ORWIGSBURG - Local businessman Radu O. "Rudy" Gherghel has been appointed to serve on the board of the Pennsylvania Minority Business Development Authority.
Gov. Tom Corbett announced the confirmation of Gherghel's appointment on Dec. 11 after the state Senate voted unanimously for Gherghel to become a member of the nine-person board.
"The governor's office called me and they told me that the governor nominated me," Gherghel, Orwigsburg, said Saturday. "I was surprised. I don't know exactly why the governor nominated me, but I guess because I run my own businesses and my background."
Gherghel's term ends June 2, 2017.
A native of Romania, Gherghel, 70, escaped from his homeland in the 1960s when it was under Communist control, leading him through several European countries before reaching the United States in 1967, and eventually settling in Schuylkill County. His courageous story is documented in his book, "Dead Run," which was published this year.
Gherghel owns a variety of businesses ranging from recycling and storage facilities, investing in properties and is the owner of the multi-story One Norwegian Plaza in Pottsville. He works with his sons, Jason and Radu "Dean" Gherghel.
"I'm still working full time and own several business," Gherghel said.
Gherghel had met Corbett at various fundraisers, spoke with him and expressed some of his views.
"Maybe that had something to do with it (being nominated)," Gherghel said.
Gherghel said he will learn today when he will be sworn in by Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin. It could be as soon as today at the courthouse.
"On Monday I'll find out what day, but it will definitely be before Christmas," Gherghel said.
According to the agency's website, the PMBDA program is designed to stimulate the creation, retention and expansion of minority-owned businesses and to create jobs in Pennsylvania. PMBDA provides low-interest loans to finance a portion of the costs of land, building, machinery and equipment, and working capital to minority business enterprises unable to fully finance these projects with equity, bank financing or other private and public sources.
An eligible applicant is a for-profit business enterprise that is owned or controlled by one or more socially or economically disadvantaged people who are residents of the commonwealth. The disadvantage, regardless of sex or marital status, may arise from cultural, racial, chronic economic circumstances or background or other similar cause. Such people include, but are not limited to, African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, Eskimos and Aleuts.
"The loans range from $250,000 to $750,000," Gherghel said. "We give loans to minorities based on a business plan."
The loans are only available to Pennsylvania residents.
The monthly PMBDA board meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. at the Commonwealth Keystone Building in Harrisburg. His first meeting is Jan. 23.
"I'm looking forward to being on that board and it's an honor for me to represent Schuylkill County in Harrisburg," Gherghel said. "It's a privilege and an honor to be on that board. My goal is to help Pennsylvania get moving in the right direction in getting more businesses and more people employed."