March 2021 We are sad to announce the passing of our CEO, Joanne Peterson. She will be greatly missed.
September 2020 Abator's Minnesota DOT certification just arrived. Marian served on a panel for the Derby Diversity event.
July 2020 Abator's Wyoming DOT certification just arrived. Our 360-Access service launches on July 26th to celebrate #ADA30.
June 2020 Check out our press release and you'll see why we've been quiet here.
May 2020 Marian and Joanne talked about Diversity Certification on Rob Oliver's podcast.
January 2019 Abator's Nevada DOT certification just arrived.
September 2018 This just in, certified as a WBE by the New York City Small Business Services.
August 2018 We are particularly sad to announce the sudden passing of our CTO, Andrew Neilson. He will be missed.
June 2018 Wow, the WBENC National conference in Detroit was amazing! There were breakout sessions, special events for NextGen owners (aka under 40!), fabulous matchmakers, a great business fair and abundant networking. With the gorgeous weather we had a good view of Windsor, too. Francois Champagne spoke about NAFTA, partnering between US and Canadian companies (particularly women owned businesses) and tariffs. And, congratulations to our RPO's Amy Criss of 84 Lumber on her 2018 Applause Award. What a great way to end the Tribute Dinner!
May 2018 Abator's new website went live! We helped Unity Printing, a WBENC certified company, celebrate their 300,000th print job.
April 2018 Marian & Joanne attended the WBEC RPO Annual Meeting and Executive Leadership Luncheon in Philadelphia. Abator participated in its fourth annual SHARE Pittsburgh event, courtesy of 84 Lumber. It was a busy month, as we mentored Chatham University student, too!
March 2018Abator hosted a group of diverse business owners to celebrate our 35th anniversary. And, we received our California DOT DWBE certificate. Marian attended the Pittsburgh Women in Leadership Symposium.
February 2018WBENC leaders Pamela Prince-Eason and Theresa Harrison (EY) visited Pittsburgh with our new WBEC RPO leaders Liz Walsh and Sherry Nacci.
January 2018Abator was awarded a DOT DWBE certification by the state of Georgia.
December 2017Abator enjoyed our invitation to the Tucker Arensberg Holiday celebration at Heinz Field. Fabulous chance to network and eat good food ... they had the most amazing funnel cake "french fries".
November 2017USVCC certification software moving forward on Abator's GetDiversityCertified.com platform.
October 2017We visited consultants assigned in Maryland, and caught Joanne's college buddy, Marc Summers with Pat Sajak at a preview of "On Your Marc". Hosted a table at this year's GACO business fair.
September 2017 Abator was certified as a Disability Owned Business Enterprise, by the USBLN (US Business Leaders Network) and received additional DWBE certifications in Mississippi, Missouri and South Carolina this month. Joanne spoke at the WBEC/WBENC business leadship luncheon in Pittsburgh on the 22nd.
August 2017 Abator earned DWBE certifications through the Illinois and Indiana DOT organizations.
July 2017We attended WBENC's 20th annual national convention last month and it was very successful. We got to schmooze with corporate leaders, heard the new SBA director Linda McMahon speak, struck up new conversations and relationships with sponors, suppliers and potential partners. Every moment was worthwhile.
June 2017 Headed to Vegas, baby, for WBENC's 20th annual national convention.
April 2017 Once again, Abator was been selected as one of OMNIKAL's OMNI500 Award winners for 2017. And, Abator's Joanne Peterson has been named an honoree in PowerLink's 25th Connect the Dots Anniversary celebration.
November 2016 Proud to be a sponsor of the WBEC Just Desserts 2016 event in Philadelphia. Executed new state-wide services contracts with the States of Delaware and Illinois.
September 2016 Worked with eleven new small businesses in search of diversity certification.
August 2016 Great WBEC/WBENC meeting at Highmark on the 10th, got to meet some fabulous new people. Then, Joanne spoke at the Allegheny County Council meetings on the 23rd and 30th of the month. Council updated its ordinance language about Women and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. While completely supportive of the County's program Joanne felt obligated as a county citizen to express concern about size standard definitions and spend goals. Her comments can be requested from customer service. Combining business and pleasure, made a trip to Albany to visit clients, consultants and hang out with buddy Marc Summers after his one man show, Everything in its Place.
July 2016 Abator kicked off its project with Penn State University - Fayette Campus. Mid-month, we hosted an Are You Certifiable seminar offered by Chatham University's Women's Business Center.
June 2016 Joanne and Marian attended the WBENC national conference Creating Magic Together in Orlando, a week after the dreadful nightclub shootings. Despite the ongoing concern for Orlando's LGBT community, the event was well attended.
May 2016 Abator was selected as one of Illinois's apparently successful vendors for the new IT Resources Contract. This brings us full circle ... Illinois was the first state master services contract held by Abator in 1989. And, our new door treatment was installed at last!
April 2016 Abator received word it was selected to support Penn State University on a contract for Pennsylvania Constables.
March 2016 Top Diversity, again! Abator was named a Top Small U. S. Business by DiversityBusiness.com for the thirteenth consecutive year. Lots of events this month: We joined a large room of women business owners at Pittsburgh's Winning Contracts event, where it was announced our alma mater Chatham University will now host the Western Pennsylvania Women's Business Center, led by the fabulous Rebecca Harris. Joanne and Marian attended the Women & Girls Foundation Crossroads event thanks to Amy Criss and 84 Lumber; then off to Philly for the WBEC PA-DE-sNJ annual meeting and executive leadership luncheon. Then, Mayor Bill Peduto's conference on Pittsburgh contracting for WBE's on the 24th. Last, but not least, Abator was thrilled to participate in the second annual SHARE Conference, a community collaboration for growth sponsored by 33 regional corporations attended by 80+ MWBE suppliers of goods and services. Toni Silva and Joel Acie from UPMC led the committee's efforts for this terrific event. And, our new contract with Montana's State Fund began mid-month.
February 2016 Abator received notification of award on a new master agreement with DASNY (Dormitory Authority of the State of New York).
January 2016 Abator's new conference room required new conference tables, which became a reclamation project involving french doors, and a few of our favorite things as you can see here.
November 2015 Abator received notification of tentative award on a new state-wide contract in New York, while Joanne joined the PowerLink Board of Directors.
October 2015 Joanne appears in the WBENC President's Report on National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Eroding Stigmas and Stereotypes. Abator was selected to support a new Rhode Island human services-related project, while work continues on AccessibilityLoop.com. Check out the new look & feel.
September 2015 Hosted several development sessions in our new space at 615 South Ave (15221). Great place to meet and draw on white boards!
August 2015 Abator's move is complete!
July 2015 Joanne spent time celebrating ADA 25 (the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act) in both Pittsburgh and DC. Check out the National Disability Institute's material on Economic Development and Inclusion. If you look closely at the recommendations for ADA 30, you'll likely be able to spot Joanne.
June 2015 Abator was awarded a subcontract to support SUNY Buffalo while Joanne joined PowerLink's advisory board, whose mission is to support the development and growth of entrepreneurship.
May 2015 Abator welcomes its new partner, Royal 4 Systems and their WISE (Warehouse Information System Expert) product. Work at 615 South continues and we hope to move late next month. AccessibilityLoop.com is raising money at GoFundMe.
April 2015 Progress continues in the development of a new service supporting the disability community, AccessibilityLoop.com.
February 2015 Abator is pleased to announce its engagement in the development of a new service supporting the disability community, Accessibility Loop. And, we're happy to welcome our new partner, ExperSolve - experts in IT Modernization, Migrations and Renovations - which will expand Abator's solutions offerings.
January 2015 Happy New Year! Abator received its Virginia interstate DBE certification #713864. And we're pleased to announce the successful completion of our engagement with the Allegheny County Treasurer's Office.
December 2014 Abator works to incorporate new US DOT changes into its GetDiversityCertified.com web applications, targets fall 2016 release.
November 2014 Abator is certified by Virginia's SWaM program.
October 2014 Abator is #59 on DiversityBusiness.com's top 100 Pennsylvania Women Business Enterprises. Here's the list. Andrew attended the Asysco technology conference with our client, Allegheny County Treasurer's Office following our successful migration engagement.
September 2014 Abator hit the road for multiple events and wrote about Networking Choices on the blog.
August 2014 Joanne took the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to raise awareness Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease," is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. We hope our customers and partners will join in.
July 2014 Summer heat and national celebrations, still left us time to forge a relationship with Carter|Radley|Williams in support of expanded project management offerings to Abator clients.
June 2014 Abator's GetDiversityCertified.com made an appearance as members of the Host Committee for WBENC's 2014 national conference in Philadelphia. And, despite heavy storms documented by local photographers Mike Darnay and Dave DiCello, our new server room withstood its first major onslaught.
May 2014 Project kick-off at Allegheny County Treasurer's Office! The servers completed their migration from Illinois to Pennsylvania this month, and despite a short period of downtime, the web sites have returned to complete functionality.
April 2014 Now we're thirty! Joanne was written up in this month's WBENC President's Report. She's really looking forward to the Philadelphia conference in June.
March 2014 Gearing up to celebrate 30 years next month!
February 2014 Abator's Pennsylvania UCP DWBE certification was renewed this month. We successfully executed dress rehearsal and go live events for a major customer migration this month.
January 2014 Abator announced its participation in the WBENC National Conference & Business Fair to be held in Philadelphia this June. We all suffered through new portrait photos, which can be found under the Staff link. Photos by Rhaina Taylor.
December 2013 Construction continues at 615 South and our resolution is to move in next year!
November 2013 Thanks for all the votes!! Abator moved into phase three of the Chase’s Mission Main Street Grant program ... here's the press release. Demolition, before construction, begins at 615 South 11/22!
October 2013 Thought we’d share the press release and beg shamelessly for votes! Abator is competing for Chase’s Mission Main Street Grant. Pittsburgh proud ... after 20 years our hometown Pirates are in baseball play-off heaven, just one more game to the big show.
September 2013 Abator hits the newsstands; Joanne was interviewed about WBE Certification in the Pittsburgh Business Times. Then we got this write up in The Suit Magazine.
August 2013 Abator's new corporate offices were identified. We'll be moving into a historical Wilkinsburg, PA property purchased by a sister organization, Pickle Properties, after renovation. We'll post updates periodically, but here's the BEFORE view.
June 2013 We're sad to announce the death of Abator's Treasurer, Wendy Lazzaro. Thank you all for your recent condolences.
May 2013 Received our DWBE certification from the state of West Virginia.
April 2013 Happy 29th birthday to us (April 1st, not a joke) and we received Vermont and Montana WBE certifications, too.
March 2013 Abator won a contract with the State of Maryland and was awarded WBE certification by the state of New Hampshire.
February 2013 Abator was awarded another contract in Washington this month.
January 2013 Back at client sites in NYC, Marian shot new photos at thee WTC.
December 2012 Abator was awarded government contracts in Illinois and California.
November 2012 Abator was nominated for a 2012 Best of Business award in Professional Services.
October 2012 In New York City on business, Marian grabbed updated photos of the World Trade Center's continued growth.
September 2012 Abator won an 8(a) engagement with Department of the Interior.
August 2012 Abator began a new engagement with the State of Iowa. Andrew, Marian, Joanne and Wayne completed training in Asysco's AMT product. And our newest stockholder, Quentin Neilson, was born on the 24th. What a great month!
June 2012 The blog at GetDiversityCertified.com is back. Thanks for your patience!
May 2012 In New York City on business, Marian grabbed photo of the new World Trade Center pushing into the clouds. It made us smile all day. Next day, she and Joanne had lunch with suppliers at Eatly ... highly recommended.
April 2012 Joanne volunteered to mentor to an Afghani entrepreneur in business plan development. The program, established by the Institute for Economic Empowerment of Women, pairs entrepreneuers and mentors in its Peace Through Business Program. Contact the IEEW to lend your support to this excellent program.
March 2012 Our blog at GetDiversityCertified.com will be down for a few days while servers are relocated. Thanks for your patience!
March 2012 Abator and its partners await a decision from New York State regarding the RFP response submitted last fall.
January 2012 Top Diversity, again! Abator was named a Top Small U. S. Business by DiversityBusiness.com for the ninth consecutive year.
September 2011 Abator invited NY certified suppliers to qualify as partners.
August 2011 Abator wins subcontract supporting state unemployment compensation.
June 2011 Abator wins contract supporting state workers' compensation claims.
May 2011 Abator wins subcontract supporting Allegheny County Pennsylvania.
April 2011 Abator celebrates its 27th year of continuous operations.
February 2011 Abator wins subcontract supporting OS/390 Websphere installation for a state IT center.
January 2011 Top Diversity, again! Abator was named a Top Small U. S. Business by DiversityBusiness.com for the eighth consecutive year.
August 2010 Joanne spoke briefly about the Lolopop Business Intelligence Office tools at the Pittsburgh Annual SBA 8(a) meeting on August 31st.
August 2010 Abator is deeply saddened by the loss of its long time Vice President, all who have sent condolences and memorials.
August 2010 Abator launches the Diversity Business Blog, a venue for minority, women and veteran business owners to share their diversity certification experiences.
June 2010 Abator begins developing the GetDiversityCertified.com solution based on its Lolopop BIO (Business Intelligence Office) Tools.
April 2010 Abator celebrates its 26th year of continuous operations.
January 2010 Top Diversity, again! Abator was named a Top Small U. S. Business by DiversityBusiness.com for the seventh consecutive year.
April 2009 Abator celebrates its 25th year of continuous operations.
February 2009 Joanne visited her alma mater, Chatham University, to speak about Career Planning.
February 2009 Abator was been selected as one of the "Top 500 Emerging Business in the U.S." by DiversityBusiness.com. Over 650,000 businesses in the United Sates had the opportunity to participate in the 9th annual business survey. The awards are based on annual gross revenue and the business profile the businesses have on file with DiversityBusiness.com. The list is the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the United States economy - America's privately held companies. The is Abator's 8th annual recognition by DiversityBusiness.com and we appreciate it!!
November 2008 While attending a PowerLink Connect the Dots Business Reception Joanne won a door prize (a gift certificate and popcorn) from A Door to Memories.
August 2008 Abator enters into a teaming agreement with Better Minds Consulting to enhance customer support.
April 2008 Abator reaches 24!
March 2008 Apache Foundation renamed its reporting component iBator for iBatis to avoid infringing on Abator's trade/service marks.
January 2008 Top Diversity, again! Abator was named a Top Small U. S. Business by DiversityBusiness.com for the fifth consecutive year.
December 2007 While the Abator staff continues to unpack boxes and settle into our new space, we want to take time to wish all customers, consultants and web site visitors a very Merry Christmas (and Happy Chanukah, or whichever holiday greeting appeals) and a very happy, prosperous and potentially peaceful 2008.
November 2007 Abator moved during the last moments of the election season. Despite a strong grass roots effort, Joanne lost the Woodland Hills School Board race. She is grateful for all the assistance from friends and new acquaintances and wishes Ms. Messina well in her continued service to our school district.
October 2007 Information Week has an interesting article about the IT resource shortage. Abator announces its move effective 1 November. And, the Woodland Hills School Board race heats up. The Progress reports on Joanne's run.
September 2007 Abator announces its intention to increase its supplier base.
August 2007 A recent survey indicates that corporate supplier WBE diversity spending -- and advertising those purchases -- may attract more female customers. You can read the results here.
August 2007 Allegheny County, home of Abator's corporate offices, was hit by high winds and a tornado.
August 2007 Abator disassociated itself from Albet Enterprises due to what it believes were inappropriate business practices.
July 2007 Abator received its WBE certification from the State of Indiana. And, Wayne Mowers, one of our valued friends and most senior associates finally got married.
June 2007 Abator was awarded a contract with the US Navy.
May 2007 Joanne stays in local politics - winning her primary run for school board. The final election will be held in November. More information can be found here.
April 2007 Abator turned 23 and Joanne made the leap into local politics - running for school board. The first article appeared in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.
February 2007 Abator became a preferred teaming partner with ALBET Enterprises, Inc., a Native American woman owned company, chartered by a federally recognized Tribe. Our teamed status and certifications include: Tribal 8(a); 8(a); Small Disadvantaged Business; Women Owned Business; Native American Women Owned Business and, HubZone.
February 2007 The east coast was challenged by an ice storm whose remains took days to melt.
December 2006 Top Diversity, again! Abator was named a Top Small U. S. Business by DiversityBusiness.com for the fourth consecutive year.
July 2006 Joanne made the injured reserve list through an inability to walk in the rain.
June 2006 Teaming to Win 2006 Andrew and Joanne presented Abator capabilities at this annual Small Business Administration event held in West Virginia 5/31 - 6/1. Information about the annual conference can be found on the web here.
May 18th, 2006 Thanks Bob, for your note to Andrew ... "Feel free to use any of my comments about Abator and your very professional staff. Throughout my nearly 15 years as an independent consultant I have come in contact with very many "middle man" companies. Some of them I would not be associated with even though the work could have been mine. There were others that were eager to take their cut but provided little in the way of consultant service and support. In my opinion Abator is head and shoulders above ALL the rest. -- Bob Hood
May 5th, 2006 Joanne received a Shining Star award for her volunteer activities with the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Geri Swift from WBENC's Philadelphia affiliateand Kerry Stith of PNC Financial Services presented the award at the Pittsburgh Renaissance.
April 2006 Happy Birthday again ... we're 22 on April Fool's Day.
November 2005 Abator receives its WBE certification from Washington State. And, DiversityBusiness.com selects Abator as one of the Top 500 Women Owned Businesses in the United States again, and the Top 50 in Pennsylvania.
October 2005 On the 28th, Joanne spoke about WBE Certification and the educational opportunities for members of the Women Business Enterprise National Council. The event was held at the Engineers Club in Pittsburgh, sponsored by First Energy and WOW Corporation. Geri Swift, President of the Women's Business Development Center/Women's Business Enterprise Council PA/NJ/DE led the panel consisting of: Tabitha Stanislaw, First Energy; Sarita Khatri, WOW Global Corporation; Carol Phillip, CPI Creative; and Joanne Peterson, Abator.
April 2005 Happy Birthday ... we're 21 on April Fool's Day!
March 2005 Abator promotes Melissa Sosanko to Project Staffing Manager and Andrew Neilson to AVP, Customer Support.
February 2005 DiversityBusiness.com selects Abator as one of the Top 500 Women Owned Businesses in the United States.
December 2004 Loyd Kintz wrote to Melissa, "After I realized how much work you have put into my skills matrix, I went to bed ... Your work is more helpful than any I have ever received from other recruiters. My most sincere thanks."
October 2004 Abator was again selected as a Top Diversity-Owned Business in Pennsylvania by DiversityBusiness.com ... three years running.
September 2004 We received a WBE certificate from Massachusetts' State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA), giving Abator a baker's dozen certifications.
August 2004 Don Neeley and Wayne Mowers took Abator's show on the road at the National Child Support conference.
July 2004 We received a WBE certificate from Delaware's Department of Administration, giving Abator an even dozen certifications.
May 2004 Women-owned Business Certifications ... Abator received two more certifications from New York State and Maryland's Department of Transportation.
April Fool's 2004 Abator celebrates its 20th anniversary as a corporation.
March 2004 Abator received notification of its federal General Services Administration Contract Award. Contract details are posted at the GSA's site. Look for FCIS-JB-980001B, Group 70 contract number GS-35F-0388P.
January 2004 Abator hosts its fifth Kauffman Entrepreneur Intern this month. Grants for this program are co-funded by the Kauffman Foundation and the host business. Abator, in conjunction with Chatham University, has hosted interns from information technology, economics, English and business disciplines in the last three years.
November 2003 Abator was selected as a Top Diversity-Owned Business in Pennsylvania by DiversityBusiness.com. This is Abator's second consecutive award.
October 2003 Joanne was honored to attend the first ever Tuck WBENC Executive Program sponsored by IBM. The classes took place at IBM Palisades, New York in a park-like setting. The staff, led by Len Greenhalgh, put fifty female entrepreneurs through a grueling educational experience.
July 2003 George Gill read about Joanne's DC trip and wrote her on the 30th "I read the article on your website about addressing the 'Paperwork Reduction Act Hearing on the Business Paperwork Burden. I hope that it helps to get the government to change some of the enormous amounts of paperwork required to get anything done. Good Job!" Thanks, George. It was a real learning experience!
April 21, 2003 As a member of USA Today's Small Business Advisory Panel, Joanne was pleased to see her name on the front page. The topic, extraordinary increases in healthcare premiums.
April 11, 2003 Congressional Hearing Joanne was called to testify before the US House of Representatives, which she found to be an up close and personal look at our federal government in action. You can request a copy of her testimony from customer service.
December 2002 Abator won a "green" Christmas wreath of recycled computer parts (how appropriate).
October 2002 DIV2000.com (now known as DiversityBusiness.com) an organization tracking MWBE performance announced that Abator was selected as a finalist for the Div2000.com Top Business Award in Pennsylvania.
September 2002 Carl Blake was pleased with Melissa's quick response. Thanks so much for sending it to me. That was very kind of you. You guys are the best at Abator. Every time I have a question, I get an answer quickly. I hope that I can work with you very soon.
May 2002 Nice to know people pay attention. Alexandra Bracho emailed Andrew ... "just wanted to let you know that it was great to read Joanne's viewpoint." (in Computerworld May 13, 2002 article.
February 2002 More than contracting: Rick Fiutem wrote Joe ... "It is always a pleasure discussing contracting/engineering trends and opportunities with you. You are always so positive, but clear on the market conditions."
December 1999 Yet another reason Abator's web site remains simple. Don Wallace, a moderator at IT Small Business Discussion Board on Dealing With Brokers wrote: "Most of us working ICs don't pay any attention to them. After the fifteenth massively bloated corporate ego trip presented as HTML, our eyes glaze over. They all seem to say US US US US YOU NEED US US US WE ARE SO FRIGGIN WONDERFUL US US US.' ... I would recommend doing anything possible to get away from the Joe Slick image of consulting companies. Technical people like and trust low-key presentations. Also, most people like and will gravitate to *content*. So, consider putting together a list of useful links to web resources and sources of info useful to contractor and technical types; and some personal 'zen' of your organization (keep it non-pompous, but I know you will so that goes w/o saying.) Here's a web site that exemplifies a lot of what I am saying: abator.com." Thanks, Don. We'll keep on keepin' IT simple.
December 1998 Can't get much better than this! Ismenio Sousa wrote ... "Dear 'Abators' (Joanne, Joe, Bob, Wendy, Lisa, Jeannie, Kevin, Ruth, Marian, Andrew and anyone else I may have missed!) ...I am still amazed with all the tremendous support and help you gave me. You trusted me and this relationship, as I see it, has gone beyond the strictly 'cold business relationship' between a Recruiter and a Consultant. This treatment really makes the difference." Thank you, Ismenio. Like Jimmy Buffett, Abator wants to do business that makes us smile!
1993 Always wanted to be famous. In 1993 ComputerMoney by Alan N. Canton was first published. In this docu-manual, Al explores the contract IT industry from the consultant's point of view. He devoted eight pages to why brokers are hated, but on page 273, he was kind enough to say ... "In the research for this book, I looked at the policies and contracts of many brokers, some large and some small. There are many that I would be pleased to work with. However I came across one that I could endorse as a model that other agents could follow. This is Abator Information Services, Inc. of Pittsburgh, PA." WOW! Thanks, to Al and the folks at Adams Blake Publishing!J
