professional after completion of your undergraduate studies.  A chief topic addressed during Geography Awareness Week is: What can I do with my Geography degree?

Titled “My Career Progression” Kellie’s presentation focused on the real world ups and downs of navigating job searches and interviews.  It also highlighted her position as a County Planner and how her planning experience now informs her work serving clients as a communications consultant with E. Holdings, Inc. Kellie states “It was important to me to share some lessons learned throughout my job search in order to make sure the students understand the importance of perseverance.  Your early career path might not always be ideal, but it is important to take every job, interview, and contact you meet along the way as an opportunity to grow your skills and expand your network.”

The presentation also focused on her work at E. Holdings, Inc.  According to Kellie “as someone who not so long ago sat in one of those classrooms, I realized I wasn’t aware while in college what a consultant was, let alone how someone who was a geography major could be one.  It was important to share how E. Holdings, Inc. connects people and place through our expertise and provide another career avenue the students likely were not aware of previously.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I just wanted to thank you for the superb presentation you gave to our students on November 14, 2017 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. It was one of the best we had in the past few years. A number of students talked to me about how impressed they were with your presentation and with your answers to their questions. During Geography Awareness Week students get a sense of what it is like in the “real world” and you did a great job in portraying that message.”

-Dr. William B. Kory, Chair Department of Geography University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

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PRESS RELEASE: Hill District CDC Honors E. Holdings with Business Distinctions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 31, 2017
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
E. Holdings, Inc. – Angela Souza
angela.souza@eholdings.biz

HILL DISTRICT CDC HONORS E. HOLDINGS WITH BUSINESS DISTINCTIONS

PITTSBURGH, PA – On the evening of Saturday, October 14, 2017, business owners Irvin Williams and Janai Williams Smith both received honors at the Hill Community Development Corporation’s 30th Anniversary Celebration held at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture in downtown Pittsburgh.

The father and daughter were two among nine community members and leaders that the Hill CDC distinguished for their “hard work and dedication in the areas of Education, Civic Leadership, and/or Business & Industry.” A particularly momentous occasion, the duo’s accolades were on opposite sides of the spectrum, illustrating the impact that their family’s business, E. Holdings, Inc., has had on the community.

From L to R: Lee Smith, Janai Williams Smith, and Irvin Williams at the Hill CDC’s 30th Anniversary Celebration at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture on October 14, 2017.

Irvin Williams, a renowned entrepreneur and real estate developer, started the consulting firm in the Hill District in the late 90s. The firm quickly gained attention and traction due to its niche services and the company’s keen ability to provide communications strategies and business insights to its clients. The Hill CDC and community honored Williams with a Lifetime Achievement Recognition of Distinction in the Business & Industry category. Janai Williams Smith, the firm’s Managing Director and Executive VP received an Emerging Pioneer Award in the same classification.

For over 20 years, E. Holdings has been instrumental in building bridges and making connections for its clients and community. This emerging pioneer organization surely has a bright future in store.

 

 

 

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E. Holdings, Inc. is a consulting firm which specializes in the implementation of effective public outreach, public and community relations programs, as well as urban and strategic planning with a focus on non-profit and governmental sectors. In order to help understand how people connect to their built environment, E. Holdings, Inc. provides technical services in the areas of professional engineering, project and program planning, infrastructure inspection, GIS-based mapping, assessments and evaluations, and data management and document control.

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Neighborhood Allies’ Love My Neighbor! Grant Technical Assistance Provider

Public Outreach and Technical Assistance – The Love My Neighbor! grant is a community grant program offered by Neighborhood Allies.  The goal of the Love My Neighbor! grant program is to empower individuals within a community to enact a positive project that benefits their neighbors.  E. Holdings, Inc. was selected to provide Technical Assistance to the Love My Neighbor! communities of the Hill District and Larimer.  Our team planned and hosted grant workshops in each community, and followed-up with potential applicants who needed assistance regarding their applications.
This project demonstrates our ability to work within marginalized communities, making connections with those who wish to create meaningful projects which benefit their neighborhood.
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E. Holdings Team Building – Escape Room

On Friday, April 28, 2017 members of the E. Holdings, Inc. team participated in a mad scientist escape room challenge.  Nothing says team bonding like being trapped in a room together for an hour!  We almost made it out in time!

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E. Holdings Volunteers with KaBOOM!

E.Holdings, Inc. staff volunteered on November 11, 2016 to help build a KaBOOM! playground in Pittsburgh. KaBOOM! is a national non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all kids get a childhood filled with the balanced and active play needed to thrive. KaBOOM! partners with local organizations to build playgrounds throughout urban areas. The playground was installed at A Second Chance, Inc. (ASCI), a non-profit organization committed to providing a safe, secure, and nurturing environment to children who are being cared for by their relatives. Participating in the KaBOOM! build provided an opportunity for E. Holdings to show its support of the community, living out our mission statement of, “Connecting People and Place.”

Our staff collaborated with other local volunteers to unload playground equipment, sort and create construction kits, design signs advertising the program, and cut and paint lumber for a variety of playground projects (e.g. park benches, trash bins, flower planters). Thank you to KaBOOM! and ASCI for this great opportunity!

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