Black Diamond Investments is a diversified family investment partnership focused on metals manufacturing and distressed/turnaround investments. Black Diamond Investments includes both active and passive investments located mainly in Western Pennsylvania. Our principal operating businesses are the American Gas Lamp Works LLC, manufacturer of the world's finest cast aluminum outdoor gas and electric lighting, and West Salisbury Foundry and Machine Company, a custom, green-sand iron foundry in… Show more Black Diamond Investments is a diversified family investment partnership focused on metals manufacturing and distressed/turnaround investments. Black Diamond Investments includes both active and passive investments located mainly in Western Pennsylvania. Our principal operating businesses are the American Gas Lamp Works LLC, manufacturer of the world's finest cast aluminum outdoor gas and electric lighting, and West Salisbury Foundry and Machine Company, a custom, green-sand iron foundry in Somerset County, PA. Other interests include the revitalization of a defunct steel mill in Greece and several medical technology start-ups. Our name, Black Diamond Investments, is reminiscent of two of our deepest passions. First, it is derived from our former association with C/G Electrodes LLC, a manufacturer of ultra-high power graphite electrodes in St. Marys, PA. Graphite is a form of pure carbon characterized by a lattice structure that is only slightly different from that of diamonds. Black Diamond also refers to our passion for Pittsburgh's industrial history. The Black Diamond Steel Works, located near the 30th Street Bridge in the Strip District, were among the most historic of Pittsburgh's iron and steel works. Opened in 1862, the Black Diamond Works included iron puddling and open-hearth steel operations, but the plant was most famous for its exceptional crucible steel capabilities. By coincidence, Dawn and I now live with our family on a portion of the estate formerly owned by the Park family - founders of Black Diamond Steel Works. Show less

The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh’s mission is to empower men and women with significant barriers to employment through skill building and career opportunities. TIP offers a 10-week tuition-free training program in masonry and carpentry, life skills courses, and social service supports to our students. Students range in age from 18 to 60 and are matched with a career in a variety of trades or trade-related fields upon graduation.

Teach self-designed course, "The Rise and Fall of Pittsburgh Steel," which traces the origins, explosive growth, stagnation and ultimate collapse of this remarkable industrial complex. The course concentrates on Pittsburgh’s rich industrial history – what makes it “The Steel City”, the emergence and evolution of iron and steel making technology, the impact of Pittsburgh’s iron and steel industrialization on living and working conditions for workers, and the factors that drove the emergence of… Show more Teach self-designed course, "The Rise and Fall of Pittsburgh Steel," which traces the origins, explosive growth, stagnation and ultimate collapse of this remarkable industrial complex. The course concentrates on Pittsburgh’s rich industrial history – what makes it “The Steel City”, the emergence and evolution of iron and steel making technology, the impact of Pittsburgh’s iron and steel industrialization on living and working conditions for workers, and the factors that drove the emergence of Pittsburgh steel then to its decline and collapse. Show less

Dawn Jardini and I formed the American Gas Lamp Works in March 2012 to acquire the assets of Gas-Lite Manufacturing. Gas-Lite was the only manufacturer of foundry-cast gas and faux gas lighting in the United States. The company had been largely dormant since its last owner died suddenly in 1999, and the firm passed into the hands of a caretaker foundation. The company's manufacturing operations are located in Springdale, PA, about 15 miles up the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh, and its… Show more Dawn Jardini and I formed the American Gas Lamp Works in March 2012 to acquire the assets of Gas-Lite Manufacturing. Gas-Lite was the only manufacturer of foundry-cast gas and faux gas lighting in the United States. The company had been largely dormant since its last owner died suddenly in 1999, and the firm passed into the hands of a caretaker foundation. The company's manufacturing operations are located in Springdale, PA, about 15 miles up the Allegheny River from Pittsburgh, and its products are sold nationwide. After working for several years to revitalize the company, we're very pleased to write that our son Patrick Jardini has taken over the leadership and majority ownership of AGLW. Go Patrick! Show less

In November 2012, Scott Swanson and I acquired West Salisbury Foundry and Machine Company - a green sand iron foundry located in Somerset County PA. Scott’s exceptional leadership and sales skills drove the company’s resurgence from near bankruptcy to growth. In 2017, we merged WSFMC with Pittsburgh Foundry and Machine Company - a diversified castings brokerage owned by the Smith family. Scott and I are proud to assist as Sean Smith leads the combined companies into their second centuries.

Entrepreneurial Studies Program

Co-founder and president of C/G Electrodes LLC, which was formed in May 2003 to acquire and restart the St. Marys, PA, graphite electrode production operations of Carbide/Graphite Group Inc. Carbide/Graphite Group was bankrupt and in asset liquidation when C/G Electrodes purchased the idled St. Marys plant, which had been closed for nearly a year.During its first year of operations, C/G Electrodes team members restarted the idled operations, relocated a finishing and shipping facility… Show more Co-founder and president of C/G Electrodes LLC, which was formed in May 2003 to acquire and restart the St. Marys, PA, graphite electrode production operations of Carbide/Graphite Group Inc. Carbide/Graphite Group was bankrupt and in asset liquidation when C/G Electrodes purchased the idled St. Marys plant, which had been closed for nearly a year.During its first year of operations, C/G Electrodes team members restarted the idled operations, relocated a finishing and shipping facility from Niagara Falls, NY, to St. Marys, and established a world-wide reputation as a premium-quality electrodes supplier. All facets of the three-month production process necessary to manufacture a graphite electrode are accomplished on C/G’s 150-acre site, which first saw the production of carbon products in 1899. C/G Electrodes had annual sales of $145 million in 2008, employs 150 team members, sells its product throughout North America, and exports to more than a dozen countries in Europe and Asia. To learn more about C/G and our history, please see our video on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EygIgOpozkM. Show less

Strategy consulting to the steel and metals industries