PIC Announces Promotion of Shujuane L. Martin as President and Chief Executive Officer

This year marks a significant milestone for the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland/ Fayette, Inc. (PIC). For the past thirty-seven years, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tim Yurcisin, has led the organization in service to the community. Tim has been a part of PIC from the beginning. His initiative and dedication led to his progression at PIC. Tim has served in many roles and worked his way up by building his team and supporting the community through innovative programs. Among those roles, he served as a Service Manager at PIC, then as Vice President of Operations. Twenty-one years ago, Tim was promoted to his current role of President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Yurcisin leaves behind a legacy as he built the $23 million private, non-profit corporation; directing programs in Westmoreland, Fayette, Washington, Allegheny, and Beaver Counties.

On October 2^nd , Mr. Yurcisin will pass the torch to Ms. Shujuane (Brown) Martin of Mt. Pleasant (formerly of West Mifflin). Shujuane has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Private Industry Council of Westmoreland /Fayette, Inc.  She has also progressed in her tenure at PIC, joining the team in 2003. She has worked in the following capacities over the last seventeen years: Case Management Specialist, Program Coordinator, Project Supervisor, Director, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Some of her notable achievements include: working with over 4,000 low-income families with eliminating barriers to achieve financial self-sufficiency in the welfare-to-work programs, serving 300+ families on the verge of homelessness in the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program, assisting with the integration of technology and S.T.E.M. education into the early childhood classrooms that has impacted over 1,600 children ages birth to five in the Head Start/Early Head Start and Pre-K Count programs.  In addition, Shujuane has also been an advocate for staff professional growth and development. She was key in bringing the following staff credentialing trainings to PIC: Child Development Associate© (CDA) a national credentialing program for early childhood educators and the National Family Development Credential © (NFDC) for family service workers. Through these trainings, 145 staff members received the opportunity to grow professionally and also increase the effectiveness of the services the organization offers to the community.

With Shujuane’ s considerable determination and experience, she is now responsible for all facets of the organizations strategic planning and advancement. Shujuane stated, “I will continue PIC’s mission through the lens of diversification in funding, service delivery, staffing, and education & training.”  She will be responsible for all functions and operations of the corporation’s three divisions (Workforce Development, Early Childhood, and Education) and private licensed school, Education Technology Institute (ETI). Current President and CEO, Tim Yurcisin reflects, “Shujuane brings a very systematic and structural approach to the organization. She has worked very hard and is deserving of this promotion. The organization will benefit immensely from her leadership.”

Shujuane is a two-time graduate from California University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. While at California University, she was a standout Women’s Basketball player during her undergraduate years and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. In 2013, Shujuane received the Jennie A. Carter award for being a local outstanding community member and recently the recipient of the 2020 Alumni Association’s Professional Excellence award. Shujuane is currently an ordained minister at Zion Apostolic Assembly in McKeesport PA.

Shujuane was a Head Start child and attributes her success and ambition to her involvement in the Head Start program and most importantly, her spiritual upbringing. She believes, “It takes the people within the community to build the community.” From Pittsburgh to California, PA to Morgantown, WV, Shujuane has always been very active in supporting initiatives that strengthen communities. She is currently an active board member of the following community agencies: Westmoreland County Food Bank, Fayette County Drug & Alcohol Commission, and the Imagination Library.

Tim’s last day in office will be October 2^nd, 2020. The staff and community appreciate his commitment and leadership. He will be missed, but leaves the organization in more than capable hands, with many memories and accomplishments achieved.

PIC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building tomorrow’s workforce in southwestern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1983, it administers over two dozen programs in three divisions: Early Childhood Development, Education, and Workforce Development. PIC is the Title 1 operating partner of the Alle-Kiski, Fayette, and Westmoreland PA CareerLink® centers; operates a private licensed school, the Education and Technology Institute; and is the grantee of the Head Start/Early Head Start of Fayette County and Head Start of Beaver County. To learn more, please visit the website, www.privateindustrycouncil.com.