Cargas Announces Two Additions to Its Board of Directors
Lancaster, Pennsylvania – April 1, 2021 – Cargas is pleased to announce two additions to the company’s Board of Directors: Lori Pickell and Heidi Bianco.
Pickell is President and CEO of Irex Corporation, a Lancaster-based, specialty contracting business with more than $200 million in annual revenue, 35 offices, and more than 2,000 employees operating across the United States. Pickell has had a successful career with Irex since 1987, holding various positions, including Treasurer, Director of Management Information Systems, Director of Human Resources, Senior Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer. In her current role, she directs the strategic and financial goals for the company.
Pickell brings a great deal of knowledge and finance experience to the Cargas board, including employee ownership programs, mergers and acquisitions, risk management, audit, and corporate financial functions.
Born and raised in Lancaster County, Pickell has participated in various community organizations such as United Way, YMCA, and Lancaster City Alliance. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Lancaster General Health and is a member of the Fulton Bank Advisory Board. Pickell, a CPA, earned a B.A. in business administration from Millersville University and a master’s degree in business administration from Pennsylvania State University.
Bianco joined Cargas as Director of Human Resources in 2015, a time of tremendous growth for the company. She has been instrumental in helping Cargas scale its wellness and social programs, recruitment opportunities, and employee development initiatives to meet the needs of a thriving team. Bianco is passionate about Cargas’ Core Values and Shared Success purpose and continually looks for ways to keep the company’s culture vibrant.
Bianco is a seasoned HR and business professional, bringing 30 years of experience, as well as expertise in leadership development, to the Cargas board. She also drives the company’s continued focus on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.
Bianco is a member of the Cargas Nominating and Governance Committee and has attended several board meetings as a guest. She has also served on several local boards. Bianco was president of the Central PA Business Group on Health (formerly Lancaster County Business Group on Health) and continues to serve on the Strategic Development Committee. Bianco earned her B.A. in math and economics from Franklin & Marshall College and is a Certified Employee Benefit Specialist.
Pickell and Bianco were officially elected to the Cargas board on March 31 at the annual shareholder’s meeting. With these additions, the Cargas board has nine directors—five employee-owners, and four outside directors.
As Cargas grows and becomes more complex, the company has been intentional about increasing diversity and expertise at the board level. The addition of Pickell and Bianco brings a wealth of new experience and knowledge to the company’s leadership.
“As we grow, diversify, and change as a business, we are intentionally and continually seeking new, outside perspectives to guide our company,” said Nate Scott, Cargas President & CEO. “We look for contributions from directors who have been where we are going and who have faced the cultural and systemic challenges of rapid growth. Heidi and Lori each bring unique experience and expertise to the Cargas board, and I’m thrilled that they’ve been elected as our newest members.”