Some of Dennis Yablonsky's childhood memories are of visiting his grandfather in the Mid-Mon Valley.
Accompanying his parents, Yablonsky would watch his grandfather play bocci at the Italian Club in Monongahela or visit at Patsy Santina's home in Forward Township.
The visits offered chances for him to see see where his mother, Jean Yablonsky, grew up.
"Dennis was also inquisitive," Jean Yablonsky recalled. "He was always interested in family."
On Sunday, Jean and John Yablonsky were in attendance as Gov. Ed Rendell announced the nomination of their son to serve as secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development.
During the event at the Hilton Hotel in Pittsburgh, Rendell said he appointed William Schenck as secretary of the Department of Banking, Gregory Fajt as secretary of Revenue, and Stephen Schmerin as secretary of the Department of Labor and Industry.
"The governor was very nice," Jean Yablonsky said. "I was impressed with him."
Yablonsky's mother, Jean Yablonsky, grew up in the Manown section of Forward Township. She graduated from Monongahela High School in 1945 and married John Yablonsky in 1947.
The couple settled in Baldwin, where Dennis graduated from high school in 1970.
Jean Yablonsky's father worked for many years at the nearby Combustion Engineering plant and lived in Forward Township until 1964, when he was almost 80. During most of Dennis Yablonsky's early years, the frequently visited the Mon Valley.
The DCED secretary nominee still has family in the Valley. His aunt, Alvena Cummings, lives in New Eagle.
His parents now live in Bethel Park.
Dennis Yablonsky has an extensive resume. At the time of his nomination, he was serving as chief executive officer of Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse. The Pittsburgh Life Sciences Greenhouse is a partnership between the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, UPMC, the region's life sciences industry, economic development organizations and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
From 1999 to 2002, he served as chief executive officer of Pittsburgh Digital Greenhouse. He served in the same capacity from 1987 to 1999 at Carnegie Group Inc., in Pittsburgh,
He was employed with Cincom System, Inc. in Cincinnati in a variety of positions from 1975 to 1987. He spent his last three years there as chief executive officer.
Yablonsky was named Inc. Magazine Entrepreneur of the Year for 1991, and was a finalist for the Pittsburgh Technology Council, CEO of the Year in 2002.
His mother said she always knew he would succeed.
"All of his life has been one accomplishment after another," Jean Yablonsky said.
