C&G Strategies

05/21/2026

The 8th episode this year of our Insight & Influence podcast is now available.

We hope, if you've watched these roll out, that you'll see we're much better at these than we used to be - but we're still amazed by the engaging conversations that we have with guests. We learn something new each time - and we hope you do too.

This week, a big thank you to Sen. Nick Pisciottano and Allegheny County Economic Development Deputy Director Alan Sisco for spending some time with C&G Strategies partner David Caliguiri to talk about their work on the Mon Valley Forward plan.

Building off an unimplemented 2005 revitalization study, their work has focused on balancing legacy anchors like United States Steel Corporation with newer clean energy opportunities like Eos Energy. Beyond creating a higher-wage, modern economy, they're also addressing core infrastructural, housing, and workforce challenges.

The pair noted that they were surprised to learn that roughly 60,000 non-residents commute into the valley for work while 68,000 residents leave the region for employment. To capture more of these jobs locally, the plan aims to align workforce training through regional assets like Penn State Greater Allegheny and CCAC.

Allegheny County Government has also strategically deployed resources—such as the Main Streets Allegheny program, small business grants, and targeted demolition funds linked to reuse plans—to seamlessly blend large-scale industrial redevelopment with the entrepreneurial spirit of the valley's historic main streets.

The Mon Valley isn't unique in the Commonwealth in its challenges or opportunities, but Sen. Pisciottano hopes that the Mon Valley Forward plan can be a roadmap for other communities to work strategically and collaboratively to move their municipalities forward and grow.

Watch the full podcast on our website and our YouTube channel. And subscribe today to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast today and you'll never miss one!

https://www.cgstrategiespa.com/insightandinfluencepodcast
https://www.youtube.com/

05/07/2026

Episode 7 of 2026 of the C & G Strategies podcast, Insight and Influence, is now available wherever you get your podcasts.

This week, Amie Downs hosted a discussion regarding America 250, a multi-year initiative celebrating the United States' semiquincentennial. Guests Mike Daniher and Todd McGregor from Laurel Highlands Council, Scouting America, alongside Allegheny County Sheriff's Office Sheriff Kevin Kraus, detailed two major patriotic flag projects.

The first involves a commemorative flag traveling through all 67 Pennsylvania counties, where local scouts partner with sheriffs to conduct ceremonial raising and lowering events. The second, the "Flag Sojourn," features a flag that has flown over American cemeteries abroad and all 50 states. This sojourn will culminate locally on July 4th at the Allegheny County Courthouse, where the flag will be presented to 250 motorcycle riders for a ceremonial transport to Washington, D.C.

Beyond the anniversary celebrations, the conversation highlighted the broader community impact and evolution of Scouting America. The organization now serves roughly 12,000 youth in the region, including girls in the Scouts BSA program and specialized "Exploring" posts focused on career development in fields like law enforcement and medicine.

The guests emphasized the program’s commitment to service—ranging from "Scouting for Food" campaigns to adaptive programs for special needs youth at Camp Guyasuta. The episode concluded with a look at upcoming local events including "Scout Nights" with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Riverhounds, as well as a public Flag Day ceremony on June 14th at Flag Plaza.

The podcast – the current version and prior ones – are available on our website at: https://www.cgstrategiespa.com/insightandinfluencepodcast.

You can also find it and subscribe on these platforms:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3QgNOELcflsAtgZ4QSKYXG
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/insight-influence/id1817091979

04/23/2026

Pittsburgh is playing host to the NFL Draft this week - and while there's a whole lot of talk about football, there's also plenty of conversations about how this opportunity can translate into business investment and attraction.

On the most recent episode of our Insight & Influence podcast, Amie Downs and David Caliguiri sit down with Matt Smith, Chief Growth Officer of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, to discuss the massive economic potential behind the upcoming NFL Draft in Pittsburgh. Far more than just a three-day sporting event, Smith explains how the conference is leveraging the global spotlight to accelerate business development, bringing in national site selectors and international delegations to showcase the region’s unique "secret sauce" of public-private partnerships.

From the revitalized downtown public spaces like Arts Landing and Market Square to the Southwest PA's reputation for solving the world’s most complex technical challenges, this conversation highlights how the Pittsburgh region is positioning itself as a premier global hub for investment and talent.

Visit https://www.cgstrategiespa.com/insightandinfluencepodcast for this and all of our episodes, or catch it on our YouTube channel. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast today and you'll never miss one!

03/27/2026

Episode 5 of 2026 of the C & G Strategies podcast, Insight and Influence, is now available wherever you get your podcasts.

Rep. Justin Fleming and Jen DeBell, Executive Director of PennAEYC Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, join host Rob Vescio of C&G Strategies to discuss early care and education in Pennsylvania. The conversation covers the recruitment and retention crisis, highlights how low wages are driving passionate educators out of the field and creating "childcare deserts" across the Commonwealth.

Rep. Fleming shares his vision for bipartisan legislation aimed at aligning and expanding subsidy eligibility to help middle-class families afford high-quality care, arguing that investing in children now is far more cost-effective than paying for systemic failures later. The two talk about their support for women-owned businesses, the need for sustainable workforce solutions in this industry, and emphasize why early learning is the most vital investment for Pennsylvania's future.

You can find all of Insight & Influence’s episodes on our website and our YouTube channel. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast today and you'll never miss one!

03/16/2026

On Saturday evening, we celebrated the Pittsburgh Film Office and the film and television production industry at the organization's Lights! Glamour! event. Congratulations to Dawn Keezer and her entire team on another fabulous event. It was great to hear from emcee Dan Cortese, Senator Camera Bartolotta, Senator Jay Costa, Office of the Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and City of Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O'Connor.

Saturday was "Mayor of Kingstown" Day in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County - and actors Jeremy Renner and Toby Bamtefa accepted the proclamation and spent the evening with attendees.

03/16/2026

We had a great weekend celebrating with our clients and partners. We started the day Saturday with thousands of our closest friends downtown for the Pittsburgh St. Patrick's Day Parade with Pittsburgh International Airport and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. How appropriate that PIT's presence also celebrated the new Aer Lingus flight from PIT to Dublin that begins Memorial Day weekend.

03/12/2026

Episode 4 of 2026 of the C & G Strategies podcast, Insight and Influence, is now available wherever you get your podcasts.

Rob Vescio and David Caliguiri of C & G Strategies are joined by Brian Kennedy of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. The three talk about the upcoming 2026 PA Data Center & Energy Innovation Summit, as well as all of the opportunities that exist for tech companies and manufacturers in the region that are part of the data center and energy ecosystem. The all-day event is being held on March 27 at The Landing Hotel on Pittsburgh's North Shore. More information is available online here: https://www.pghtech.org/events/category/PA+Data+Center+%26+Energy+Innovation+Summit

You can find all of Insight & Influence’s episodes ~

On our website (https://www.cgstrategiespa.com/insightandinfluencepodcast)
Our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/)
Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/3QgNOELcflsAtgZ4QSKYXG)
and Apple Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/insight-influence/id1817091979)

Subscribe or follow today!

02/26/2026

Episode 3 of 2026 of the C & G Strategies podcast, Insight and Influence, is now available wherever you get your podcasts.

Nello Giorgetti of C & G Strategies talks with representatives of the Pittsburgh Towing Association (PTA) – Dewey Ianuzzo and Rachel Poorman – about the founding of their organization, the work that they’ve undertaken to establish best practices for members, the PTA’s efforts to engage on Senate Bill 779 (SB 779), and the work that PTA members do to support their community.

You can find all of Insight & Influence’s episodes on our website and our YouTube channel. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast today and you'll never miss one!

Visit our podcast page for every episode: https://www.cgstrategiespa.com/insightandinfluencepodcast

02/23/2026

Childcare access continues to be a priority for many in the state - a key factor for parents and families, business and industry has also recognized the impact that the availability of affordable, high-quality childcare has on the workforce too.

Pennsylvania began tackling the issue last year through the budget, and continues to advance programs to support the system. Now, though, all eyes are on the midterms and how the issue of childcare plays in areas across the country, including here in Pennsylvania.

CNN's Arit John provides that perspective and illustrates its impact on national elections in this article, which also features a PennAEYC Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children provider:

Dana Eldridge and Paul Miller opened their first day care center in 2005 after nearly a decade of running a popular martial arts summer school. Over the next 15 years, they opened four more locations and expanded from school-aged children to including infants and toddlers. At its peak, Active Learni...

02/13/2026

Episode 2 of 2026 of the C & G Strategies podcast, Insight and Influence, is now available wherever you get your podcasts.

Join C & G Strategies Rob Vescio and Amie Downs for a conversation with Alex Halper, Senior VP of Government Affairs for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry. The conversation in Harrisburg covers a variety of topics and priorities for the statewide organization that represents over 12,000 members.

From advocating for key policies that affect businesses and industries of all sizes, the Pennsylvania Chamber’s role is to support Pennsylvania business. The trio talks about efforts around improving state permitting, ensuring PA’s competitiveness through reductions in the corporate net income tax in an increased cap for net operating losses, childcare as a component of economic growth, and issues on the horizon for the state that impact businesses including transportation funding for mass transit, roads and bridges.

Catch up on all of our 2025 episodes, and the 2026 episodes to date, of Insight & Influence on our website. You can also subscribe to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcast today and you'll never miss one!

Website: https://www.cgstrategiespa.com/insightandinfluencepodcast
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/insight-influence/id1817091979
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3QgNOELcflsAtgZ4QSKYXG