ACES 70th Anniversary
A Bit About ACES:
For 70 years, ACES has been committed to inspiring students through real-world business education. Our mission is to empower young people with the skills, confidence, and knowledge needed to succeed in a free-enterprise economy. Today, we proudly bring our programs to 11 schools across Erie, Crawford, Mercer, and Lawrence counties—continuing a legacy of education, opportunity, and community impact.
Our Journey:
1956
1958
1975
1995
1997
1999
2000
2001
2006
2007
2008
2009
2012
2013
2018
2019
2020
2022
1984
1986
1999
2003
2003
2023
2023
2022
2024
ACES was founded back in 1956
First Bob & Betty Merwin Outstanding Citizen - Bertram A. Miller
ACES celebrates 50 Years
ACES collaborated with Milton Friedman and Robert Chitester to produce the nationally acclaimed Free to Choose video series.
ACES hires Cal Neithamer as Executive Director and also hires Valerie Laufenberg as Administrative Assistant
James B. Ohrn (Current ACES Treasurer) joins ACES Board of Directors
Fort LeBoeuf High School's PBW was passed to ACES from the MBA in November of '97
ACES takes over PBW from the MBA, and Chuck Jenkins is brought in as the President of ACES
New Castle, and Corry Area High School join ACES PBW
Girard High School joins ACES PBW, along with ACES First Annual Awards Luncheon
First ACES Educator of the Year - Mr. John Wilson, Corry Area High School
Charles "Boo" Hagerty (Current ACES Vice Chairman) joins ACES Board of Directors
Valerie Laufenberg becomes ACES Executive Director
Maplewood and Cambridge Springs High Schools Join ACES PBW
Sharpsville, Youngsville, and Saegertown High Schools join ACES PBW
Jeremy Lincon (Current Board Member) joins ACES Board of Directors
Yvonne Best-Proctor (Current Board Member) joins ACES Board of Directors
ACES Celebrates its 100th PBW Program at Fort LeBoeuf High School
Greenville and Hickory High School join ACES PBW
Nathan Ross (Current Chairman), Ryan Katen (Current Board Member), and Mark Ferrara (Current Board Member) join ACES Board of Directors
Girard High School returns to participate in ACES PBW
Stacy Bartholomew promoted to Executive Director of ACES
Union City High School joins ACES PBW
Lori Joint (Current Board Member) joins ACES Board of Directors
ACES First Annual Golf Outing
ACES Celebrates its 200th Program at Fort LeBoeuf High School
John Buchna & Laura Krasinski join ACES Board of Directors