News
Armstrong General Manager Selected for Leadership Award
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Renee Uram was at the helm of the Grove City Armstrong system for only 17 days before being
recognized with a leadership award. Uram’s tenure as general manager of the local system
started Jan. 3, following the retirement of her former boss, Melinda Weaver, in December 2021
On Jan. 20, The WICT Network: Empowering Women in Media, Entertainment and Technology
announced the organization’s 2021 Chapter Award Honorees during a virtual presentation
available to the membership of the global organization’s 24 chapters in the United States,
Europe and Latin America.
In a surprise to Uram, she was recognized as the WICT Network’s Chapter Leader of the Year. The annual award recognizes a leader who has demonstrated The WICT Network Touchstones of Leadership in their local chapter. “To receive leadership recognition from WICT colleagues and friends who inspire me each day is truly an honor,” she said. “My involvement in WICT has shaped me as a leader and given me the confidence to pursue my career goals at Armstrong.”
Several Armstrong employees, both men and women, actively participate in the WICT Network: Greater Pittsburgh. Uram most recently served as the local chapter’s membership chair, helping to develop initiatives and promotions to encourage renewals and attract new members. With Uram’s leadership, the local chapter received recognition as one of the nine chapters that met its membership goal in 2021.
Uram’s recognition as a leader comes as no surprise to her coworkers or her WICT Network colleagues.“Renee is an authentic leader with incredible character and integrity,” said Sherry Ott, chapter president of The WICT Network: Greater Pittsburgh. “She continues to embrace new opportunities and face any challenges with grit and grace, empowering other women along the way.”
The WICT Network Touchstones of Leadership form the foundation for all the organization’s initiatives. Treasurer of The WICT Network: Greater Pittsburgh, Jennifer Rudd, supported Uram’s demonstration of the touchstones.“Renee continually inspires others to embrace new opportunities to grow serving as a mentor, guide and role model,” Rudd said. “With Renee's leadership on the membership committee, Greater Pittsburgh overcame and continued to grow and inspire.”
The WICT Network Touchstones of Leadership include:
KNOW YOURSELF and what you stand for and where you are headed.
COMMUNICATE with passion and poise, in writing and in-person.
LISTEN with more than just your ears.
CONNECT to your peers, your industry, and everything around you.
BE A CATALYST and set the wheels of change in motion.
BE FEARLESS and confident in your convictions as you take risks and bring others along.
INSPIRE and others will follow.
Practicing the touchstones comes easy to Uram, participating in several organizations throughout her 17 years of service to Armstrong that encourage leadership and development. “I’ve had many great mentors throughout my career and I want to help others in the same way,” she said of her volunteer opportunities. “I strive to lead by example every day that I come to work.”
In addition to her contributions to The WICT Network, Uram has experience serving the Butler County Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Butler County, Junior Achievement, her church as a choir and youth group leader, Grove City Rotary, and Armstrong Top Ops Squad 2021, among others. “Renee is a hard-working and inspirational leader,” said Breanne Freeling, community marketing manager. “You can see the passion she leads with in her new role at Armstrong and we’re excited to help fulfill the vision and goals she has set for our system.” In her free time, Uram snaps pictures for her photography business and enjoys spending time with her family, including three grown kids, Madison, Chase, and Austin, who reside in Pennsylvania, New York City, and Slovakia, respectively.