Newsmaker: William J. Lyons

Noteworthy: The Congregation of the Holy Spirit, which founded Duquesne University in 1878, presented Lyons with the Spiritan Cor Unum Award. The award was created in 1996 to recognize individuals' commitment to the school, the congregation and its principles. Lyons served on Duquesne's board of directors from 2005 through June and as an adviser to the Spiritans.

Age: 65

Residence: South Fayette

Family: Wife, Helen

Background: Lyons retired in 2013 as chief financial officer of Consol Energy Inc., where he began his career as an accountant. He serves on the boards of directors of Calgon Carbon Corp., a manufacturer, and Meritor, which supplies parts for commercial vehicles and industrial equipment.

Education: Lyons became the first member of his family with a college degree when he graduated from Duquesne in 1970 with a bachelor's in business. He earned a master's degree in accounting in 1978 from Duquesne's Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. He and his wife met at the school.

Quote: “It is special to be recognized by the Spiritans and Duquesne. These are two organizations that have had a profound impact on my life.”