Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal--04-16

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April 2016 VOL. 31 NO. 04

a viable alternative

Self funding helps some larger employers mitigate healthcare costs and design plans toward workforce ultimately in better control of your financial risk going Since 1970, health care spending has grown an forward. If you are relying on average of 9.8 percent annually, 2.5 percent faster health insurance companies, than the economy, according to the Kaiser Family you are at the whim of the Foundation. The numbers also show annual spend- larger healthcare marketplace ing on health care grew from $75 billion in 1970 that those health insurance to $2 trillion in 2005 and experts estimated that companies are working in. spending to reach $4 trillion last year.

If they are feeling uncertain Employers who provide health insurance for about theiir situation, it ti th they their employees know first-hand how that exponen- are going to be hiking rates; tial spending continues to boost health insurance the policiees are going to offer premiums. fewer optiions.”

Family premiums have grown 155 percent for Creatinng the specific small firms and 180 percent for large firms since options deesired for your 2000, according to Kaiser. Since 2010, average employees makes family premiums have grown another 25 and 28 self-fundinng a percent for small and large firms, respectively. more attraactive What can employers do to reduce or mitigate alternativee. these costs? Instead of paying monthly premiums To keep to an insurance company, many companies are eminstead choosing to hold on to those funds and ploypay employees’ medical bills directly, essentially ees becoming their own insurers. Self-funding has healthy become a viable solution for some employers. and reducce “Employers have been looking at self-insurance costs, com mpanies more now because of the added uncertainty in with olderr employthe health insurance marketplace and the spikes ees might invest more in prescription-drug benefits in the health insurance premiums,” said Michael and chronic-disease management, while those with Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of a younger workforce might invest in family-planning Self-Insurance Institute of America, Inc. (SIIA), benefits, wellness and prevention programs. based in Simpsonville, South Carolina. “You control The City of Pittsburgh recently decided to your own destiny if you go self-insurance. You are switch to self-funding. It expects to save $7 million this year by switching its 3,700 public employees to a self-insured health plan.

Locally, the City of Scranton continues to reap the benefits of a self-funded medical and pharmacy Postage plan for its 500 employees that it has had in place for more than 20 years.

“We tend to view the program through the general industry rule: The industry standard of

By Kathy Ruff

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Healthcare Update

Progress in fighting neurological diseases is limited but care and compassion are not. SEE PAGE 19

ALSO INSIDE: ChroniC Pain Pain is what the patient says it is.

It’s not “all in your head.”

SEE PAGE 19

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SEE PAGE 10 savings is well over 20 percent in the first two years of a self-funded program,” said David Bulzoni,, business administrator for the City of Scranton. “Additionally, the city has realized considerable savings based on some of the cost-containment initiatives we put in place. Hence, our initiatives have included a pharmacy carve out, EGWIP (employer group waiver) program for seniors/retirees, continually managing the medical usage and targeting high cost claimants for stronger medical management.”

The city’s third-party administrator aggressively manages its plan, which results in long- term benefits to both the city and its taxpayers.

“We have realized many of the Affordable Care Please see COVER - VIABLE, Page 4

small business sPotlight is on Olyphant Self Storage olyphantselfstorage.com

SEE PAGE 31

Made in NEPA Monroe County Machining Co. supplies aerospace industry SEE PAGE 6

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peNNSYlVANiA

Vol. 31, No. 4 • April 2016 149 peNN AVeNue ScrANtoN, pA 18503 www.biz570.com

On THE COvER A viable alternative

The Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal is a member of Times-Shamrock Publishing Division

EDITOR christine Fanning — ext. 5415 cfanning@timesshamrock.com COnTRIbuTIng REpORTERs Dave Gardner, Kathy ruff, phil Yacuboski ADvERTIsIng sAlEs ExECuTIvE Judy S. Gregg — ext. 5425 jgregg@timesshamrock.com

self funding helps employers save on healthcare costs

Cng MAnAgIng EDITOR tom Graham — ext. 3492 Cng sAlEs MAnAgER Alice manley — ext. 9285

THE bOTTOM lInE banking................................... 6 Education ................................ 8 Economy............................... 7,9 state .................................... 10 Manufacturing ........................ 11 Retirement ............................. 18 Education .............................. 30

FiND uS oNliNe: www.Biz570.com facebook.com/570 • twitter.com/biz570

ADvERTIsIng/subsCRIpTIOns (570) 207-9001 or (877) 584-3561 Fax: (570) 207-3452 pREss RElEAsEs/sTORY suggEsTIOns (570) 207-9001 or (877) 584-3561 Fax: (570) 207-3448 MAIlIng ADDREss: NpbJ editorial Dept., 149 penn Ave., Scranton, pA 18503 EDITORIAl E-MAIl ADDREss: biz570@timesshamrock.com COpYRIgHT

NPbJ is protected under the federal copyright act. reproductions of any part by any means or facsimiles without the express written permission of the publisher are not permitted. reprints of NPbJ articles are available. Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal cannot be responsible for the return of unsolicited materials — manuscripts or photographs — with or without the inclusion of a stamped, self-addressed return envelope. information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed. No information expressed herein constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any securities. Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal (iSSN 1078-5698) is published monthly except twice in the month of may by The Scranton Times from offices located at 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA. Periodicals postage paid at Scranton, PA. The Journal serves business owners, managers and professionals in a 10-county region.

Subscriptions are available for $28 per year, $49 two years or $64 for three years. PoStmaSter: Send address changes to Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal, 149 Penn Avenue, Scranton, Pa.18503.

REgIOnAl nEWs & FEATuREs Waving statues of liberty ............. 8 Agribusiness........................... 12 Made in nEpA ......................... 16 Marketing: A letter to Coke ......... 17 Women Entrepreneurs ............... 32 small business spotlight ............ 31

HEAlTHCARE upDATE

neurological Disorders .............. 20 The Agony of Chronic pain ...... 21-22 Telemedicine .......................... 23 Home Health and long Term Care .. 24 Healthcare personnel ............ 26-27

spECIAl FOCus

spring building Forecast .............11 sports & leisure ...............10,28,29 leadership skill building.........31,33

busInEss bullETIns

For The Record .................... 36-39 personnel ...................... 40,41,43

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A nOTE FROM THE EDITOR

The 40s are an important decade for averting neurological diseases later in life i’m giving my age away here, but i remember when smoking was glamorous. cigarette smoke was part of the background in Hollywood films. TV journalists punched out their stories on typewriters, with a cigarette burning, in an ashtray, next to them. my father smoked too — a lot. i started at 17 and my siblings, four brothers and a sister, all took it up at even younger ages. we’re children of the 60s and 70s who followed our dad into a “habit” whose effects were not completely understood back then, even by the medical establishment.

By the 1980s, doctors knew for years that the nicotine and tar in cigarettes was detrimental to health and physicians like Surgeon General c.

Everett Koop warned that cigarette smoking was

a direct cause of several awful diseases including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder and lung cancer. over the years, i’d light up, worry about emphysema, (reasoning that we didn’t have any incidences of cancer in our family) put the cigarette out and later light up again.

Thirteen years ago, i quit; my sister stopped soon after. my brothers, all in their 50s still smoke.

Sadly, my father died two and one-half years ago — from a neurological disorder that was never fully diagnosed. my sister and i, both nurses, were certain his condition arose, in large part, from cigarette smoking. Science validates our theory.

The brain, spinal cord, and nerves make up Please see EDITOR’S NOTE on page 25

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NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 3 TS_CNG/ADVERTISING/AD_PAGES [ADB03] | 03/31/16

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The City of Scranton has had a self-funded medical and pharmacy plan in place for more than 20 years.

FROM PAGE 1

nationally because of their networking reach.

Similar to premium-based insurance, selfAct initiatives have caused healthcare expenses to funded administrators negotiate with health care increase,” said Bulzoni. “The city chose to grandproviders and facilities to secure the best prices so father their plans to try to control the additional clients, such as the school district, pay the least burden of these costs.” amount possible for benefits, while still offering Controlling the burden of rising health care good-quality benefits for employees. costs represents a primary motivation in the deci“When you think of self-insurance, the main sion to self-fund. thing is the buying power of deals with the network “The two major advantages of self-funded plans and not having to pay that administrative charge,” that are run well, generally are more cost-effective Colozza said. “You are paying the actual claims over time and, secondly, you’re able to customize not cost plus, like you would with a premium-type your plan design to best meet the needs of your product. When we switched TPAs, we ended up workforce,” SIIA’s Ferguson said. “You don’t have saving approximately $12 million in discounts. to buy a one-size-fits-all policy from an insurance Where we were going to budget over $30 million, carrier.”

I have been able to hold it at $20 million the last Those savings come at a price, more risk couple of years.” and a commitment to access, review and analyze Colozza credits the district’s TPA with keeping claims data to manage the plan going forward for costs contained to yield the desired benefits and efficiency and cost-effectiveness. savings.

Many employers who self-fund recognize Yet self-funding may not be the right option the critical component of hiring a competent and for some, including employers with fewer than 25 connected third-party administrator (TPA) to help employees. manage the plan.

“As a practical matter, the more employees you The Pocono Mountain School District (PMSD), have, the more likely self-insurance is going to be which has self-funded its health insurance program viable because you have a larger risk pool to spread since the mid to late-1990s, employs between risk around,” said SIIA’s Ferguson. “The decision 1,300 and 1,500 people. to self-insure, is in large, a balance sheet decision.

“When you are self-insured, you end up having What I mean is that, do you have good financial a third-party administrator (TPA),” said Joseph P. stability? When you are self-insured, when a claim Colozza, PMSD’s chief financial officer. “That thirdcomes in, you have to write the check.” party administrator will handle all the claims for the However, more small and medium-size busiindividual and deal with the different hospitals, phyness gamble with those risks. sicians and care facilities. The TPA has to negotiate “The benefits are the potential savings an significant discounts.” employer can realize by doing self-funded plans,” Professional third-party administrators garner said Jerry Calistri, president of Swift, Kennedy & buying power throughout the whole state and even

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Associates Inc., an insurance broker with offices across Pennsylvania, including Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport. “What we are seeing, the largest growth area at this point is those smaller employers that couldn’t or wouldn’t be advised to go self-funded in the past. Because of the Affordable Care Act, the way things are rated, you are seeing more and more employers going to level (self) funded plans.”

Today more employers weigh the risks against the benefits and opt for self-funding. Some, including the City of Wilkes-Barre, choose not to self-fund. “We actually researched it a couple years ago,” said Greg Barrouk, city administrator for the City of Wilkes-Barre. “It’s one thing for current employees, but once we get into the older-age groups it becomes much more costly. There was too much risk involved. The numbers look good at first but when you start playing it out, it takes a couple people to have serious surgeries and it will blow the savings away real fast.”

Calistri agrees.“It’s not for everybody, but most employers, if they realize they can save 10 percent or more on premiums, it’s an interest,” said Calistri.

“The risks associated with it are obviously if your claims are substantial, you could end up having to pay more for your health care dollars.”

Self-funded employers typically offset that risk with a stop-loss insurance policy that would cover claims over a pre-determined amount.

“When you get into a self-funded plan, you control your costs but you still have to pay your claims,” Calistri said. “These claims will fluctuate month to month, but you are controlling your cash flow.”

According to Calistri, level-funded plans operate

similarly to a fully-insured program. Plans project the maximum funding scenario for the next 12 months but offer a twist compared to using a traditional health care plan.

“Maximum funding basically states that we’re going to give your group worst-case scenario at 115 or 125 percent of your claims projections for the next 12 months,” he said. “We are going to put a rate to that claim and your administration charges and we will bill you a monthly premium like a fully-insured carrier would. At the end of those 12 months, if you perform better, most companies will give you back the reserve. Some will want to split it.”

For example, if you pay $1 million in premiums and pay $750,000 in claims, the self-insured employer may get either a credit or a reimbursement of the $250,000 difference. However, if claims total $1.2 million under level-funded plan, you don’t owe the difference but may see an increase in your renewal based on your claim trends.

Calistri said employers generally realize savings in management and administration fees when using a third party administrator instead of an insurance carrier in a fully funded policy.

“It’s not for everybody, however if you have a broker or a consultant that understands the inner workings of it, it certainly can be a huge advantage for those smaller companies down to as small as 20 (employees) for them to get into a self-funded or level-funded plan,” he said. “There are certainly some advantages premium-wise. There’s a lot of work involved with it. Now you are getting data, you are reviewing claims. You’re trying to figure out projections and where your plan is going in the future. It’s definitely a longer-term commitment.”

OPINION

OPINION

Modernize the voice of America’s workers

The labor movement’s positive effect

ployee Rights Act. It would provide the necessary updates to U.S. labor laws, which an overwhelming In 2008, Barack Obama said, “Politics didn’t majority of employees say they want. It includes lead me to working folks; working folks provisions like: The right to a federally led me to politics.” One might interpret supervised, secret ballot when deciding this statement as: working folks are whether to join or stick with a union, the backbone of economy. However, as well as on any vote to strike. Federal after seven years of fluffy sound bites, criminalization of union threats, intimidathe president’s policies have failed tion, and violence. The right to privacy, so employees in Pennsylvania and across unions cannot access home addresses the country. and other information about employees Marino The American worker has expressed who would prefer not to be contacted. a desire for new thinking and reforms to A requirement that workers must “opt in” a system they continue to lose confidence in. The before their dues can be used for politics. current administration is convinced that broader Among the provisions, perhaps the most unionization is the solution, however, in many important reform is the requirement for a union cases, unions are proving to be the problem. recertification vote whenever a majority of the Stories of union abuses continue to be workforce turns over. Rather than being stuck with uncovered throughout Pennsylvania and across an organization from yesteryear, current employthe nation. And Democratic politicians have gotees would finally be offered the chance to vote up ten comfortable with the current arrangement or down on their own unions. This is undeniably and receive tremendous backing from big labor critical to restoring the confidence of America’s embosses in exchange for maintaining the status quo. ployees by strengthening, defending and amplifying Meanwhile employees have well-founded concerns, their voice. which have fallen only on deaf ears by the very Yet President Obama, who has long claimed to organizations that are supposed to represent them. be their advocate, says he would veto the bill. That Cases of intimidation and even violence against threat will not deter us, for it only proves to be eviemployees who oppose greater unionization dence of his ineffective, old school thinking. He and or work toward decertification are increasingly his Democratic colleagues can keep their 1940s prevalent. Yet, such actions are not classified as mindset. But in the age of coworker.com petitions federal crimes. and S corporation employee stock ownership, Many employees are also concerned that their Republicans in Congress will lead by embracing dues, which they expect to go toward collective solutions, which acknowledge numerous models bargaining and similar functions, are being squan- for increasing employee engagement. dered on political causes with which they strongly Workers should not be coerced to follow the disagree. Still others are finding their union is narrow union road paved by bankrolling onefailing their most basic requests while enjoying sided candidates while ignoring the needs of immunity from removal at the workplace. their members. They must be given the right to Despite these circumstances and embarrassself-determination and a safe, fair process to decide ingly low approval, unions are now pushing to what works best for them. If President Obama truly enter retail, food service, domestic service, and respects employees, he will join us in supporting other economic sectors. these protections and get behind the Employee It is more important than ever to institute reaRights Act. sonable and modern policy changes to reinvigorate I am proud to support this important legislathe American worker and empower them to lead tion that empowers employees and allows them to once again. It would be an unpardonable wrong to regain a voice in shaping the future for themselves allow workers in new industries to be seduced by a and their families. union only to find themselves in the same situation Rep. Tom Marino represents the 10th congresas millions of our current workers. sional district of Pennsylvania in the U.S. House of Congress has a solution. It is called The EmRepresentatives.

the spillover effect of unionism and the ability of unions to set labor standards have both declined.

In 1980, Ronald Reagan, then the Republican But we need to look no further than our own party’s presidential candidate, declared, backyard to see the positive progress “Where free unions and collective barthat can result from the work of labor gaining are forbidden, freedom is lost.” unions.

I believe this is a very telling statement Scranton was the location of the of that time and of our society today. In greatest work of union leader John fact, the important impacts of unions Mitchell, who at the age of 28 became and the labor movement, both past and president of the United Mine Workers present, are everywhere you look. From in 1898. During Mitchell’s tenure as Cartwright creating the two-day weekend to ending president, he was able to unite sparring child labor to enacting the Family and ethnic groups of miners, and memberMedical Leave Act, unions have shaped ship in the union grew from 34,000 to 300,000. what it means to be an American worker.

With this increase in bargaining power, Mitchell However, even with the significant accomled his union through the famous Anthracite plishments unions have achieved, membership Coal Strike of 1902 where he was able to attract has sharply declined since the time of Reagan’s President Roosevelt to Scranton to help mediate statement. Membership rates have fallen from the strike, get the miners back to work, and find 24 percent in 1980 to approximately 11 percent common ground between the management and currently — the lowest we’ve seen since 1918. The labor. These negotiations put our region back to decrease in bargaining power and the weakened work and resulted in the mine workers receiving ability of unions to set norms or labor standards the long fought-for, eight-hour work day and a set that raise the wages of comparable nonunion minimum wage. workers are concerning. What is especially alarmAs many local citizens know, a statue of ing is how we’ve seen income inequality greatly Mitchell stands on the grounds of the Lackawanna increase as union membership has decreased.

County Courthouse, the site of the Coal Strike of If we look back again to 1980, approximately 1902, to commemorate Mitchell’s efforts on behalf 33 percent of the income in America was going to of the American worker. John Mitchell’s final restthe top 10 percent of wage earners at that time. ing place is in Scranton’s Cathedral Cemetery.

By 2015, the percentage of income going to the Unions have played an important role in the top 10 percent had increased to approximately 48 history of American businesses and will continue percent, basically mirroring the union membership to do so in the future. While some may want to percentage decline. lay blame at the feet of the unions for problems Most studies suggest that about one-fifth of in the economy, the facts support the opposite the increase in economic inequality in America view. When union membership was at its highest among men in recent decades is the result of the in the 1950s, so was our vibrant industrial middle decline in unions and some have pointed to an class. Unions lifted up workers, helped grow our even larger effect. In 2012, the Economic Policy economy, and created protections that all working Institute, a Washington think tank, stated that “The Americans enjoy to this day. decline of unions has affected middle-wage men As both President Reagan and John Mitchell more than any other group and explains about believed, we should strive to ensure that American three-fourths of the expanded wage gap between workers are treated fairly, paid a living wage, and white and blue-collar men and over a fifth of the help drive consumer demand to keep our economy expanded wage gap between high school and moving forward. Strong unions can and should college-educated men from 1978 to 2011.” help achieve these shared goals.

The falling rate of unionization has resulted Rep. Matt Cartwright represents Pennsylvania’s in this greater income disparity not only because 17th Congressional District in the U.S. House of some workers no longer receive the higher union Representatives, which includes Schuylkill County wage but also because there is less pressure on and portions of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, nonunion employers to raise wages. Additionally, Monroe, and Northampton Counties.

By Rep. Tom Marino R-PA,10th District

By U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright

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The changing face of banking

By Kathy Ruff

Community banks across the region are offering innovative products that respond to today’s market demand. “Times have changed,” said Lisa Bonacci, senior vice president of human resources and marketing for Citizens Savings Bank, Clarks Summit. That change includes tweaking its business model to offer products that rewards customers for using their accounts. It recently launched a new line of Kasasa free checking and savings accounts that pays customers monthly for ATM refunds, high interest and other perks.

“Our Kasasa cash product has cash back for customers that use their debit cards to make transactions.

Now being able to offer these Kasasa accounts, provide a total banking experience where the consumer gets perks for what they do,” said Bonacci.

Citizens also offers a high-interest savings account and other products that can attract both new and existing customers. In exchange for that higher interest rate, cash back and no monthly service fees, customers must meet certain monthly conditions.

“If they have e-statements or access to online or mobile banking and they meet criteria on debit card transactions, they get this account and can earn this high interest rate,” Bonacci said. “We are paying 2.25 percent on our cash (checking) account. Our cash back account, we are paying 2.5 percent of the amount the customer is spending, up to a certain level.”

Banks such as Citizens Savings have tapped into savings potential for both customers and the business using today’s technology.

“You have to have the technology that’s responsive to customer wants because that’s critical in today’s market” she said. “Mobile is helping to attract the millennials with these types of products because they are all tied into technology. We want to be able to meet the needs of all consumers. We believe these products are one way to do that.”

Citizens is not alone. Dunmore’s First National Community Bank (FNCB) will soon launch its own responsive product, Wow ME (maximum earnings) checking.

“All banks want to have more checking and savings because checking and savings are the funding source for what the bank does on the loan side,” said Richard D. Drust, FNCB’s senior vice president of retail banking.

“It really is that simple. Just like any other business, banks have to offer products and services that are attractive to customers. These products typically carry a higher interest rate. In some cases they have checking Please see CHANGING, Page 7

FROM PAGE 6

and a savings, both connect and they pay a higher interest rate, sometimes on one, the other or both.”

Customers must meet certain qualifications each month to reap those rewards. Though they vary, most banks typically require a certain number of monthly debit card transactions, direct deposit and access to online banking.

“If I say I need you to do 12 debit card transactions in a one-month period, that would qualify you and then you would be paid your rate on your monthly statement,” Drust said.

Drust believes smartphones, iPads and EMV chips have made transactions easier and safer. “Banking is evolving,” he said. “Customers want more value. They want more return. That’s a product that can hopefully get their attention and attract them to bank with us. It really is that simple.”

Berwick-based First Keystone Community Bank also sees the value and offers its own free rewards checking accounts. “It’s a great product for our customers,” said Mark Prosseda, president and chief executive officer. “This is a free rewards checking account and we are willing to pay 2 percent interest on checking account balances or two percent cash back on debit card purchases.”

“They need to use their debit card 12 times,” Prosseda said. “They have to log into online banking

once during the month and they have to agree to accept e-statements as opposed to paper statements. The account incurs no monthly fees or penalties if customers do not meet those parameters.

So how do the banking institutions win with these offerings? “We receive a very small amount of money, an interchange fee every time they swipe their card,” Prosseda said. “We are not going to have to send them a paper statement. That’s almost a buck-and-a-half a month we are saving. They have to log into online banking and look at their checking account, so what they are doing is they are making sure that there aren’t any fraudulent charges on their account.”

Banks also benefit with these innovative offerings by strengthening customer relationships, a strong marketing tool banks can use to introduce and offer other offerings.

“Banks and any industry are always trying to come up with better ideas to serve the needs of the customers,” he said. “It’s a very competitive industry. We talk about the checking account as being the most basic account. So if I have somebody that has a checking account with me, that gives me a way to start a conservation with them about a home mortgage or investment program or their retirement plan or a car loan or a credit card, all of the products and services we offer. In a lot of ways it gives me a way to begin a conversation, a more deep conversation with a customer.”

ECONOMY

Manufacturing hub comes to Lackawanna County Select Products Holdings LLC, A manufacturer of paper products for household use, will establish its manufacturing hub in Vandling Borough, Lackawanna County, a move that will create 140 new jobs over the next three years, Governor Tom Wolf announced, last month.

“We are gaining momentum as more and more companies continue to see the value of Pennsylvania’s assets and strategic location as the best place to support their expansion goals,” Governor Wolf said.

Select Products Holdings will invest $6.6 million in the project which will include building acquisition, expansion, and plant upgrades at the 939 Main Street location.

“Our new location will serve as our manufacturing hub, providing efficient service and distribution of our product lines, with brand new state-of-the-art machinery to our network along the East Coast,” said Simon Roozrokh, CEO, Select Products Holdings.

“One of the reasons we selected this location is because of the ability to expand, build additional space and add additional equipment. This project would not have gone forward without the assistance provided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, which made for a smooth transition into the community.”

Select Products Holdings received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development that includes a $280,000 Pennsylvania First program grant, $280,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits, and $63,000 in WEDnetPA funding for employee training. The company has also been encouraged to apply for a $2.4 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority.

The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

“The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is committed to working toward the creation of family-sustaining manufacturing jobs,” said Bob Durkin, president.

“Select Products Holdings decision to locate here is a three-fold win for Lackawanna County. Not only are we welcoming a new manufacturer to the area, but we are creating jobs in a part of our community with a labor pool trained in the necessary skills sets and recruiting a company that currently does business with our existing industries regionally.”

REDUCED D

KINGSTON

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LUZERNE

Family owned, established restaurant & banquet business. A neighborhood feel makes this restaurant a success. Included are business, liquor license, equipment, restaurant bldg, 3 unit apt bldg, garage w/apt & parking lot.

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FOR LEASE - Great warehouse in West Pittston with over 4000SF! 2 garage doors and 2 barn doors, ample storage both inside and out.

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DALLAS

An artistic opportunity! This 2300SF (plus) Barn offers natural light, HWY exposure, 3 levels of possibilities. Ideal for retail, café, showroom, co-op and more! By appointment only. Spaces also available for rent

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LUZERNE FOR LEASE - CONTRACTORS WANTED5000SF building includes offices, garages and storage. Owner can subdivide. Fenced yard.

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Move your business right in to this 1100sf building! Can be used for neighborhood business such as a salon, smoke shop or deli.

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PATRICIA 696-0873 OR JUDY 714-9230

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NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 7 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B07] | 03/30/16

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EDUCATION Lackawanna College revamps environmental science degree program

MARKETING

Israeli ambassador to speak at Wilkes

By Phil Yacuboski

Part of Lackawanna College’s 211-acre property

Starting in fall 2016, Lackawanna College students enrolled in the environmental science degree program will take part in hands-on learning opportunities occurring inside and outside of the classroom.

Classes will be held at both the Scranton campus and Lackawanna College’s Gold LEED-Certified Environmental Education Center (LCEEC) located in Covington Township.

Students will participate in intensive field experiences on LCEEC’s 211-acre property, which is a living laboratory consisting of a mixed hardwood forest, meadows, open fields, a stream and a variety of wetlands.

Graduates of this degree will obtain an associate in science degree in environmental science and will be prepared to enter the workforce.

Career opportunities include environmental consulting firms, state and governmental agencies, and natural resource technicians, to name a few.

Students may also take advantage of Lackawanna Colleg’s articulation agreement with Keystone College and transfer directly into its four-year environmental resource management program.

High school students interested in getting a jump-start on their college career can study at LCEEC this summer for an eight-day physical geography course. This three-credit course will immerse students in a wide variety of earth science topics. Completion of the course earns students three credits towards their environmental science degree, which are transferrable within the college or to other institutions.

One of the best parts of the program is that students can gain real-world experience through a variety of internships, work-study, capstone and service learning projects.

To register or for more information, contact LCEEC at 570-842-1506.

Ron Prosor delivers the Max Rosenn Lecture on May 1, at Wilkes University.

Ron Prosor, former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations, will speak about “Israel and the Evolving Frontline of a Disintegrating Middle East: A Guided Tour” for the Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities on Sunday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts at Wilkes University.

Admission to the lecture is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged at community.wilkes.edu/rosenn16.

Prosor served as Israel’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 2011 to 2015. During his tenure at the U.N., he served as vice president of the general assembly. He previously served as Israel’s ambassador to the United Kingdom and director-general of Israel’s Foreign Ministry.

With almost three decades of experience at the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prosor earned an international reputation as a distinguished diplomat. While serving as director-general, he oversaw the work of the foreign ministry during the disengagement from Gaza in 2005.

A prolific author, he writes frequently about Israel’s domestic policy and international status.

Prosor has published articles and opinions in leading publications, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. He holds a master’s degree in political science from Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

For questions or further information about the lecture, contact Rebecca Van Jura, director of special events, at 570-408-4306.

8 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B08] | 03/30/16

Statue of Liberty costume draws business for Liberty Tax Service

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APRIL 2016

As April 15 quickly approaches, there are a number of companies that want to prepare your taxes.

Liberty Tax Service, with its people dressed in State of Liberty costumes, walking up and down the sidewalk and waving at cars, might be the most familiar.

“It definitely brings people in,” said Mark Mihalka, owner of several Liberty Tax Service franchises, including a location on Laurel Street in Pittston. “They are the forefront of our business.”

He said the whole object is for those who are dressed up, to make eye contact with people in vehicles as they pass by each location.

“Every year, we ask all of our customers why they chose Liberty Tax Service — and we’ve tried a number of different marketing tools — and many of our customers say the wavers are the big reason they chose us,” he said. “They are Fast Freddie of WKRZ holds the FREE FOOD sign. ‘Zac’ is at right. a very, very valuable part of our business.”

Mihalka said the move is also a He said it’s a marketing technique called great way to keep marketing money local. ‘anthropomorphism,’ where human characteristics “A lot of times, you see commercials on are given to objects, animals or other people. Other television and you don’t know where the money is examples are ‘Tony the Tiger,’ ‘Mr. Peanut,’ or even going,” he said. “This money is spent on the sign ‘Ronald McDonald.’ wavers here and they really appreciate the job.”

“I think it’s a phenomena because they are makMihalka oversees eight offices in the region and ing people feel close to their country,” said Dr. Roy. said there are between five and 10 people working He said it’s similar to customers shopping at at each office. He put the number at around 80 Foot Locker. total. There are about 4,300 Liberty Tax Service “You see people as referees and we’re suplocations nationwide. posed to think they are fair, they know about the The costumes come from a vendor through product and that transforms into sales,” he said. their main office.

Dr. Roy said that if Liberty Tax Service were the “They are about half our workforce,” he said. market leader, it probably wouldn’t work. He cited “We have kids that do it, retirees and a wide variety H&R Block and Turbo Tax having more of a market of people who come back year after year.” share, but added they don’t have an identifiable But does it really work? moniker.

“They are taking the image of the Statue of “I wish I was the guy who thought of it, instead Liberty and making people feel patriotic,” said Dr. of the guy executing it.” said Mihalka, “It is great Abhijit Roy, marketing professor at the University marketing and a great idea.” of Scranton.

ECONOMY

Unemployment unchanged over three months The Scranton-Wilkes-Barre-Hazleton Metropolitan Statistical Area’s (MSA) seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.1 percent in January. The MSA’s rate was tied with that of the Erie MSA for the 14th lowest among Pennsylvania’s 18 MSAs; rates ranged from 3.4 percent in the Gettysburg MSA to 5.8 percent in the Johnstown MSA. The state and national rates each declined one-tenth of a percentage point, to 4.6 and 4.9 percent, respectively. Over the year, the S-WB-H MSA rate fell nine-tenths of a percentage point, the state rate was down seven-tenths of a point, and the national rate decreased eight-tenths of a point.

The S-WB-H MSA’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm jobs decreased 2,800 to 256,100 in January. Over the year, jobs in the MSA were down 0.6 percent (-1,600), while jobs in the state overall were up 0.6 percent. Detailed industry data for the MSA is not seasonally adjusted.

January saw large declines in many industries over the month; however, these changes were in line with typical seasonal and historical trends. The remaining industries saw only relatively minor movements. The largest drops over the year were in mining, logging and construction and retail trade, while the largest gains were in transportation, warehousing and utilities and education and health services.

Because the data included in this release (primarily civilian labor force and nonfarm jobs data) are sample based, the data are subject to revisions.

Once each year, estimates are adjusted to new levels based on additional or revised information collected after the initial release of the data (called a benchmark). Additionally, seasonal adjustment factors for historical labor force and nonfarm jobs data are updated each year. Revisions to the nonfarm jobs series through 2015 have been completed and are reflected in the January news release. Revisions to the labor force series have not been completed and are not reflected in the January news release.

Historical labor force revisions are expected to be completed by the release of March data in late April 2016. For more information on the benchmarking process and revisions to historical data please contact the Center for Workforce Information & Analysis at 1-877-4WF-DATA, or visitpaworkstats.pa.gov.

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 9 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B09] | 03/30/16

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FOCUS ON SPORTS & LEISURE

STATE

Job creation strategies often off base

Bring your dog to the baseball game

BY Phil Yacuboski

While winter wasn’t particularly harsh (as compared to the previous winter) many look forward A new report, “State Job Creation Strategies Often Research Center has done, highlighting the key decisions to spring.

With spring comes baseball and the Off Base” shows that supporting homegrown startups businesses make about where to locate. It confirms that upcoming Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders season and young, fast-growing in-state companies is likely to most new jobs are created by homegrown new busiplans to be another homerun for fans. be a more effective strategy for states to create jobs and nesses, and that the most effective way for Pennsylvania “We’ve really revamped our promotions build a strong economy than the across-the-board tax and its local governments to promote job-creating busibecause we’re trying to get as many fans to the cuts and attempts to lure businesses from elsewhere nesses is not to cut taxes but to invest in education and ballpark as possible,” said Josh Olerud, chief training of Pennsylvania’s work force and to make our that many states pursue today, said its authors. operating officer of the Railriders. communities more attractive places for people to live.

According to the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy During the offseaCenter, and The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities in Far from “improving the business climate” corporate tax Washington, D.C., Michael Mazerov and Michael Leach- cuts deny states and localities the revenues they need to son, he said they restructured their weekly man, co-authors, discussed the report with journalists in do what really works to create jobs. schedule, which begins The report, “State Job Creation Strategies Often Off February and explained that new research shows that the with “Dollar Mondays.” vast majority of jobs are created by businesses that start Base” is available on the Center on Budget and Policy On any Monday, fans up or are already present in a state. When states pursue Priorities website at cbpp.org can get a $1 lawn ticket The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities is a tax cuts, they divert resources needed to help homeand — bring your dog. nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization and policy grown startups and young, fast-growing companies The promotion is being deliver maximum job growth and to build a climate that institute that conducts research and analysis on a range called the ‘Bark in the of government policies and programs. It is supported supports their growth.

Park.’ primarily by foundation grants.

This new report amplifies work that the Keystone “Not only can you bring your dog to the ballpark, but we’re Baseball and bat offering $1 hot dogs as well,” he said. “We feel it’s going to be a nice compliment for us, since it’s been a slower night.”

He said not everyone has the weekend to enjoy the games, so Monday is a cheap night out.

“It’s very affordable,” he said. “We’re hoping to it really picks up.”

Tuesdays will be dubbed ‘Two Dollar Tuesdays’ with $2 tickets, $2 tacos and $2 beers.

“Wednesdays are all-you-can-eat nights,” he said. “We’re going to have local restaurants take part and for a $15 ticket upgrade, there will be a complete spread.”

Contact Judy Gregg today for advertising information!

On Fridays, players will wear their glow-in-thedark uniforms to coincide with fireworks. Every • jgregg@timesshamrock.com Saturday and Sunday, after the games, kids get to run the bases.

Once again, they are bringing back fireworks on Friday because it’s such a popular promotion.

“They are huge and they have been consistently The Region’s Award-Winning Source of Business News & Information • A Times-Shamrock Publication 149 Penn Avenue • Scranton, PA 18503 • 75 N. Washington Street • Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 popular,” he said.

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10 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B10] | 03/30/16

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APRIL 2016

giveaways this season in addition to a jersey theme too — the team will wear different jerseys for June, July and August.

Military salutes will also be a big part of the baseball schedule.

There will be 31 giveaway nights this year.

“We’ve upped the quantities,” he said. “Normally we give away stuff to the first 1,000 fans, but this year the giveaways are for the first 3,000 fans. We’re trying to make it so that everyone gets something at the stadium.”

Olerud said there will be a food upgrade this year with a number of different items being added to the menu.

How do maple bacon and bourbon chicken tenders and fries sound? What about a Diablo chili cheese dog? How about a jalapeno bacon burger? They are all on the menu.

“We’ve branded each concession with the food that will be there,” said Olerud.

“Traditionally the stands have been gray and blue, but now they will be themed.”

The reason for many of the upgrades and promotions are to boost attendance.

“Attendance continues to grow,” said Olerud.

“When the ballpark opened in 2013, it was a franchise year for us. We did around 530,000 fans that year.”

The following year, he said attendance dropped to about 420,000.

“That’s still strong, but we have every reason to believe it can be stronger,” he said.

He said in the second-half of 2015, they sold out six games.

“In the off-season, we’ve seen that rollover to sales for this year,” said Olerud. “We’re hoping to be in the 450,000 to 475,000 range. We feel like we’ve done things in the off-season to encourage partnerships, locally, to do that. We have great aspirations.”

SPRING BUILDING FORECAST

MANUFACTURING

Local manufacturers, leaders go to the ‘Hill’ A delegation of local manufacturers participated in Manufacturers’ Hill Day in Washington, D.C., last month.

The goal of the day was to increase legislator awareness of the importance of manufacturing to our country and the Commonwealth.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) coordinated the day-long event, which included visits with U.S. Senators Robert Casey and Patrick Toomey and U.S. House members, Lou Barletta, Matthew Cartwright, Thomas Marino and Glenn Thompson.

Local officials who participated included Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC president and CEO; Dale Parmenteri, NEPIRC vice-president of operations; Greg Stanton, vice-president of operations at Gentex; Bruce Daniels, controller at Medico Industries; and William Cockerill, AFL-CIO community service liaison — United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.

“This day offered our local manufacturers an opportunity to highlight the advances in manufacturing and the broad economic and employment impacts that manufacturing has to our local, state and national economies,” said Esoda. “Promoting local manufacturing success stories provides legislators with the insight they need to make policy decisions that support our

Smaller homes, upgrades, energy efficiency rule

Commonwealth’s manufacturing industry and further our national manufacturing agenda.”

Discussion topics included manufacturers’ increased use of additive manufacturing, successful product reshoring efforts, effective revenue diversification

By Phil Yacuboski strategies, increased exporting activity and leveraging of broadband technology. Participants also compared the Builders have been seeing things get busier as current federal investment in manufacturing extension the spring building season moves forward. and expansion programs to those of other nations, with Jim Dembinski, owner of Oak Ridge Construchopes that increases to that investment would be made tion in the Poconos, has seen an uptick in home over time. building. “Building has been steady. I see a little blip NEPIRC is a not-for-profit organization that has been in the scale. I think people are more confident in the providing professional services exclusively to manufaceconomy and the stock market is what it used to be,” turers throughout northeastern and northern Pennsylsaid Dembinski who has been in the business since vania since 1988. NEPIRC works with manufacturing 1977. “Money is more available and I think people clients on consultative engagements designed to address are seeing that a home is a good investment again.” their unique challenges and maximize their profitability.

He said developments in and around Lake NaoNEPIRC’s staff of professional business advisors and mi and Pocono Pines are doing well and remain a specialists design customized solutions for NEPIRC hotspot. “They continue to be and still remain one clients that enable them to adopt industry best practices, of the top developments in the Poconos and it has implement next generation manufacturing strategies, a country club feel. achieve profitable growth, successfully enter new marDembinski said customers want the upgrades, kets and innovate new products and, ultimately, achieve but they also want something that is easy on the profitability levels that exceed industry benchmarks.

wallet, too. “There’s the solid surfaces in these homes from countertops to floors,” he said, “but energy efficiency is still at the top of the list.” He noted things like heating upgrades and outdoor spaces are top priority.

Dembinski also said the sizes of homes are changing. “I think the trend is to more open and more family-oriented, but I definitely think people are scaling back and becoming more efficient,” he said. “There’s a lot of upkeep in a bigger home and a lot of wasted space.”

Meanwhile, MKSD architects are celebrating their one year anniversary of a large project on the Monroe Campus of Northampton Community College. “They outgrew what they had,” said Jill Hewes, MKSD. The $52 million project on 72 acres consists of three buildings.

“They were in one building and we wanted to Please see BUILDING, Page 12

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For More Information Call Nick Slottje 508-625-2227 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 11

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AGRIBUSINESS

Community Garden Sprouts Business

Oak Ridge Construction earned a Pocono Builders Association, Construction Award of Excellence 2013, for this home.

FROM PAGE 11

give it more like a campus feel,” she said.

“They had no gymnasium, they had a small library and they had a smaller cafeteria. They wanted to use their campus like any other college campus.”

What they came up with was an administration building with some classrooms and a lecture hall, which also housed the library. In addition, they built a classroom building which also had a science wing as well as computer labs. The third is a gymnasium and fitness center, cafeteria, bookstore

and a meeting space for campus clubs.

“They have a view of Camelback Mountain, which was important to them,” she said.

Also important was meeting space for small groups.The project is gold LEED certified and has geothermal, solar panels and a lot of windows.

“We used a lot of locally sourced materials, which included carpeting and stone,” she said.

The LEED certification requires materials be within a certain distance of the project. The whole project

Converting to naturalgas:

BrightMove If natural gas is available to you, it makes good business sense to convert. Businesses across Pennsylvania who have made the switch are saving thousands of dollars a year. To find out if natural gas is an option for you and how much you could save, visit the website below or call UGI at 1-800-276-2722.

www.ugi.com/business4

12 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B12] | 03/30/16

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APRIL 2016

The Butler Township Community Garden, which has grown to about 80 plots since it was established in 2009, is now germinating something new: a microbusiness.

“About one-quarter acre of the garden has always been dedicated to teaching organic gardening and small-scale agribusiness concepts,” said Krista Schneider, past president and founder of the Center for Landscape Design and Stewardship, the non-profit organization that manages the garden. In past years, interns from Bloomsburg and Penn State Universities helped plant and maintain a “Market Garden,” where veggies, herbs, and flowers were grown organically to be sold at the Downtown Hazleton Farmers Market.

Last year, the organization decided to ramp things up and launched a “Growing Markets” program, which was designed to provide an aspiring agribusiness entrepreneur with the opportunity to plant and maintain an organic market garden, sell the organic produce through weekly produce subscriptions, and participate as a vendor in the Downtown Hazleton Farmers Market.

Joe Tulanowski, who had been an avid backyard gardener for almost 20 years, saw the advertisement for the opportunity last spring and knew this was for him. “I’ve been wanting to do something like this for a long time, but wasn’t quite sure how to start,” said Tulanowski. “This program was a perfect fit.”

According to Schneider, it’s a business incubator of sorts. Designed to be a low-risk opportunity for an aspiring entrepreneur, the program not only provides opportunities to learn the basics of planting and maintaining a small market garden, but also gain experience on the business end of things.

“The program gives people an opportunity to “test drive” the experience, so to speak, before committing time and money to purchasing their own

land, materials, equipment and insurance, which can be expensive,” explained Schneider. The CLDS provides all this support as part of the community garden operations, as well as technical assistance and marketing support through the garden’s website and social media.

Tulanowski and his wife, Stacey, managed the program last year in addition to their full time jobs, and feel they have worked out most of the kinks.

This year they are ahead of the curve, germinating seeds that will be transplanted as soon as the weather permits.

They also plan to expand the garden area and diversity of crops (at least 40 different vegetables and herbs, many heirloom varieties), and offer additional weekly shares of the harvest that are sold in advance.

Subscriptions are $20 per week with subscribers committing to the entire season and receiving a wide variety of seasonal veggies and herbs every week. The harvest will also be sold at the Downtown Hazleton Farmers Market every Friday from mid-July thru September.

Nothing goes to waste. Whatever didn’t sell last year was donated to the Commission on Economic Opportunity and distributed through the local food bank.

The community garden plots are also currently being leased out for the season. Every year these sell out, so anyone who is interested in putting down roots in the garden community should ask to be added to the wait list.

For more information on leasing garden space within the Butler Township Community Garden visit digclds.org or contact Jo Robbins, president, at 570788-6222 or email ualjo1@yahoo.com.

For more information on the Growing Markets program and the Garden Share Subscriptions, contact Joe Tulanowski at 570-233-3749 or joetulanowski@gmail.com.

Portrait by renowned illustrator Joseph Adolphe.

WILMINGTON TRUST RENOWNED INSIGHT

“You treasure your collection.

But what’s it really worth?”

Kemp Stickney Chief Fiduciary Officer and Head of Family Wealth Kemp oversees the Fiduciary Services and Family Wealth team that handles the financial and life management affairs for clients with the most complex needs. He is part of a seasoned team of professionals who exemplify Wilmington Trust’s 113-year heritage of successfully advising families. For access to knowledgeable professionals like Kemp and the rest of our team, contact Dan Driscoll at 717-237-6257.

F I D U C I A R Y

S E R V I C E S

|

W E A LT H

If you collect items that you’re passionate about – whether it’s wine, cars, jewelry, or even autographed sports memorabilia – you may be wondering about the actual worth of your collection. Not to mention how it fits into your overall plan for financial security.

And, what do you do with your collection when keeping it is no longer feasible? While certainly a difficult decision, the old adage “you can’t take it with you” holds significant truth.

Financial considerations. It’s natural to get attached to items in your collection, making it difficult to sell them when they become overvalued.

It’s also common for collectors to become so enthusiastic about a new piece that they’re willing to overpay for it. That’s part of collecting, and the emotional appeal may be the reason why you began in the first place. Collectibles don’t produce income, and they’re different from marketable securities in that it can take longer and cost more to sell them.

So they’re not an ideal investment for funding a retirement. It’s important to recognize that collecting is different from other types of investing, and that decisions aren’t always based on typical investment criteria.

P L A N N I N G

|

I N V E S T M E N T

ABOUT

61%

OF COLLECTORS INVEST IN THEIR TREASURES PRIMARILY FOR THEIR OWN PLEASURE Source: The Wealth Report 2014

Passing it on. If you want your collection to live on, you’ll have to plan carefully. You’ll need to determine if your family members are interested in inheriting your collection – or if there’s a charity or museum suited to take it on. Your estate plan should designate who’ll receive the collection and, if necessary, arrange financing for storage and insurance costs. Wilmington Trust can help.

We’ve been working with successful families since our founding by the duPont family more than a century ago, and can guide you through the challenges and complexities of this and other important issues when managing your wealth.

For more insight on how we can help you enjoy your collection today and prepare for its home tomorrow, visit wilmingtontrust.com/legacy.

M A N AG E M E N T

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P R I VAT E

B A N K I N G

This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation for the sale of any financial product or service. This article is not designed or intended to provide financial, tax, legal, accounting, or other professional advice since such advice always requires consideration of individual circumstances. If professional advice is needed, the services of your professional advisor should be sought.

Private Banking is the marketing name for an offering of M&T Bank deposit and loan products and services.

Investments: • Are NOT FDIC-Insured • Have NO Bank Guarantee • May Lose Value Wilmington Trust is a registered service mark. Wilmington Trust Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of M&T Bank Corporation (M&T). Investment management and fiduciary services are provided by Wilmington Trust Company, operating in Delaware only, and Wilmington Trust, N.A., a national bank. Loans, retail and business deposits, and other personal and business banking services and products are offered by M&T Bank, member FDIC. ©2016 Wilmington Trust Corporation and its affiliates. All rights reserved.

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Four Stars for Pocono Health System’s Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care

The Pocono Health System Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care recently received a 4-star rating, the highest in the region, from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) placing those services above both state and national averages in CMS’ firstever patient experience of care star ratings.

“This recent recognition from Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is a true indication of not only the level of quality care integrated throughout Pocono Health System, but how strongly we value our mission and vision throughout the continuum of care,” said Dr. William Cors, vice president and chief medical officer of Pocono Medical Center. The Home Health Care Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HHCAHPS) survey evaluates patient experience with home health agencies.

In an effort to help families and patients make more informed decisions, the ratings provide a snapshot of the patient experience and care for the home health agency. Dr. Vincent Francescangeli, chief of staff of the Pocono Medical Center medical staff and medical director of the Pocono Health System Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care, recognizes the significance of a family’s search for a dedicated home health partner for their loved ones. He said, “Home health and hospice care are essential parts of healthcare today. This recognition from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services affirms our commitment to providing high quality patient care and an exceptional patient experience. Preserving dignity and providing comfort are our most important goals when transitioning from nursing care to hospice care.”

As part of one’s search for home health and hospice services, Pocono Health System’s professional healthcare givers also understand the importance of individualized care as part of the patient experience.

This is why its trained staff exercises quality care across the entire spectrum of care.“Receiving this 4-star rating from CMS is a proud moment for the staff at Pocono Health System Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care not only because it recognizes our initiative towards quality care, but it also highlights the immeasurable hard work the staff devotes to delivering quality care to its patients above the state and national averages,” said Mark Hodgson, chief executive officer of Pocono Health System Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care.

HEALTHCARE Bill would increase penalties for violence against HCWs A bill that would increase the penalty for assaulting a health worker in Pennsylvania was approved by the House Judiciary Committee in January and the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) supports the bill.

“By increasing the penalty for assaulting health care workers from a misdemeanor of the second degree to a felony, HB 1219 raises awareness about the threats these individuals face on a daily basis and stresses a zero-tolerance policy,” said PAMED President Scott Shapiro, M.D.in a letter PAMED sent to the House Judiciary Committee.

“Harsher penalties will serve as a deterrent to those who seek to harm individuals who have made it their life’s work to protect and care for others.

While holding violent individuals more accountable for their behavior, HB 1219 acknowledges the impact of this behavior to victims.”

Physicians and other health care workers face a significant risk of job-related violence. A 2011 report from the Bureau of Justice Statistics found that workplace violence in medical occupations represented more than 10 percent of all workplace violence incidents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has also reported that workers in health care and social assistance settings are five times more likely to be victims of a non-fatal assault or violent act than the average worker in all other occupations combined.

Currently, assault against individuals in certain high risk occupations such as law enforcement and teaching constitutes aggravated assault. However, while emergency services personnel and psychiatric aides are listed among the 38 enumerated classes of individuals with this additional protection, the additional legal protection is not clearly provided to all health care workers.

“I believe it is important to protect those who are trying to care for patients,” said Rep. Judy Ward, the bill’s sponsor, in her co-sponsorship memo.

Recognizing this as a serious problem, at least 32 states have now made it a felony to assault health care workers.

“I respectfully request your support for HB 1219, without amendments, to afford this meaningful protection to those who are trying to care for patients,” said Dr. Shapiro in the letter to the members of the House Judiciary Committee.

See more at: pamedsoc.org.

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Parks may become tobacco free

Mid Valley’s Theodore Evans runs to victory during a cross country meet at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

Times-Tribune file photo Butch Comegys / Staff Photographer The association provided the city with a sample resolution noting that secondhand smoke is reScranton City Council wants to join the growing sponsible for more than 50,000 deaths among nonnumber of communities that are banning outdoor smokers each year, and an estimated 3,900 people smoking in parks. under age 18 try their first cigarette each day.

Councilman Bill Gaughan saw many benefits, Mr. Gaughan described the ban as an eduincluding reducing the amount of cigarette butt cational initiative and did not initially expect any litter in the city’s 30 parks, cutting down the public’s associated penalties — although he said he would exposure to secondhand smoke and setting a betbe open to the idea if other city officials proposed it. ter example for young people.

Once it is in effect, council hoped to authorize “I think we should have parks where children police to periodically observe activity in parks and can play in a healthy and clean place,” Mr. Gaughan promote awareness of tobacco-free zones. said Thursday.

At council’s caucus this week, council solicitor The American Lung Association recruited the Amil Minora told city lawmakers that in a meeting city to participate in the Young Lungs at Play initia- with members of the Courtright administration, tive, which aims to eliminate use of tobacco prod“everyone looked favorably on it” despite some ucts and electronic cigarettes at parks, playgrounds questions about enforcement. and recreational areas.

Bill Davis, deputy director of Lackawanna Tony Delonti, a program specialist for the County parks and recreation, said when the county nonprofit, said Scranton would be a high-profile banned smoking at its parks several years ago, he addition to the movement to raise awareness in noticed a decline in tobacco use, although some Northeast Pennsylvania. people didn’t realize the prohibition was in effect.

He hoped the move would attract more parParents at playgrounds began to police the ticipants to join the association’s 49-member list behavior, he said. of schools, agencies, municipalities and organizaCouncil President Joe Wechsler said council subtions that already made the move in Lackawanna, mitted a resolution to the city law department, which Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming will prepare an ordinance for a vote.“Things somecounties. times happen slowly around here,” Mr. Wechsler The American Lung Association partners with said. “We’re really trying to catch up with the rest of Tobacco Free Northeast PA to provide participants the nation in eliminating smoking in parks.” with free signs that read: “Young lungs at play! This This story first appeared in The times-Tribune on Friday, is a tobacco-free zone.”

March 25, 2016

By Kyle Wind

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Each month, we recognize one of the region’s top manufacturers with the aid of NEPIRC, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center. Since 1988, NEPIRC has been working with manufacturers to improve their productivity, profitability, competitiveness and long-term viability through consultative services.

Monroe county machining company supplying aerospace industry As the largest exporter and contributor to the annual gross domestic product (GDP) of our nation, the aerospace industry employs more than one million people across 50 states.

Summit Aerospace USA, Inc. is currently working with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) toward attaining its AS9100 certification.

When the company achieves this designation, it will enable it to expand and serve many companies that require this certification, Sicoli said.

Thousands of companies contribute to this industry every day, and Northeastern Pennsylvania is home to several of those companies.

Sicoli said that several years ago, nearly half of Summit Aerospace USA, Inc.’s work came from contracts related to the Department of Defense (DoD). But today, that work is down Summit Aerospace USA, Inc., of Mount to 20-30 percent. NEPIRC is working Pocono, Monroe County, has been supplying Summit Aerospace USA’s manufacturing facility is located in Mount Pocono with Summit Aerospace USA, Inc. the commercial and defense aerospace to develop a marketing plan to help industry for more than 30 years. It supplies reduce their reliance on DoD contracts and diversify into new commercial markets. the industry with a variety of precision-machined components made from super alloys that are ultimately used in jet and helicopter engines around the globe.

“NEPIRC’s assistance will enable us to grow our business client base among commercial Summit Aerospace USA, Inc. provides customized high quality, cost effective machining solutions from prototype design to manufacturing.

The company was founded in the mid 1970s in Long Island, N.Y. as Summit Tool Corporation by a former military pilot. That pilot frequently visited the Poconos and decided to move his company to Pocono Summit in the mid 1980s. Soon after, a senior employee purchased the company from the founder and continued machining aerospace parts for the next 30 years.

In 2012, Summit Tool Corporation was purchased by a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary of Plaintree Systems, Inc., a company that owns other facilities that also Summit Aerospace utilizes 5-axis milling and turning to make its parts for service the aerospace industry. It then took on its new name. the aerospace industry.

When Plaintree took ownership, Summit Aerospace USA, Inc. was operating with eight employees. Today, Summit Aerospace USA, Inc. employs 14 people and expects to be growing its workforce by another three people in the near future, according to General Manager Remo Sicoli.

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clients both in the aerospace industry and other industries as well,” Sicoli said. “NEPIRC is very knowledgeable and supportive and with its help we hope to receive our certification by the end of the year.

“We are working on fostering new relationships with our existing customers and with new customers as well. We recently brought on two new customers and are expecting to see additional growth as soon as we complete the AS9100 certification,” he said.

Summit Aerospace USA, Inc. currently is operating one shift a day but is exploring adding a second shift to its production schedule. The company is also expanding its equipment and was installing new milling equipment at the time of this publication.

This feature is sponsored by...

STATE

MARKETING

Governor: April is Financial Education Month

A letter to Coke Does a great brand need a great slogan?

Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. Wiessmann announced last month that Governor Wolf has proclaimed April as “Financial Education Month” in Pennsylvania.

“In announcing the Consumer Financial Protection Initiative last November, Governor Wolf sought to raise awareness of the importance of financial literacy in helping Pennsylvanians of all ages plan for financial independence and self-sufficiency throughout their lives,” Wiessmann said.

In his proclamation, Wolf praised several Pennsylvania initiatives aimed at promoting financial education and literacy: • Many banks will participate in “Teach Your Children to Save Day” on April 29, and many credit unions will participate in “National Credit Union Youth Month” from April 1-30; • The PA Department of Banking and Securities assists thousands of Pennsylvanians each year through its leadership of the Consumer Financial Protection Initiative through its Investor Education and Consumer Outreach efforts; its partnerships with the Investor Protection Trust, AARP Pennsylvania, and the PA Department of Aging to protect seniors from financial exploitation; and its collaboration with the PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to help members of the military community address their distinctive financial challenges; • The PA Housing Finance Agency provides the “Building your Financial House” program and other services for Pennsylvania renters, homebuyers, and homeowners; • The PA Department of Education created a High School Personal Finance course on iTunes U that was named Best of 2015 by Apple; • The PA Higher Education Assistance Agency provides high school students and their families resources on student debt awareness and college planning through its MySmartBorrowing.org website; • The PA Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy, is dedicated to improving financial education in preschool through college; and • The PA Treasury Department strives to teach all citizens about 529 College Savings Program and is working to enact the Achieving a Better Life Experience (PA ABLE) for individuals and families with disabilities.

Did I hear that right? Cuz it doesn’t quite make sense to me. Granted, taking any slogan out of context and studying the words can make it seem odd Dear Coke, or awkward. Putting this tagline at the I know it’s been a long time since end of one of your superbly produced I’ve written, and I want you to know that commercials will make it much better, I’m still a huge admirer of your brand. kind of like dipping just about anything You’re the perfect example of a super in hot butter. But, I don’t know how to brand that can seemingly do no wrong, taste a feeling. I can feel feelings and I an iconic global trademark with perhaps can taste colas, but I’m having trouble the broadest recognition of all time. And, making the leap between the two. even though you’ve been passed by Taylor I have a little theory about using the Apple and Google as the most valuable word “taste” to sell a food or beverage product. brand in the world, hey, you’re still worth more than $70 billion and you don’t have to worry about You can’t just tell your consumer to taste something, you have to tell them what you want them all that complicated technology stuff that costs so to taste. much money to sustain.

In 1985, you introduced a slogan, “We’ve got a You’re still putting out some of the most powertaste for you.” It lasted less than a year. Why? I subful advertising to be found, and even Mad Men mit it’s because you didn’t tell us what to look for. In chose to end their show with one of your classic 2001, you got closer with “Life tastes good.” That commercials. You were then, and you still are, the one made it about two years, which is average for Real Thing. you, but below average for a brand in your league.

Which is really why I’m writing to you. For all your dominance and brand-building prowess, what “Life tastes good” was at least more positive and uplifting. It fit your brand’s essence of celebrating is it with you and your taglines? Why hasn’t one little moments of life (with a Coke, of course). of the greatest brands of all time ever been able “Taste the feeling” strikes me as a kind of mashto stick with a slogan for more than a few years? up of many of your slogans over the years. You Based on a list on your website of Coke taglines, took a piece of “You can’t beat the feeling” (one you’ve had 22 slogans since 1969 when you year only) and crunched it up with some of your introduced, “It’s the Real Thing.” That’s about one taste-based concoctions. You left out any use of every two years. the word “real,” though, so maybe that could fit I think you may have commitment issues. into your next one in a couple of years. Yeah, I said Some of your most famous ones lasted only it. This one is not going to last long, but based on a little longer than average. One of my favorites, your track record, that’s hardly a bold prediction.

“Coke is it!” made it three years. So did “Have a Look, I still love the taste of Coke and, no, Pepsi Coke and a smile.” “Always Coca-Cola” was the is not OK instead. Not every great brand has a great longest-lived at seven years. “Make it real,” and “You can’t beat the feeling,” each lasted only about slogan, nor do they have to have one. The brand is the thing, the real thing, if I may. I’ll give you credit a year, which is probably for the best. for staying focused on your brand position and for Your just-retired slogan, “Open happiness” being the undisputed heavyweight champion of also had a long run, by your standards, of about cola. But somewhere, out there, is a great tagline six years. By contrast, the McDonald’s slogan, waiting for you latch onto. Just do it, already.

“I’m lovin’ it,” has lasted 11 years, “Just do it” (no Dave Taylor is president of Taylor Brand Group, attribution necessary) is 28 years old, and “The a company that focuses on developing brand Ultimate Driving Machine” is now more than 40 years old. C’mon, Big Red, isn’t time you locked on strategy and ongoing brand marketing. Based in Lancaster, Taylor Brand Group (taylorbrandgroup. to something really great? com) works with national and regional clients. He Sadly, I must say, that I don’t think your latest attempt is going to be it. Is it OK if I don’t like your can be reached at 717-393-7343. new tagline? Here it is: “Taste the feeling.”

TECH

PEEC dedicates solar cell phone-charging bench

By Dave Taylor

Alana Roberts of PPL Electric Utilities, right, sits with PEEC’s Sheri Bone and Jeff Rosalsky, left and center, at the new solar cell phone charging station which was installed at the front entrance to PEEC’s main education building with a grant from PPL. Roberts was the first PEEC visitor to use the new charging station.

The Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) has installed a solar cell phone charging bench near the front entrance of its main education building, using a grant from PPL Electric Utilities.

PPL has long been a partner to PEEC in teaching visitors, especially school students, about the importance of sustainable energy.

This new addition to the PEEC campus comes at the perfect time, according to PEEC’s executive director, Jeff Rosalsky.

“From early March right through the end of June, PEEC will host more than 18,000 school students from over 150 schools in the tri-state area, and many of them will need to charge their cell phones,” Rosalsky said. “Why not teach them about solar energy at the same time?”

Alana Roberts, regional affairs director for PPL Electric Utilities, helped PEEC dedicate the solar charging bench on March 7 and was the first visitor to use it.

“We are proud to support the Pocono Environmental Education Center, and to help provide this benefit that will surely be in regular use by visitors,” she said. “We support the center’s mission of environmental education, sustainable living and appreciation of nature.”

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RETIREMENT

What to do with little money in retirement

to heightened volatility, but it may also provide a much greater return over the long run. The result: a potentially larger nest egg for you to draw on during retirement. Before investing in a mutual fund, carefully consider its investment objectives, risks, fees, Fortunately, you may have no need to and expenses, which are contained in the despair. The further you are from retireprospectus available from the fund. Review ment, the more time you have to resolve the the prospectus carefully, including the discusexpected shortfall. Even if you are closing in sion of fund classes and fees and how they on retirement, there may be steps you can apply to you. take to bridge the gap.

Another alternative is to lower your In some cases, the best solution is to cut planned expenses during retirement by setback current expenses and use that money Shelp ting more modest goals. Instead of buying a toward retirement. This will enable you to beach mansion on the Riviera, settle for a smaller house a put more money into your IRA, 401(k), and other retirefew miles from the ocean. Instead of taking expensive trips ment savings vehicles. Although you may not think you on a regular basis, travel closer to home and less often. spend much on dining out and entertainment, such You can take a variety of other steps to make sure that expenses really add up over time. Eliminating large purretirement income will at least keep pace with retirement chases and luxury items will also make a big difference.

But you might be unwilling to make such sacrifices. If expenses. Some of the most common: work part-time so, or if you simply can’t afford to save any more than you during retirement or simply put off retiring until you’re in a already are, consider investing more aggressively. Weight better financial position. Consult your financial planner for further advice. your portfolio more heavily toward stocks and growth Can I roll a retirement plan distribution into an IRA? mutual funds, and less toward fixed-income securities.

If you’re asking this question, you probably have a A more aggressive investment portfolio exposes you

What should I do if I determine that my income during retirement won’t be enough to meet my retirement expenses?

401(k) or other retirement plan through a former employer. The short answer is yes--most retirement plans allow you to roll your plan funds over into an IRA after you’ve left your employer’s service. However, there is more than one way to do a rollover, and how you do it can be critical.

In most cases, your best strategy is to do a direct rollover. This is a direct transfer of funds from your employersponsored plan to your IRA. The administrator of your employer-sponsored plan may send the check right to the trustee of the IRA you have selected. That way, the money never passes through your hands. Alternatively, the plan administrator may give the check to you to deliver to the IRA trustee. This also qualifies as a direct rollover as long as the check isn’t made payable to you. Instead, it should be made payable to the IRA trustee for your benefit. A direct rollover will avoid tax consequences and penalties.

You can also do an indirect rollover, but it’s rarely a good idea. Here, the check is made payable to you. When you receive the check, you cash it and deposit the funds in the new IRA within 60 days. The big drawback: Before releasing your plan funds to you, the plan administrator is required to withhold 20 percent of the taxable amount for federal income tax. To make sure you deposit the correct amount, you must replace this 20 percent out of your own

pocket. However, if you properly follow all the IRS rules for rollovers, you will avoid tax consequences and can get back the amount withheld for taxes when you file your annual income tax return.

You can roll your distribution into either a traditional IRA or Roth IRA. If you roll the funds over into a Roth IRA (often called a “conversion”) you’ll include the taxable portion of the distribution in your taxable income in the year you roll the funds over. (A distribution from your retirement plan’s Roth account can only be rolled over into a Roth IRA.) You may not be allowed to roll over certain types of retirement plan distributions into an IRA. Further, when considering a rollover, to either an IRA or to another employer’s retirement plan, you should consider carefully the investment options, fees and expenses, services, ability to make penalty-free withdrawals, degree of creditor protection, and distribution retirements associated with each option. Consult a tax professional for details.

Contact Peter D. Shelp AWMA, ChFC, CRPC (570) 283-8140 or visit www.kingstonretirementgroup.com Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is a member NYSE, FINRA, SIPC. Prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2016.

In April, the Business Journal will convene a coterie of business and economic development leaders to discuss the State of the Economy in NEPA. In June, the Business Journal will publish the results of those discussions. Our writers will speak to employees, managers and owners in the fields of banking, economic development, education, energy, healthcare, human resources, information technology, investments, management, manufacturing and real estate and fashion stories that illustrate the condition of the Northeast PA economy.

Promote your business in this very informative overview of NEPA'S State of the Economy!

Publication Date: June 2016 Advertising Deadline: May 16 For advertising information contact: Judy Gregg 570-207-9001 ext. 5425 • jgregg@timesshamrock.com The Region’s Award-Winning Source of Business News & Information

A Times-Shamrock Publication

149 Penn Avenue • Scranton, PA 18503 | 75 N. Washington Street • Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 | 570-207-9001 • 877-584-3561 • Fax 570-207-3452

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April 2016

UPDATE

Neurological Disorders Science makes scattered progress with neurological diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Lewy body dementia, but care and compassion are the doctors’ orders.

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HEALTHCARE UPDATE

Neurological diseases insidious, difficult to treat Healthy lifestyle habits may avert disease in later years “After age 70, brain health is all about On the regional front, Geriatrician Mario lifestyle,” said Siberski. “Smoking in particular is Cornacchione, D.O., opened the Northeastern catastrophic to the vascular system and therefore Pennsylvania Memory and Alzheimer’s Center.

Three relatively common diseases of the nermust be considered a high-risk activity for the In conjunction with The Commonwealth Medical vous system are presenting some of the greatest onset of neurological disease.

College, he also is pursuing clinical trials with challenges facing NEPA’s health care providers.

Alzheimer’s drugs.

The most well-known of these degenerative An editorial in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Preserving function ailments, which is now reaching epidemic proporDisease has created a ray of new insight. This tions, is Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Glen Finney, M.D., neurologist and director publication has claimed that National Institute on Aging, Alzheimer’s with the Geisinger Aging Brain Clinic, mental dementia is, to a is an irreversible, progressive brain explained that from a comprehensive large degree, caused by the disorder that slowly destroys memory, standpoint the goal of physicians must common herpes virus as thinking skills and the ability to carry be to preserve function and quality of well as the chlamydia and out simple tasks. life in neurological disease patients. spirochaete bacteria.

Good health practices by the patient to More than five million Americans modify risk factors and prevent brain may currently suffer from Alzheimer’s changes should be a part of this effort.

Minimal gains and the number is rising steeply.

Siberski Finney According to recent estimates, the “Vascular dementia is actually the Jim Siberski, MS, disorder may rank third as a cause of number two type in the United States assistant professor of death in older people. and it is largely preventable,” said Dr. Finney. gerontology at Misericordia University, confirms that science has been making minimal gains with “Blood pressure and cholesterol control, a healthy Alzheimer’s first cousin is Lewy body diet and exercise all decrease risk for dementia prevention or treatment of the three neurological dementia. The Mayo Clinic defines Lewy body as and Alzheimer’s, while smoking and obesity raise diseases. The number of Alzheimer’s sufferers in the second most common type of progressive the risks. the United States has actually dropped a bit, but dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Besides a the coming onslaught of aging baby boomers is decline in mental abilities, Lewy body may also Dr. Finney confirmed that virtually all of these sure to push up the Alzheimer’s numbers. cause visual hallucinations along with daytime risks appear in some form with neurological disdrowsiness or periods of staring. ease patients. This makes the decade of the 40s a The onset of the neurological diseases may vital time for prevention with regular cognitive and Another familiar neurological problem in NEPA be delayed due to better vascular health in older physical exercise. is Parkinson’s Disease. According to the National people, as well as the use of long-term wellness initiatives. Siberski explained that major pharmaParkinson Foundation, this is a slow-developing He noted that neurological disease has an ceutical breakthroughs have not been achieved neurodegenerative brain disorder that creates insidious side because it typically sneaks up with Parkinson’s and Lewy body, but researchers on both patient and family. The patients also symptoms which can take years to develop. on the Alzheimer’s front are producing some experience a declining ability to detect probThe medical culprit behind Parkinson’s is a results. lems in themselves, thereby making it vital for biological disorder in which the brain stops proOverall, a healthy diet with ample plant-based another person to observe potential changes in ducing a neurotransmitter called dopamine. This the patient. foods, plus consistent mental exercise, remain situation creates a declining ability to regulate the best weapons that can forestall neurological movements, body and emotions, with ParkinDr. Finney also mentioned that depression can son’s now the 14th leading cause of death in the disease. Variety and novelty of challenges actually mimic the memory loss of dementia and that cercreate new mental synapses within the brain, United States. tain medications can cause neurological disease symptoms, especially with long-term use.

Research that strives to treat, prevent or cure thereby helping to slow the effects of aging.

Siberski added that Alzheimer’s often begins these three diseases is expensive, complex, difThese include sleep medications, drugs for ficult to pursue and has produced limited results. to change the brain when a person hits 50 to 55 incontinence, benzodiazepines for anxiety, seizure years of age, but it can take 20 or more years Time Magazine has detailed how the Stanford pharmaceuticals and more than one glass per day before symptoms appear. Females also contract University School of Medicine is researching an of alcohol.

Alzheimer’s and their patient numbers may appear Alzheimer’s treatment known as C31, which in In a surprising revelation, Dr. Finney explains higher than those for men, but in reality the difcombination with associated therapies, could that it actually is rare for neurological disease to ferences are caused by the fact women live much be simply inherited. Human DNA is elaborate and restore neurological function — from memory longer than men. loss to confusion and loss of language. varieties of mixed gene combinations are probBy Dave Gardner

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ably the triggers for some neurological disease cases, instead of one gene being a sure-fire cause. “We must look at whole gene sequences to understand these inherited risk factors,” said Dr. Finney. “The brain is the last great frontier of medicine and it’s very complex.”

Stigma Brenda Hage, Ph.D, professor of nursing and director of doctor of nursing practice programs at Misericordia University, described how stigma still exists for those suffering from mental health problems. This may actually be more prevalent in NEPA than many other parts of the country, thereby complicating the challenges direct caregivers must face.

“As a society, we’re doing better on some issues, such as pain, than we are with mental health and neurological problems,” said Dr. Hage.

She charged that Alzheimer’s, in particular, needs a statewide plan to cope with what’s ahead, because one in 12 Pennsylvania families are now being impacted by some sort of dementia and this percentage will undoubtedly increase. This situation is complicated by the fact that the current health care system is poorly equipped to handle so many patients, as well as their families who need support. “Yet, we are making progress,” said Dr. Hage. “For example, Geisinger has a behavioral neurologist on staff.”

She has also focused on the reality that initial dementia screenings and the associated tests for neurological diseases are often rushed because of swamped health care providers. Physician diagnosis is therefore still lagging behind optimum levels.

Dr. Hage added that when a patient is Medicare eligible, they are entitled to an annual physical exam. This should always include dementia screening and because many typical behaviors such as alcohol use increase the risk for Alzheimer’s, prevention, reduced risks and early detection is vital.

“A mind without exercise is a mind with higher risk for these neurological diseases,” said Dr. Hage. “There are some risk genes and research is ongoing about this, but keeping the mind active is one of the best defenses we know.”

HEALTHCARE UPDATE

Pain authentic to the sufferer; should never be minimized nervous system while also creating feelings of warmth, drowsiness, emotional contentment A case can be made that the most painful and greatly reduced levels of stress. ailment from which modern medicine must Legal opioids that can be obtained with a provide relief, is pain itself. physician’s prescription include the familiar More chronic pain is treated by physicians drugs OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin. The with pharmaceutical techniques than heart ailCenters for Disease Control and Prevention ments, disease and diabetes together. According reports that American health care providers to one official estimate, total incremental cost wrote 259 million prescriptions for these opioid of health care due to pain in the United States painkillers during 2012. range from $261 to $300 billion every year.

Despite their proven power as pain killers, The first pharmaceutical line of defense opioids are becoming firmly entrenched within against pain involves the use of nonsteroidal anti- America’s illegal drug abuse problem. These inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs. drugs have mind altering and addictive powers, More than 30 million Americans consume these sometimes creating massive problems for drugs daily to dull pain and reduce swelling. employers.

The heavy artillery in the pain management According to the nation’s human resource arena is narcotics. These generally are called professionals, increased absence and personalopioids and directly depresses the central ity changes are the red flags employers should

By Dave Gardner

watch for to detect employee drug abuse. Opioid use has now been identified as the most common gateway to the scourge of heroin addiction and so much heroin is now flooding the streets of America that health care professionals and legislators are referring to the situation as a deadly epidemic.

the medical community is dealing with associated problems such as opioid addicts and this is receiving great attention, but the benefits of opioids for pain management are important and the United States consumes 98 percent of the world’s opioids.”

He referred to treatment plans for pain as having many similar facets to those which treat Varying sensations diabetes. Both conditions cannot be cured, afPain is a disease onto itself that requires fect millions of people, usually require behavboth pharmaceutical and non-pharma solution, ioral changes and often are plagued by a lack of according to Thomas Franko, Pharm.D., aspatient compliance. sistant professor of pharmacy practice at Wilkes Emotional pain and depression are often University. He is in agreement that sensations the bedfellows of physical pain. Dr. Franko has of pain intensity vary by person and that this noted that physical and occupational therapy, reality dictates that pain sufferers therefore need counseling by a psychologist and the efforts of individualized treatment. social workers are all valued in attempts to treat “The vast majority of pain sufferers are just emotional pain and depression. trying to get by,” says Dr. Franko. “It’s true that Please see CHRONIC PAIN, Page 22

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FROM PAGE 21

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Spiritual pain can be intense to the sufferer.

These patients may intensely question why God is allowing them to suffer, setting up a downward spiral of pain and elevated levels of depression with anxiety. Another neuro-based disease that can cause intense widespread pain, fibromyalgia, can be treated with aerobic exercise Despite the medical approach devised to battle pain, family still ranks as the top support system, according to Dr. Franko. This philosophy may create a comprehensive team approach to pain management with the patient at center and even offer caregiver support through group meetings.

“So little education is given to the use of comprehensive care for pain, including potential non-pharma solutions,” said Dr. Franko.

Each patient with pain must strive with flexibility to find the approach that works for them. There are no guarantees that any specific treatment will be successful, although opioids will probably remain a vital tool for treatment of the agony of cancer.

“Examples of varied treatments we may use include anti-seizure and anti-depression medications to treat a burning sciatic nerve,” said Dr. Franko. “Acupuncture also works for some people, but insurance will not pay for it.”

Hot topic Ryan Ness, M.D., pain medicine specialist at Geisinger South, confirmed that opioid abuse is a very hot topic among pain management specialists. The resultant societal problems can be rural to metropolitan in origin.

“Even soccer moms can wind up with opioid abuse problems,” said Dr. Ness. “Unfortunately, there are no easy solutions to these problem, including the mixing of drugs such as opioids for pain and the benzodiazepines, like Xanax, for anxiety. I wouldn’t be surprised if we wind up with compliance tests for opioid users.”

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APRIL 2016

Alternatives to oral opioids include direct injections into the site of a person’s pain, in attempts to stop pain at the source. In addition, lifestyle modification which may include loss of a person’s job may be recommended as physicians search for non-pharma solutions to chronic pain.

For some patients, these work or lifestyle changes turn their world upside down. They may even start wondering if they are crazy, especially if the patient is older.

“To deal with all of this and address resultant psycho-social issues we have a pain psychologist on staff,” said Dr. Ness. “We also administer pain-support groups.”

Medical science is also moving forward with pain management. Dr. Ness describes techniques such as platelet rich plasma injection, stem cells injection and increased use of minimally invasive procedures as medical developments that can reduce or avoid pain.

“Wider use of the non-invasive surgical techniques is particularly valuable, because it hurts less, heals faster and creates less risk for the patient,” said Dr. Ness.

All forms of pain can be debilitating, particularly acute post-surgical pain, explained Brenda Hage, Ph.D, professor of nursing and director of the doc-

tor of the nursing practice programs at Misericordia University, Luzerne County.

Chronic pain scenarios are complex and may be difficult to understand from a bystander position, especially when the sufferer does not look sick.

Pain from injury, fibromyalgia and diabetes run the gamut on the pain scale and each sufferer has to live each day with their pain “All of these can be very tough to live with and manage,”’ said Dr. Hage.

She is in agreement that pain management must use a team approach and this plan should not initially use opioids. Even common drugs such as Tylenol can be tried.

Palliative care, which utilizes special techniques to help the seriously ill, or even the dying, can also be used for pain management.

Direct-delivery systems for pharma treatment of pain are now a reality, such as creams, medicated patches and implanted pain pumps with refillable reservoirs.

Dr. Hage emphasizes that caregivers must accept that levels of pain being reported by the patient must be considered as authentic to that person and never be downplayed or ignored.

“Pain is what the patient says it is,” said Dr. Hage. “In fact, depression and suicidal implications are a reality when severe pain strikes.”

HEALTHCARE UPDATE

Distance no problem with telemedicine Links to Danville According to Dr. Soares, Geisinger Distance is becoming less of a entered the telemedicine arena during “barrier” for physicians as telemedicine the 1990s and began transmitting comes of age. patient information about stroke and According to the American Telemediheart problems to specialists in Danville. cine Association, this system is defined This system evolved and today Geisinger as, “The use of medical information operates a formal tele-stroke program exchanged from one site to another via as well as telemedicine consultations for electronic communications to improve a patients in intensive care.

Soares patient’s clinical health status.”

“At our various outpatient sites we Because information, including highuse telemed for care with many specialresolution images can now be routinely transmitted ties such as rheumatoid arthritis, dermatology, without distortion through the Internet, telemedicine psychology, and pediatrics,” said Dr. Soares. “This can allow a patient to remotely consult with a farincludes video transmission of the patient, images, away physician. The two-way electronic transmisand test results. sion can include voice, data, video and image Payment for telemedicine consultation remains feeds and the patient can then receive a diagnosis a problem within some potential uses, with no and recommendations for care from an attending parity among states. Dr. Soares explained that this physician. hinges upon specific insurance coverThe technology is particularly age, Medicare and Medicaid rules and applicable when a specialist needs where in a metro or rural area the service to be included within patient care. In is being used. these situations, which are becoming “Where the patient is physically widespread, the specialist electronically sitting is the key to a physician receiving examines the patient, analyzes available payment,” said Dr. Soares. “The present data and makes a recommendation to payment rules are therefore convoluted.

Hage the physician who is with the patient.

We cannot receive an insurance payment Neelkamal Soares, M.D., a neuwhen a patient is in their home and rodevelopmental pediatrician, serves as medical changes to this obstacle should be a national issue.” director of the Geisinger Telemedicine Program.

The biggest care obstacle physicians face with He explained that basic telemedicine technology the use of telemedicine is the lack of a hands-on is not really that new and has evolved from simple component. This can be somewhat remedied by the telephone connections during the 1960s to today’s availability of an attending physicians in the room grand data and video transmissions. with the patient, but the fact remains that the speThe need for health care in remote areas such cialist being consulted cannot physically examine as Alaska was one of the original private sector uses the patient. of telemedicine. Additionally, the Department of Dr. Soares added that physicians using Defense began employing the technology as a way telemedicine must always remember to respect to provide medical care to soldiers isolated from a the wishes of the patient. Some may be scornful medic or MASH unit. of video usage, but others, including the elderly, Grant money then fueled the growth of telemedi- are increasingly accepting of the system and its cine and as costs for video transmission declined capabilities. and broadband technology accelerated, the stage “The physician must explain to patient what to was set for today’s telemedicine use. The actual expect,” said Dr. Soares. “This is all part of managdata transmission used by the physician is now ing expectations.” encrypted, so patient privacy is achieved.

By Dave Garner

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HEALTHCARE UPDATE

Compassionate care vital amid overwhelming geriatric conditions

Despite all of these practical and financial challenges, Siberski emphasized that a wide variety of As the hippies move from Woodstock to wheel assistance exists for older patients. chairs, the journey is presenting huge challenges for “I encourage older people to visit benefitscheckthe nation’s delivery of long-term health care. up.org which lists various entitlement programs,” The baby boomers are on course to break the said Siberski. “This allows them to easily find out national bank, according to Jim Siberski, M.S., aswhat type of help is available for them.” sistant professor of gerontology at Misericordia University. He explained that the boomers as a group Limited caregivers have frequently received poor education about the LoriAnn Pajalich, assistant professor of nursing “costs” of aging and are not prepared to endure at Wilkes University, typical yearly nursing home costs of $100,000, warned that the personal care tabs of $35,000 and around-the-clock huge number of care totaling $125,000 to $135,000. older Americans “Medicaid pays for a lot of this, but it is also vital needing health care to prepare financially,” said Siberski. is unprecedented He forecasted that the nation will need 7,000 new and still expandgeriatricians by 2025 to 2030, with these physician ing. Workforce shortages compounded by the fact that the Medicare retirements in system was not designed to deal with lengthened nursing homes are human lifespans. Costs for technology and rehabili- also escalating, but tation are also escalating, along with expenses for these caregivers escalating government mandates. often are not being “All of these factors are raising operational replaced because costs, even though no mechanism exists for the nation’s nursing increasing payments,” said Siberski. school enrollments The subject of medications and the elderly is of are limited by the great concern to Siberski. Many older Americans number of faculty are routinely consuming a cocktail of various meds available. to treat multiple ailments and the combined effects “Nursing of these drugs, plus physical changes with phardemands in the maceutical use related to aging, can create havoc future will be huge, within a patient. especially with “Physical changes with aging affect medicagerontology,” said tion absorption and various interactions within the Pajalich. body,” said Siberski. “This can really mess a patient Most older up.” patients prefer He cited the example of the common drug to age “in place” as opposed to living within an valium, which typically is now used as a muscle institution and this fact coincides with the reality that relaxer. However, in an older patient, valium can it is cheaper to make a home senior-safe for falls, actually create dementia. versus entering a care facility. Pajalich emphasized Depression also is routinely under-diagnosed that once a fall occurs the victim will always fear this and under-treated in the elderly. To complicate mat- situation, resulting in a curb to physical activity. ters, questions exist about whether the current fiscal “For people 65-plus, 20 percent to 30 percent of environment allows family physicians to devote the falls result in major injury,” said Pajalich. time necessary to thoroughly analyze an elderly Various safety techniques that may be utilized patient’s comprehensive situation and pharmaceuti- within a home include installation of motion sensor cal usage. lights, removal of throw rugs or firmly attaching

By Dave Gardner

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them to the floor, clean up of clutter, installation of a raised toilet seat and use of a bath grab-bar.

Medicare and Medicaid do not pay for these types of danger prevention, but a regional Area Aging Agency may be able to help.

A particular challenge within gerontology concerns the need for seniors to formulate end-of-life plans before crisis strikes. This involves both finances and family needs to lessen burdens and fulfill the wishes of the senior.

According to Pajalich, denial often strikes when end-of-life issues unfold. Patient advanced directives are completed in only 25 percent of families, eventually requiring spur-ofmoment decisions that are uncomfortable for family and physician.

“Decisions of this kind are best thought out in advance,” said Pajalich.

Keeping experienced employees in the care pipeline is also a problem, because the career ladder favors acute care.”

As America’s population ages, the nation’s physicians will also face escalating challenges, according to McDaid. He forecasts that virtually every physician will be touched as the population ages, thereby making training for elder care vital.

“I believe we need more specific educational course offerings for geriatrics,” said McDaid.

Rehab needs Kevin Russin, M.S., administrator of GeisingerMountain View Care Center, pointed out that the baby boomers often need rehabilitation as opposed to permanently entering a care facility. His facility discharges 30 to 40 patients per month after rehab that may include specialties such as physical, speech and occupational therapy, thereby complicating the reimbursement chains Mountain View must pursue.

Co-morbids are also a reality. These often include any combination of joint replacements, diabetes, heart disease, kidney and digestive diseases and cancer.

“Years ago these patients would have been admitted to a hospital for treatment, but that is changing rapidly,” said Russin. “Finances are always a challenge.”

He said that care facilities such as Mountain View are increasingly under scrutiny because of esComprehensive calating government regulations. The mounting epiconcerns demic of Alzheimer’s disease is compounding this Issues that situation and fiscal concerns, because Alzheimer’s involve escalating patients average a 10-year stay that often does not problems with reimmatch available insurance coverage. In these cases, bursement, regulaMedicaid often winds up paying. tory problems, “We have a waiting list for admissions and averadministration costs and Pennsylvania’s liberal tort age 95 percent occupancy,” said Russin. environment are regularly confronted by Russ McHe added that compassion and patience are still Daid, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Health vital qualities for career caregivers within long-term Care Association. However, an escalating shortage care. These compassionate caregivers usually of caregivers involving nurses and assistants along develop relationships with the patients and their with America’s onslaught of baby boomers is worryfamilies and must encourage, but cannot demand, ing McDaid and his peers. patient compliance “Some of this situation leads back to reimburse“Technology can help us, but it will not replace ment problems and how to pay for caregivers,” the compassionate caregiver,” said Russin. “Longsaid McDaid. “Many people that might work in our term care includes medication, labs and therapy, but field can do much better with other entry level jobs. it is based around people.”

HealtHcare UPDate

HealtHcare UPDate

TCMC dean to participate in healthcare transformation group

Bar association CLE event features reproductive law trailblazer

Steven J. Scheinman, M.D., president and dean integration in the state’s health system — something the Commonwealth lacks today. Any health of The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) initiative concerned with outcomes must direct was invited by Karen Murphy, Ph.D., RN, Pennsubstantial attention to behavioral health and to sylvania Secretary of Health, to participate in the integrating behavioral health concerns Healthcare Transformation Workgroup. with all other health-related interactions.

In February 2015, the Pennsylvania “In every community behavioral health Department of Health received a State is the greatest need,” Dr. Scheinman Innovation Model Initiative (SIM) design said. award from CMS (Centers for Medicare In underscoring the need for health & Medicaid Services) to develop a system integration, Scheinman cites, comprehensive healthcare transformafor example, the fact that Pennsylvania tion plan that will lead to better health, Steven J. better care and smarter spending across Scheinman M.D. does not have a registry for prescription the Commonwealth. The Healthcare tcMc president drugs, meaning there is no mechanism to track an individual’s prescriptions for Transformation Workgroup is one of five and dean drugs, like opioids, that hold the pocommittees involved in Pennsylvania’s tential for abuse. In terms of behavioral State Innovation Model Initiative (SIM) health, Scheinman also notes that reimbursements design award. for these kinds of services are separated from and This Healthcare Transformation Workgroup will take a comprehensive approach to rural health, often much lower than reimbursements for other types of services. primary care and workforce reform, including the Scheinman said two goals of the Healthcare examination of innovative service and delivery Transformation Workgroup will be to remove the initiatives to more viably support healthcare prostigma associated with behavioral health issues and cesses across the Commonwealth. to place “good quality” behavioral health services Scheinman said his workgroup will focus on ways to train healthcare’s focus on outcomes rather in settings where it will be integrated with care for than activities, an effort that requires high levels of physical health.

LLC, a surrogate agency, the Reproductive Law firm The Pike County Bar Association held a continuing learning event (CLE) which included presentations of Melissa B. Brisman, Esq. LLC and the Escrow by a panel of nine prominent figures in Pennsylvania Account Management Company, Surrogate Fund Management LLC. law, who provided The three companies insight into a number work separately and of diverse areas of the at times, together to law and topical legal help intended parents subjects. Prominent realize their parental among these presentdreams. Clients ers was keynote served have been speaker Attorney both domestic and Melissa B. Brisman, international, as well who has pioneered as single and same the niche practice of sex-couples. Her sucreproductive law. cessful law firm was Brisman’s presennamed as a finalist for tation outlined many the prestigious 2006 angles involving the Forbes Enterprise rights of parents and Award. She has also surrogates, spurring authored numerous much debate and attorney Melissa B. Brisman articles on the subject inspiring dialogue of gestational carriers among those in atand reproductive law. tendance.

The presentation gave insight into the variBrisman explained how she became immersed in her particular field of expertise. She graduated as ous negotiations and contracts she drafts for an assortment of reproductive arrangements including valedictorian from Wharton School of Business at gestational carrier, ovum, sperm and embryo donathe University of Pennsylvania and later from Harvard Law School with honors. After establishing her tion, as well as adoptions. She explained procedure practice, in 1996 she became her own first client, as for court orders for gestational carrier arrangements she became a parent along with her husband, of two to allow the intended parents to go directly on the children carried by a surrogate. Another gestational birth certificate of their child at birth, process for carrier provided the couple with a third child, a name changes and the reviewing of insurance books daughter, a few years later. on behalf of intended parents and their gestational Brisman is owner of Reproductive Possibilities carriers.

EDITOR’S NOTE from page 2

amiss. He didn’t quit smoking, though. At 80, he had trouble walking and swallowing. the nervous system. Together they control all “Vascular dementia is actually the number two the workings of the body. When something goes type in the United States and it is largely preventwrong with a part of your nervous system, you able,” said Dr. Glen Finney to Dave Gardner (page can have trouble moving, speaking, swallow20).

Dr. Finney is a neurologist and director of the ing, breathing, or learning. You can also have Geisinger Aging Brain Clinic. “Blood pressure and problems with your memory, senses, or mood. cholesterol control, a healthy diet and exercise all (nlm.nih.gov) decrease risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s, while Nicotine, a main addictive component of smoking and obesity raise the risks. tobacco, directly affects the cells of the brain and Dr. Finney confirmed that virtually all of these spinal cord. Further, smoking is significantly assorisks appear in some form with neurological ciated with brain matter degeneration and cellular disease.This makes the decade of the 40s a vital death, cognitive decline and dementia in later life. time for prevention with regular cognitive and “After age 70, brain health is all about physical exercise. lifestyle,” Jim Siberski, assistant professor of We know now there’s nothing glamorous gerontology at Misericordia University, told Dave about smoking. My sister and I hope we quit the Gardner. “Smoking in particular is catastrophic “habit” in good time. We also wonder if any of the to the vascular system and therefore must be six of us will take after our dad. Hopefully none of considered a high-risk activity for the onset of us will. neurological disease. (See page 20).

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HealtHcare UPDate: Personnel The Alzheimers’s Association

David L. Hunter, Erie, was elected to the national board of The Alzheimer’s Association.

Hunter joins current board members in steering the strategic direction of the Association as it carries out its mission to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Hunter is also a Pennsylvania trial attorney who has represented victims of negligence and other clients before juries in state and federal court for more than 30 years. Hunter was elected to a two-year term of service. Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter has an office in Wilkes-Barre.

medicine, and Nathan Greczek, a family practitioner, will relocate from Olyphant to Mid Valley.

Dr. Greczek will continue to see patients at his office at 150 Brooklyn St., Carbondale.

OB/GYN doctors Gary Reedy and Marc Rabin will open satellite offices at Mid Valley.

They will continue to see patients at their main office, 521 Mount Pleasant Drive, Scranton.

Podiatrist Jennifer Dempsey, D.P.M., will use Mid Valley as a satellite office. Her main office is at 748 Quincy Ave, Scranton. She also sees patients in Olyphant, Carbondale and Moscow.

Commonwealth Health Several Commonwealth Health physicians have relocated their offices to the Mid Valley Outpatient Center, 1400 Main St., Blakely.

From left, at regional Hospital of scranton: David FitzPatrick, M.D.; Brooks turkel, chief executive officer; Gerald P. tracy, M.D.; and Marylou chibirka, the artist who created Dr. tracy’s portrait. see description under commonwealth Health heading.

“

Rajan Mulloth, M.D., who practices internal

Kabak

Besher Kabak, M.D., has joined Commonwealth Health Physician Network in the practice of pulmonology.Kabak will take appointments at Physicians Health Alliance, 743 Jefferson Ave., Scranton, and will offer a wide range of

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some of the participants of the Healthcare Professionalis Workshop at Misericordia University, seated from left: rachel aigler, sunbury, Pa.; sarah Young, sunbury, Pa.; adrienne trotto, northumberland, Pa., and Jill evans Kryston, guest speaker; standing, Matthew Geraghty, shavertown, Pa.; laura russo, Goshen, n.Y.; ashley silberg, allentown, Pa.; angela Khalife, White Haven, Pa., and Dean lucchesi, Hamilton, n.J. see description on next page.

HEALTHCARE UpdATE: pERSONNEL

HEALTHCARE

University hosted juniors and seniors in the Bachelor of Science degree program for the including the treatment of asthma, lung cancer, inaugural Health Care Professionalism Workshop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and with guest speaker Jill Evans Kryston of Defining pulmonary hypertension. He will also provide Manners. The workshop taught students how evaluations of sleep words, actions and studies. He is certiappearance make a fied by the American difference in building Board of Critical relationships with Care Medicine, the patients and other American Board of employees. Nursing Internal Medicine and students learned the American Board how to hone their of Sleep Medicine. people skills through Kabak completed fellistening, learning, lowships in pulmoteamwork and bringnary medicine and ing out the best in critical care medicine others through kindFrom left, at pocono Health System are at St. Michael’s Mediness, consideration, William Cors, M.d., vice president and chief cal Center, Newark, respect and honesty. medical officer; Elizabeth Wise, chief operatN.J.; and in sleep Participants also ading officer and chief nursing officer; Heidi medicine at Medical Signore, practice administer, primary care; dressed how to meet Belinda Greene, medical assistant, pride Center, Edison, N.J. and greet people, Award winner; Nancy Fisch, practice manager, identify common Regional Hospital pIMS; Lynn Lansdowne, vice president, chief courtesies, avoid of Scranton recently administrative officer. See description below. rude behaviors and unveiled a painting deal with difficult to honor cardiolopatients and gossip in the workplace. gist Gerald P. Tracy, M.D., FACC, FACP, who

Area doctor honored as one of 50 most influential physicians in history

FROM PAGE 23

Consultative system Dermatologist Bruce Brod, M.D., has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society as an experienced user of telemedicine. He described how telemedicine is currently best used as a consultative physician-to-physician device and for live follow-up with the patient at a future date and time.

“Telemed access to remote areas has become a valuable reality, but is not to be used as a quickie way for a patient to get controlled pharmaceuticals,” said Dr. Brod.

He therefore uses only one telemed platform that allows communication from physician to physician. Dr. Brod called this a good model that extends the consultative reach of a primary physician in specific situations.

“Privacy and security on this platform are very good and the patient’s name is not on the transmissions,” said Dr. Brod.

As an experienced user of telemedicine, Dr. Brod admits it can be frustrating that he cannot perform a hands-on examination of the patient. This limits the senses of the physician and because dermatology is an “active” segment of medicine, he doesn’t envision telemed transmission as a full replacement for face-to-face sessions.

“In many cases it is best for a physician to use all of their senses, and even with a good video we can only see what images are sent to us,” said Dr. Brod. “A 360-degree view by the physician may uncover other patient issues, such as areas of trouble on the skin that the video did not transmit.”

He also explained that as barriers for increased use of telemedicine are overcome, expansion of the system will be inevitable. It is therefore vital for all upcoming models to emphasize quality first and for licensing issues that affect insurance payment to be worked out.

“Legislative policies for consistency of telemedicine use and follow up are vital,” said Dr. Brod.

Rural and remote areas Telemedicine use has a particular value for patients in rural and remote areas, explained Brenda Hage Ph.D, professor of nursing and director of the doctor of nursing practice program at Misericordia University. She too is concerned about the nation’s hodge-podge of rules and even physician licensing requirements that affect payment for these sessions and adds that correctional institutions and mental health clinics are now logical beneficiaries for the expansion of telemedicine.

Patient rights must also be respected. “Some patients might find it upsetting if telemedicine is used for home monitoring after discharge,” said Dr. Hage. “This could be true especially when mental health issues are involved.”

FROM PAGE 26

Stanley J. Dudrick, M.D., F.A.C.S., medical director of the physician assistant program and recipient of the first endowed chair position at Misericordia University and dudrick professor of surgery at The Commonwealth Medical College, has been named one of the 50 most influential physicians in history by Medscape.

Published in four languages, the article ranks Dr. Dudrick 42nd among his historical peers in medicine. The Nanticoke native’s pioneer research led to the development of the central venous feeding technique known as intravenous hyperalimentation or total parenteral nutrition. The technique enabled doctors to feed patients whose gastrointestinal tracts were impaired. The technique is widely used to this day to prevent malnutrition in patients of all ages “who are unable to obtain has been practicing at the hospital since 1976. nutrients by oral or enteral routes,’’ according to Tracy, an accomplished physician and active the article that was published in February.

Pocono Health System member of the medical community, served During his career, Dr. Dudrick has received Belinda Greene, from Pocono Health Sysas director of the hospital’s cardiovascular more than 120 honors and awards. Most recently, tem’s Pocono Internal Medicine physician pracdiseases from 1982 to 2004 and as president of he was named a “Living Legend’’ by the Intertice, has been named the Dedicated Employee the medical staff from 1991-1992. national Society of Small Bowel Transplantation of the Month for March, 2016. Greene was and was among those featured in a series of bionominated for her compassion and dedication graphical videos entitled, “Heroes in Surgery: Our MIsericordia University to a patient.

Legacy,” by the American College of Surgeons.

James Siberski, M.S., C.M.C., CRmT, Wayne Memorial Community Health Centers Dr. Dudrick graduated with his Bachelor assistant professor of gerontology and director J. Jeffrey Ryan, M.D., board certified family of Science degree in biology with honors from of the geriatric care management graduate cerphysician, has begun providing primary care Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster. His tificate program at Misericordia University, and services at the Honesdale VA Outpatient Clinic. medical degree was conferred by the University Carol Siberski, M.S., CRmT, Ryan has more than 30 of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.

C-GCM, a geriatric care years experience in famDr. Dudrick is chairman emeritus in the Departmanager in private practice, ily medicine as well as 26 ment of Surgery and director emeritus of Prohad their article, “Expandyears of military service. He gram in Surgery at Saint Mary’s Hospital, a Yale ing Gerontology’s Reach,’’ earned his Doctor of Medi- University-affiliated teaching hospital. He also published in the January/ cine degree from Georgeholds an appointment as professor emeritus of February issue of Today’s town University School surgery in the Yale University School of Medicine.

Geriatric Medicine. To read of Medicine, Washington, Dr. Dudrick is also a native of Nanticoke.

Siberski the complete article, see Ryan D.C. and completed his Medscape is a part of the WebMD Health Protodaysgeriatricmedicine. residency in family practice fessional Network. It offers specialists, primary com/news/ex_011416.shtml. medicine at Silas B. Hays Army Community care physicians and other health care profesHospital, Fort Ord, California. He is a retired sionals with medical information and educational lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. tools at www.medscape.com.

The Department of Nursing at Misericordia

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FOCUS ON SPORTS AND LEISURE

The business of sports benefits ancillary businesses

By Dave Gardner

Recreational opportunities abound throughout NEPA, quietly fueling a key segment of the region’s economy as participants, supporters and fans flock to a wide variety of attractions.

The 21st annual Steamtown Marathon, which runs through 14 regional communities, is scheduled for October 9. This massive sporting event is an official Boston Marathon qualifier and in a Runner’s World online survey Steamtown was named the 6th best overall marathon in the nation.

Jim Cummings, vice president of marketing with Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, serves as the Steamtown Marathon’s vice president and assistant race director. He explained that the race has had evolving “ownership,” with 511 runners participating during year one, but sold out all 3,000 participant spots in 2015.

“What has not changed over the years is that proceeds from the marathon benefit St. Joseph’s Center,’ said Cummings. “Over the years this has resulted in $1.4 million being donated to St. Joe’s.”

According to Cummings, no official study has been made of the financial benefits that flow to regional businesses because of the marathon, but data does indicate that two-thirds of all race registrations are from participants living outside of Pennsylvania. As a rule, 2,300 racers show up to participate each year, resulting in almost every Lackawanna County hotel being booked.

Money also flows into gas stations, retail stores, restaurants and pubs as a great deal of post-race celebration occurs.

“The Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau is still a key race partner for us,” said Cummings. “The race has no paid staff and utilizes a 100 percent volunteer army.”

Run for your life Two “first cousins” of the marathon are also available in Scranton for area runners.

Sandra Opshinsky, contract manager, planning and economic development with Lackawanna County, takes great pride in the evolution of the monthly “Run Around Scranton”, which was initiated with assistance from former Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Matthew Byrne of the Scranton

Running Company.

Run Around Scranton, which is now in its third year, is a 5K jaunt that takes hundreds of runners on different routes throughout the city on the third Thursday of each month, except on Thanksgiving.

The event averages 200 runners each month, but had 700 participants immediately after the deadly Boston Marathon bombing. Each race offers different terrains as the competitive runners challenge themselves and each other.

“One of the significant achievements during each event is that awareness is generated about Scranton’s different regions,” said Opshinsky. “The varied running routes take people to neighborhoods they wouldn’t otherwise visit and this is a financial help to the local businesses.”

Opshinsky emphasized that that each run is not a deadly serious win-loss event. Many of the participants do it simply to finish and in the process make new friends.

“Run Around Scranton is good for business,” said Opshinsky. “Each run starts and ends at a designated restaurant or pub and after it’s over many people enjoy a bite to eat.”

Opshinsky is among regional leaders who have had an active hand in the blossoming Scranton Half Marathon. This year’s 13-mile event, which is only the third in its history, is scheduled for April 10 and will follow a route composed of seven miles, in Scranton, plus designated recreational trails.

Geisinger Medical Center is once again the race’s official sponsor and proceeds from the event will stay in the community as they are directed to finance improvements to the Lackawanna County

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Heritage Trail. Opshinsky emphasized that this revenue helps play a vital role in relieving taxpayers of financial burdens associated with the trail.

“We’ve booked 2,600 participant slots this year and two and one-half people per runner show up,” said Opshinsky. “The support for area businesses is therefore one of the race’s byproducts.”

Security enhancements Natalie Gelb, executive director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHVA), explained that the half-marathon proceeds will be used to install more than 10 cameras along a heavily-used part of the trail from Olive Street to Seventh Avenue. This security enhancement, which will be monitored by Scranton Police, is earmarked to help make trail users feel safe “The police will have the ability to save these high resolution images if they are needed at a later time,” said Gelb.

Other achievements on tap for Gelb’s organization include development of the $1.2 million Carbondale river walk, resurfacing of the approximately one and one-half miles of the trail from Scranton’s West Side to South Side and additional work on the Carbondale to D&H trail connection.

“If we are to develop the trail from Scranton to Olyphant, three miles of easements must still be acquired,” said Gelb.

When Mother Nature cooperates golf is one of NEPA’s premier recreational activities and a vast army of disciples is always promoting the sport. In fact, regional golf is so popular it has even achieved a connection with the LHVA.

April Rogato, LHVA executive assistant, pointed to the organization’s upcoming Heritage Explorer Golf Tournament at Pine Hills Golf in Taylor which will celebrate 25 years of LHVA operation. The June 26 event is open to the public.

Additionally, the annual non-competitive Heritage Explorer Bike Tour and Festival is scheduled for September 25 at Mellow Park. Rogato called this a big, family friendly event that draws 300 to 600 participants who bicycle over four routes ranging from five to 44 miles on the north end of the LHVA trail.

“In the past we have had a Binghamton-based group of rider with ages in their 70s and 80s that ride the full 44 miles,” said Rogato.

She added that the LHVA is celebrating its new Nay Aug Avenue Natural Play Area park located behind the Giant Market in Green Ridge. Partnership between the LHVA and Johnson College helped make the facility possible and it is extremely child friendly.

Five-county recreation Construction is beginning on a $3.1 million pedestrian bridge in downtown Jim Thorpe, according to Elissa Garofalo, president and executive director of the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. This organization works to conserve cultural and natural resources in a five-county region of eastern Pennsylvania and the ne w bridge will help to connect 130 miles of trails.

“To make the bridge a reality it took a lot of cooperation with the state legislature and agencies such as DCNR and PennDOT,” said Garofalo.

Other related activities include a June 11 walk with former Philadelphia Phillie Steve Carlton and the D&L Heritage Half Marathon in November.

Spring will also usher in the Lehigh Gorge’s busiest seasons for visitors, as multitudes of people enjoy the blooming rhododendrons, lush and fragrant summer forest and inevitable fall foliage.

Garofalo added that her organization’s ultimate goal is to connect heritage trails from Philadelphia to Lackawanna County.

“This achievement would create the longest trail in the state and be a dream come true,” said Garofalo.

SPORTS OPINION

Coach may have trained players into lawsuit over ‘court storming’ gives its commissioner broad authority to punish its schools for court storming.

University of Arizona Men’s Basketball Coach Sean But did Miller go too far with his strong statements?

Miller made several interesting comments recently folWill one of his players — who may not have done anylowing his team’s loss to Colorado and in reaction to the thing prior to Miller’s comments — now feel obliged to victor’s fans “storming” the court. Apparpunch a storming fan? Miller also stated: “If ently frustrated, angry and tired of opposing we lose fine, let us get off the court, at least fans storming the court on his team, Miller have some substance and control so that was quoted as saying: “Eventually what’s our guys aren’t in a situation where a lawsuit going to happen in the Pac-12 is this: An could come because when that comes, then Arizona player is going to punch a fan and and only then, will everybody pay attention.” they’re going to punch the fan out of selfHe mentions a “lawsuit,” but what exactly is defense. And when it happens, only when he referring to?

Winneker it happens, will everybody say, ‘We have to One potential lawsuit that he might not do something. so that when the game ends we have been referring to would be for an intenhave a deep breath to be able to leave the court.’” tional or reckless “tort” (a civil wrong) against Miller, as Miller’s comments came after opposing fans the coach of the player who punches a fan. Typically, if stormed the court on his team at least 10 different someone — usually another player — is harmed by a times. He is understandably worried about his players’ player during a contact sporting event and they attempt safety and is frustrated his conference, the Pac-12, does to sue that player’s coach for the harm caused, the innot sanction schools when their fans storm the court. jured party would have to prove that the coach engaged In contrast, the Southeastern Conference does give in either intentional or reckless behavior. out fines for court storming and the Big 12 Conference An intentional tort requires an intentional act that

By Joshua Winneker

THE UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON

MORE THAN A MASTER’S

also intended the harm. Reckless behavior falls in between intentional and negligent (unintentional) conduct and usually requires intended action but not necessarily intended harm. Here, if one of Miller’s players punches a fan, the fan could make a viable argument that the coach’s comments fell under an intentional tort, or at the minimum, a reckless tort, such that the coach could be liable for the subsequent harm.

This would not be the first time a coach encouraged or instructed a player to take matters into his own hands physically. Former Temple University men’s basketball coach John Chaney was involved in the infamous “goon-gate,” where he sent a player, that he referred to as his “goon” into the game, to intentionally harm opposing players. More recently, an assistant football coach at John Jay High School in Texas was accused of instructing two of his players to tackle a referee during a game.

Miller’s actions may not be as blatant as the above situations, but the legal consequences could possibly be the same. The tougher question would be if Miller does face this type of lawsuit, would the University of Arizona also be liable? Miller is an employee of the school and

as such the institution could be liable for his actions conducted in the scope of his employment under the legal doctrine “respondeat superior.” The types of employee actions imputable to an employer include intentional and reckless torts.

The question would become whether Miller was actually acting in his scope of employment at the time he made the comments. Jurisdictions vary on the requirements for scope of employment, but generally speaking, the employee’s actions have to be done in furtherance of the employer’s business and be part of the employee’s job responsibilities. It certainly can be argued that it is not within Arizona’s business or best interest to have their coach encouraging players to hit opposing fans, and it is definitely not in his job responsibility to do so either.

While Miller may want to protect his players and get his conference to take action against court storming, this likely was not the best way to approach it from a legal perspective.

Joshua Winneker, J.D., is an assistant professor of business at Misericordia University in Dallas, Luzerne County.

The University of Scranton, a Catholic, Jesuit institution, is a nationally recognized university known for outstanding academics, state-of-the-art facilities, and an exceptional sense of community.

The University offers 26 graduate programs accredited by 10 professional associations.

DEGREE

Graduate programs include: • Business Administration • Chemistry • Counseling • Education • Health Administration

• Nursing • Physical Therapy • Software Engineering • Theology

570.941.4416 scranton.edu gradadmissions@scranton.edu NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 29 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B29] | 03/30/16

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EDUCATION

Business plan competition fosters ideas and growth

By Donna J. Simpson and Brittney Moyer

You’re young. You’re in college. You’ve got big dreams. What will you do after graduation? Some will join the workforce and others will choose entrepreneurship. In NEPA, those choosing entrepreneurship can increase their chances of success by participating in the TecBridge Annual Business Plan Competition (BPC).

Not only will the winners take home cash and in-kind prizes worth $100,000, they gain mentors and connections with the region’s top business people.

Throughout the 14-year-history, the BPC has honored numerous entrepreneurs. Some winners didn’t choose to continue after the competition, but others have started and grown successful businesses.

Don Webster, a competition founder, noted, “When we first started the competition 14 years ago, we didn’t really have any expectations, so we were surprised and excited by the first year response. Since then, the annual awards event has become one of my favorite community celebrations because it highlights the talent and potential we have in the region.”

Richard Powers, of Triple Toe Turkey Calls, a BPC

2012 finalist, has sales in 43 states and a lodge in the Finger Lakes that offers vacations and guided duck hunts. Fellow competition finalist (2003), Jack Reager of Blackout Design helped to create their website. Powers noted that participation in the Business Plan Competition provided many contacts from the northeastern part of the country that have helped the business grow.

In addition to fostering new business growth, the BPC stimulates innovative thinking and challenges top regional talent. As a competitive platform, it encourages NEPA’s regional, technology-driven economy.

The program has showcased the work of more than 500 students and 100 early stage entrepreneurs. Both collegiate and non-collegiate entrepreneurs are eligible to participate in the BPC. Tiffany Cross Luciano, TecBridge, says of the competition, “One area that has changed significantly is the plans being submitted. Many of our regional Institutions of higher education now have entrepreneurship minors and majors, which has certainly raised the quality of submissions. Faculties are better engaged, supporting students and the efforts are showing.

Students are creating better plans, resulting in more

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successful companies.

Currently housed at the Marywood Launchpad, 2013 Wild Card BPC winners Joshua Mecca and John Strauss of M&S Biotics were recently privately placed as a company through the brokerage firm Group Capital, with the goal of closing a seed round of $1,000,000 by the end of June. Mecca said, “We developed our prototype through a specialized RFID firm in 2015, and developed software to work in conjunction with our RFID platform. The software allows us to collect data analytics to improve other aspects of the hospital, specifically the sterile processing and distribution center of a hospital.”

Admittedly, expectations didn’t meet the reality of how much time it would take to get the business off the ground. However, working with mentors and advisors helped guide the entrepreneurs past pitfalls most entrepreneurs face early on.

The team encourages entrepreneurs to explore other opportunities besides the Business Plan Competition. “Leverage your university’s small business development center right away,” he said. “We used The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. (SBDC). It allows you to make in-roads to other universities and opportunities. Ben Franklin Technology Partners’ Ken Okrepki is another great resource. Finally, research business accelerators. We’ve reached out to Healthbox and plan to take advantage of their services in the fall of 2016,” Mecca said.

He encourages entrepreneurs to, “take compliments with a grain of salt, and constructive criticism to heart. Early on it’s exciting to hear everyone say nice things, but realistically, find the people who truly challenge you and provide honest feedback. They will most likely spot a shortcoming with your approach or strategy. It allows you to pivot into another direction, or mitigate a potential problem.”

Jack Reager, BlackOut Design, participated in the first competition. “For the record, I’m not a winner I’m the first loser,” he said. While he didn’t win the competition, he has certainly still won in the long run.

Reager’s full-service, interactive advertising business, BlackOut Design, which was established in 2003 when he competed during the first competition. He began his business with a focus on digital advertising. Since the competition, Reager realized the market was not yet ready for a full service, digitally focused interactive advertising agency. After about three years, he began to diversify into a more traditional advertising firm and recruited new talent. While the business plan for BlackOut Design has developed and changed with the needs of his target market, Reager is staying true to his original

model by letting his employees be experts in their role as designers or developers rather than integrating roles.

Now, as technology has been changing, BlackOut Design, as a largely technology-based and digital firm, has been able to stay focused on emerging technology and techniques.

Reager says that he was an entrepreneur by necessity. Graduating with a master’s degree in management but no experience, he knew that he would need to start his own business to gain the necessary experience.

Throughout its existence, the BPC has helped young entrepreneurs see gaps and issues when they come out of school thinking that they are ready to open and run a business. “For some people,” Reager says, “it is a stark realization that it is a little more difficult than what they see on Shark Tank.”

Reager has remained involved in and committed to the BPC to help future business owners realize their potential. “This competition is as much about the planning process as it is about the pitch and how your business is a great thing. Just because you have a great idea, if you can’t pitch it, it won’t go far. Don’t undervalue the need to get other people in the room enthusiastic about your idea.”

As the BPC has grown, many new features have been added. This includes Pay it Forward, which sponsors high school students to attend the awards dinner; the mentorship program, where willing teams are placed with volunteer business leaders; and CrowdFunding, a chance for dinner attendees to vote and help select the Wild Card Winner.

New this year, Gibraltar Ventures and TecBridge join forces in the 2016 Innovation Challenge. This intercollegiate Challenge is designed to encourage creative solutions for markets within the financial services industry. Participants are presented with a real world problem and are charged to create a viable solution.

This year’s awards dinner will take place Thursday April 28 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs. Attendees will enjoy a networking cocktail hour comprised of senior executives throughout the region from business and industry, academia, economic development and government.

Tickets are available at www.nepbpc.com/tickets or by calling Tiffany Cross Luciani at 570-341-8099; $75 reserves your seat. Tables of 10 are available.

Donna J. Simpson is consultant manager at The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. She is a member of the BPC advising committee. Brittney Moyer, is a senior accounting major at The University of Scranton and an intern with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Center at the University.

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

The Spotlight is on:

Olyphant Self Storage

FOCUS ON LEADERSHIP

Region highly focused on efforts to develop leadership

By Dave Gardner

What kinds of services can you provide potenolyphantselfstorage.com • (570) 383-7107 Debate may be ongoing about whether leaders Scranton chamber of commerce tial customers? are born or made, but there’s no question about the member since 2015 In addition to standard and temperature-conSometimes there just isn’t enough space in your home or office to store all of your belongings. Olyphant Self Storage can solve that problem and assist business owners in a variety of other ways.

Manager Elizabeth Turner recently explained that the facility offers temperature-controlled and standard storage units, ranging in size from 5 feet by 5 feet to 10 feet by 20 feet. The company also offers a variety of other options, including package delivery and 24-hour, sevenday-a-week access.

availability of programs to teach these skills within NEPA. Matthew Sowick, Ph.D., assistant professor of leadership studies and director of leadership education at Wilkes University, said that superbly gifted leaders such as Vince Lombardi and John F. Kennedy just appear from time to time. However, business leaders must possess a particular set of skills applicable to commerce and be able to understand the impact of their behavior, at various levels, upon their organization.

These business-oriented skills, according to Sowick, include the ability to communicate, adminWhat are some of ister conflict management, enhance profitability and the benefits of having a business located right to mentor followers. Leadership must also keep outside of downtown asking why an organization engages in its chosen Scranton? processes and never lose sight of the vital quality Olyphant Self Storage is conveniently located off Exit 2 from the Robert P. Casey Highway. Our easy on/ off exit location allows customers from downtown Scranton to reach Elizabeth Turner our facility in only eight minutes, making it easy to do business with us. trolled storage units and outdoor parking space for commercial and residential vehicles, we offer U-Haul truck rentals for the self-mover as well as moving and packing supplies. We provide a clean and safe, fully-fenced and gated, well-lit facility with 24/7 access.

known as focus.

“Diversity is a big plus in a business organization, but again and again we resist diversity,” said Sowick. “Far too many organizations use nepotism with personnel as the easy way out.”

Humility is another leadership skill prized by Sowick. He charged that society actually blocks self awareness and that behavioral extremes are often rewarded, including self-destructive obsession with a job.

Sowick warned that academic theory and practical displays of leadership often are very different things. He pointed out that many quickie books have been written about leadership, but the applicability of these publications to real-life situations is questionable.

“As the economy improves, companies will spend more on leadership training,” said Sowick.

“We are fortunate that within NEPA the various Please see LEADERSHIP, Page 33

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

FOR THE CORE PROGRAM CLASS OF 2017!

Meet Elizabeth Turner.

What is unique about Olyphant Self Storage that sets it apart from other businesses in the same field?

At Olyphant Self Storage, we have on-site management six-days-a-week with availability, 24-hours a day, seven-days a week. We also offer our customers a package delivery service, which means we receive, sign for and deliver customers’ packages to their storage unit as long as we have proper authorization.

This service allows business people who work from home the ability to have their packages received and signed for as well as securely stored in their unit.

Olyphant Self Storage is currently celebrating its 10th year in business, where do you see the business in the next 10 years?

In June 2015, we completed a 50-unit expansion. We see opening new locations as a part of our future growth.

How do you think the Chamber has helped your business or will help it in the future?

The Chamber provides the tools to its members to advertise, network and join groups, which allows us to meet other businesspeople and get involved in the community. The Chamber has been a great vehicle for meeting other like-minded people looking to grow their businesses.

The area’s premier leadership and professional development organization!

Applications due April 29, 2016 Leadership ■ Teamwork ■ Service Personal & Professional Growth

WWW.LEADERSHIPLACKAWANNA.COM NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 31 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B31] | 03/30/16

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CELEBRATING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS

Meet Elizabeth Klein for the moments her clients experience that “click” in their brain.

As a 2009 graduate She said she likes to of Wilkes University help her customers get with a degree in acthe most out of the syscounting and a minor tems they use and tries in entrepreneurship, to figure out ways for Elizabeth Klein knew her clients to maximize that one day she would efficiency so they can like to open her own earn larger profits business. However, she Upon opening never anticipated that Numberyard, Klein was her business would be challenged with a lack an accounting firm. of information on the The opportutype of business she nity to apply her love of desired to operate. numbers and problemAlthough operatsolving skills into a realing an accounting firm world business operais not uncommon, as tion was ultimately the a very modest-sized perfect situation for her. firm, she struggled in determining the type of Klein’s business, Numberyard, opened in 2013 after clients her business would attract. A majority of she and her husband moved back to Pennyslvania the organizations Klein works with are “mom and from Atlanta. pop” businesses, so they are used to pen-andKlein and her husband spent about four years in paper type work. Klein’s client companies are often Atlanta, where she worked in accounting firms that not as tech-savvy as Numberyard, which can be primarily helped small-to medium-sized businesses an impediment in communicating with potential with their finances. Her experiences there prepared customers. and excited her about doing business near her Klein participates in direct marketing through hometown. sites such as Linkedin. She also uses NEPA NetKlein’s business name, Numberyard, took a workers and has put in significant efforts to make lot of brainstorming and was eventually chosen her business well known. because she does a lot of work with construction As a young entrepreneur operating her business companies. Numberyard works strictly with small alone, Klein has a unique perspective on entreprebusinesses and running a small business herself, neurship. She offers a piece of advice to all aspiring with two employees, Klein understands the dynamentrepreneurs and especially to women: “Do not ics of other small businesses. automatically think that you’re at a disadvantage.

Klein speaks with the owners of her clients’ Do not let anyone victimize you. Be confident in businesses on a regular basis to make sure they yourself and your abilities, because you are skilled are aware of what’s going on regarding their in your industry.” finances.

Numberyard is located at 900 Rutter Avenue in Numberyard offers a variety of services but Forty Fort. Contact Klein at 570-392-9239 or visit focuses mostly on money management, budgetnumberyard.com or facebook.com/numberyard. ing, performance reviews and general accounting Denise Rizzo and Jaclyn Gantz are University needs. Numberyard strives to help companies get of Scranton Women’s Entrepreneurship Center the most out of their software and helps its clients interns, who work under the supervision of Donna gain a real understanding of where their money Simpson, consultant manager. Rizzo is a junior actually goes. business administration major and Gantz is a Klein said she loves to help people understand senior business management major. Both are business and accounting processes and she lives members of the Lady Royals basketball team.

By: Denise Rizzo and Jaclyn Gantz

In our May issue...

COVER THEME

Getting Away From It All!

Airbnb and Couchsurfing; Zipcar, Uber, blabla car and Zimride, borrowmydoggie and dogvacay.

What do these new businesses have to do with “Getting Away From It All?”

FEATURE

Tourism/Vacation

The NEPA Business Journal will explore the trends affecting the tourism industry. One such trend involves a shift in the marketplace where people with underused assets swap, rent or sell them via the Internet. This Sharing Economy or Collaborative Consumption has its detractors since it undercuts the conventional market but it reaps benefits for those individuals who have homes, rooms, cars, bikes and even money in surplus.

If the shared economy is changing how people vacation, what are the airlines doing to get people to their destinations and how will the future of air travel look?

Hoteliers are saying they are changing the model of their guest rooms because the new tourism and business travelers, the millennials, travel lightly and prefer to work and socialize out of their rooms.

What changes are hotels making and who are the millennials and why do they think they can change everything?

From the planning stage to the actual vacation, we will look at how technology is changing the face of tourism.

FOCUS • • • •

Honing Your Marketing Program Health Focus: Stroke - Causes and Prevention.

Business and The Law: What companies need to know about doing business in a foreign country Executive Spotlight

Advertising deAdline: April 15 For advertising information contact Judy Gregg 570-207-9001 extension 5425 jgregg@timesshamrock.com

UPCOMING EDITIONS

• June – State of the Economy; Profiles in Medical Excellence • July – Who's Who in NEPA • August – Adult Education Guide

The Region’s Award-Winning Source of Business News & Information • A Times-Shamrock Publication

149 Penn Avenue • Scranton, PA 18503 | 75 N. Washington Street • Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 • 570-207-9001 • 877-584-3561 • Fax 570-207-3452

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FROM PAGE 31

life. These include high school, college, core for adults, executives and for teachers and may include participation in opening and closing retreats where team building, personality styles and professional traits are explored.

Mission focus “Our participants must also complete a service Lori Nocito, executive director of Leadership project with a community impact,” said Nocito. “I’m Wilkes-Barre, leads a Luzerne County-based training quite proud that almost 2,500 people have been in program that is funded through tuition, sponsors the program.” and alumni contributions. She said that leaders must be able to communicate with peers and within Community focused a team setting, manage processes and maintain Nicole Morristell, director of Leadership Lackaa focus on the mission of the organization and its wanna, administers an independent skills training vision. program that is affiliated with the Greater Scranton Other vital skills noted by Nocito include the Chamber of Commerce. Leadership Lackawanna ability to handle conflict resolution, encourage the was established in 1982 and has graduated more delivery of soft skills and develop relationship men- than 1,900 people while currently offering three torships. She emphasized that a leader can learn programs targeted at teenagers, core business and from every person they meet and must consider executive leadership. leadership to be a lifelong mission as they encour“Leadership training should be community age people to do their best without either inhibiting focused and put people in action situations where or terrorizing them. they can learn to become better employees and bet“Some lucky people appear to be born with ter citizens,” said Morristell. “How can a person be a certain tendencies and abilities, but everyone must leader without knowing the community?” learn to lead,” said Nocito.

Obstacles to leadership progress listed by Leadership Wilkes-Barre offers five levels of Morristel include the thinking that change must instruction, usually lasting from September to May, be feared. She also emphasized that leaders must that are targeted at various levels of professional encourage inclusion, community pride and identify chambers of commerce offer great leadership programs, with multiple focuses on both business and community development.”

Coming July

WHO’S WHO 2016 YOUR COMPANY NAME

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willingness to listen and do the “right thing,” engage in team building and enhance their communication skills. They also are instructed to put down their phone or IPOD when appropriate.

Guest speakers for the students include a local Massachusetts Institute of Technology recruiter who delivers instruction in resume development. Field trips include a visit to the American Eagle facility within the Humboldt Industrial Park, while a United Way fiscal allocation exercise exposes the students to monetary decision making.

“The kids experience some profound eye openers,” said Clark. “One of these is a local government panel of legislators and municipal officials and also a diversity day with jobs corps kids who share the Latino experience and cultural traditions.”

According to Clark, most of the program’s participants are superior academic achievers and many have never seen first-hand the plight of the oppressed, sick or needy. The students are therefore Youth focus exposed to situations such as nursing homes and A very specialized form of leadership training participate in a community project such as a Christis being delivered by Leadership Hazleton that is mas party for the handicapped. targeted at students in grade 11. The program is “We had 102 applications submitted for the knowns as Junior Leadership Hazleton and currently program this session, indicating a strong demand,” has 41 students enrolled from six high schools. said Clark. “Making a difference starts with the Joe Clark, the program’s executive director, individual and this is what we are striving for with has witnessed the student-participants exhibit a Junior Leadership Wilkes-Barre.” professional opportunities that will combat the NEPA brain drain of talent away from the region.

In an attempt to create well-rounded citizenleaders, Leadership Lackawanna offers students a jail tour and the ability to monitor drug court hearings. A history and heritage segment of the instruction takes students to the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour where they can physically experience the region’s roots and students may actually take part in rich community activities.

Leadership Lackawanna participants, according to Morristell, consistently demonstrate a superior work ethic, community pride, good intentions and are willing to accept innovation. This allows the instruction to deliver a “less talk-more do” approach, with $50,000 of community service funneled back to the community every year.

“We conduct real tangible projects that are all highly targeted,” said Morristell.

WHO’S WHO IN NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA

Who’s Who includes: •Business profile (Approx. 700 words) with

significant space for a corporate photo •Full page company advertisement (7.085 x 9.25)

Publication Date • July 2016 Space Deadline • June 10 Copy Deadline • June 13

Who’s Who in Northeast Pennsylvania helps new businesses and firmly entrenched ones tell the story of their own unique histories, dedicated employees and distinctive expertise in the regional and global economy.

Their stories illuminate the development of technology which may have enabled their growth and how they fit in to their respective industries.

Who’s Who in Northeast Pennsylvania is a testament to a welcoming business community that thrives on challenge and diversity. Don’t miss this opportunity to include your business in the NEPA Business Journal’s annual reference publication.

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NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 33 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B33] | 03/30/16

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PROJECT MANAGEMENT

What Does the Team Need from a Project Leader?

opposite occurred and she asked me what resources the team needed from her area to support the deciRecognizing the needs of our team members is sion. Once a decision is made effective teams help one a huge step in creating an environment another and the organization succeed. where success is easier to achieve.

Work Life Balance — Some of the A common problem facing aspiring most productive teams I have worked with project managers is the assumption that fully understood some team members enthe authority to lead automatically transjoyed working extreme hours while others lates to leadership skill. On the contrary, had higher levels of commitment outside being given the authority to lead is much of work. Yet both groups considered like being given the keys to a new car. The their lives to be in balance. As the leader Puleo ability to drive well is not included. Effective you need to lead a discussion that allows leadership requires constant refinement team members to recognize how each team member tactics in order to build and blend high performing balances their life. As hard as some team members teams that change from project to project. So what are work for the company, they seem to bring the same the keys to being a more effective project leader? level of energy and intensity to their family, social and Conflict — Divergent to popular belief, the most community life. Without a team discussion the folks successful teams are not the ones in which team who like to work 60 hours a week will feel that others members always agree with one another. Instead they may not be pulling their weight which is not true at are often characterized by healthy discussion, debate all. Your job as project leader is to focus the team on and decision-making. In fact, at times well blended results providing evidence that team members can be teams have heated arguments. What distinguishes highly engaged in their work and highly satisfied with strong teams from dysfunctional ones is that debate their personal lives. doesn’t cause them to fragment. Instead of becoming Diversity — I have worked with teams comprised more isolated during tough times these teams actually of long service employees who have done things gain strength and develop cohesion. Teams need to be a certain way for so long, who have experiences comfortable with agreeing to disagree. As the project with similar track records and similar approaches to leader, you must assist your team with seeking out implementing change and my experience indicates this evidence and data to help team members remain as is not a sound basis for success. Just as a team needs objective as possible. You provide an environment that a diversity of strengths to be successful I have also says although people may have different views; they discovered that the most engaged teams welcome are united in seeking the truth. Team members can ar- diversity of age, gender and race while disengaged gue but in the end they are on the same side and ready teams may do the opposite. The most productive to move forward. In sharp contrast, failing teams tend and fun teams I have worked with look at individuals to personalize disagreement, creating territorial divides through the lens of what each member brings to the that continue to grow and impede progress. table not at physical characteristics. This outlook keeps Priorities — Too often, team members lose sight the team focused on the potential within each person of the big picture. It’s your job as the leader to have to assist the team with achieving goals and minimizes your team prioritize what’s best for the organization. superficial barriers.

While competition for resources and opposing points Building a strong team requires a substantial of view exist, the best teams are able to keep the larger amount of time and effort. Getting the right strengths goal in view. Members of high performing teams are on the team is a good starting point, but it is not consistently able to put what’s best for the organization enough. For a team to create sustained growth, ahead of their own egos and once a decision is made, the leader must continue to invest in each person’s these teams are remarkably quick to rally around it. strengths and in building better relationships among One team I worked with had a long drawn out debate the group members. over a buy vs. build issue. After weeks of intense disLarry Puleo a certified project manager (PMP) is cussion and review of information it would have been president of MLP Consultants, LLC which helps comeasy for the technical lead that ‘lost’ the argument to panies execute their strategies. Contact him at lpuleo@ sit back and sulk after the decision was made. Yet the mlpconsultants.com or visit www.mlpconsultants.com

By Larry Puleo

34 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B34] | 03/30/16

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APRIL 2016

HERITAGE TOURISM

Region’s architecture honors its past past, literally and figuratively, constructing the pavilion platform on top of the existing foundation, with the The Lackawanna Heritage Valley has a remarkable original steps remaining visible and accessible. architectural history. Visitors often comment on the The design incorporates an ADA compliant magnificent architecture in downtown walkway connecting to a platform with Scranton. Beyond the city, throughout the seating areas and a bicycle rack. These many communities along the Lackawanna features will offer a resting spot, a gatherRiver, beautiful houses of worship repreing place for socialization or a program sent the talent of local architects, builders or performance venue. The pavilion will and craftsmen who committed themselves provide direct access to the newly-built to creating lasting tributes to their religions, Nick Staback Veterans Fishing Pier, and heritage and cultural origins. Immigrants it offers a lovely view of the trail and the applied the skills they learned in their home Lackawanna River.

Gelb countries. Successful business leaders Lackawanna Heritage Valley has financed religious buildings, stately homes become a client, with plans to commission and imposing and impressive structures to house their Marywood student architects to design and build adsuccessful commercial and industrial ventures. ditional structures along the trail. Until now, architecThe modern day version of this rich heritage is the tural students created temporary structures that were School of Architecture at Marywood University. This subsequently disassembled. Now they can utilize region often takes its treasures for granted. Many of us their professional training for a permanent pavilion. who live here fail to appreciate our extraordinary build- Excavation began in March and construction will be ings until someone points them out to us. Likewise, completed by the end of the semester. many do not recognize the significance of having an On another note, LHV is pleased to announce the architectural school in Scranton. opening of Bike Scranton, a free bike share program.

The Lackawanna Heritage Valley celebrates our Launched as a pilot program in spring 2015, Bike past and always strives to connect it to the present Scranton enjoyed great success. More than 670 and the future. In that spirit, LHV is partnering with people borrowed bicycles between May and NovemMarywood’s School of Architecture and challenging ber. The program is designed to encourage people its third year students to design and build a pavilion at to adopt cycling as a form of regular exercise, and to the entrance of the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail at explore the City of Scranton and the Lackawanna River Laurel Street in Archbald, on the grounds of the historic Heritage Trail in a new mode.

Gravity Slope Colliery. The project not only provides Bicyclists can visit one of four sites in the city, students with an opportunity to create a permanent including Lackawanna Heritage Valley Headquarters at structure as a gift to the community, but it also offers 213 South 7th Avenue in Scranton; the Hilton Scranton the community a chance to see the trail and the history and Conference Center at 100 Adams Avenue in downof this region through the eyes of a new generation. town Scranton; Cedar Bike & Paddle at 629 Pittston Under the direction of Marywood faculty members, ar- Avenue in South Scranton; or The Weinberg Memorial chitects Carl J. Handman and Patrick Martin, students Library at The University of Scranton, on the corner of are designing a structure that pays homage to the site’s Monroe Avenue and Linden Street. Participants must historic past, thereby connecting the recreational and be age 18 or older, present a valid driver’s license or educational aspects of the trail to those who visit. valid identification, and sign a liability waiver in order The project began with a site analysis and to borrow a bicycle. Helmets are also provided. extensive research by the students. The Laurel Street Bikes may be borrowed for a few hours or a full section of the trail is adjacent to the former Gravity day, depending on the hours of the bike share site. To Slope Colliery. Built in 1911 on the eastern side of help them plot a course for their adventure, cyclists the Delaware and Hudson tracks in Archbald, the will be given a map of downtown Scranton and inforcolliery remained in operation until 1955. The former mation about the trail system. shifting shanty and the old fan house remain on site, For more information on LHV projects and proalong with the concrete remnants of another building. grams, visit lhva.org. Source: www.undergroundminers.com Research failed to reveal the use of this structure when Natalie Gelb is executive directorof the Lackawanna the colliery was active. In the tradition of the Lackawa- Heritage Valley Authority (LHVA). Email her at natalie@ nna Heritage Valley, the students are building on the hva.org

By Natalie Gelb

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Mall at Steamtown now owned by mortgage lender

By Phil Yacuboski

The Mall at Steamtown is now owned by its mortgage lender. In mid-July, the mall went up for sheriff’s sale and the only person to bid was Scranton businessman, Bob Bolus who planned to turn the mall into a casino. His bid was rejected because it was contingent upon him obtaining a casino license.

The mall’s mortgage holder took possession of the property for taxes and costs when no

Al Boscov, middle, with his attorney, Scott Esterbrook, left and nephew Jim Boscov at the sheriff’s sale of the Mall at Steamtown last month. Times-Tribune file photo

potential bidders bit at the minimum asking price of $37.3 million.

Steamtown Mall Partners did not bid. Department store owner Al Boscov is the principal of the Steamtown Mall Partners, along with his nephew Jim and Atty. Scott Esterbrook. They did not enter a bid at the sheriff’s sale, but Boscov said he will now renew negotiations with LNR Partners, the real estate company that represents the unidentified

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ALSO INSIDE: Annual Adult Education Guide

Inspiring stories of real-life adult learners demonstrate education’s power to transform lives ................... ..................................................... 29

Back-to-School and Holiday Retail Forecast In a word: Guarded

RESERVE

NOW! N

....................................................... 9

State Budget Deal Still no pension

reform. Governor says lawmakers ‘failed’ the people of Pennsylvania ... ..................................................... 12

Stafursky Paving Company Inc. based in Archald paves along State Route Road Lathrop Township, Susquehanna County. Above and right, Times-Tribune file photos

2004 in

Microbac lab manager Christine Pechacek tests water samples in the company’s Scranton facility.

From testing water to paving roads, local vendors now a vital part of the natural-gas supply chain

By Dave Gardner

A varied line-up of area businesses, while flying under the public’s radar, are tapping the wells of profitability in the Marcellus Shale.

Microbac Laboratories, which can trace its origins to the late 1960s in the Pittsburgh area, is an American-owned testing service that is obtaining business with the Marcellus gas industry. The company’s duties include

water testing for homeowners, business, and governmental regulatory agencies. In 2008, the company began to work in the Marcellus region after making connections with several engineers and consultants This opening later evolved into specific water testing as DEP and EPA demands grew for monitoring contaminants and carcinogens. In time, the company was doing business with gas producers

Cabot Oil & Gas and Chesapeake Energy.

Cherie Gudz, Microbac’s senior vice president, notes that the extensive water testing in the Marcellus region is building long-term data trends about water conditions. New well pre-drilling sweeps of groundwater are now common to detect pre-existing contamination.

Please see Gas vendors page 17

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Appeals Court Rules on Act 13

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FOR THE RECORD DEEDs

Efficient life Church inc. Two parcels. Property Location: Covington Twp. Seller: Stephen Horrillo. Price: $10 each.

Wegmans Food Markets Inc. Property Location: Dickson City.

Visio Financial Services inc. Property Location: Main Seller: Bell Mountain Village. Price: $2,500,000.

Township. Seller: E.H. Pooled 512 LP. Price: $10 f-m-v $99,144.

Dickson City lackawanna Development llC. Property R.a. Holdings llC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Seller: Location: Dickson City. Seller: USA HUD. Price: $15,000.

Ronald G. and Amber L. Klinger. Price: $1 f-m-v $69,012.

1400 monroe llC. Property Location: Dunmore Borough. overlook Real Estate llC. Property Location: Bloomsburg.

Seller: Light Acadia 11-89 LLC. Price: $570,000.

Seller: Debra L. and David B. MacLachlan. Price: $39,000.

Sibio Realty Partnership. Property Location: Two Parcels.

RmJ bloomsburg llC. Property Location: Scott Township.

Dunmore Borough. Seller: USA HUD. Price: $53,040.

Seller: G.M. Hock Penn LLC. Price: $2,200,000. landmark alliance inc. Property Location: Dunmore Golden Property management llC. Property Location: Borough. Seller: Patrick Williams. Price: $82,500.

Bloomsburg. Seller: Betty K. Fisher. Price: $82,500. natural Family Health Services llC. Property Location: Gardner Gas inc. Property Location: Berwick. Seller: FredElmhurst Twp. Seller: Christiana Trust, per atty in fact. Price: die Mac. Price: $59,000. $34,900.

Secretary of Housing and urban Development. Property Hunter Chase llC. Property Location: Fell Twp. Seller: Location: Bloomsburg. Seller: Citimortgage Inc. Price: $1 f-m-v Donna M. Salko. Price: $650,000. $153,453. michael C bowen. Property Location: Moscow Borough.

Secretary of Housing and urban Development. Property Seller: Marziale C. Guarna. Price: 365,000.

Location: Main Township. Seller: Midfirst Bank. Price: $1 f-m-v mJ Development llC. Property Location: Olyphant $113,536.

Borough. Seller: Joseph F. Barbuti. Price: $325,000.

Secretary of Housing and urban Development. Property mcKenna Court Homes llC. Property Location: Scranton Location: Berwick. Seller: Pennymac Loan Services LLC. Price: City. Seller: Lillian Yarros. Price: $10. $1 f-m-v $66,110.

Pa Commonwealth of Dept of transportation. Property live Well Financial inc. Property Location: Berwick. Seller: Location: SR6011 sec 273, Scranton City. Seller: University of Charles J. Hubbard. Price: $3,090 f-m-v $84,765.

Scranton. Price: $1.

Sai William Realty llC. Property Location: Benton. Seller: united Cerebral Palsy of nEPa inc. Property Location: Donald Paul Deshon 1995 Living Trust. Price: $715,000.

Scranton City. Seller: Louise A. Marrone, as per agent. Price: town of bloomsburg. Property Location: Bloomsburg. $124,000.

Seller: American National Red Cross. Price: $400,000.

Kaja Holdings 2 llC. Property Location: Scranton City.

Columbia County Housing Corporation. Property Location: Seller: Chukwudi Dieyi. Price: $10,000.

Bloomsburg. Seller: 203 West Main Street Inc.Price: $1 f-m-v Shea industries inc. Property Location: Scranton City. $150,112.80.

Seller: Minisink Land Holdings Inc. Price: $1.

Jerseytown Hunting Club inc. Property Location: Jackson 1004-1018 South main ave llC. Property location: ScranTownship. Seller: Estate of Laura Ann Dollman. Price: $58,850. ton City. Seller: Isidor LLC. Price: $975,000.

First Keystone Community bank. Property Location: mtJ Development llC. Property Location: Scranton City.

Catawissa. Seller: Columbia County Tax Claim Bureau. Price: Seller: Icon Management Group. Price: $27,500. $11,445.18 f-m-v $56,916.

Robert Page. Property Location: Scranton City. Seller: mC5 llC. (2) Property Locations: Beaver Township. Seller: David D. Hinesley. Price: 375,000.

Columbia County Tax Claim Bureau. Price: $623.80 f-m-v S&o Dream Realty llC. Property Location: Scranton City. $5,468 and $370.89 f-m-v $904 respectively.

Seller: Thomas Fox. Price: $215,000.

Secretary of Housing and urban Development. Property S&b investments llC. Property Location: Scranton City.

Location: Berwick. Seller: Nationwide Advantage Mortgage Co. Price: $33,910.

Price: $1 f-m-v $106,902. thomas R. DePietro. Property Location: South Abington 368 laSalle Street llC. Property Location: Berwick. Seller: Twp. Seller: Phillip Mortell. Price: $500,000.

Fannie Mae. Price: $31,000. alexander H bricker. Property Location: South Abington Secretary of Housing and urban Development. Property Twp. Seller: Charles T. Davis. Price: $359,00.

Location: Berwick. Seller: Fifth Ward Mortgage Co. Price: $10 RD noto & Son Construction: Property Location: South f-m-v $61,149.60.

ABington Twp. Seller: Passionist Nuns of Clarks Summit. Price: Secretary of Housing and urban Development. Property $305,690.

Location: Roaringcreek Township. Seller: Midfirst Bank. Price: High Rise Real Estate llC. Property Location: Spring$1 f-m-v $92,955.60. brook Twp. Seller: Robert Breslin. Price: $305,690 Shannon investments. Property Location: Mifflin TownWKW Works inc. Property Location: Springbrook Twp. ship. Seller: Estate of Paul E. Ryman. Price: $600,000.

Seller: Jens Christian Sorensen. Price: $165,000.

Richard J. and Guido acciavati. (2) Property Locations: JCJ Realty Holdings llC. Property Location: West AbingFrankling Township. Seller: Evelyn A. and John T. Ralston, Jane ton Twp.Seller: Frank L Emmett Jr. Price $350,000 and Keith W. Pennington, and Doris and Robert A. Hartzell. Price: tGm Realty llC. Property Location: West Abington Twp. $693,219.20 and $693,219.20 respectively.

Seller: Tracy H Tully. Price: $135,500. b3 East llC. Property Location: Briarcreek Township.

Seller: Brenda Bardo Barnes and the Prothonotary of Columbia luzERnE County County. Price: $100,000. tSR CW Holding Co. inc. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre Veterans affairs. Property Location: Mt. Pleasant Township.

Seller:USAA Federal Savings Bank. Price: $1 f-m-v $194,708.99. Twp. Seller: Kriz/Kern Co. LLC. Price: $318,000. oliver Property Rental llC. Seven Parcels. Property Locabloomsburg alternative Power Company llC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Seller: J. David and Lydia E. Ferro. Price: tion: Hazleton City. Seller: Benjamin Lizardo. Price $869,200.

JC Holdings of nEPa llC. Property Location: Pittston City. $250,000.

Seller: Gilbro Realty Inc. Price: $265,000.

Catherine a Gerhard. Property Location: Berwick. Seller: national transfer Services llC. Property Location: Butler Wilmington Savings Fund Society. Price: $52,500.

Twp. Seller: David M. Kraus. Price: $245,000.

Plains 315 llC. Property Location: Plains Twp. Seller: CSKC Realty Partners. Price: $2,800,000. laCKaWanna County luzerne County. Property Location: Hanover Twp. Seller: Gayatri Shakti llC. Property Location: Carbondale. Seller: Wilkes-Barre Carrier Annex LLC. Price: $750,000.

Carbondale Properties Inc. Price: $750,000.

Columbia County

36 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B36] | 03/30/16

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APRIL 2016

aRC terminals Pennsylvania Holdings llC. Three Parcels.

Property Location: Pittston Twp. Seller: Gulf Oil LP, Chelsea Petroleum Products II LLC. Price: $1,504,800. moxie Freedom llC. Property Location: Salem Twp. Seller: Tiffany and Richard Mogavero. Price: $275,000.

Cocoa Hut 105 Property llC. Property Location: Nanticoke City. Seller: Doomain Equities Ltd. Price: $500,000. z-n Properties llC. Two Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Seller: Jill E. and Carlo J. Saporito. Price: $260,000.

Karunesh Properties inc. Property Location: Dorrance Twp. Seller: John L Schenck. Price: $225,000.

Kirmani 630 broad Street Realty llC. Property Location: Hazleton City. Seller: Ronnie D. Costill and Ron Costill. Price: $490,000. irving WbPa Enterprises llC. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Seller: 32-38-40 Irving Place WB LLC. Price: $520,000. aCW Procon american llC. Property Location: Hazle Twp. Seller: Cropon LLC. Price: $10,400,000.

Peak 7 investments llC. Property Location: Plains Twp. Seller: Robert J. Altavilla. Price: $255,000. brookfield Relocation inc. Property Location: Hazle Twp. Seller: Christopher D. Stotts. Price: $238,000. archna Petro inc. Two Parcels. Property Location: Pittston City. Seller: John Vensky. Price: $200,000. thomas J Engle. Property Location: Rice Twp. Seller: Todd D. and Debra J. Rozen. Price: $485,000. amber Rae black nevin. Property Location: Lehman Twp. Seller: Donna M. Posatko. Price: $450,000.

MOnROE COunTy

Segal associates of new Jersey lP. Property location: Tobyhanna Township. Seller: Pocono DG LLC. Price: $10. Tax basis: $1,703,000.

Esposito Properties llC. Property location: Polk Township.

Seller: Kresgeville DG LLC. Price: $10. Tax basis: $1,720,000. leslie and Sandra Roberts. Property location: Middle Smithfield Township. Seller: Romec Inc. Price: $350,000.

Eureka Stone Quarry inc. Property location: Hamilton Township. Seller: Glenn Price and Tina Burley. Price: $260,000.

Samridh 1 llC. Property location: Pocono Township.

Seller: Kenneth Mullen. Price: $55,000. ltS Homes llC. Property location: Price Township. Seller: Price Township Development Corp. Price: $30,000.

Reassured Properties llC. Property location: Smithfield Township. Seller: Smithfield Development Corp. Price: $32,000.

6792 Rte 209 llC. Property location: Hamilton Township.

Seller: Gilcon Investments LLC. Price: $299,000. brothers antique & Vintage Restorations inc. Property location: Chestnuthill Township. Seller: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Price: $41,700.

Jie’s Cordial Cottages llC. Property location: Paradise Township. Seller: Cordial Cottages LLC. Price: $550,000. building Homes for Heroes inc. Property location: Tunkhannock Township. Seller: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA S/B/M Chase Home Finance LLC. Price: $159,402.

Venture options llC. Property location: Middle Smithfield Township. Seller: Lakeview Pool and Country Club Inc. Price: $118,000. monroe Retail llC. Property location: Chestnuthill Township. Seller: William and Pamela Keer. Price: $260,000. albelli Entities llC. Property location: Paradise Township.

Seller: Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. Price: $81,500.

Waclaw Stybel and lucyna Dolega. Property location: Jackson Township. Seller: Luis Santos. Price: $428,000.

Felicity acres llC. Property location: Price Township.

Seller: Kathleen Seagraves. Price: $13,240.

Felicity acres. Property location: Price Township. Seller: Kathleen Seagraves and Cynthia Driskill. Price: $109,400.

Felicity acres llC. Property location: Polk Township.

Seller: Logan Realty & Holding Co. Inc. Price: $75,700.

Felicity acres llC. Property location: Price Township.

Seller: Merilyn Chicco-Leshko Est., Richard Mulcahey (succ. trus.). Price: $1,580. building Homes for Heroes inc. Property location: Barrett Township. Seller: JPMorgan Chase Bank NA S/B/M Chase Home Finance LLC. Price: $1. Tax basis: $114,778. arrowhead lake Community assn. Property location: Tobyhanna Township. Seller: Ghassan Fallous. Price: $1. Tax basis: $20,565. nRz REo inventory Corp. Property location: Tunkhannock Township. Seller: JPMC Specialty Mortgage LLC. Price: $53,617.

Pocono Swan llC. Property location: Middle Smithfield Township. Seller: Fannie Mae. Price: $26,500. live Forever llC. Property location: Coolbaugh Township.

Seller: Fannie Mae. Price: $45,000.

Ramon and Karidy Diaz. Property location: Hamilton Township. Seller: Patricia Martz. Price: $327,500.

Stacy and Harvey mitgang. Property location: Coolbaugh Township. Seller: Wells Fargo Bank NA. Price: $450,000. ibolit llC. Property location: Smithfield Township. Seller: Macsac LP. Price: $800,000. lexbec land Group llC. Property location: Ross Township. Seller: Capital One NA. Price: $79,900.

Jody borger. Property location: Eldred Township. Seller: Shirley Borger. Price: $400,000. ny Pizza Plaza inc. Property location: Pocono Township.

Seller: Baba I Inc. Price: $1. Tax basis: $750,000.

Cartus Financial Corp. Property location: Hamilton Township. Seller: Hassan Osman. Price: $290,000. zhanna’s Express llC. Property location: Tunkhannock Township. Seller: Flagstar Bank FSB. Price: $32,000.

PiKE County

Hatton Road Properties i llC. Property Location: Hemlock Farms. Seller: Lake Region Development II LLC. Price: $400,000.

David ullman. Property Location: Hemlock Farms. Seller: Leonard I Fischer. Price: $430,000.

Home Sweet Holdings llC. Property Location: Gold Key Estates. Seller: Fannie Mae. Price: $72,500.

Wild acres lakes (Poa). Thirty-six parcels. Property Location: Wild Acres. Seller: Pike County Tax Claim Bureau (trustee).

Price: $25 each. american Soccer academy inc. Property Location: Not noted. Seller: CR Properties 2015 LLC. Price: $26,000. upset 2014 llC. Property Location: Not noted. Seller: Pike County Tax Claim Bureau (trustee). Price: $18,671.80. nRz REo inventory Corp. Property Location: Lake Wallenpaupack Estates. Seller: JP Morgan Chase Bank NA. Price: $37,152.24. tl Holdings llC. Property Location: Eagle Village. Seller: Project Philanthropy Inc. Price: $100.

Same Cloth Ventures. Property Location: Saw Creek Estates. Seller: US Bank National Assoc. Price: $34,500. nEPa Synod of the Evangelical lutheran Church in america. Property Location: Not noted. Seller: The Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of PA Inc. Price: $1.

Pine Forest Camps inc. Nine Parcels combined.Property Location: Not noted by name. Seller: Pine Forest Camps Inc. Price: $1.

Deutsche bank national trust Co., as trustee. Property Location: Not noted by name. Price: $81,480.42.

Citizens Savings bank. Two parcels. Property Location: Fawn Lake Forest and Friendly Acres. Seller: Philip Bueki, sheriff.

Price: $1,615.91 and 1,980.46.

Gerlando Catania. Property Location: Woodloch Springs.

Seller: Jadwin Associates. Price: $562,000.

Human Resources Center inc. Property Location: Not noted by name. Seller: Resort Construction Co. Inc. Price: $1.

Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSb, dba Christiana Please see FOR THE RECORD, Page 37

FOR THE RECORD FROM PAGE 36 Trust. Property Location: Hickory Hill Estates. Seller: Bank of America NA. Price: $10.

ARP Properties. Property Location: Not noted by name.

Seller: John Fredericks. Price: $285,000.

RAKL Holdings LLC. Property Location: Not noted by name. Seller: Michael P. Babey. Price: $22,000.

Kaja Holdings 2 LLC. Property Location: Not noted by name. Seller: Bank of America NA. Price: $14,625.

Andrew Green. Property Location: Not noted by name.

Seller: Lee W. Eighmy. Price: $580,000.

WaynE COunTy

Edward McClary Revocable Trust. Property Location: Paupack. Seller: James Oliver. Price: $665,000.

Pedro Castro. Property Location: Salem. Seller: Marc C Mandel. Price: $362,500.

Best Realty Group LLC. Property Location: Salem. Seller: Bruce F. Covey. Price: $480,000.

Nathaniel Zaur. Property Location: South Canaan. Seller: Samuel D. Isaly. Price: $480,000.

Kenneth R Keen. Property Location: Paupack. Seller: Michael E Assile. Price: $429,000.

Sandro A. Prada. Property Location: Dreher. Seller: Jeffrey David Wood. Price: $394,000.

Walter L Nelson. Property Location: Paupack. Seller: MItchell Possinger. Price: $225,000.

Hudson Street LLC. Property Location: Hawley. Seller: Pedmar Inc. Price: $99,500.

Threes The Charm Realty LLC. Property Location: Clinton.

Seller: Patrick McCarthy. Price: $675,000.

Mark W Lunden. Property Location: Lehigh. Seller: Graham R Brazier. Price: $590,000.

Lui Foo Lam. Property Location: Salem. Seller: Vito W Roselli. Price: $585,000.

Ralph Simone. Property Location: Paupack. Seller: Robert W Roeck. Price: $388,000.

Steven J. Renehan. Property Location: Manchester. Seller: John F Bailey. Price: $650,000.

Samhaven Lake LLC. Property Location: Paupack. Seller: Cove Haven Propco LLC. Price: $9,467,662.

GEG Real Estate. Property Location: S. Canaan. Seller: Pedmar Inc. Price: $425,000.

Wayne Memorial Health Foundation. Property Location: Honesdale. Seller: Kelley Cunningham. Price: $215,000.

238 White Mills Road LLC. Property Location: Cherry Ridge. Seller: Robert G. Jufer. Price: $275,000.

The Retreat at 4177 N. Fairway LLC. Property Location: Lake. Seller: William J. Scott. Price: $173,000.

WyoMiNG CouNTy

Elizabeth R Crocker. Property Location: Falls Twp. Seller: Mary Weber. Price: $890,000.

Tanner Holdings LLC. Property Location: Falls Twp. Seller: Richard Santee. Price: $40,000.

Michael P Hopkins. Property Location: Overfield Twp. Seller: Thomas R. Owens, trustee. Price $420,000.

MORTgagEs

CoLuMBiA CouNTy

Levi S. Beiler. Property Location: Madison Township. Lender: Old Order Amish Helping Program. Amount: $402,989.24.

John A. Shuman. Property Location: North Centre Township. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $364,000.

Frances M. Hack. Property Location: Millville. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $373,500.

Sai William Realty LLC. Property Location: Benton.

Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $580,000.

Roung Table Allegiance Group inc. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Lender: FNB Bank N.A. Amount: $150,000.

CRT Enterprises LLC. Property Location: Catawissa.

Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $105,600.

Jerseytown Hunting Club. Property Location: Jackson Township. Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $31,000.

QSC Enterprise Ltd. Property Location: Scott Township.

Lender: FNB Bank N.A. Amount: $5,875,000.

QSC Enterprise Ltd. Property Location: Scott Township.

Lender: FNB Bank N.A. Amount: $1,120,000.

Shannon Enterprises LP, Shannon investments LP. Property Location: Mifflin Township. Lender: AgChoice Farm Credit. Amount: $613,400.

B3 East LLC. Property Location: Briarcreek Township.

Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $75,000.

Raven Creek Farms. Property Location: Benton Township.

Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $270,0000.

Bloomsburg Alternative Power Company LLC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank.

Amount: $200,000.

Bloomsburg industrial Ventures LLC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $446,000.

Raven Creek Farms. Property Location: Benton Township.

Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $500,000.

united Cerebral Palsy of NEPA. Property Location: Scranton. Lender: Community Bank. Amount: $99,000.

Weatherbey Street Holdings LLC.Property Location: Scott Twp. Lender: Luzerne Bank. Amount: $550,000.

S&o Dream Realty LLC. Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: 161,250.

Kaminski Properties LLC. Property Location: Scranton.

Lender: Peoples Security Bank. Amount: $42,000.

S&o Dream Realty LLC.Property Location: Scranton.

Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: 161,250 Glen Digwood. Property Location: Unspecified. Lender: Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank. Amount: 372,400.

Thomas R. DePietro. Property Location: S. Abington Twp. Lender: Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank. Amount: $400,000 Gravel Pond Townhouses inc. Property Location: South Abington Twp. Lender: Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank.

Amount: 1,500,000.

JCJ Realty Holdings LLC. Property Location: Unspecified.

Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $1,075,000 Mericle 1200 East Lackawanna LLC. Property Location: Olyphant. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: 9,000,000.

LMS Avatar LLC.Property Location: Dickson City. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $250,000.

1400 Monroe LLC. Property Location: Dunmore. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $800,000.

LACKAWANNA CouNTy

Anthracite Apartments 2006. Property Location: Pittston City. Lender: Autumnwood Holdings Funding LLC. Amount: $4,267,011.63.

TSR CW Holding Co. LLC. Two Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre Twp. and Fairview Twp. Lender: Community Bank.

Amount: $435,000 and $435,000.

Gregory E Fellerman. Property Location: Harvey’s Lake Borough. Lender: Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank. Amount: $417,000.

1060 Highway 315. Property Location: PLains Twp. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $22,522,500.

759 Scott St. inc. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City.

Lender: Penn Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $1,000,000.

Small Wonders inc. Property Location: Kingston Twp. and Wilkes-Barre City. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $1,500,000.

LKS Enterprises LLC. Property Location: Exeter Borough.

Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $600,000.

RJFB Development Group LLC. Property Location: Pittston City. Lender: Penn East Federal Credit Union. Amount: $425,000.

JC Holdings of NEPA LLC. Property Location: Pittston City.

Lender: Penn East Federal Credit Union. Amount: $425,000.

Michael Crawford JR. Property Location: Jenkins Twp. Lender: Community Bank. Amount: $500,000.

Stone Forge Village Associates LP. Seven Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Lender: Fulton Bank. Amount: $8,835,000.

Stone Forge Village Associates LP. Seven Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Lender: Housing Development Corp. MidAtlantic. Amount: $$370,147.25.

Stone Forge Valley Associates LP. Seven Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Lender: Housing Development Corp.

MidAtlantic. Amount: $250,000.

Louis Blaum. Property Location: Kingston Twp. Lender: MERS Inc. Amount: $390,000.

Sherman Hills Holding Co. Three Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Lender New York Community Bank.

Amount: $15,375,000.

Countrywood Realty LLC. Two parcels. Property Location: Hanover Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $400,000.

Plains 315 LLC. Property Location: Plains Twp. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $3,600,000.

Hazleton Hospitality PA inc. Property Location: Sugarloaf Twp. and Hazle Twp. Lender: Community Ban. Amount:

Shakti Gayatri LLC. Property Location: Carbondale. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $472,211.

Lapera Taylor Development LLC. Two parcels. Property Location: Carbondale. Lender: NBT Bank. Amount: $130,000 and $20,000.

Belladaro Realty Holding i LP. Property Location: Elmhurst Twp. Lender: Community Bank. Amount: $6,945,995.73.

JLM Management Services LLC. Three parcels. Property Location: Jessup Township. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. $1,000,000, $1,200,000 and $2,000,000.

Bluestone Environmental inc. Property Location: Mayfield.

Lender: Honesdale National Bank. Amount: $385,000.

Christine E Thomas. Property location: Moosic Borough.

Lender: New Penn Financial LLC. Amount: $407,550.

Viii-Hii Glenmaura Nat Blvd LLC. Property Location: Moosic Borough. Lender: Bank of America. Amount: $52,365,714.

Paul J Labelle. Property Location: Moosic Borough.

Lender: Fidelity Dep & Disc Bk. Amount: $1,500,000.

Morgan Adhesives Co LLC. Property Location: Moosic.

Lender: Bank of America. Amount: $125,000 BGN Development Corp. Property Location: Moosic Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $400,000 Charles T. Morgan. Property Location: Moosic Twp. Lender: Bank of America. Amount: $400,000.

Select Realty of NEPA LLC. Property Location: Old Forge Borough. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $1,075,000.

Scranton Materials LLC. Property Location: Ransom Twp. Lender: Community Bank. Amount: $900,000.

Weatherbey Street holdings LLC. Property Location: Scott Twp. Lender: Luzerne Bank. Amount: $550,000.

KCJ Associates LLC. Two parcels. Property Location: Scott Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $50,000 and $440,000.

AJ Realty. Property Location: Scranton. Lender: First National Community Bank. Amount: $73,500.

Two Cat Realty LLC. Property Location: ScrantonLender: First National Bank of Pa. Amount: 60,000 orlando S Johnson trust per tr. Property Location: Scranton. Lender: PNC Bank. Amount: 2,315,979.29 Vakpateya LLC. Lender: First National Community Bank.

Amount: $933,000.

LuZERNE CouNTy

$325,000.

Victor J Spaciano. Property Location: Kingston Twp. Lender: Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. Amount: $414,000.

Cocoa Hut 105 Property LLC. Property Location: Nanticoke City. Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $400,000.

Z-N Properties LLC. Two Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank.

Amount: $208,000.

Jay B Tanner. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Lender: JP Morgan Chase Bank. Amount: $382,780.

Karunesh Properties inc. Property Location: Dorrance Twp. Lender: John J. Schneck. Amount: $310,000.

Kirmani 650 Broad Street Realty LLC. Two Parcels.

Property Location: Hazleton City. Lender: Pacific Premier Bank.

Amount: $614,000. irving WBPA Enterprises LLC. Property Location: WilkesBarre City. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $416,000.

PSi Realty LLC. Property Location: Wright Twp. Lender: Signature Bank. Amount: $750,000.

DCNP Realty LLC. Two Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City. Lender: Valor Federal Credit Union. Amount: $236,000.

Cropon LLC. Property Location: Hazle Twp. Lender: ACW Procon American LLC. Amount: $10,400,000.

Earth Conservancy. Property Location: Hanover Twp. Lender: ESSA Bank & Trust. Amount: $500,000.

Peak 7 investments LLC. Property Location: PLains Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $500,000.

Thomas J Engle. Property Location: Rice Twp. Lender: MERS Inc. Amount: $483,444.

Valentino Timonte Sr. Three Parcels. Property Location: Pittston City. Lender: $465,000 and $465,000.

R&A LLC. Five Parcels. Property Location: Wilkes-Barre City, 2; Kingston Borough; Pittston City; and Duryea Borough.

618 Wyoming Ave. Property Location: Kingston Borough.

Lender: Luzerne Bank. Amount: $768,000.

Stephen J Martonick. Two parcels. Property Location: Sugarloaf Twp. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $768,000.

Amber Rae Black Nevin. Property Location: Lehman Twp. Lender: MERS Inc. Amount: $360,000.

MoNRoE CouNTy

James and Shirley Halterman. Property location: Stroud Township. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $400,000.

63 Bernards LLC. Property location: Stroud Township.

Lender: First Bank. Amount: $195,000.

DLP SF Fund i LLC, DLP Capital Advisors LLC (managing member). Property location: Middle Smithfield Township.

Lender: American Bank. Amount: $1,000,000.

Segal Associates of New Jersey LP, Barry Segal (gen. partner). Property location: Tobyhanna Township. Lender: Valley National Bank. Amount: $1,277,250.

Esposito Properties LLC. Property location: Polk Township. Lender: Bryn Mawr Trust Co. Amount: $1,000,000 and $290,000.

Leslie and Sandra Roberts. Property location: Middle Smithfield Township. Lender: Semper Home Loans Inc. Amount: $332,500.

6792 Route 209 LLC. Property location: Hamilton Township. Lender: Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. Amount: $265,000.

SC Palace PA LLC. Property location: Middle Smithfield Township. Lender: Parke Bank. Amount: $2,380,000 and $9,860,000.

SC Stream PA LLC. Property location: Paradise Township.

Lender: Parke Bank. Amount: $3,740,000 and $8,500,000.

8149 Mountain Road LLC. Property location: Jackson Please see FOR THE RECORD, Page 38

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FOR THE RECORD

FROM PAGE 37 Township. Lender: First Northern Bank and Trust Co. Amount: $50,000.

Amrish Patel. Property location: Chestnuthill Township.

Lender: Investors Bank. Amount: $550,000 and $50,000.

Venture Options LLC. Property location: Middle Smithfield Township. Lender: Unity Bank. Amount: $143,000.

LTS Homes LLC, Eastern Premier Holding Co. LLC (member). Property location: Price Township. Lender: Lafayette Ambassador Bank. Amount: $200,300.

215 Mallard East LP, 19064 Associates LLC. Property location: Stroudsburg. Lender: Joseph Frio. Amount: $64,000.

Jick LLC. Property location: Tunkhannock Township.

Lender: Secured Investment High Yield Fund II LLC. Amount: $64,260.

Stacy and Harvey Mitgang. Property location: Coolbaugh Township. Lender: ESSA Bank & Trust. Amount: $399,900.

Ibolit LLC. Property location :Smithfield Township. Lender: Bank of America NA. Amount: $640,000 and $160,000.

Northeast Investors Group Inc. Property location: Middle Smithfield Township. Lender: Patriot Financial Inc. Amount: $100,000.

NY Pizza Plaza Inc. Property location: Pocono Township.

Lender: Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. Amount: $562,500 and $180,000.

TSS Holdings LLC. Property location: Stroudsburg. Lender: First National Community Bank. Amount: $210,000.

ARLP Reo VII LLC, ARLP I LLC (manager) Altisource Residential LP (manager). Property location: Coolbaugh Township. Lender: NRP Mortgage Trust I. Amount: $200,000,000.

LTS Homes LLC, Eastern Premier Holding Co. LLC (manager). Property location: Smithfield Township. Lender: Lafayette Ambassador Bank. Amount: $154,860.

GOMF LLC. Property location: Hamilton Township. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $125,000.

JMC Restaurant Group Inc. Property location: Pocono Township. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $200,000.

DLP Professional Building LLC. Property location: Smithfield Township. Lender: QNB Bank. Amount: $1,500,000.

Bank. Amount: $880,000.

Sandro A Prada. Property Location: Dreher. Lender: MERS. Amount: $402,471.

Hawley Silk Mill LLC. Property Location: Hawley. Lender: The Dime Bank. Amount: $920,000.

Hudson Street LLC.Two parcels. Property Location: Hawley.

Lender: The Dime Bank. Amount: $90,000 and $90,000.

TAVAIMI Trust. Property Location: Lake. Lender: Aldolfo Busillo & Sorayda. Amount: $100,000.

The Hilltop Mansion LLC. Property Location: Berlin.

Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $275,000.

WYOMING COuNTY

Ace-Robbins Inc. Two Parecles. Property Location: Tunkhannock Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank and Trust Co. Amount: $1,500,000 and $250,000.

Bear Creek Properties Inc. Property Location: Nicholson Twp. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $210,000.

Haymaker Properties LP. Four Parcels. Property Location: Townships of Washington, Meshoppen, Tunkhannock and Nicholson. Lender: Haymaker Properties LP. Amount: $300,000,000.

CHk utica LLC; Chesapeake Clements Acquisition LLC; Chesapeake Appalachia LLC; Chesapeake Exploration LLC; ChesapeakeLand Development Co. LLC; Chesapeake Royalty LLC. Empress LLC; GSF LLC; MC Louisianna Minerals; MC Mineral Co. LLC. Chesapeake Louisianna Properties LP; Empress Louisianna Properties LP. Property Location: Townships of Washington, Meshoppen, Tunkhannock, Nicholson, Mehoopany, Windham, Braintrim, Forkston, North Branch and Lemon. Lender: Deutsche Bank Trust Co. Americas. Amount: $10,000,000,000.

BankRupTCiEs

There were no bankruptcies reported in the Business Journal readership area.

Banks

Wayne Bank has set up a new Technology Demo Center in PIkE COuNTY its Milford office located downtown at 111 West Harford Street.

Good Shepherd Child Care Center. Property Location: This is the bank’s third technology demo center, and the first in Dingman Twp. Lender: Dime Bank. Amount: $45,000.

Pike County. The demo centers are space dedicated to providing HHTP1 LLC. Property Location: Dingman Twp. Lender: customer support with interactive hands-on equipment for B2RFinance LP. Amount: $179,000. online, tablet and mobile banking. The centers are open during 1 Hatton Road Properties 1 LLC. Property Location: Blooming Grove Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. business hours at the Adams Avenue, Scranton; Main Street, Honesdale and Harford Street, Milford offices.

Amount: $100,000.

On Friday, March 11, Wayne Bank’s Lakewood Community Home Sweet Holdings. Property Location: Dingman office will celebrate 20 years serving northern Wayne County.

Twp. Lender: Dime Bank. Amount: $87,000.

Wayne Bank acquired the Lakewood office from Meridian John H Grube. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Lender: Bancorp and began attending to customers in March 1996. Also, Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank. Amount: $417,000. on Monday, March 14, Wayne Bank’s Shohola Community Office ARP Properties LLC. Property Location: Milford Twp. will celebrate 20 years serving Pike County and Highland, Sullivan Lender: Lakeland Bank. Amount: $273,750.

County. Wayne Bank acquired the Shohola office from Meridian Bancorp and began attending to customers in March 1996.

WAYNE COuNTY

Joseph A Christopher. Property Location: Lake. Two mortgages. Lender: James B. Nutter & Co. and Housing & Urban Development. Amount: $855,000 and $855,000.

Louis J Dunham. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: MERS-UBS Bank USA. Amount: $512,300.

Lakeside MHP LLC. Property Location: Cherry Ridge.

Lender: HMP Management LLC. Amount: $475,000.

Rizzuto LLC. Property Location: Hawley. Lender: The Dime Bank. Amount: 320,000.

Philip Reiprich & Casey Reiprich. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: MERS. AmountL $382,500.

Nathaniel Zaur. Property Location: South Canaan. Lender: Honesdale National Bank. Amount: $384,000.

Best Realty Group LLC. Property Location: Salem. Lender: Bruce F. Covey. Amount: $430,000.

Sonya S. Zacker. Property Location: Lake. Lender: Wayne

awaRDs, CERTiFiCaTiOns & HOnORs

Community Bank N.A. took honors in three categories in the latest MSR Best in Retail Banking Awards. Of the 23 banks in the Northeast region, Community Bank N.A. received top honors in the Ease of Doing Business and Trust categories. Community Bank was also awarded the silver category for the Net Advocacy Rating, an MSR proprietary metric that spotlights banks for ease of doing business and for consistently delivering a problem-free customer experience. The MSR Group is a full-service market research firm specializing in customer experience measurement and improvement in the retail banking sector. The firm conducts a national study of retail banking consumers on an annual basis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between consumers and their bank.

Local sign and visual graphics provider FASTSIGNS® of

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APRIL 2016

Scranton was once again named one of the top centers out of more than 600 locations worldwide at the 2016 FASTSIGNS International Convention, which was recently held in Orlando, Florida. The locally owned and operated business received the Pinnacle Club Award, which is given to the centers ranked 26 to 125 in the U.S. and Canada for sales volume between Oct. 1, 2014 and Sept. 30, 2015. Located at 2015 Scranton Carbondale Hwy, FASTSIGNS of Scranton has been doing business in the area for 26 years.

Ideaworks Marketing, a strategic marketing firm located in Wyoming, was recognized by the Northeast Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Advertising Federation with three Silver ADDY Awards during the organization’s recent ceremony held at the Radisson Hotel in Scranton. Ideaworks received awards for the “Think [CA]” campaign under the category of Integrated Campaign Brand Identity; the “Jubilation Logo” design project under the Elements of Advertising category; and for the agency’s 2016 calendar with an adult coloring book theme in the Advertising Industry Self-Promotion Brand Elements category.

Sheetz, the family-owned, Altoona-headquartered convenience store chain with more than 500 stores throughout the Mid-Atlantic, has been named to the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2016 list, according to global research and consulting firm Great Place to Work and Fortune Magazine.The “Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For” list, now in its 19th year, recognizes companies that have exceptional workplace cultures. Applicant companies participated in the selection process, which includes an employee survey and an in-depth questionnaire about their programs and company practices.

Great Place to Work then evaluates each application using its unique methodology based on five dimensions: credibility, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie.

The university of Scranton joins nine other colleges in the nation with criminal justice programs certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. The University’s criminal justice bachelor’s degree program received notice of certification by the Academy in February. The certification extends until 2026.

The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) certification is designed to evaluate evidence-based compliance that meets or exceeds all academic standards set by the ACJS executive board for associate, bachelor’s and master’s level criminal justice programs. The certification is based on outcome assessment of evidence of a program’s quality and effectiveness.

ACJS academic certification standards assess the program’s mission, structure and curriculum, faculty, admissions, student services, integrity, quality and effectiveness, and outcomes for graduates leading to employment or graduate study, among other factors.

ECOnOmiC DEvElOpmEnT

The Wayne County Commissioners in conjunction with the Tourism Promotion Advisory Committee invites tourism related businesses to submit information, including events and activities for site promotion on visitwaynecounty.com. This service is free. Its purpose is to assist in acquainting visitors and residents with Wayne County lodging, attractions, dining, shopping, and recreation and more, plus publicize local events and activities.

Email info@visitwaynecounty.com with the request to be registered. An individual business access code will be provided with instructions to proceed with your free listing, and, if you submit an event it will be posted to the website. Call 570-253-1960 or email chamber@northernpconoschamber.com for chamber member information.

Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc. will open a training and parts distribution center early this summer in CenterPoint Commerce & Trade Park East, Jenkins Township, Luzerne County. The lease is for the entire 134,442-square-foot building, which was recently developed on speculation by Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services. The project marks the first time Isuzu has combined a training center, to be named “Isuzu Truck University” and a modern parts distribution center under

one roof. Inside, about 97,000 square feet will be used for parts distribution and 30,000 square feet will be used for technical training. The remainder will be used as office space. This training facility will complement Isuzu’s existing training center in Garden Grove, California. Isuzu Truck University will serve Isuzu dealerships in the eastern United States. Certified Isuzu technicians will come to the facility for advanced training on internal mechanical components and operations of diesel and gas engines. Fifty new jobs are projected to be added to the community.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) and the Economic Development Administration (EDA) presented Child Development Council of NEPA with a loan in the amount of $150,000 for working capital, which was used for operational expenses needed due to the PA state budget impasse.

Child Development Council, which was established in 1972, is a private, non-profit child care organization serving more than 1,200 children annually (from 6 weeks to 12 years old) for communities of Luzerne County in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Child Development Council child care centers are licensed by the State of Pennsylvania and follow all regulations set forth. For more information on the NEPA Alliance Business Finance Programs and services, contact Dave Nat, Business Finance Manager, at dnat@nepa-alliance.org.

GRanTs

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance (NEPA) and Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (DCED) presented Lackawanna College with a $50,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant. This project was submitted for ARC funding by the NEPA Alliance and the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, Office of Appalachian Development, which recommended approval to ARC. ARC funding was used for the purchase of equipment such as a natural gas convention oven, reach-in refrigerator, reach-in freezer, steam jacketed kettle, all-purpose mixer, etc. The NEPA Alliance, a regional community and economic development agency, serves the seven counties of Northeastern Pennsylvania including Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne.

State Rep. Gerald Mullery announced that Nanticoke has received a state grant for ramp installation and other modifications across the city to increase accessibility.

The city received $274,500 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. The funding is provided through the department’s 2015 Community Development Block Grant Program.

DaTEs TO REmEmBER

June 26, The Heritage Explorer Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, June 26, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor. For more information, log on to lhva.org.

nEw inCORpORaTiOns CARBON COuNTY

ARTISANAL GIFTS LLC. Filed: March 2. Handmade products. 13 Highridge Rd. Albrightsville.

COLuMBIA COuNTY

LaSalle Street LLC. Filed: Feb. 12. Real Estate. 6101 Park Road, Berwick.

Afterkey Property Solutions. Filed: Feb. 10. Real Estate. 18 Shawnee Rd., Bloomsburg.

All Aboot Towing LLC. Filed: Feb. 15. Parking Management. 215 Nottingham Lane, Bloomsburg.

American Veterans Lawn Care. Filed: Feb. 11. Lawn Care.

831 Mainville Dr., Bloomsburg.

Please see FOR THE RECORD, Page 39

FROM PAGE 38 ARD Prestige Painting LLC. Filed: Feb. 6. Painting Services. 835 Lightstreet Road. Bloomsburg.

LACkAwAnnA County

keyser Avenue LLC. Filed: Feb. 22. Real Estate. 1 Simplex Drive, Scranton.

Exemption Experts LLC. Filed: Jan. 21. Consultation to UAV users. 1710 Madison Ave., Dunmore.

Aggie Art LLC. Filed: Feb. 6. Sale of handmade gifts. 5020 Birney Ave., Moosic.

Ventures LLC. Filed: Jan. 27. Online sales equipment. 213 Vine St., Old Forge.

Alberigi Insurance Agency LLC. Filed: Feb. 4. Insurance sales. 301 Church St., Jessup.

AMG Hair Salon LLC. Filed: Jan. 28. 1497 MountCobb Road, Jefferson Township.

Angel occupational therapy LLC. Filed: Feb. 3. 220 N. Main Ave., Scranton.

A Caring Rose Inc. Filed: Jan. 27. Home care and companionship services. 316 Shawnee Valley Drive, East Stroudsburg.

Rte 209 LLC. Filed: Feb. 3. Real estate, 420 Edgemont Road, Stroudsburg.

Route 940 LLC. Filed: Jan. 11.1 Real Estate Holdings.

938 Route 940 Pocono Lake.

Abundant Life Lutheran Church Inc. Filed: Feb. 19.

210 Circle Drive, Saylorsburg.

AC’s Cafe LLP. Filed: March 2. 564 Main Street, Stroudsburg.

Advanced Relocation LLC. Filed: Jan. 11. Moving & Storage. 608 Smith Hill Road. Stroudsburg.

Affordable Emergency Roadside Services LLC. Filed: Feb. 22. 345 Possinger Drive, Stroudsburg.

Angels of Joy Inc. Filed: Feb. 3. Food pantry/thrift store.

211 Annies Lane, Saylorsburg.

Armory LLCFiled: Feb. 2. Mfg. and sale of guns and ammo. 818 Interchange Road, Kresgeville.

Astomega LLC. Filed: Feb. 5. Real Estate Holding. Quick Court. Pocono Lake.

National Stroke is Awareness Month

M A Y

LuzERnE County

All Paws Salon Inc.Filed: Jan. 27. Dog Grooming. 926 South St., Freeland. the Great Escape LLC. Filed: Feb. 22. Relaxation services.

82 South Main St., Wilkes Barre.

Myers Lane LLC. Filed: Feb 2. Real Estate. 86 South Mountain Blvd, Mountain Top. Fitness LLC. Filed: Feb. 1. Fitness Center. 112 North Mountain Blvd. Mountain Top. Market Street Properties LLC. Filed: Feb. 8. Real Estate.

1257 Market St., Dallas.

DuMP LLC. Filed: Jan. 15. Environmental Services. 276 276 Wyoming St., Wilkes-Barre.

Abracadabra Creative LLC. Filed: Feb. 4. Marketing and Branding. 53 Reynolds St., Kingston.

Baker Road LLC. Filed: Feb 1. Real Estate. 100 Baltimore Dr., 4th floor, Wilkes-Barre.

A well Regulated Militia Inc. Filed: Feb. 3. Firearm Safety. 817 Appletree Road, Harding.

A Plus Home Services LLC. Filed: Feb 3. Handyman general home services. 369 Northampton St. , Kingston.” trucks Inc. Filed: Feb. 17. Trucking Services. 572 West Broad St., Hazleton.

Hardware LLC. Filed: Jan. 6. Hardware Store. 3101 Memorial Hwy. Dallas.

570 Clothing LLC. Filed: Feb. 18. Clothing Company. 25 Martin St., Hanover Township.

A&C Capital LLC. Filed: Jan. 12. Real Estate. 200 James St., Kingston.

Alpha Logistics LLC. Filed: Feb. 5. Trucking. 605 Hazleton Apartments, Hazle Township.

Allen Renting LLC. Filed: Feb. 18. Rental Properties. 25 Martin St., Hanover Township.

Archbald Brewing Co. LLC. Filed: Jan. 27. Microbrewing.

648 Nuangola Rd., Mountain Top. ARE Real Estate LP. Filed: Jan. 27. Rear 122 South Main, Mountain Top. Arianna’s CDH Foundation. Filed: Feb. 1. Fundraising to benefit people with CDH. 63 Delaware Drive, West Hazleton.

Asociacion de Softball de Hazleton Corp. Filed: Jan. 23.

Softball Team. 118 W. Broad St. Hazleton.

PIkE County

Indian Drive LLC. Filed Jan. 27. Real Estate Holding Co. No address listed.

A Mad Man LLC. Filed: Jan. 6. Property Management. 104 West End Ave., Hawley.

310 Avenue I LLC. Filed. Jan. 6. Real Estate. 115 Steele Lane, Milford.

APS Absolute Property SolutionsLLC. Filed: Jan. 29.

Property Management & Renovation. 131 Christian Hill Rd. Milford.

ARP Properties LLC. Filed: Jan. 6. Real Estate. 515 Broad St., Milford.

SCHuyLkILL County

Adam’s Auto Repair LLC. FIled: Jan. 9. 1017 Clamtown Road, Tamaqua.

Primeau Medical writing LLC. Filed: Jan. 11. 185 Summit Drive, Pine Grove.

SuSquEHAnnA County

69 College LLC. Filed: Feb. 19. Real Estate. 869 Richardson Road. New Milford.

wAynE County

Lincoln LLC. Filed: Feb. 1. Log Cabin Lane. Real Estate.

Milanville.

Fair Avenue LLC. Filed: Jan. 4. Real Estate. 1837 Fair Avenue, Honesdale.

wyoMInG County A.P.A.C. LLC. Filed: Jan. 27. Airplane Holding Company. 157 Runway Road. Tunkhannock.

STOCKS

The report on insider trading activity, prepared monthly by James Blazejewski, was not available for publishing this month.

The report will appear in this spot in the May issue.

MonRoE County

Myrtle Street Property LLC. Filed: Feb. 16. Rental Property.

222 Farmer Bush Rd., East Stroudsburg.

129th Street Inc. Filed: Jan. 13. Restaurant. 128 Blackfoot Lane, Tobyhanna.

Lawyers Row LLC. Filed: Feb. 9. Real Estate. 20 N. 7th St., Stroudsburg.

Route 196 LLC. Filed: Jan. 19. 1 Jonathans Way, Henryville.

Lawyers Row LLC. Filed: Feb. 9. Real Estate. 22 N 7th St. Stroudsburg. n Delaware Drive Associates LLC. Filed Jan. 21. Real Estate, 7528 Birdie Place, Tobyhanna.

Would you know how to tell if someone close to you is having a stroke?

If you notice that someone is acting confused, with headache, numbness and drooping of the face, arm or leg; trouble seeing, walking or talking, there is no time to waste. They may be having a stroke. Call 911 immediately.

The more time that passes between stroke onset and treatment, the worse the outcome is for the patient.

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. A stroke is a “brain attack”. It can happen to anyone, at any time. It occurs when blood flow to an area of brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. When brain cells die during a stroke, abilities controlled by that area of the brain such as memory and muscle control are lost.

Everyone should know the risks and symptoms of stroke. This month we will look at prevention, treatment and rehabilitation options available right in our own community.

Publication Date: May 2016 Advertising Deadline: April 16

For advertising information contact: Judy Gregg 570-207-9001 extension 5425 jgregg@timesshamrock.com

The Region’s Award-Winning Source of Business News & Information

A Times-Shamrock Publication

149 Penn Avenue • Scranton, PA 18503 | 75 N. Washington Street • Wilkes-Barre, PA 18771 570-207-9001 • 877-584-3561 • Fax 570-207-3452

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL APRIL 2016 39 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B39] | 03/30/16

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personnel file BAnKinG

Fidelity Bank Fidelity Bank contributed $10,000 to The University of Scranton’s University of Success Program, a four-year pre-college mentorship program for high school students designed to develop the skills needed to successfully gain entrance to college. The University of Success, offered free of charge to participants, is funded almost entirely by corporate and foundation grants.

Community Bank NA Jim Bebla, diocesan secretary for development, left and Lindsay Doherty, EITC/OSTC coordinator for the Diocese of Scranton, right, accept a $77,500 check for the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation from Alison Zurawski of Community Bank N.A. The contribution was made through Pennsylvania’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program which provides need-based tuition assistance to students attending diocesan schools.

Community Bank N.A. presented the Diocesan Scholarship Foundation with a $62,500 contribution through the EITC program and a $15,000 contribution through the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program, which provides scholarship assistance to eligible families who reside within the boundary of an underperforming school, as determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Since 2004, Community Bank, N.A. the former First Liberty Bank & Trust, has contributed more than $802,500 to Catholic education in the Diocese of Scranton.

Fidelity Bank Carmen Caputo has joined Fidelity Bank as Vice President Mortgage Loan Sales Manager. Paul Arvay, was promoted to vice president and Michael Coury was promoted to assistant vice president.

Caputo will oversees the Fidelity Bank mortgage department and mortgage consultant team. He has more than 25 years’ experience as both a mortgage loan officer and market manager.

Caputo is a graduate of Penn Caputo State University and currently serves as vice president of the Worthington Scranton Alumni Society at Penn State.

Paul Arvay has been with Fidelity Bank for 21 years beginning his career as a teller and broadening his Arvay banking knowledge as a collector, credit analyst, mortgage underwriter and staff auditor. He has spent the last 11 years in his current position as mortgage consultant leading the team in new mortgage loans.

Justin roach, Wayne Bank receives award, from page 41. from left to right robert J. Mancuso, executive vice president and chief information officer; Justin roach; lewis J. Critelli, president and chief executive officer of Wayne Bank; and eli Tomlinson, vice president information He is a graduate of Penn State University.

Coury has more than 30 years experience in mortgage lending and has been a mortgage consultant with Fidelity Bank since November 2008.

He is a resident of Exeter. He has been a high performer in the mortgage department Coury and has helped create more than 2000 homeowners through Fidelity Bank over from left are: Meg Hambrose, director of the last five years. corporate and foundation relations at The University of scranton and Jerry Champi, fnCB chief operating officer.

Daniel J. santaniello, president and Ceo, fidelity Bank, left, presented a check for $15,000 to Meghan Carnevale, Mission Advancement and Marketing Director, YMCA of Greater scranton. The donation was given through pennsylvania’s educational improvement Tax Credit program, eiTC program.

Also present is Chris natale, right, floating assistant manager, fidelity Bank and YMCA of Greater scranton, board bember.

First National Community Bank

FNCB has contributed more than $1,000,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC program. The Dept. of Community and Economic Development approved the University as an eligible pre-kindergarten scholarship organization.

This designation allows eligible businesses to contribute a portion of their state tax dollars to the university to be used as scholarships for eligible families. The University’s Early Learning Center opened in August 2015 in the newly renovated facility at the former Madison School on Quincy Avenue.

Penns Woods Bancorp Inc. Michelle (Shelley) Karas was promoted to senior vice president/chief operating officer for Penns Woods Bancorp Inc., which includes Jersey Shore State Bank and Luzerne Bank. A graduate of Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Karas is also a graduate of Karas

First National Community Bank (FNCB) donated fidelity Bank presents check to University of scranton, see description, top of second column. from left: Joann Marsili, fidelity Bank; Daniel J. santaniello, president and chief executive $1,200 to The University of Scranton Early Learnofficer, fidelity Bank; Andrea Mantione, director, leahy Community Health and family Center ing Center through the Pennsylvania Education at The University of scranton; Meg Hambrose, director of corporate and foundation relations, Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program. Since 2010, See PERSONNEL on page 41 The University of scranton; and salvatore r. Defrancesco, Jr., fidelity Bank.

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APRIL 2016

personnel file PERSONNEL continued from page 40 the School of Bank Marketing and Management, the Central Atlantic Advanced School of Banking and the Central Atlantic Commercial Lending School. Over her 22 plus years in banking, she has published several articles in various financial services magazines, presented at various banking conferences and has taught courses for the American Bankers Association and the American Institute of Banking. Karas is also a certified professional marketer and a certified financial marketing professional. Karas oversees the deposit operations, e-banking, IT, imaging, marketing, sales and training functions for the organization.

Temple University. He serves as director, production manager, technical director and/or scenic and lighting designer on the College’s theatre productions.

Tintjer has taught biology, ecology and botany courses at King’s since in 2010. She served as co-program director for a faculty-led study abroad program, titled “Tropical Ecosystems,” to the Los Haczewski leighton loyack Jean-Jacques Amigos Biological Station in the lowland Amazon given annually to the very top hotels in each of the ginia. She will also work with first-year students in forest in Peru in 2014. several counties in New York, including the Bronx, Jamie Grady, a 25-year veteran of the performing 12 brands in the Hilton Worldwide portfolio. For Erie, Kings, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Queens the Hampton Inn brand, only six hotels from the arts industry, has been appointed executive director and Suffolk. combined areas of the United States, Canada, of the Community Arts CenMexico, Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Costa Rico and Co- Leighton will work with prospective students in the ter, Williamsport. Grady belombia receive this award each year. Qualifications Philadelphia-area counties, New Jersey, Texas and gan his duties in February at Wayne Bank the Virgin Islands. She will manage the admission for this award are based upon customer feedback the Arts Center, a 2,100-seat Justin Roach has been awarded the bank’s department’s social media initiatives and various measured through guest satisfaction surveys, as venue that has hosted events Presidential Award for Excellence. This award is “College for a Day” experiences, during which prowell as product quality and service scores. Connie attended by nearly 1.5 million presented to Wayne Bank employees who show award-winning hotels are described as epitomizing spective students attend classes, meet professors patrons since opening in exceptional levels of dedication and service in their Conrad Hilton’s dream of spreading the light and and tour campus.

1993.

The center is a wholly Grady positions with the bank. Roach joined Wayne Bank warmth of hospitality.

Loyack will work with prospective students in the owned subsidiary of Pennsylin October 2014 and works as the social media Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C. vania College of Technology. Most recently, Grady King’s College technology specialist, including performing the She will serve as a guide at open houses and other was development director for the New Jersey Ballet Jessica Haczewski, Lauren Leighton, Shawn Loybank’s graphic design work at the main office in on-campus events for prospective students. She in Livingston, New Jersey. Previously, he served Honesdale. Roach earned a degree in communica- ack, and Jennifer Jean-Jacques have been named will also help coordinate Campus Plunge, an overas director of the Institute for Arts and Culture at admission counselors at King’s College. They will be night visit campus program. tions from the University of Scranton.

Mercyhurst University, Erie, where he was responresponsible for the recruitment of prospective stuJean-Jacques will work with prospective students sible for overseeing the D’Angelo Performing Arts dents in specific geographic territories and work with in the New England territories: Massachusetts, Millett Hospitality Inc Center, as well as heading an undergraduate arts high school students and their families throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Millet Hospitality, based out of Clarks Summit, has management degree program. the entire admission and enrollment process.

Connecticut, and upstate New York. She will also received notification from Hilton Worldwide that the Lori Cotrone has been named the International Haczewski will work with prospective students in assist with Campus OverHampton Inn by Hilton in Tunkhannock is the reStudent Advisor at King’s College. A resident of Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, night events. cipient of the 2015 Connie Award, an award named Kingston, Cotrone will serve Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New for Hilton’s founder, Conrad Hilton. This award is as the primary advisor and KIng’s College awarded tenMexico, Virginia, Washington D.C. and West Vircoordinate services for ure to three faculty members. international students, workDr. Bernard Prusak, currently ing in conjunction with the associate professor of phicollege’s academic affairs, losophy, was granted tenure. student affairs and the interprusak Granted tenure and promoted national recruitment office.

Cotrone to associate professor were She will provide assistance David Reynolds, theatre; and to international students in utilizing campus supDr. Tammy Tintjer, biology. port services, including academic skills, residence Prusak serves as the director life and multicultural and international student of the McGowan Center for programs. She also will assist in facilitating each Ethics and Social Responstudent’s transition to the college. sibility at King’s, which brings renowned speakers to reynolds Quality Building Services campus to lecture on ethical Dunmore-based Quality Building Services is and social justice issues. observing its 20th anniversary this year. Founded After graduating with a

by James “Red” McAndrew, the firm specializes bachelor’s degree from King’s in facility maintenance, construction and buildin 2000, Reynolds earned Millett Hospitality employees from left, bottom row are: Kelcie shaw, samantha Hopkins, Jeff ing management. McAndrew has more than 35 a master’s of fine arts with Borgeson, laurie Trible, Diana McCarty, Angela evancavich, and Karen Herman.Top row from years experience in facility management. Before a concentration in theatre left: Jane Burgess, Katrina litchauer, Karen Harvey, robin flak, Bertha ely, Christine Miller, design and production at Tintjer Jason Yasinskas, Amy lees, Amanda shaw and Molly Mattioli. see award description, above See PERSONNEL on page 43

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Profiles in Medical Excellence What makes a good doctor and can we measure it?

“Ten years ago, many physicians didn’t think the quality of their care could be measured and any attempt to do so was ‘bean counting’ folly at best or destructive and dangerous at worse,” wrote Asish Jha, M.D. in his blog (ashishkjha.com/ ) Ten years ago, Mayo Clinic patients in two U.S. states could and they did, identify their 7 Key Traits of the Ideal Doctor, (webmd.com)* along with their definitions: “Confident: The doctor’s confidence gives me confidence.

Empathetic: The doctor tries to understand what I am feeling and experiencing, physically and emotionally and communicates that understanding to me.

Humane: The doctor is caring, compassionate and kind.

Personal: The doctor is interested in me more than just as a patient, interacts with me and remembers me as an individual.

Forthright: The doctor tells me what I need to know in plain language and in a forthright manner.

Respectful: The doctor takes my input seriously and works with me.

Thorough: The doctor is conscientious and persistent.”

In June, we will bring our readers thoughtful profiles of NEPA physicians who have devoted their life to healing. Their common factor will be those seven traits and incredible knowledge that have earned them the esteem of both their colleagues and patients. *Source: webmd.com/news/20060309/7-key-traits-of-ideal-doctor

Publication Date: June 2016 • Advertising Deadline: May 16 For advertising information contact Judy Gregg, 570-207-9001 extension 5425 jgregg@timesshamrock.com

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Top Five Growth Opportunities 1. Bucks County: 30 new stores 2. Northampton County: 8 new stores 3. Luzerne County: 8 new stores 4. Lehigh County: 5 new stores 5. Monroe County: 5 new stores Bring us any and all potential locations, we will determine if we can develop or possibly relocate to your site.

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Deadline: 15th of every month For advertising information contact

Judy Gregg 570-207-9001 • 877-584-3561 extension 5425 jgregg@timesshamrock.com

Pennsylvania Counties of Interest Include: • Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna,Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming PLEASE CONTACT Abbie Muto muto_a@sdepa.com Cheryl Green green_c@sdepa.com (610) 366-8120 • www.sdepa.com

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Promote your new commercial property listings on these pages of

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APRIL 2016

Member of International Council of Shopping Centers

The Region’s Award-Winning Source of Business News & Information • A Times-Shamrock Publication

149 Penn Avenue • Scranton, PA 18503 • 75 N. Washington Street • Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711 570-207-9001 • 877-584-3561 • Fax 570-207-3452

Personnel file the Times-Tribune and Citizens’ Voice. He will also oversee the circulation of the Wyoming County Press Examiner and ADI. Nealon is a 28-year veteran of Times Shamrock and most recently directed the circulation operations of The Citizens’ Voice and Standard-Speaker. His tenure with the company has included positions with The Scranton Times, the Waverly Printing Plant, ADI, The Republican & Herald, The Citizens’ Voice, Standard- Speaker and the Shamokin News-Item.

Dave Sickle was named circulation director at The Republican & Herald and Standard-Speaker.

McAndrew Dave is a nine-year manager with Times-Shamrock and facility maintenance at Mercy Hospital, Scranton. who previously worked at several Gannett-owned He supervised a staff of 60 workers and oversaw $3.5 publications in Vermont and New York. million in annual expenditures. He was also a longtime PIAA and NCAA basketball official. McAndrew Tobyhanna Army Depot is also a course instructor on facility management at Tobyhanna Army Depot employees introduced Marywood University. QBS deals with emergencies several innovatiove ideas for streamlining assembly such as power outages, mechanical failures, broken processes on the Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar water lines and other building problems as well has (LCMR) system’s power distribution unit (PDU) savhandling facility and construction maintenance. ing time and money. Simplified cabling and alternate step-by-step procedures, proposed by subject matTECBRIDGE ter experts in the Systems Integration and Support

PERSONNEL continued from page 41

Directorate’s Tactical Systems Cable Branch, shaved 6.5 hours off the assembly process. The projected savings based on scheduled workload is more than $81,000 over the next 14 months.

Tobyhanna Army Depot Dunmore resident Mark Williams is now chief of Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Field Support Project Management Branch. As chief, he supervises personnel who manage and monitor workload, funding and planning that is primarily focused on supporting deployed military units. Prior to this position, Williams was a training instructor who taught students in nearly every state, Williams then served as a supervisory training instructor in the C4ISR Directorate’s Field Logistics Support Division. He began his depot career in February 2005. His awards and decorations include an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service, Teamwork Award, C4ISR Team of the Quarter, and Special Act and Suggestion Awards.

from left to right: lynn Banta, Twinstacks; Jerry lisman, lisman Holdings; Tiffany Crossluciani, TecBridge; Bob Courtright, Courtright & Associates; elizabeth Klein, numberyeard, llC; Dale Parmenteri, nePriC; shawn Mera, new Horizons Computer learning Centers and lisa sciandra, nBT Bank.

TecBridge, a regional organization that collaboratively strives to create and embrace entrepreneurial opportunities, announced the 2016 Business Plan Competition (BPC). Entrepreneurs of all ages and levels are encouraged to enter the annual competition which will award more than $100,000 and in-kind services to businesses looking to turn their business ideas into a reality within the NEPA region. Information is available at nepbpc.com or on Facebook/nepabpc, Questions should be directed to info@tecbridgepa.org.

Times Shamrock Communications Joseph Nealon was named circulation director of

Bill laury, an electronics worker at Tobyhanna Army Depot, finishes installing a battery combiner in the PDU of a lCMr. Battery combiners allow two or more battery banks to be automatically combined (connected) during charging, allowing a single charge source to charge multiple battery banks. (U.S. Army photo by Steve Grzezdzinski)

United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA Jude McDonough and Dr. Marwan A. Wafa were appointed to the United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) board of directors.

McDonough is a financial consultant for Community Bank, N.A. and has 12 years experience in the financial services industry. He also serves on the board of directors for Northeast PA Networkers and United Way of Wyoming County. He is the treasurer of the St. Patrick’s Parade Committee of Lackawanna County and a member of the executive committee of the McDonough Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and the Leadership Lackawanna Executive Program alumni group.

Dr. Wafa is the chancellor of Penn State University’s Worthington Scranton (PSWS) campus and has more than 20 years of academic leadership experience and accomplishments. He previously served at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus where he was vice chancellor and dean. Since taking the helm at PSWS, Dr. Wafa has made meeting with local business Wafa and community leaders a priority to increase collaborative efforts and become personally involved in local organizations. He is also working to expand PSWS’ academic offerings to meet the needs of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Lisa Durkin, chief operating officer at United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) in Scranton recently completed the “Achieving Excellence” program, an executive education program conducted in collaboration with Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and Neighborworks America. The program is targeted to senior leaders Durkin in organizations working to benefit their communities and takes place over an 18-month period. Participants focus on achieving measurable success to address a major challenge facing their organization and community. Several formal sessions take place at Harvard University, and students also take part in executive coaching and intensive peer learning.

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