Newsmaker: Joan Ellenbogen

Age: 53

Residence: Forest Hills

Family: Husband, George Handelsman; daughter, Michelle Handelsman

Occupation: Certified public accountant and managing partner at CrawfordEllenbogen LLC, Edgewood.

Education: Bachelor's degree in accounting from Duquesne University, where she was valedictorian; law degree from the Duquesne School of Law.

Background: Port Authority of Allegheny County board member since September 2004; taught at Duquesne and the University of Pittsburgh; president of the Executive Women's Council of Pittsburgh; trustee and past president of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation; past president of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants Pittsburgh Chapter; member of the Pittsburgh Tax Club.

Noteworthy: A winner of the 12th annual Pennsylvania's Best 50 Women in Business awards, sponsored by the state Department of Community and Economic Development and several business publications. She was selected for her dedication to the state's business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement and advocacy for women in business. She was nominated by state Sen. Jane Orie, R-McCandless.

Quote: "I was flattered by Sen. Orie's nomination and am deeply honored by the award itself. But I can't help asking myself, 'Should I be getting an award for doing what I love?' It's not the Port Authority funding from the Legislature I was hoping for, but it still feels great."