State ‘Trailblazers’ list features assistant dean, alumnus

Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies at Pennsylvania College of Technology, has been named to The 2024 Trailblazers in Building & Infrastructure list, released Monday by City & State PA.

“Meet the people helping us work, get around and live better,” the announcement reads.

“When Ellyn Lester’s students at the Pennsylvania College of Technology consider the built environment, they need look no further than the impact of their assistant dean of construction and architecture,” the editors wrote, mentioning numerous campus enhancements, including a new space for the architecture program and the upcoming construction of a Clean Energy House and renovations to the Carl Building Technologies Center that will include a materials library and industry showroom. Also noted is her role in a student project to design and construct an energy-efficient house for a community initiative with the Greater Lycoming Habitat for Humanity.

Beau M. Lazzo, a 2017 Penn College construction management graduate, is also included on the 2024 Trailblazers in Building & Infrastructure list. Lazzo is the construction division equipment manager for Swank Construction Co., near Pittsburgh.

“With a degree in construction management from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, Lazzo has built his building career at the century-old New Kensington-based heavy highway construction outfit,” the editors wrote. “Having worked his way up through project management, he is now responsible for the machinery that builds roadways, bridges and other major projects.”