Small Business Community Heroes Returns to Pittsburgh for Second Year

Pittsburgh, PA (May 19, 2014) - Direct Energy and Trib Total Media announce the launch of the second annual Pittsburgh Small Business Community Heroes award program. Nominations are now being accepted until Sunday, June 29, 2014. The online nomination form can be found by visiting www.directenergy.com/heroes.

The Small Business Community Heroes award program is designed to recognize the significant efforts of small business owners, with 100 employees or less, whose voluntary contributions make their communities a better place to live.

"Direct Energy Business is thrilled to be working with Trib Total Media to bring this program back to the Pittsburgh region," said Steve Girard, head of small business, Direct Energy Business. "Direct Energy is committed to serving its many residential and business customers in Pittsburgh and throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania. We applaud all of the wonderful volunteers and look forward to recognizing those small business owners that devote their time for the greater good of the community."

The award itself consists of:

• $500 cash prize to the winner
• $2,000 donation to the winner?s organization/cause of choice in their respective community
• Recognition of winner?s achievement through a commemorative award

The Small Business Community Heroes award is open to all residents of communities in the Trib Total Media market areas. Individuals can either nominate themselves or be nominated by another individual or group. Nominations should be no longer than 750 words and must detail the specific contributions the small business owner has made to improve the community through volunteer service. In addition, the nomination needs to include a write up, of no more than 250 words, about the nominee?s small business.

"We at Trib Total Media consider it our responsibility to be a good corporate citizen in the communities we serve," said Ralph Martin, Trib Total Media president & CEO. "That is why we are pleased to join Direct Energy in honoring local businesses for being heroes in their communities."

Nominations must be submitted by Sunday, June 29, 2014 by 11:59 p.m. A selection committee from Direct Energy and Trib Total Media will review all submissions, and the winner will be announced in July. Complete rules, the official nomination form, and all other information are available online at www.directenergy.com/heroes.

For further information, please contact:
Andrea Romo
Direct Energy
andrea.romo@directenergy.com
412-334-9510