our team
Marcos Digliodo, Co-Founder & CEO
Meet Marcos, the Co-Founder and CEO of our company. With a passion for developing a more accessible journey to entrepreneurship, Marcos envisions a world where success knows no boundaries. As a New American coming to the United States from Argentina, Marcos faced many challenges, both personally and professionally.
Motivated to help individuals who have battled these lifelong barriers, he is dedicated to pushing them toward financial freedom and success in their businesses. Marcos ignited his entrepreneurial journey by launching a wine distributorship in 2010 with Trish, aiming to introduce premium wines from family-owned vineyards globally. His passion for community revitalization shone as the Municipality Liaison for the Beaver County Main Street Revitalization Contract, fostering collaboration among community leaders and business owners.
Between 2014 and 2016, he orchestrated the acquisition of nine properties for Paramount Enterprises to contribute to the economic development of his town.
Beyond his achievements, Marcos is a former Division 1 tennis player, and his interests include cigars, travel, wine, and spending time in the water, all secondary to his loved ones, who fuel his drive.
Trish Digliodo, Co-Founder & President
Trish is the Co-Founder and President of Paramount Pursuits, a small business incubator program and coworking space in Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
For 25 years, Trish worked in project management, sales, marketing, and customer relations. Her expertise in these fields has helped many clients open businesses, expand existing businesses, and grow their web presence. Her clients range from local restaurants to international companies.
Upon returning to Pennsylvania in 2014, Trish’s passion for helping entrepreneurs spurred her to launch the locally-based business incubator. Trish wanted to grow her program beyond its local reach, so she founded Paramount Pursuits to expand her entrepreneurial impact from local to international.
Trish assists small business owners by helping them develop a strategic plan to create and grow their business. Her support includes creating business plans and marketing plans, assisting in the MBE/WBE certification process if needed, and providing mentoring throughout each client’s business journey.
Trish also serves as the Project Manager for the Beaver County Main Street Revitalization Contract secured by Paramount Enterprises. In this role, Trish assists each community in developing a revitalization organization comprised of local businesses, municipal leaders, nonprofits, and spirited residents. Trish and her husband Marcos work with each organization to develop a strategic action plan to revitalize Main Street and then work side-by-side with the organization to provide them with support, guidance, and resources to achieve success.
Rick is a highly dedicated individual who plays the vital role of director here at Paramount Pursuits. With a degree from Robert Morris University, and prior experience as a store manager at Radio Shack, and as a finance manager at an air cleaning company, Rick brings a wealth of operational expertise to his position. Serving as the primary point of contact for entrepreneurs seeking assistance, he serves as the welcoming face of Paramount, warmly engaging with new visitors, guests, and clients.
Rick's genuine passion for interacting with people shines through in his commitment to their success and well-being. He finds immense satisfaction in providing assistance and witnessing others thrive. Beyond his professional responsibilities, Rick embraces a variety of hobbies including golfing, bowling, hiking, and bike riding, which allow him to recharge and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Music holds a special place in his heart as it is the one element that he simply cannot imagine his life without.
Rick's exceptional organizational skills, coupled with his genuine care for others, make him an invaluable asset to the Paramount team. His ability to connect with individuals and his dedication to supporting their journeys are pivotal in fostering a positive and productive environment.
Rick Purk, Director
Matthew is a Marketing Specialist with Paramount Enterprises. In his role, he develops marketing plans and marketing materials for local entrepreneurs, investors, and community leaders.
In addition, Matthew conducts seminars on how to best incorporate current ADA guidelines and reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities, under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1992, into the business’ infrastructure and comprehensive business plan, and how the emergent field of IMC (Integrated marketing communications) can affect every facet of their enterprise and help grow their business.
Matthew Bresnahan, Marketing Specialist
Keisha whatley, business mentor
Meet Keisha Whatley, a mentor with an assortment of knowledge in her industry. With a background in the educational and art/design fields, Keisha's prior work experience often overlapped between these domains. Raised in West Philadelphia, Keisha graduated from the High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and went on to study in top schools in New York and Philadelphia. Her passion for making a difference in the lives and businesses of her clients led her to become a mentor. Keisha is known for her honesty, directness, and her belief in her clients' abilities to rise to the challenges of entrepreneurship. By viewing her clients beyond their external circumstances, she provides them with the space to achieve much more than they ever thought possible.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Keisha indulges in various hobbies. She is an avid reader, particularly enjoying books on personal development, business, and finance topics. Keisha also enjoys spending quality time with her family, often bonding over murder mysteries and silly TV shows. She also enjoys outdoor activities, such as biking and kayaking, and often relaxes to the sounds of live music and good food. One thing that Keisha cannot live without is her kids, they are her greatest motivation and the driving force behind her endeavors.
Jeff Fatica, Director of Operations
Jeff brings decades of business expertise and a passion for professional and personal growth to Paramount Pursuits. Holding a degree in executive management from the University of Pittsburgh, Jeff worked in and ran his family-owned fastener distribution business for 35 years. He grew the company to over $30 million in revenue and converted it to a continuous improvement model while embracing a culture of professional and personal growth throughout the entire employee base. Jeff then led the merger of his company with four other companies, created an IPO, and went public. Additionally, Jeff worked with a network security startup, where he raised initial private monies to prove the concept of technology. He then secured venture capital funding to build out sales and engineering teams, and took the technology to market. He then added automation to a windshield wiper distribution company which he partnered with and ran to increase productivity. He also developed a new sales strategy, expanded his company presence, and implemented a wide variety of employee engagement strategies.
Jeff is fueled by his belief that anyone can accomplish what they set out to do, as well as by his 104-year-old mother who told him to get a job because he would be bored, and because he has lots to offer. Jeff’s strong background in sales, technology, and team building have all become great skills as a Paramount Pursuits mentor.
Outside of work, Jeff enjoys golfing, fishing, and working in the yard. A few things that Jeff cannot live without are his family, close friends, and his integrity.
Julie has experience in all links farming and food service industry. With additional experience in sales & marketing, operational excellence, business development, and project management, Julie’s knowledge gives her a step up in the industry. Additionally, she has demonstrated her commitment to community involvement by working for and serving on the board of several non-profit organizations. At Paramount Pursuits, Julie serves as our Director of Project Management, is a member of our executive team, and mentors most of our food business clients. Her educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture from Wilmington College of Ohio and an MBA from Chatham University.
Julie's passion for mentoring stems from her desire to empower and encourage the entrepreneurial spirit in others, aligning perfectly with her personal philosophy of prioritizing and supporting local businesses. Her professional success is driven by her personal qualities of being results-driven, process-oriented, and adept at understanding and catering to her clients' needs. Julie's ability to focus on her client's individual needs enables her to tailor her mentoring style accordingly, ensuring the best possible achievement for each client.
Outside of work, Julie enjoys a wide range of hobbies including cooking, gardening, working with essential oils, exploring new restaurants, traveling, reading, and going to the theater. One thing that Julie cannot live without is her Bullet journal, which helps her stay organized in both her personal and professional life.
Julie Inman, Director of Project Management Business Mentor
Scott Hitz, Business Mentor
Scott is an accomplished professional with a diverse range of experiences and a passion for customer service. With a strong background in various roles, including as an instructor, administrative assistant, office administrator, general manager, outside sales representative, account manager, computer builder, and co-owner of a business, Scott has acquired a wealth of knowledge and skills throughout his career. His expertise spans multiple industries, including maritime education, flooring, farming, drying and restoration, technology, and sales.
Having successfully navigated the challenges of starting his own small business offering sailboat tours, Scott has personally experienced the transformative power of mentorship. Scott brings a unique perspective to his role as a mentor, drawing from his firsthand experience as a mentee in our mentorship program. This experience, coupled with his dedication to promoting positive cultural change within the community, fuels his passion for helping others achieve their goals. Known for his perseverance, attention to detail, resilience, analytical approach, and problem-solving abilities, Scott brings a comprehensive skill set to his role as a mentor at Paramount Pursuits.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Scott finds solace and joy in sailing, which serves as both a personal hobby and a testament to his expertise in maritime education. He also enjoys immersing himself in concert performances in the comfort of his own home, leveraging his hi-fi system to create a surround sound experience. Scott considers himself incredibly fortunate to have his amazing wife accompanying him on his life's journey, enriching his personal and professional endeavors.