'Terrific business people': Three join Cambria County hall of fame

April 25--As the longtime executive director of the Cambria County Association for the Blind and Handicapped, Richard Bosserman turned the organization from a $48,000-a-year operation -- one that runs on a budget of greater than $18 million.

Better than the financial achievement, though, association board member Chuck Shea said, is the job opportunities the organization now provides for more than 325 people with disabilities.

His daughter, Elizabeth, has special needs and has been working at the association for 20 years or more.

"That's the most important thing to her, to get to go to work every day," Shea said.

Bosserman is among three business and civic leaders in the Greater Johns-town/Cambria County Business Hall of Fame's Class of 2015. He, Jack Calandra and the late Robert Hagerich Sr. were honored Friday during a ceremony co-sponsored by the local chamber of commerce and Junior Achievement at the Pasquerilla Conference Center in downtown Johnstown.

Samuel Catanese, chairman of this year's hall of fame awards, said the three men's community-minded endeavors set them apart.

"The common thread is that these are three terrific business people who are also wonderful human beings," Catanese said. "They have to be more than just business leaders. It's: How do they touch people?"

Calandra took over his family's scrap and recycling business and transformed it into Jennmar Corp., a global manufacturer that creates ground control technology for the mining, tunneling and civil construction industries. Calandra is known for giving back, Catanese said.

"He really doesn't want the accolades," Catanese said. "He works so much to help his community, all behind the scenes."

Calandra, a Cresson resident for all of his 83 years, said he is following his parents' lead.

"My father and mother did it," he said.

"I'm just continuing what they did. If you have the means, help other people."

Bosserman said he was blessed to be able to combine a business sense -- starting with selling snowballs, donuts and pretzels as a child -- with an opportunity to work with disabled people and help the visually impaired at the same time.

The Westmont man, who has been the association's executive director for 48 years, said incorporating a manufacturing aspect into the association's model meant financial stability for the organization -- and a sense of purpose for those who work there.

"I'm not big into honors," he said. "I just worked and did what I know."

Hagerich, who founded an insurance company in 1946 and later opened Hagerich & Son Real Estate, also had served in the Air Force and worked at Bethlehem Steel Corp. earlier in his career. He also participated in the Rotary Club and Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Kecia Bal is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow her on Twitter at @KeciaBKay

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