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Businesswoman honored among top CEOs in state

Monday Spotlight

By Walt Frank 8 min read

JOHNSTOWN -- Amy Bradley has had many successes throughout her career and was recently recognized by Pennsylvania Business Central as one of the top women CEOs and leaders for 2026.

"It was very humbling, it is nice to be recognized. I spend my days and nights trying to make this a better community, it is nice that it is noticed," said Bradley, 58, who is president/CEO of the Cambria Regional Chamber in Johnstown. "There are many women in leadership roles now but it is nice to be recognized for my leadership as a CEO."

Bradley has been at the chamber since March 2018 after spending 18 years at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, most recently serving as director of marketing, communications and public affairs.

"I was ready for a change. I heard about the job, it sounded like a fun way to promote the area. It was a good opportunity to continue story telling to move the area forward and I love it. I enjoy walking in every morning, I have a good team to work with. I enjoyed Conemaugh but never knew the business community. I met a whole new group of people that has been beneficial," Bradley said.

Bradley said Samuel Catanese, founder/CEO of the Catanese Financial Group, was helpful to her when she took over the chamber job.

"At the chamber, businesses were new to me. There were things I needed to learn and he was always there to encourage me," Bradley said.

Catanese said Bradley has made a big difference in the chamber and the community since she took over.

"Amy is a wonderful human being. She is a warm caring person, (and) everyone loves to be around her," Catanese said. "She is a true professional in every way. I have never seen her angry and she takes every project to heart and if something is not going well, she will do everything in her power to fix it."

Bradley grew up in the Pittsburgh area and graduated from Baldwin High School in 1985. She went on to Penn State and graduated with a bachelor's degree in journalism in 1989. She later received a master's degree in leadership from Saint Vincent College in 2015.

Growing up, Bradley said she was always interested in broadcasting.

"I had done musical theater, I liked to learn and study. I loved to write, that was something I wanted to do," Bradley said.

Started in media

She got her first job in radio at WKOK-AM in Sunbury. She left that job in 1989 and moved to WRSC-AM in State College. While there, she worked for WJAC-TV as a Centre County reporter. She then moved to Johnstown in 1992.

Bradley was the 6 and 11 p.m. anchor for WJAC in Johnstown. She received the Tribune Democrat's "Simply the Best TV News Personality" award six years in a row.

Longtime WJAC reporter/anchor Marty Radovanic called Bradley one of his dearest friends. He said she was extremely genuine from the moment he met her and had been amazing to work with over the years.

"She is an absolute gem of a person. A huge heart filled with love and commitment to whatever she's involved in. From the very first moment I met her, I knew Amy was the real deal. Nothing phony," Radovanic said. "She is the perfect person to lead the chamber because of her commitment to the community and John (her husband) decided to settle in and raise their amazing family."

Bradley enjoyed her time working in television. She said it laid the groundwork for her position today, as she was able to get to know local businesses and learn about the ins and outs of certain industries.

"I got to meet many people and got a front row seat of what was going on. I would go into a business and see what they are doing, something the average person would not get to do. Every day is different and interesting," Bradley said.

Bradley also enjoyed her time at Conemaugh, where she served as producer, writer and anchor of a half-hour health television program, which received four Emmy nominations.

"It was a great use of my talents and promoted the hospital," Bradley said.

Her position at the chamber enables her to continue to tell stories.

"I am determined to tell positive stories to attract people and businesses and enlighten the people who have lived here their entire lives. There has been a lot of negativity, (but) there is so much good here. Those stories need to be told," Bradley said. "My strongest skills are my writing skills. We started a Good News Friday video that blends my news-gathering skills and my writing and broadcasting skills to share good things that are happening here every week."

Johnstown Mayor Sylvia King said Bradley is a hands-on type of person.

"The Good News Friday segment has meant a lot to the business community by highlighting the various businesses. She is a good marketing individual and has helped individual businesses and attracted other businesses because they know they will get the publicity that she offers," King said. "She is a good, wholesome person and a good friend to me."

Bradley said her mother, Jeanne Williams of Pittsburgh, is her biggest role model.

"She became vice president of Comsis in Pittsburgh. She was a strong worker and I learned from her. When I have tough days, I think how she would handle it," Bradley said.

Bradley is well-respected in the community.

"Amy is a highly motivated business leader whose background in marketing has served her well in the chamber world. Her chamber members have benefited from her willingness to implement new and creative programs, programs that effectively reach all of Cambria County," said Joe Hurd, retired president/CEO of the Blair County Chamber of Commerce.

In addition to involvement in a number of community organizations -- including Ameriserv Financial, Vision Together, the Jacob Fend Foundation, and Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church -- Bradley also works as an adjunct instructor teaching public relations at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.

At her church, Bradley is a Eucharistic Minister and serves on the church board.

"Amy is one of the greatest public servants I have ever known. She is an encourager, a leader, a teacher and most of all a woman of faith. It is my privilege to know people like Amy who make the world a better place," said the Rev. Mark Begly.

She is active with Vision Together, a community-based nonprofit organization in Johnstown dedicated to revitalizing the region and improving its quality of life.

"Amy is passionate about our area and sees it as her personal mission that we move forward in making the area a better place. I have seen Amy work tirelessly to help develop our area and she is always looking to help companies and individuals who want to make Johnstown their home," said Executive Director Robert Forcey.

When not on the job, Bradley likes to spend time with her family. Her daughter, Lily Coleman, is a news anchor at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh.

"I like to spend time with my family and work out at the gym a lot. My mom and dad are both alive and well, and I spend time in Pittsburgh with my parents and family." Bradley said.

As far as the future, Bradley doesn't plan on retirement any time soon.

"I just finished my Institution of Organization Management Degree from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. I love learning, I see learning as part of my future. I am an adjunct professor at UPJ in public relations, that keeps me fresh and in touch with the younger generation. I don't see retiring any time soon, I love what I do and there is a lot of work to be done. We're positioned to have a very positive impact," Bradley said.

The Bradley file

Name: Amy Bradley

Age: 58

Position: President/CEO of Cambria Regional Chamber

Education: 1985 graduate of Baldwin High School; 1989 graduate of Penn State with a bachelor's degree in journalism; 2015 graduate of Saint Vincent College with a master's degree in leadership.

Family: Husband, John; daughter, Lily Coleman; sons, Boston and Cole; one grandchild; parents, Dex and Jeanne Williams; sister, Ellen Jones.

Quote: "I want to see the area succeed. There are people that need help, not always help them financially, but I can volunteer and share my expertise. It makes the community stronger and is a good use of my time."

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.

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