ERIE – Americans for the Competitive Enterprise System (ACES) will honor Tom Kennedy of Professional Development Associates, Inc. with the Bob and Betty Merwin Outstanding Citizen Award at its Annual Luncheon on Wednesday, July 11, at the Ambassador Conference Center. Presentations will begin at noon with the Awards Ceremony beginning at 12:30 p.m.
The award recognizes Kennedy’s success in business, his philanthropic community activities and his ongoing advocacy of the American free-enterprise system.
Kennedy graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College, where he earned a bachelor of engineering degree and officer commissions in the Merchant Marine. He also earned an MBA from Penn State University and began his professional career with Ingersoll-Rand Company and later GE. After 10 years at GE, he decided to pursue his dream of starting his own business. Over the last 25 years, Kennedy has grown Professional Development Associates, Inc. into a prominent regional business and real estate development company. He is also a partner in Altair Real Estate and Palace Business Centres and has developed a large portfolio of real estate including seven Cobblestone Hotels, Renaissance and Palace Centres, VA Medical Clinics, and Parkside Commons in Meadville. He is also active in the community, and serves on various boards including ERIEBANK, Erie Water Authority, Visit Erie, The Mayor’s Business Council, and Penn State Council of Fellows.
For more than 10 years, Kennedy has served as an entrepreneurship speaker for ACES’ PA Business Week programs at several high schools in the area including Cambridge Springs, Saegertown and Ft. LeBoeuf, and is supportive of growing businesses in both Erie and Crawford Counties.
ACES also will be honoring Tim Houck of Saegertown High School as the recipient of the ACES Educator of the Year Award for his educational successes and commitment to free enterprise education
ACES was founded in 1956 to promote the understanding of free market economics to students, educators, and general public through partnerships between the business and educational communities. ACES’ flagship program, Pennsylvania Business Week has reached more than 20,000 students over the past 21 years. ACES is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit, nonpolitical educational organization.
For more information, visit ACESErie.org.
