Governor Edward G. Rendell announced, Pennsylvania's "Best 50 Women in Business," calling them terrific examples of Pennsylvania's brightest business minds and role models for anyone who aspires to succeed.

Since 1995, an independent panel of judges in cooperation with the Department of Community and Economic Development and five regional Pennsylvania business journals select award winners based on their dedication to business growth, professional and personal accomplishments, community involvement, and advocacy for women in business.

Colonial Candlecraters Lewisburg, Pa., is pleased to announce its owner, Union County businesswoman Pat Hess, as one of the 50 recipients of this prestigious award.

Pat has been the proud and enthusiastic owner of Colonial Candlecrafters, a small candle manufacturing and retail business since 1982. She has worked in the business since its inception in 1972 when her parents began it as a hobby in their basement. A few years after her Class of ‘79 graduation from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, at age 24, Pat purchased the business.  Now in its 37th year she has led the business through two expansion projects, introduced several new product lines, become a destination shopping experience for tourists – many by the busload – and local consumers, and turned a business which had been run as a hobby into a healthy and thriving small business with a strong internet www.colonialcandlecrafters.com presence. She continues to oversee the manufacturing of a high quality, hand-made local product, which compares very favorably to nationally known brands.  An amateur writer, Pat pens a continuing advertising campaign storyline used by Colonial Candlecrafters where radio listeners are so enamored with her ads, they beg her to continue the campaign and market the entire storyline.

Known throughout the region as an activist she has a long personal history of community development. Among other volunteer positions, Pat is the past Chairperson of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitor’s Bureau (SRVVB), and currently serves as its Vice-President.  She also sits on the SRVVB’s Marketing, Finance and Motor Coach committees. She is a member of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce (GSVCC), Pat attends Small Business Seminar meetings and actively facilitates and leads the GSVCC Small Business Support Group.

Pat regularly participates in the mentoring of young women in business and was instrumental in Bucknell’s SBDC 2005 Patty Kreamer Networking Symposium. Pat was also a key presenter during the GSVVC’s Women’s Leadership Symposium Visions and Connections in 2008.

On a final note, Pat credits her family and staff for helping her achieve this milestone.  “This award is not only about me, it also recognizes the people who are with me in my daily life. Without them, my job and community outreach would be impossible.  I can’t thank them enough for allowing me the freedom to explore so many different facets of business and community life”.

This year's honorees will be invited to several events on May 11, including an evening reception at the Harrisburg Hilton, and they will be featured in business journals throughout the state.