Blawnox officials have tapped a former West Virginia city project manager and nonprofit leader as their next borough manager.

Cory Dennison is set to take the reins from outgoing manager Kathy Ulanowicz on Dec. 5.

He has been shadowing the longtime administrator and borough resident since Nov. 3.

“I like local government because people are just really trying to fix the problems that are happening in their community,” Dennison said on Nov. 24. “It’s without politics. It’s more about just getting the work done and doing what’s best for the people.

“I’ve written hundreds of grants over the last 15 years. I hope to be able to bring my knowledge of grants at the federal, state and local levels and nonprofit to here at Blawnox. Overseeing those grants really helped me to understand how to get things done within a city, within a government.”

Dennison, 45, was welcomed at the Nov. 12 council meeting. However, his hiring was not on the agenda.

Council plans to ratify the appointment on Dec. 10.

“Everybody’s been super nice here,” Dennison said. “It’s a great fit, and I really love the fact that I feel like I’m part of a community here in Blawnox.”

He also thanked Ulanowicz for her training and expertise.

Ulanowicz announced her retirement in July and the manager search began shortly afterward.

Her last official day as an employee is set for Dec. 31. However, due to vacation time, her last day in the office will be Dec. 4.

Ulanowicz has been the borough manager since 2019. She started as a part-time office employee in 2008 and became the assistant borough manager in 2017. She also served as the borough’s tax collector from 1998 to 2019.

Ulanowicz plans to remain involved in the community, particularly with running the borough food pantry.

“I’m happy to be closing one door and fully opening the food pantry door,” she said. “I’ll be able to spend more time there (and) really be able to see how we can expand it a little bit. We’re hoping to be able to do perishable foods. We’re waiting for the Allegheny County Health Department to give us our license so we can (provide more items).”

The borough food pantry was recently moved from the borough building’s second floor to the first-floor offices. The administrative offices were moved to the old police station to the right of the main entrance.

The outgoing manager was involved in her replacement’s screening process.

She said 94 applicants were narrowed down to 10 finalists for interviews.

Dennison was selected due to his vast experience and has proven to be a quick study.

“I think he’ll do great,” Ulanowicz said. “He picks up on anything you’re talking about. You explain it once, chances are he knows what you’re talking about. He can understand it. If he doesn’t (or) has a question, he certainly asks. He’s not afraid to ask questions. He wants to learn and figure out all the nuances of Blawnox.”

New manager resume

Dennison said he moved from Huntington, W.Va., to Pittsburgh’s South Side about a year and a half ago to support his wife of about two years, Crystal, who got a job as a state auditor and has relatives in the area.

Since then, he has attended several Steelers, Pirates and Penguins games and has come to love the Steel City.

“We were looking for a change,” Dennison said. “It was a great opportunity. I’m glad to be living in Pittsburgh.”

Dennison was also able to work from home and occasionally make the four-and-a-half-hour trip to the office.

He worked as Huntington’s project manager for a little more than four years and oversaw 79 projects funded by about $40.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act money.

His work commute has been cut to about 25 minutes, depending on Liberty Bridge traffic, since taking the Blawnox job.

“I’d been looking for a job in Pittsburgh to make that full jump to be a full yinzer,” Dennison said. “Blawnox had done a post and I applied for it. It was hard having one foot in Pennsylvania and one foot in West Virginia.”

Dennison also served as president and chief executive officer of the West Virginia community and economic development nonprofit Vision Shared, and as Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s senior advisor and director of intergovernmental affairs.

“I worked directly with cities and counties on a lot of different issues,” Dennison said.

Dennison played football for Marshal University and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and history. He also has a law degree from West Virginia University College of Law.

His salary is listed at $82,000. UIanowicz’s outgoing salary is $71,000.

Council president Debbie Laskey said she was involved in the interview process with vice president Randall Stoddard and councilman Matt Stanczak.

“I can tell you he is focused on detail,” Laskey said about the new manager. “With his education and work experience, we felt that he would be the best person for the job. I believe Cory will be an asset to our community.”

Councilwoman Katie Specht-Coban said she expects Dennison’s hiring to be unanimous.

“(He’s) very friendly,” said Spect-Coban, a lifelong resident who lives across the street from the borough building. “He seems very community-oriented. I’m looking forward to new stuff, new blood. You’ve got to move forward. Kathy deserves a break.”

Copyright ©2025— Trib Total Media, LLC (TribLIVE.com)