By Roy Wells
As I reflect on Triad’s performance in 2024, I am reminded that a team’s success is demonstrated on the playing field, but that success originates in the locker room. Successful teams start with a well-defined purpose, understand their mission, and embrace a culture that supports the behaviors to successfully execute the game plan. Our team approach begins in our locker room at 300 N 2nd Street, where we constantly evaluate the political environment, determine which tactics will be utilized to achieve each client’s goals, and then execute the game plan, and continuously evaluate what is working and what should be modified. As the general manager of the team, my responsibility is to make sure that our roster has the support necessary to stay aligned to our purpose (elevating diverse voices for decisions that matter), the resources necessary to realize the mission (achieving success for our clients), and players who collectively bring their talents and tenacity to each engagement. I am blessed to lead and be led by an amazing group of individuals who are focused on meeting the needs of our clients and each other.
Team Triad had a lot to be proud of in 2024. We elevated our client’s voices to decisionmakers and those decisionmakers listened, evaluated, discussed, and ultimately provided our clients with significant wins; wins that will make a difference in the lives of 13 million Pennsylvanians.
Amending Pennsylvania’s workers compensation law to permit over 6,000 career fire fighters to file claims for post-traumatic stress injuries was a major win for the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association (PPFFA). A priority of the PPFFA for over a decade, Team Triad utilized every tool in our public affairs toolbox to get majority votes in the House and Senate and ultimately the Governor’s signature on October 29, 2024.
We achieved several notable achievements for The Pennsylvania State University (PSU). A long-held policy goal of PSU was to make structural changes to how higher education is funded in Pennsylvania through Performance Based Funding. By working with House and Senate leaders, the Shapiro Administration, and the Education Committee Chairs and staff in both chambers, we were able to achieve this success much more quickly than anyone anticipated. In addition, after not receiving funding in the prior fiscal year for the University’s signature economic development program, Invent Penn State, we successfully worked with appropriators to secure $2.35 million in July. Additionally, when the Governor announced awards for the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), PSU received one of the largest awards totaling $6.5 million for its Behrend Campus.
With the unwavering support of Lycoming County policy makers, we secured $2 million in funding for the historic Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, Lycoming County from the Marketing to Attract Tourists fund, ensuring that this establishment built in 1921 in the heart of the downtown could continue to provide hospitality for another century. In addition, The Williamsport Municipal Water Authority received $963 thousand for its water main replacement project through the Statewide Local Share Funding Program which distributes funding gaming revenue through the Commonwealth Financing Authority.
As we emerge into a post-covid economy, our local communities need resources to revitalize retail corridors and malls. Team Triad worked with the General Assembly, The Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) and the Governor’s Office to create the Mixed-Use Revitalization Fund and secured an initial appropriation of $10 million.
In 2024 our team worked with the public and policy makers from across the Commonwealth to secure seven clients with a total of $14.99 million of RACP awards. From manufacturing to job training; from education to the environment; and with a focus on revitalizing our communities, tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians will benefit, and by strengthening our national defense manufacturing capability, 335 million Americans can rest easier each day.
In our locker room we celebrate our personal and professional achievements as well as those of our clients. We also open our locker room for our monthly Triad Tuesday happy hour (did I mention that our locker room has a bar, catering kitchen, and 2,500 feet of rooftop deck with sensational sunset views). We hope you will join us in 2025 to simply kick back and build long lasting relationships while enjoying a few cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. From all of us at Triad we hope that each of you enjoy health, happiness and success in the New Year.