By RANDY BARTLEY
Staff writer
A manufacturer and a gas producer were honored for their longtime contributions to the area by the Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry on April 23.
Jim Kriebel, president and CEO of Kriebel Gas, was named the 2021 Citizen of the Year, and Barry Shein was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Kriebel graduated from Clarion-Limestone High School in 1964 and from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.
After college, he started Kriebel Gas with his father. In partnership with his brothers, Gary and Greg, they serve as managing general partners of Kriebel Wells made up of 1,600 natural gas wells in 14 Western Pennsylvania counties.
“You may not see his photo in the paper often, but be assured that he is a part of many successful projects in Clarion County,” said Clarion Area Chamber of Business and Industry Executive Director Tracy Becker “He has helped improve the quality of life here in Clarion County and has helped to make our community a better place to live, work and enjoy.”
Kriebel recently worked with the Clarion Blueprint on its multi-generational park, the new Clarion County YMCA, and Rail 66 Trail group.
He has also served as a chamber board member and has volunteered on various committees, including the Church of God in Clarion, a local bank, the Clarion Hospital Foundation, the Clarion University Foundation, and the Clarion County Industrial Development Authority.
Lifetime achievement award
Barry Shein, the retired head of the Commodore Corporation was honored with the lifetime achievement award. A Cincinnati native, Shein oversaw the growth of Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. At the time of his retirement in 2021 the Commodore Corporation employed 1,200 people in six production facilities. Over half of those employees work in the three Clarion County plants.
These facilities produce over 3,000 homes annually, making Commodore the largest privately-held manufacturer of modular and manufactured homes in the nation.
“His contributions to the hospital, the YMCA, Route 66 trails, and most recently the new Second Avenue park and the Autumn Leaf Festival are but a few of the organizations that he has contributed to throughout the years,” said Becker.
Other winners
The Butler Health System was selected as the business of the year — community service — for its “extensive community service in the Clarion and surrounding areas and their eagerness to help the local quality of life in our area.”
Becker said the Butler Health System held health screening events, health fairs, diabetes education, breastfeeding classes, and a senior wellness expo.
Northwest Bank was recognized for its effort in working with college students pursuing a business or technology degree as well as its contributions to the Children’s Scholarship Fund and its investment in the future of young students in the community. The Northwest Bank received the 2021 Business Education Partner of the Year award.
The Moose Lodge #101 in Clarion hosted the event.