Top 25 Women in Business: Patty Sleboda

Patty Sleboda, vice president of finance for Solid Cactus Technology Center, Shavertown, said managing the finances and implementing new policies and procedures to help the company move ahead are her main responsibilities. On a daily basis she oversees the statements, receivables, payables, payroll

In 2008, the company started a new payroll system as part of big changes planned for the future, she said.

"I have been charged with transitioning over to a new accounting system and moving our office (to) completely paperless," she said.

She earned the licensing to trade stocks, bonds and mutual funds by sitting through several vigorous exams and that was a big challenge, she said. But the benefits of this training have proven valuable.

"Having the financial markets background has truly given me an understanding of the day-to-day activities in the financial world" she said. As the company grows, knowing how to best work the financial end will be important. The company is expected to double its employee force by the end of 2009, she said.

Growing up in Plains and attending Coughlin School District and King's College, she's spent much of her careerworking in downtown Wilkes-Barre. She is excited about Solid Cactus' expansion to the Back Mountain area. The new location will have state-of-the-art office technology and a gym for employee use.

"Solid Cactus has made living and working in northeast Pennsylvania easy to do," she said. It is one of the best places to work in the state and she thanks owners Joe Palko and Scott Sanfilippo for setting up an environment that makes employees want to come to work each day.

Her business philosophy is simple, "work hard - play hard."

"I feel if you work hard and do the right thing, you will be rewarded sufficiently for it and be able to enjoy the things life has to offer."

Her husband Joseph owns Sleboda Electric and they have a seven-year-old cocker spaniel named Ginger. Her husband supports her career even when she devotes a lot of time to work. She still makes sure to save personal time for him and for things like rooting for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

She salutes her parents who modeled educational values-and good morals. As a young child, her elementary principal, Michael Novosel taught her that in sports or academics, whatever you really put your mind to, you will accomplish.