Amilcar Arroyo, Editor<
El Mensajero
He was born in Lima, Perú. His Father was an officer of the Peruvian Army and his Mother a kind lady. He finished the elementary education and continued to high school until his graduation in 1965. He went to "Garcilaso De La Vega" University in Lima, for five years, to get his degree and his Licenciature in Business Administration.He graduated from the University in 1973 and worked for a Bank for 16 years, until his country, Perú, went in to a deep economic depression and 1000% inflation a year.
He arrived in Miami in January 1989. He worked for four months in Puerto Rico. He returned to Miami where he lived for three months until he came to Hazleton with a contractor to work in a farm in Sugarloaf, packing tomatoes. From here he moved to work in a textile factory in Hazleton where he met his wife of 15 years, Cathy Hildebrand, a lady born and raised in Hazleton. They have two daughters, Joleen Kelly 15 years old and 10th grade student, and Kellie Marie 13 years old and 7th grade student. Also he has a son Giancarlo, 22 years old, living in Perú.
He worked for Quebecor World Printing for seven years, until he resigned in May 2004 and opened an office in downtown Hazleton to publish the monthly Hispanic newspaper "El Mensajero" for The Messenger. He expanded his business and territory to Scranton, Stroudsburg, Wilkes-Barre, Kingston, Reading and small towns in between. In July 2007, he sold the newspaper to the Wilkes- Barre Publishing Co. and became Editor of the biweekly publication.
He was the Host of a half hour talk show "Window to the Region" with Silvana Hogben of Scranton as a co-host in Channel 13 in Hazleton and had a show "La Noche del Sabor Latino" in Radio WAZL 1490 AM in Hazleton. In September of 2004 he started doing television in Scranton; the newscast name was "Para tú Información," For Your Information in English.
He is a member of the Board of Directors of Step by Step in Wilkes-Barre, United Way of Hazleton; The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, member of the Downtown Committee and the Downtown Promotions Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of the Greater Hazleton; Chairperson of the Diversity Committee of the Chamber Of Commerce of the Greater Hazleton. Member of the Board of Directors of King's College and Member of The Castle Auditorio Board of Directores in Hazleton.
He graduated from Leadership Hazleton class 2004, under the Direction of Denise Corcoran. He also gives speeches to different organizations and is Instructor of Lingua Institute of Language in Hazleton.
He enjoys doing translations for different organizations and giving advice to the newcomers of Hazleton.
He is a member of Faith United Church of Christ, since 18 years ago. In his free time he likes goes shopping and watches movies with his wife and his two daughters and when is possible play with his five grandchildren.
Charles Barber, President & CEO
The Luzerne Foundation
Charles Barber is passionate about making a difference in our community. Because of his vision, love for people and willingness to "go the extra mile," The Luzerne Foundation has experienced tremendous growth over the last six years. In addition to his work with The Foundation, he is actively involved in many aspects of community development and service. The following is a snapshot of his commitment to serving our community: Leadership Wilkes-Barre Board member, LWB Executive Leadership Series Committee Chairman, Nonprofit and Community Assistance Center (NCAC) Vice President, Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley Board member, Kiwanis Club of Wilkes-Barre Vice President, Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce Member.
Charles graduated from George Washington University with a B.S. in Physics and The University of Pittsburgh, Katz School of Business Administration with an MBA, Cannon Financial Institute – Foundation Management School, Council on Foundations – Many programs on nonprofit management, administration, grant making, development and programs.
He and his wife, Denny have two sons and reside in Kingston.
Kurt Bauman, Government Services Manager <
Community and Government Services Division, Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance
When Kurt Bauman joined the NEPA Alliance team in December of 2003 he was excited about the many services and opportunities that the organization provides to area businesses, communities and municipalities. "I look forward to contributing to the smart and sustainable growth of our region and assisting our local governments plan for the future."
As a Local Government Specialist, Kurt provides planning, grant writing, regulatory guidance and technical assistance to local governments and community organizations helping them overcome the many challenges they face. Kurt's primary focus includes managing the NEPA Rural Planning Organization (RPO) work program, the Local Government Energy Assistance Program and the Land Use, Transportation & Economic Development (LUTED) Regional Action Plan Initiative. Additionally, Kurt provides vision and oversight to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center Program (NCAC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit affiliate of NEPA.
"In order to remain competitive, our division (Community and Government Services Division) will need to continually adapt to the needs of our local government agencies. Our division is currently exploring new services including community development, joint purchasing opportunities and regional resource sharing for local governments."
Kurt's career experiences include proposing, planning and managing multi-disciplined environmental, research and community develop projects. Special areas of interest include Brownfield redevelopment, environmental and transportation planning, energy conservation and environmental education.
Prior to joining NEPA Alliance, Mr. Bauman has held positions as a project manager for the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, the National Institute for Environmental Renewal and an environmental consulting firm. His career highlights include his leadership in the development of an Economic Analysis Calculator for Brownfield redevelopment and the management of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Center, a multi-million dollar office and laboratory facility in Lackawanna County.
Kurt received his bachelor's degree in Environmental Science from the University of Rochester in 1995 and received a Business Certificate and a Master's in Business Administration (M.B.A.) in 2002 from University of Scranton. He is a native of Dunmore and currently resides with his wife Shara in Dickson City. Kurt enjoys many outdoors activities including hiking, skiing, golfing, hunting and fishing and he also participates in a variety of competitive sports.
Kurt serves on several advisory and volunteer committees including:
• NEPA Representative to the Northeastern Pennsylvania Environmental Partners (Awards Dinner Committee Member & Judge), 2003-Present
• NEPA Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Advisory Board Member, 2003-Present
• Greater Scranton YMCA Annual Campaign Member, 2003-2006
Kathy Bozinski, Digital Reporter<
TimesLeader.Com
Kathy Bozinski is an Emmy-award winning journalist, with significant professional experience in television news, media and public relations, and communications education.
Kathy is currently freelance Digital Reporter with TimesLeader.Com, covering local news exclusively for online webcasting.
Kathy served as the first-ever Public Information Officer for the County of Luzerne, Pennsylvania until January, 2008.
Prior to entering Luzerne County government, Kathy was an Anchor/Investigator for WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre. During her career in television news, Kathy received an EMMY Award as Anchor of a WBRE broadcast voted "Best Newscast" by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Mid-Atlantic Region, as well as Pennsylvania Associated Press Awards for Spot News Reporting and Public Affairs Reporting.
Kathy also served as the Chairperson of the Department of Broadcast Communications - Journalism - Graphic Communications at Luzerne County Community College.
Kathy is a committee member of the Wyoming Valley Catholic Youth Center's Latino Committee, and has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Penn's Woods Council of the Girl Scouts, a committee member for the Annual Pink Ribbon Ball sponsored by the American Cancer Society; a member of the Luzerne County Community College Institute of Alcohol and Other Drug Studies Planning Committee, and has served as a member of the Local Emergency Planning Committee for the Luzerne County Emergency Management Agency.
Kathy earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Fine Arts with a communications concentration from Wilkes University, and is a graduate of Greater Nanticoke Area High School.
Kathy's an avowed "political junkie" who's spent this year's Presidential Election Campaign seasons immersed in cable news coverage and political web reporting. Her other passions include art, film, music (from jazz to heavy metal), travel (visited Napa Valley, San Francisco and Los Angeles this summer), watching college and professional basketball (Go Duke, and the Celtics!), as well as constantly redecorating her Hanover Township home, and working in her garden.
James A. Brogna, Assistant Vice President
Allied Services Foundation
Jim's responsibilities include managing and implementing the overall development advancement of Allied Services mission programs: Annual Fund implementation, volunteer recruitment and training, overseeing grantwriting and developing special events for Allied pediatric, mental retardation and vocational programs. He is also responsible for the coordination of publicity and associated recognition of Allied programs, in addition to representing Allied Services as an ambassador through community stewardship.
Penny Cannella, President
Penn's Northeast
Penny Cannella is president of Penn's Northeast a regional non-profit economic development marketing organization representing Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe and Wayne Counties. Penn's Northeast is a public private partnership comprised of eight economic development organizations, four utilities, local governments and the Commonwealth. Penn's Northeast serves as Northeastern Pennsylvania's single point of contact for businesses looking to expand or relocate.
Cannella has 10 years of experience with Penn's Northeast and was instrumental in its development. She has served as the regional coordinator of the Commonwealth's business retention and expansion program and numerous projects and initiatives.
Prior to joining Penn's Northeast, Cannella served in executive capacities with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Area Labor Management Council and the Greater Hazleton YMCA and YWCA.
Norman Bristol Colón, Executive Director
Governor's Advisory Council on Latino Affairs
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Norman Bristol Colón, born and raised in Guayama, Puerto Rico, was appointed by Governor Edward G. Rendell as Executive Director of the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, the Commonwealth's advocate agency for its Latino residents. He is the youngest of five brothers, the only sibling to complete a college education and the youngest Executive Director in the 35-year history of the Commission, appointed to this position at age 27.
Bristol Colón brings ample of knowledge on issues affecting the prosperity and progress of Latino communities throughout our great state. Issues ranging from community empowerment, economic development, educational advancement, equal rights and equal opportunities to cultural awareness, children and youth advocacy, and leadership enhancement have been part of his public outreach at the grassroots and local, state and national levels.
In this new role, Bristol Colón makes recommendations to the Governor, state agencies, the Legislature, local and county governments on issues, policies, procedures and legislation that would enhance the status of the Latino community in Pennsylvania. As the Governor's liaison to the Latino community, he ensures that state government is accessible, accountable and responsive to the needs of Latinos and that strategies and programs are developed to enhance the community's educational, social, political and economic status.
Cannella is a graduate of Syracuse University and serves on the Step by Step executive committee; Ben Franklin Partnership Pocono Northeast Advisory Board; Wall Street West executive committee and board of AHEC.
John Dawe, President
Dawe Consulting
John Dawe is Marketing Operations Manager for Solid Cactus with more than eight years of related experience. As part of the Solid Cactus team, John manages the company's marketing campaigns and uses his experience in copy writing, strategic planning, and emerging marketing technologies to keep Solid Cactus far ahead of the curve. Before joining the marketing department, John served as Solid Cactus' Senior Project Manager, helping to streamline processes in the Store Development department. John co-founded the company charitable giving program, "Solid Cactus Cares" and serves as managing editor of the company magazine eBizInsider.
Prior to joining the Solid Cactus team, John established a local consulting firm working with local charitable organizations to maximize their effectiveness through project management and technology integration. John is a member of the Nonprofit Technology Network (NTEN). He is an active member in the League of Professional Systems Administrators (LOPSA.)
Christine R. Donnolo, Associate Dean of Continuing Education
Luzerne County Community College (LCCC)
As Associate Dean of Continuing Education, Christine R. Donnolo is responsible for managing and creating programming in workforce development, career training and life long learning. Ms. Donnolo has made it her purpose to develop a "programming to meet the demands of the region which links employment, education, and economic development." Her belief is that only by successfully equipping the adult learner with the skills that are needed in today's global environment and better understanding the workforce needs of employers, can we create a skilled labor force needed to maintain a globally competitive workforce in the 21st century.
Ms. Donnolo brings a wealth of experience to her position. In addition to work at LCCC, she has worked in the education and workforce field at Penn State, Marywood, James Madison, Yale University, College Misericordia and the University of Delaware. She has worked nationally in developing grant proposals for businesses as it relates to funding through the Workforce Investment Act in California, Oregon, Florida, Tennessee, Maine, New York, Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania. For the past five years, she co-hosts a monthly _ hour television show "Eye on Business" in Northeast PA, addressing workforce issues in the State. Ms. Donnolo also lived and worked overseas for four years in Bulgaria developing business centers and working on workforce development issues.
Howard J. Grossman, AICP, Executive Director
Jewish Family Service
On October 29, 2001, Howard agreed to be the Interim Administrator for Jewish Family Service of Greater Wilkes-Barre. He served in that capacity until January 1, 2002. On January 2, 2002 until the present, he was appointed as the executive director of Jewish Family Service and continues to undertake all the duties and responsibilities of heading this social service agency. Among his accomplishments at the agency in addition to supervising the staff and typical functions of counseling, case management, Kosher Home Delivered Meals, Holocaust Survivors program, Caregiver Assistance Program, Small Business Assistance Program, Student Loan and Grant program, and many others, he has initiated or expanded, among others, the following:
- Kids Care Club as a service learning program, reaching thousands of youngsters
- Obtaining several foundation grants that have helped develop several JFS programs
- Expanded the annual Friends Campaign to over $30,000
- Helped to establish and serve as Chairman of both the NEPA Intergenerational Coalition and the Elder Issues Coalition for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties
- Initiated an anti-hunger education strategy for Luzerne County
Howard also maintains his own consulting business as HJG Associates. He has undertaken many consultant engagements within the region and several outside the Pocono-Northeast. In some cases, he has associated with other firms such as Michael Sand Associates and Delta Development. HJG Associates includes the following activities:
- Economic Development
- Research and Marketing Studies
- Grant Preparation and Application
- Business and Organizational Development
- Community and Regional Planning
- Conference Support
- Program development
- Strategic Planning
- Fund Raising Technical Support
Mr. Hughes has been the Executive Director for the Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation (EPCAMR) and the Abandoned Mine Lands Program Manager for the Luzerne Conservation District since 1997. Mr. Hughes has worked with numerous other planning committee partners to coordinate 10 Annual State-wide Conferences on Abandoned Mine Reclamation and Abandoned Mine Drainage Remediation and an Anthracite Region Conference on AMD in 1996 to bring together many partners, Conservation Districts, watershed organizations, environmental professionals, regional non-profit organizations, local governments, and consultants together to address PA's number one source non-point source of pollution.Mr. Hughes has spoken at several National Conferences on EPCAMR Projects and the organization's ability to leverage funding, people and financial resources, business and private interests, and to serve as a liaison and project coordinator between the myriad of State, Federal, and Local agencies to complete hundreds of AMD Remediation Projects across NEPA.
Mr. Hughes has a background in hydrogeology with Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Resource Management from The Pennsylvania State University, May 1995, with a technical area of water pollution control technologies, specifically in abandoned mine drainage. Mr. Hughes has 12 years experience in the development of GIS natural resource data management in the field of abandoned mine reclamation and along with his co-worker, over the last 5 years has developed an integrated database management system tool, known as RAMLIS 7.0, that allows the public, local governments, state, county, and or federal agencies, along with community watershed organizations to view local data sets for their respective watershed, community, or municipality, related to abandoned mine sites, abandoned mine drainage, treatment systems, and other environmental data sets. Mr. Hughes also has developed an extensive network of outdoor environmental education opportunities with regional school districts to conduct watershed tours, environmental education programs, historic preservation projects, and community-based environmental cleanup projects in partnership with each of the local colleges throughout the Wyoming Valley. Grant writing and developing creative projects and environmental programs utilizing a myriad of funding opportunities is Mr. Hughes's expertise for the last 12 years.
Ruth Kemmerer, Resource Development & Volunteer Services
Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley
Ruth has over 27 years experience in non-profit fund raising and advocacy initiatives beginning with her career as a self-advocate and volunteer on the board of directors for the Arthritis Foundation, Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter.
In 1988, Ruth accepted a position from the National Arthritis Foundation as the first Branch Director for the Eastern Pennsylvania Chapter and established the first branch office for that chapter, in Northeastern Pennsylvania, covering a nine-county area. Part of Ms. Kemmerer's role was to recruit, retain and identify volunteers for various boards, committees and community outreach training programs.
In her work as Director for the local branch of the Arthritis Foundation, Ruth worked with one voluntary Fiduciary Board and four voluntary Advisory Boards of Directors expanding her territory to 14 of the 20 counties that the Eastern PA Chapter covered. Ms. Kemmerer worked with over sixty volunteer stakeholders in developing the Pennsylvania Arthritis Plan. A few of these partners included The Pennsylvania Department of Health, The National Institute of Health, and The Centers for Disease Control. As a participant of the National Arthritis Advocacy Summit held each year in Washington, Ms. Kemmerer was responsible for working with the local volunteers in bringing the message to Capitol Hill on several bills such as the
In 2006, Ruth accepted a position as Director or Resource Development and Volunteer Services for Family Service Association of Wyoming Valley. Ruth's work for the agency includes developing community resources, volunteers and partners to raise funds for the agency, develop and establish community education programs, and establish and implement special events.
Jane Manganella, Director of Development
Hoyt Library
Jane Manganella has served as the Director of Development at the Hoyt Library, Kingston, PA. for 11 years, and is now simultaneously serving as the Director of The Toward Tomorrow Capital Campaign for the new library.
Her professional career includes 17 years at Wilkes University where she served as Director of Public Relations and Publications, working directly with the Vice President for Development on several Capital Campaigns. She has served both as Chair and as Coordinator for the Luzerne County Commission for Women and is President of the League of Women Voters of the Wilkes-Barre Area.
Currently, in addition to her duties as President of the Board of the LWVWB she chairs the Youth Voting Project, is Editor of the Newsletter and Co-chairs the League's Political Debate Portfolio.
She is a member of the National Council on Professional Women, The International Association of Torch Clubs, and serves on the Board of the Luzerne County Planning Commission.
Donna Palermo, President
Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce
Donna Palermo is the President of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce She began her employment with the chamber in 1988 as an executive secretary and continued to move through the chamber ranks as an administrative assistant, vice president, interim president and in May of 2001, as the chief executive officer... the first woman in the Chamber's 116 year history.
Through Donna's leadership abilities, a partnership has been formed with 17 Northeast PA Chambers in forming a health insurance program for their chamber members. She is President of the NEPA Joint Insurance Committee and also serves on the board of directors of Chambers of Commerce Service Corporation headquartered in Pittsburgh having recently been elected to a third three-year term.
Ms. Palermo is a graduate of the University of Delaware Chamber Management Institute and Leadership Hazleton. She has also attended Penn State University and McCann School of Business & Technology.
Ron Petrilla, Executive Director
Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind
Ron Petrilla has been with the Association for the Blind for thirty years, beginning his career with the Hazleton office before joining the Wilkes-Barre office in 1984. He received his BA in Psychology from Bloomsburg State College, a MS in Counseling from the University of Scranton and a PH.D. in Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. He is an adjunct faculty member of Misericordia University's Organizational Management Masters Degree Program since 1998.
Connie S. Pheiff, President/CEO
Pheiff & Some
Connie S. Pheiff, is a trained and appointed management advisor to the nonprofit sector. Pheiff is a versatile nonprofit executive with more than 20 years of proven success leading complex operations. Pheiff has led nonprofit organizations from the United States Chamber of Commerce, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber and most recently CEO of the Girl Scouts of Penn's Woods Council.
Pheiff is an experienced executive coach and program facilitator, presenting professional development programs on leadership, team building, conflict resolution, strategic planning, communications skills and workplace relationships.
karla Porter, Employment Specialist
Telerx
Karla Porter is a bilingual Corporate Recruiter and Community Outreach Coordinator for Telerx Marketing, Inc., a customer care outsourcer for Fortune 500 companies. She is also Partner in First Investment Real Estate located in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Prior to her return to the Wyoming Valley in 2001, Karla lived and worked in Latin America and Europe for 10 years. She is the Founder and past President of the Sociedad Contra la Crueldad Hacía los Animales, the first non-profit animal welfare organization in Mexico.
Since her return to the area she has been actively involved in the Latino community in Luzerne County. Most recently she served as Co-Chair for the Fiesta Latina de San Juan through the auspices of the Catholic Youth Center in Wilkes-Barre, June of this year. Additionally, she is an Officer and weekend Chef of American Legion Post 673 in Ashley.
Karla is past Minority Chairperson for the Philadelphia chapter of Women in Communications and organized the first Marketing to Hispanics seminar in Philadelphia in 1989, while employed as Public Service, Programming and Promotions Coordinator for Telemundo affiliate WTGI-TV.
Anne Rappaport
Area Agency on Aging
Anne graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and moved from York, PA to Wyoming Valley following her marriage. She taught second grade in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District taking a few years leave following the birth of their daughter. Anne then began substitute teaching in the area.
Anne changed careers and became the Director of the RSVP Volunteer Program. She has been with RSVP 24 years. She has served on the Duck Derby Committee and assisted with Daffodil Sales and Feed A Friend.
Catherine Shafer, President
cds creative, inc.
Catherine began cds creative in 1984. The company is a brand development and integration organization working with nonprofit organizations, associations and service based companies to position them to create customer advocacy and sustainability. Clients include bar associations, chambers of commerce, performing arts centers, education institutions, government entities, law firms and energy companies.
A recognized expert in the field of branding, she is frequently found speaking to groups and organizations at conferences or on-site sessions. Catherine received her BA in Theater from Bucknell University and an MBA in Management from Wilkes University. She is a member of many community boards including the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce and the advisory boards for Volunteers of America and the Catherine McAuley House.
Jonathan D. Tenenbaum, Esquire, Executive V.P. & General Counsel
Solid Cactus
Executive VP and General Counsel Jonathan Tennenbaum is the Solid Cactus company lawyer and he's a busy man. He counsels the company in various aspects of operations and he manages all corporate legal matters including contracts, reviewing documents, employment and human resources issues, collections, client disputes, litigation matters and intellectual property issues along with many other tasks. "Basically I'm responsible for all legal aspects of the company," says Jonathan. "There are basically two aspects, the legal and the practical or logical standpoint."
Jonathan graduated with a degree in finance and worked as an accountant among other entrepreneurial endeavors before finishing law school. He owned and managed his own record label (he's an accomplished rapper) and was general partner in a company which bought, renovated and sold real estate. Upon finishing his legal education, Jonathan passed the bar in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and was a municipal prosecutor while working in private practice.
Stephanie Titzel, Chief Communications and Marketing Officer
Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania
Stephanie Titzel serves as Chief Communications and Marketing Officer with Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania. In this capacity, she manages the fall product and cookie sale, council shops and all community relations, public relations and marketing activity. Prior to coming on board at Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania, she spent the past ten years working in varying sales, operations and marketing positions with Sprint.
Stephanie holds a bachelor's of science in mass communications from Towson University and a masters of arts in public communication from American University. She resides in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
Carmen Vasquez, Bilingual Marketing Representative
Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP
In her role as the Marketing Representative, Carmen is responsible for the development of marketing strategies to capture the increasing multicultural population in NEPA.
Carmen is very involved with the community and helping others. She belongs to various committees in the community geared towards educating and helping new residents.
Carmen is the founder of the RJG Latino Multicultural Dance group as well as the Holy Rosary Youth group and also volunteers for Penn State extension 4H program.
Carmen moved to NEPA two years ago from New York City. She holds an AS degree in Early Childhood Education from Borough of Manhattan Community College and BS in Education from Hunter College. Carmen is the youngest of eight children from migrant parents from the Dominican Republic. She was born and raised in Brooklyn NY and is the proud mother of her 10 year old daughter Kimmy.