AASD Grad is Communications Assistant for D.C. Based Business Roundtable

Rayna Valenti

Rayna Valenti is a 2008 graduate of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.

Blessed with brains, beauty and physical skills, Rayna was a high achieving student athletic at Austin High School. Her senior profile lists the following leadership positions, academic, activity and athletic achievements:

• Class President - Grades 7 - 12
• National Honor Society President - Grade 12
• Vice President - Grade 11
• Student Council President - Grade 12
• Student Council Vice President - Grade 11
• National Honor Society - Grades 10 - 12
• Student Council - Grades 7 - 12
• Enrichment and FCCLA - Grades 9 - 12
• Yellow Ribbon Club - Grades 10 - 12
• Yearbook Business Manager - Grade 11
• HOBY Representative - 2007
• Flaming Foliage Candidate
• NYLC Alumni
• Scholastic Scrimmage Member
• Mock Trial Team
• Volleyball Team - Grades 7 - 12 
• Basketball Team - Grades 7 - 12
• NTL First Team All Star
• Big 30 Third Team All Star
• District 9 Second Team All Star
• District 9 Second Leading Scorer
• Christmas All-Tournament Team
• West Branch All-Tournament Team and Most Valuable Player
• 1,000 Point Club

As a teenager, Rayna developed an interest in law and wanted to become a lawyer. She was advised to pursue a degree in political science as a path to law school.  Rayna chose to obtain her degree at the University of North Carolina because they have a reputation for having one of the best political science programs in the country and also an excellent basketball program.

However, after taking a few classes and the environment created by the 2008 Presidential election, she fell in love with politics, stating "I knew Capitol Hill was the place for me, not a law firm".

Rayna attained a degree in both Political Science and Communications with a concentration in rhetorical studies.

Rayna is employed as a Communications Assistant by Business Roundtable (BRT).  BRT is an association of the CEOs of leading U.S. companies working to promote sound public policy and a thriving U.S. economy.  In her role, she works on digital outreach, media relations, advertising and member communications for the association.

Established in 1972, Business Roundtable applies the expertise and experience of it's CEO members to the major issues facing the nation.  Through research and advocacy, Business Roundtable promotes policies to improve U.S. competitiveness, strengthen the economy and spur job creation.

The Business Roundtable's CEO members lead U.S. companies with $7.4 trillion in annual revenues and employ more than 16 million employees.  BRT member companies comprise more than a third of the total value of the U.S. stock market and invest $158 billion annually in research and development - equal to 62 percent of U.S. private R&D spending.  Their companies pay more than $200 billion in dividends to shareholders and generate more than $540 billion in sales for small and medium-sized businesses annually. BRT companies give more than $9 billion a year in combined charitable contributions.

This past December, President Obama was a speaker at the CEO Quarterly Meeting.

Rayna on the left - President Obama on the right

When asked what her current goal(s) were, she replied: "Work in the White House for Hillary Clinton".  Ironically, Mrs. Clinton is scheduled to announce her intentions on seeking the Presidency this Sunday, April 12, 2015. If she decides to run, there is no doubt in my mind that both Hillary and Rayna will achieve their goal.
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October 2018: Rayna has advanced to the position of Senior Director of Communications for the Business Roundtable, Washington, D.C.

For Historical Purposes

I am experiencing a lull in obtaining background information in order to write a couple more AASD Grad mini-profiles so I am going to use this free time to make a notation on the State of Affairs of Austin, Pennsylvania at this time in our history.

It has been many years, at least ten (10), since the Borough of Austin has applied for any economic, housing and redevelopment funds.  Many houses in the community are deteriorating and last month another business on Main Street closed.

Despite the many economic and redevelopment programs created as a result of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) in 2008, the Community of Austin did not apply for any assistance, even though the federal government urged municipalities to do so.

Keep in mind, the country was on the verge of bankruptcy at the time TARP was created.

The major bright spot in our community today is the continued investment by Paul Perry of Perry Enterprises in his establishment on Main Street.  Remember, Mr. Perry was the winning (only) bidder on the former Galeotti's Restaurant.

Mr. Perry has a well-stocked convenience store, outdoor store and alcohol distributorship, and, is continually adding new items to his merchandise inventory. GRAND OPENING is scheduled for SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

He is now in the process of adding advertising signs promoting some of the products and brands he has in stock.  Yesterday, workers were preparing the framework for a large sign which will face Route 872.  I will post pictures when the sign is complete.

The borough council, employees and VFW continue to work in preparing for a Special Memorial Day Ceremony here in Austin, Pennsylvania this year. In addition to it's impressive annual ceremony, the Borough will dedicate three of it's bridges to servicemen who were killed in action while serving in the armed forces of the United States of American.

The three (3) servicemen to be honored are Perry J. Hooftallen, Robert I. Roberts and Fred J. VanWhy.  More information will be published on these individuals as we get closer to the ceremony. Information I have received is that we are the first known municipality to bestow this honor.

Clarence Walker

Yesterday, Clarence Walker, our local Civil War Historian, was at Appomattox Court House, VA, to participate in the ceremony marking the 150th anniversary of General Robert E. Lee's surrender which ended the South's attempt to create a separate nation. Mr. Walker is a graduate of the Austin Area School District and is one of the individuals I plan to write a mini-profile on in the near future.

The Williams Foundation Donates to AASD STEM

The article below appears on the front page of The Endeavor News, Saturday, March 28 - Friday, April 3, 2015, edition:

The Endeavor News is owned and operated by AASD Grads and local residents, Robert A. and Britta Bresslin Hooftallen. The Endeavor is located at 29 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA 15834.  Their telephone number is (814)-486-1400.  They are also online at www.endeavornews.com.

AASD Grad Is Capitol Police Officer

Sherri Rees McDonald is a 1993 graduate of the Austin Area School District, Austin, Pennsylvania.  Upon graduating from AASD, Sherri enrolled at the University of  Pittsburgh at Bradford and majored in Broadcast Communications with a minor in the Administration of Justice.

Sherri worked many jobs while attending UPB in order to help pay her college expenses.  Some of those jobs were: Emporium Specialties, Schumacher's Inn (where she had also worked throughout high school) and National Fuel Gas in the summers, She also worked with the Potter County Probation/Parole Office, WFRM Radio Station, cleaned houses and bartender at the Old Tannery Inn.

In fact, she met her husband, Roy, while working at the Old Tannery Inn.

Roy is from the Washington, D.C. area and a few months after graduating from UPB, Sherri moved to Waldorf, Maryland to be with Roy. While pursuing employment relating to her degree, Sherri worked at a lawn mower repair shop. Her employer's nephew worked for the Capitol Police, liked his job, and encouraged Sherri to apply.

Sherri states, "I've always enjoyed helping others and have always had a strong sense of right and wrong, so, it wasn't that difficult of a decision to join the USCP; especially after a long, heartfelt discussion my my mom".

The hiring process took eight (8) months for Sherri to become employed.  It can take up to two (2) years. She trained for 2 1/2 months at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and, another 2 1/2 months at the United States Capitol Police Academy in Washington, D.C. She was hired at the USCP in 1999 and most of her career has been working at the U.S. Capitol Building.

The following job description appears on the USCP website:

 The USCP is a premier, CALEA-accredited, Federal Law Enforcement Agency. Our mission is to protect the Congress, its legislative processes, Members, employees, visitors, and facilities from crime, disruption, or terrorism. We protect and secure Congress so it can fulfill its constitutional responsibilities in a safe and open environment.

As America's Police Department —

• We protect the legislative process, the symbol of our democracy, the people who carry out the process, and the millions of visitors who travel here to see democracy in action;
• Every American who visits the Capitol, as well as those visitors from around the world, is a member of our protected community and sees first-hand how we are the best of America's spirit and diversity;
• As an agency, we are a microcosm of America, representational of many races, colors, religions, political affiliations, sexual orientations, and ages. Our workforce derives from almost all 50 states and territories, with some representation from other countries. We embrace and celebrate a diverse workforce, where we believe inclusion makes our workplace stronger and respecting each individual as a person and as a professional is essential; and;
• We represent the best in American policing. We act on the world stage every day of the year, as a model in security, urban crime prevention, dignitary protection, specialty response capabilities, and homeland security. We are often the first face that visitors and employees encounter, and we leave a lasting impression that is reflective of the Legislative Branch and its role in America's democracy.

The USCP have approximately 1800 uniformed officers serving in all the divisions  other major police departments would have, such as, crime scene investigations, bomb squad, crowd control, etc.

Sherri's major duties are to process visitors into the buildings using x-ray machines and metal detectors, as well as patrolling the building. She also provides security and law enforcement for all events that occur at the Capitol, including State of the Union Addresses, Holiday Concerts, Inaugurations, Laying-in-State Funerals, various ceremonies, such as Gold Medal Ceremonies, demonstrations and protests, and hearings.

She has worked both President Bush's Inaugurations, both of President Obama's Inaugurations, President Reagan and President Ford's funerals; numerous demonstrations as part of the USCP Civil Disobedience Unit; and, met and escorted numerous Heads-of-States and World Leaders, as well as our own Secretary's-of-State and government leaders.

Sherri states that she was working at the Capitol Building on 9-11 and will always remember the look of terror on people's faces as the USCP evacuated the building while waiting for the last terrorist plane, which eventually crashed in Pennsylvania, and, the indescribable feeling of standing with her fellow officers literally surrounding the Capitol Building when our own fighter jets flew over them.

Sherri further states that "I also love working at the Friends of Ireland Luncheon which hosts our President and the Prime Minister of Ireland every year on Saint Patrick's Day.  I love to hear the bagpipes echo through the building as we escort the Prime Minister to the meeting".

"For me, the best part of my job is working in the Capitol itself.  It is such an amazing and beautiful building.  That, and the vast array of different people I see, meet and protect.  Not just the famous movie stars or world leaders but mostly the average person who come from all over the world to see our country and government in action".

"While I have had several arrests over the years, the opportunity to assist people, whether by just giving directions, medical attention, or, telling them about our great country is most fulfilling. Making someone's visit a little easier or nicer is a great feeling".

Sherri and Roy have been together for 18 years, married for 7 1/2.  They have a wonderful stepdaughter who is grown and living in Delaware and two (2) amazing sons, Daniel, age 6, and Sam, who is 3. She states "They are the center of our world; and, as much as we enjoy the excitement and convenience of this area, we look forward to retirement and being able to move to a much smaller rural area".

Sherri Rees McDonald is certainly a person our young men and women of Austin should emulate.

The Bankers

Pictured below is Steve Erway, Coudersport,  the Northwest Savings Bank Branch Manager of  the Austin Branch on Turner Street when it closed on December 31, 2014.

The picture was taken in December 2013.

Steve Bell, Eldred, who was the Manager of Properties and Facilities for Northwest Savings Bank at the time the Austin Branch  closed.

Julie A. Marasco, Bradford, was the Northwest Savings Bank Region President at the time of the closing of the Austin Branch located on Turner Street.

The Endeavor News Reports AASD's Dominance in STEM Competition

The front page of the Saturday, March 21 - Friday, March 27, 2015, edition of The Endeavor News contains an article entitled "Austin dominates STEM competition - Three Panther teams place in IU9 scholastic design challenge".

The article appears below:

The Endeavor News is owned and operated by AASD Grads and local residents, Robert A. and Britta Bresslin Hooftallen. The Endeavor is located at 29 East Fourth Street, Emporium, PA 15834.  Their telephone number is (814)-486-1400.  They are also online at www.endeavornews.com.

The Best Syrup By A Dam Site

Located in the historic community of Austin, Pennsylvania where the 1911 Dam Ruins still stand.

Drove by the Don Ayer's Sugar Shanty yesterday and noticed smoke billowing from the building.  That can only mean two things. Warmer weather and great tasting maple syrup is on it's way.

Don and Donnie make some mighty fine Maple Syrup. You should stop by and pick some up.  We always have a jug in our fridge.