Jeff Imbrescia, CEO/President of Douglas Education Center – 31 Years of Changing Lives!
Today DEC staff is celebrating Mr. Imbrescia’s 31 years at the helm. His vision and persistence has transformed an old secretarial school into a premiere career school. We can all agree that without Jeff’s plan, the then “Douglas School of Business” would most certainly not be around anymore. What better way to learn about his 31 years than from the man himself –
Today is a day for me to reflect on the past. I am so grateful, appreciative and thankful for everyone in my life that contributed, supported and drove DEC to be what it has become.
Today is 31 years since I left a promising fast track career with Consol Energy and DuPont to buy a down and almost out Career School in Monessen known at the time as Douglas School of Business.
DSB at the time was located in one building (where my office is now) on 2 floors (the 2nd & 3rd) with 5 employees, 45 students and 2 main programs in Executive Secretarial and Business Administration. This building housed classrooms, offices, lockers, a lunchroom and smoking lounge. Can you believe that everyone was permitted to smoke inside in the smoking lounge on the 2nd floor in the room where the copier is currently!! Needless to say, smoke was everywhere. Everyone had a dress code that was strictly enforced. No wonder there were only 45 students!!!LOL
I was the outside recruiter who did presentations in high schools. I was the admissions person, the financial aid officer, the business office and did placement. What a trip!!! On occasion I would attend church with my mother at the First Baptist Church, our current Welcome Center.
There were many of times people thought I was crazy and told me so over the past 31 years. A few that come to mind are when I left Consol/DuPont, when I banned smoking in the building, when I “went for it” and made an abrupt move in changing the conservative business/institutional culture to more creative, artsy and hands on training environment with the “Savini” program, enrolling students with tattoos and piercings, and “buying” up the downtown. I could go on and on.
I want to thank my family. In particular, my late parents who were so supportive with unwavering and unconditional love (my father waited until he saw the fruits of my labor (LOL), Julian and Janelle. Family is everything. The fact that they both work here is a dream come true.
I also want to recognize all the great employees both past and present who helped with our success. There is no I in team. I could not of done anything without them and you. They and you are my extended family and will always be. We have changed so many peoples’ lives and their families all over the world. We have a lot to be proud of.
The journey of DEC is not over with much more to do. The world will always need education. The future is bright because of all of you.
Thank you with much love,
Jeff
Jeff Imbrescia
CEO/President
