Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal - July 2017

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JULY 2017 VOL. 32 NO. 7

Technology in Business

Celebrating Women Entrepreneurs SEE PAgE 25

ALSO INSIDE:

We tackle current trends, future taxes, tech we need and what we don’t

Business Profile: David Kirkland

SEE PAgE 23

Small Business Spotlight

SEE PAgE 25

FIND US ONLINE AT BIZ570.COM

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Business Journal NortHeASt

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Vol. 32, No. 7 • JUlY 2017 149 PeNN AVeNUe ScrANtoN, PA 18503 www.biz570.com

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technology in business

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uber Takes a sharp Turn ............... 7 Healthcare Tech Trends................ 8 Tech growth and Tax ................... 9 Trends in Robotics.................... 14 Amazon and Whole Foods ........... 18 Tech gets .............................. 20

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PHOTOS The Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal and NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) recently honored the Top 25 Women in Business with an awards ceremony at the Glenmaura National Golf Club in Moosic.

Photos by Emma Black

Visit www.biz570.com to see more photos available for purchase.

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BANKING

‘Cee-ing’ the light when it comes to landing a loan

to protect the bank from financial loss. If the borrower this all-important first “C.” The next most important “C” is capacity, or the ability takes off or heads south after the loan is made, the lender Obtaining a loan from a bank might seem like a still needs to be repaid; after all, it must look after the to pay back a loan in good time. Capacity is a more obcomplicated, confusing and convoluted process — three jective measure. You can typically determine interests of its depositors and stockholders.

“C” words that any business owner looks to avoid.

Collateral and capital ensure that. Collateral it from the borrower’s historical financial On the contrary, bankers use a relatively straightforis a backup measure in case the borrower is statements, namely the income statement ward standard called the “Five Cs of Credit” to determine and statement of cash flows. Bankers will unable to make the loan payments. the creditworthiness of a borrower. Knowing these can The final “C,” conditions, looks at work with you to examine how the loan will help improve a borrower’s chances of getting approved external forces that could affect the business, affect both your income and your expenses. for credit. both on a micro and macro level. “CondiCharacter and capacity are by far the The “Five Cs of Credit” are character, capacity, capital, most significant and least flexible of the “Five tions” have been receiving more attention collateral and conditions. since 2007, when the nation’s economy Cs of Credit.” Generally speaking, if you are Banks view character as the most vital aspect that plunged into a recession. In some instances, cleared in these two areas, you will likely be Bonsick a borrower can have. That may seem counterintuitive. borrowers were making smart decisions, yet approved for a loan. The remaining three After all, character is a subjective measure. It doesn’t poor economic conditions prohibited them “Cs” are still important, but often are viewed have a line on a pro forma or tax return. from reaching the financial forecasts on which loans as being more flexible.

But demonstrated character breeds trust. It reflects were based.

The third “C,” capital, refers to a borrower’s net the reputation and integrity of the business and its Since the recession, the banking industry has worth. This is a quantitative measure bankers use as management. To assess character, bankers must step reassessed the large impact the economy can have on a secondary indicator of financial health. It is used to out of the electronic world of emails and texts and good borrowers and is doing its best to adapt to the determine if a borrower is becoming overleveraged or meet with borrowers face-to-face. They talk with the post-recession realities. financially strained with too much debt. management team. They talk with community and civic For many of the Cs, quality financial statements are The fourth “C,” collateral, is another quantitative leaders. They might even talk with your employees and critical. But equally important is the personal relationship measure. Collateral is the asset (or assets) pledged as customers. Bankers want to know you are true to your between the business owner or top executives and the security for the loan’s repayment. It’s what the bank commitments and have high ethical standards. In our bank management. receives if the loan goes into default. marketplace, it’s nearly impossible to get a loan without A strong, long-term relationship can provide Collateral, and to some extent capital, are evaluated

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JULY 2017

unparalleled insight into the borrower’s character. The relationship will provide useful information beyond balance sheets and statements of cash flow, potentially reducing the bank’s perception of risk and increasing the likelihood of approval.

Bankers need to be transparent with their clients, and the “Five Cs of Credit” approach helps borrowers understand where they stand when applying for a loan.

Moreover, knowing the Five Cs up front can compel a borrower to strengthen one or more of them in preparation for a future loan.

A good banker will work closely with potential borrowers far in advance of their application to help them navigate as many of the Cs as possible.

In the end, the Cs are not only good for obtaining credit from a bank, they’re good business practices. A company that’s constantly attuned to character, capacity, capital, collateral and conditions is a company that is fundamentally strong and has a foundation for growth — with or without bank credit.

Consistency is ultimately what each bank strives for, which is why most financial institutions use the “Five Cs of Credit” principle. It provides an easy-to-follow framework for both parties. By sharing this concept, bankers can work more closely with borrowers to achieve the results that both parties desire.

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TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS

Uber takes a sharp turn, hinting at changes to come

“The tipping example is a really good one in that there’s an action that’s taking place that we can see that’s representative or symbolic of a larger underlying cultural value,” said Nancy Rothbard, chair of the management department at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

By Jason Laughlin, Philly.com (TNS) AP area Uber Black drivers by $4.3 million.

Uber’s board acknowledged as much in its stateFor drivers who have often felt at war with Uber, the ment announcing Kalanick’s resignation, which came A full-time job driving for UberX and Uber Black is announcement Tuesday was a surprising about face. following the sudden death of his mother last month.

10- to 12-hour shifts, six days a week, said Virender “Uber is now showing care about drivers and they “By stepping away, he’s taking the time to heal Rana. are listening to them,” said Ali Razak, an Uber Black from his personal tragedy while giving the company That’s what is necessary to pay off his car loans driver and leader of the Philadelphia Limousine Asroom to fully embrace this new chapter in Uber’s hisand support his wife, who is disabled and can’t work, sociation, adding later, “This is not normal for Uber.” tory,” according to the statement. the Upper Darby man said.

Lyft, a competitor, has offered tipping through the Peter Cappelli, another Wharton professor in the “If I don’t do that, then I won’t be able to cover my app for almost five years, generating $250 million in management department, said that Uber’s brand had expenses,” said Rana, 46. tips for drivers, Lyft reported. taken some serious hits and that Lyft had capitalized.

Rana, and Uber drivers nationwide, including about Rana anticipated tipping would mean a 10 percent Kalanick drew ire for participating in President Trump’s 20,000 in the Philadelphia region, got a de facto raise to 15 percent increase in his income.

Advisory Council. The company’s decision to operate when Uber announced Tuesday that it would change Uber’s tipping function will debut nationwide by during a taxi strike at John F. Kennedy International how drivers are paid, including giving riders the option July. Passengers will be able to give a driver $1, $2, $5, Airport protesting Trump’s refugee ban led to social to tip through the Uber app. Then, on Wednesday, or a custom amount, according to Uber. The changes media’s #DeleteUber movement. These matters, along Uber’s founder and CEO, Travis Kalanick, resigned. announced Tuesday also included charging customwith reports of sexism in Uber’s corporate culture, Kalanick became symbolic of a corporate culture ers for making a driver wait more than two minutes were damaging with those who matter most to the that included allegations of sexism in the company’s and for canceling rides more than two minutes after company, Cappelli said.

San Francisco headquarters and problems closer to ordering it.

“The thing that is important to remember about Philly, including flouting Pennsylvania’s courts and Uber has said the changes have been in the works, Uber and Lyft is who their customers are,” Cappelli regulators, using potentially illegal software to stymie and watchers of the company said there are signs the said.

“Almost all their customers and money come enforcement efforts, and underpaying Philadelphiaculture could change. from urban areas, and those areas are Democratic.”

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He also noted that Uber is contending with a labor market more friendly for workers.

Uber is valued at nearly $70 billion, and investors have too much committed to risk losing money because of bad behavior. Those who participated in pushing out Kalanick, according to the New York Times, included the venture capital firm First Round Capital, which was cofounded by Josh Kopelman, chairman of the Philadelphia Media Network, which operates the Philadelphia Inquirer, Daily News, and Philly.com.

Kopelman did not comment Wednesday.

Whether Uber’s attempt at a culture shift will sink in or is merely cosmetic remains to be seen.

“Culture change takes a lot of time,” Rothbard said.

“You’re going to have people throughout that company who are loyal to Kalanick.”

The changes also do not address questions about whether drivers are employees or, as Uber claims, contractors. Efforts to unionize Philadelphia’s drivers won’t end, Razak said.

Rana spent seven years as a taxi driver in Philadelphia. When Uber arrived in 2014, he saw an opportunity to ditch an expensive cab lease and use his own vehicle, but his financial troubles remain. He says he’s hopeful Uber’s steps this week are a sign of things to come.

“This was helpful, what they did,” he said.

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TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS

HEALTHCARE RELATED TECH TRENDS

By Phil Yacuboski

Tech developers in northeastern Pennsylvania are on the forefront of many healthcare related tech trends, which they argue are lowering cost and boosting efficiency.

Signallamp Health Scranton-based Signallamp Health is an IT enabled care management company that began in 2015 thanks in part to an economic development program from the state.

“We bring top-line revenue to doctor’s offices and they don’t have to do anything,” said Drew Kearney, Signallamp Health’s CEO and co-founder.

“They don’t have to change their workflow or make investments upfront in technology.”

Kearney said Signallamp Health, which has offices in Bank Towers Building in Scranton, partners with physician’s offices by hiring nurses for them who work remotely from the practice. The company then bills insurance companies. Kearney calls it the ‘closely embedded nurse model.’

“If it’s bigger practice, there may be five or six nurses,” he said. “If it’s a smaller one, there may be one, but the nurse’s work with the practice exclusively. They become part of their workflow day to day,” adding that Signallamp Health’s technology allows them to access data at a physical distance.

Kearney said it’s most difficult to connect with a patient outside of the office. He said one of the key features of the software’s algorithms track existing connections with a patient so they know the best time to reach them.

“It also develops care plans for people who have specific diseases and health concerns,” said Kearney. The software allows for planning a course of action around existing health problems through socio-economic data, education, background and living conditions. “That makes it very simple and very specific to them.”

Signallamp operates in six states, including Pennsylvania, servicing more than 300 practices.

They have 19 employees; 13 of which are nurses.

for any individual,” said Ed Connors, CEO of Heudia Health of East Stroudsburg.

He cited their work with the Carolina Healthcare System.

“Anyone could help, let’s say, a pregnant woman to a clinic or an internal case management program. Our software would also help with housing and if there are substance abuse problems,” he said.

Connors said the technology helps community based organizations.

“Think about it as a virtual social worker,” he said. “Those organizations can come onto our platform, find what their needs are and find news and resources in that community.” Connors said that includes primary care physicians as well as Heudia Health disease specific care such as asthma and diabetes.

Connecting low-income Americans with the “It aligns health care with the social determinates of care they need can often be a challenge, but an East Stroudsburg tech firm is steering people in the health,” he said.

Connors said income inequality and lack of acright direction.

“Our technology allows anybody within a given cess to healthcare are the primary reasons for poor target community to screen navigate and plan care health. He also believes that below the surface of

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those problems for people is understanding insurance, transportation to a physician and cultural health beliefs. He believes his software platform achieves people reaching those goals.

“By establishing intermediaries within a community who are in a position of trust with these people, they can then help those people to live a healthier life,” he said.

Howell USA When Roger first read the Affordable Care Act in 2010, he believed smaller companies with fewer than 100 employees would need help using more healthcare technology. He also felt that caregivers were struggling with distribution.

“I felt that this was a niche market,” said Howell, who has offices on Baltimore Drive in Wilkes-Barre. “We created a digital way to collect and assemble insurance data to prospective customers.”

He said the software platform is a three to five week process, puts all of the information into a

web-based application and creates a hub of that information by distributing it electronically through the carriers a buyer selects. Employers and producers can instantly get rates, get plans and provider networks, make changes and even sort out group information all in one web platform.

“We also submit the census data to the actuarial firms and they then get it back to us within a few minutes,” Howell said.

Howell said the company is doing business in all 50 states.

“The only thing the carriers are doing is issuing the policies and paying claims. We are doing everything in between. It’s really a paradigm shift in the way I’ve done business my whole career,” he said.

Howell said his company is bracing for whatever changes happen with the ACA in Congress.

“We spend a lot of time keeping people in step to make sure they are in compliance with all of the regulations,” he said.

TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS

Growing and Growing

By Phil Yacuboski

As the founder of Medtrics Lab, a tech startup based in Lewisburg, Chris Tokodi believes he’s helping in a small way to reshape and add to the state’s economy. The small, but growing company, which was born in a business incubator as part of Bucknell University, is learning software for medical education.

When Tokodi founded the company in 2013, medical education programs were undergoing tougher accreditation, and he saw a need to use technology within the medical learning environment that was specific for their use.

“They didn’t have the software because the stuff they were using was based on an old model where things weren’t as data intensive,” Tokodi, a graduate of The University of Scranton said. “Someone had to build something from scratch, so that’s what we did.”

Medtrics is part of a growing trend in Pennsylvania. According to data compiled by CompTIA, the Keystone State ranks eighth nationally when it comes to tech jobs. The analysis also found tech jobs contribute to 6.6 percent of the overall state economy.

“Pennsylvania’s tech job growth likely reflects growing demand from growing sectors within its

economy such as healthcare, finance and insurance,” said Tim Herbert, senior vice president of research and market intelligence with CompTIA. About 72 percent of all tech jobs in Pennsylvania are in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

Wages for tech workers are also higher than traditionally fields. The average private sector salary in Pennsylvania is $50,000, with tech sector jobs at $92,200.

Most of the tech jobs added in Pennsylvania since 2016 are software developers and applications.

Herbert expects the tech climate to change for the better in the next five years. He said we are still in the infancy of cloud computing and cybersecurity.

“As these technologies ramp up and mature, it is expected that there will be future job growth,” he said.

On the downside to this report, Pennsylvania finished in the middle when it comes to innovation.

Virginia, New York and New Jersey ranked near the top.

While there are many factors related to job growth, Herbert thinks cities and regions can rebound and tech jobs can play a role, especially in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area.

“The largest industries are healthcare, retail and

manufacturing,” he said. “Technology will continue to reshape these industries in the years to come. Every sector of the economy relies on technology in some way.”

Tokodi’s pilot clients began in early 2014, and at the end of last year, they ended with almost a dozen. They currently are now at 25 clients nationwide, with more expected by the end of the year. Medtrics Lab hopes to end 2017 with around $400,000 in Santhosh Cherian, MD and Chris Tokodi, Medtrics Lab. revenue.

“The big coup for us was tech jobs in the region. A similar program was also that the National Institutes of Health began using done through Bloomsburg University. our product,” he said. “That also makes us attracTokodi said the future looks bright. tive to other clients.

“Lewisburg has the school, but we’re not Medtrics received financial help from the Ben thought of as a tech hub, but that’s changing,” he Franklin Technology partners to get their company said. off the ground. The company has also taken adTokodi said the alley behind his office on Market vantage of the Keystone Innovation Zone (KIZ) tax Street in Lewisburg is a running joke with other credit program to help grow their business. tech incubators in the same space.

“It’s been very helpful,” said Tokodi, who added “We call it ‘Silicon Alley,’” he said. money used through the KIZ helped to fund several It’s a long way from California, but still packed programs through the Small Business Developwith big dreams. ment Center at Bucknell University to grow more

The Tech Tax

By Phil Yacuboski

With Pennsylvania’s growing tech sector reaching new heights every year, Harrisburg is looking at taxing the industry with a so-called ‘tech tax.’

“I don’t believe it’s in the best interest to tax a growing economy,” said Chuck Russell, an IT consultant and senior partner with Collective Intelligence Inc. Russell is also the president and CEO of the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania.

“There’s a big hole in the state budget,” he added Gov. Tom Wolf is proposing a computer services tax, which would abolish sales and use tax exemptions on computer services firms in Pennsylvania. The tax rate would be six percent.

He said the tech tax looks to raise about $350 million, which could put a dent in the $3 billion budget deficit.

“If you increase the cost of a service by six

percent, then people will consume six percent less and that means less profit for the companies to provide those services,” he said. “It would ultimately be a net drain on hiring and eventually affect tax receipts and revenue.”

Russell said while consumers are taxed on things like software, you’re not taxed on information technology services.

“So if I provide disaster recovery services or cybersecurity, I don’t charge my clients sales tax,” he said. “The tech tax calls for a tax on data center services, consultants and in cybersecurity, it includes engineering services. It’s a pretty broad set of codes.”

Tech groups across the state have voiced their displeasure.

“If adopted, this tax will impact nearly every business in the Commonwealth,” said Amanda Nardi, spokeswoman for the Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies.

The Pittsburgh Technology Council warns taxpayers of the computer services tax passed in 1991 that was eventually repealed.

“Jobs and common sense are really a short answer of why this won’t work,” said Brian Kennedy, a spokesperson for the Pittsburgh Technology Council. He said if passed, the tax in Allegheny County would be 7 percent.

“On purchases in the millions, that becomes highly noticeable,” he said.

Other states have a similar experience with the tech tax. Lawmakers in Oklahoma are considering a tax to close an $820 million budget gap.

Kennedy also said Massachusetts tried a similar 6.25 percent tax in 2013 and hoped to raise $500 million annually. After tech businesses threatened to leave the state, lawmakers eventually repealed the measure before voters ever had their say. It was a similar story in Maryland.

Hawaii and South Dakota have a tech tax. In

Connecticut, the tax is at 1 percent.

Russell said he’s met with Gov. Wolf’s staff and legislators in both the House and Senate, and he said their position is that everyone should pay their fair share.

“My take is we shouldn’t be taxing the growth economy, we should be incentivizing it,” he said.

“All of the companies who provide services that will ultimately move to another state where they won’t be taxed. It’s very easy to move to New Jersey, eastern Ohio, New York or Maryland where those services are not taxed.”

Russell noted that all of this is ‘talk’ and there is no specific proposal yet — nothing is in writing and it’s unclear if the tax percentage could be negotiable.

“We won’t be the ones stopping it,” said Kennedy. “I think anyone looking at the issue understands that this won’t work. The trend is actually to repeal a tax like this, not to pass one.”

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15:51 | GRAHAMTOM

HEALTHCARE

New program to stem shortage of psychiatrists

By Linda Thomas-Hemak, M.D. and Terri Lacey

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15:46 | GRAHAMTOM

JULY 2017

A 2015 white paper published by a physician staffing firm called it a “silent shortage.” In a country gripped by the grim phenomenon dubbed “deaths of despair,” “it” is a severe and underappreciated shortage of the people with the skills and knowledge to reverse the trend. Our region, like the rest of the nation, needs psychiatrists.

How bad is the problem? The late Richard Cooper, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania, a noted national authority on physician supply, distribution and utilization, finds that a population of 100,000 should have 14.7 psychiatrists, or one for every 6,800 people. The counties of northeast Pennsylvania average about 8.5, according to Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care. Moreover, the psychiatrists we have must cope with three of the top 10 diseases most associated with lost quality of life. According to the World Health Organization, “unipolar depressive disorders” are the No. 1 cause of medical disability in the United States. Dementias, including Alzheimer’s, and alcohol-use disorders come in at No. 3 and No. 4. The escalating opioid crisis, no doubt, claims its place as it climbs the rank order.

Despite the suffering and lost years of life caused by (often undiagnosed) behavioral and mental health diseases, we cling to outdated ideas about psychiatry in a fragmented health care system built not on resiliency, but on brokenness. If people just had more willpower and determination, they would “snap out of” their depression.

Addiction is a sign of moral weakness, so patients have only themselves to blame. The persistence of these discredited notions about mental health has led to what should be a national wake-up call — for the first time in decades, mortality rates for a certain U.S. demographic (whites aged 45 to 54) rose by half a percent a year since 1998. The cause of these deaths is overwhelmingly attributed to suicide and addiction. No other rich country has experienced anything like these “deaths of despair.”

As Angus Deaton, an economist, Nobel laureate and co-author of the paper that first identified the trend, told The Washington Post, “That means half a million people are dead who should not be dead.

That’s about 40 times the Ebola stats. You’re getting up there with HIV-AIDS.” Although Deaton’s groundbreaking report was published in 2015, a Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by the Institute for Public Policy and Economic Development in 2012 identified

mental and behavioral health challenges, including higher-than-national-average suicide rates, in our region. That’s when Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine convened an advisory group for the school’s Behavioral Health Initiative. The advisory committee’s charge was to identify gaps in access to mental health services in counties of northeast Pennsylvania. Market intelligence firm Open Minds, working on behalf of the initiative, concluded that a seven-county region of NEPA would need to increase its number of psychiatrists by 40 percent to meet current need. With that data, at the time of its formal launch in 2015, the initiative generated a key recommendation: The school of medicine and the Wright Center should create a psychiatry residency program to train new doctors in this desperately needed specialty. All parties humbly recognized a new psychiatry residency could serve as an educational fulcrum for much larger interprofessional workforce development initiatives by leveraging this powerful, inclusive partnership.

In July, just two years after the initiative’s 2015 launch, we are proud to announce that the Wright Center will welcome four residents to its new, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education accredited psychiatry residency program. The fact that one of these new psychiatry residents is also a 2017 graduate of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine makes this accomplishment more meaningful. Psychiatry training takes four years, so once all four classes are filled, we will train 16 residents here in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre and graduate four new psychiatrists per year.

The school of medicine and the Wright Center have long been partners committed to addressing specific health needs of our community, with a formal commitment solidified in 2015. That’s why we and our initiative partners worked swiftly to establish the psychiatry residency program despite the significant challenges of funding and accreditation. Wide-scale community collaboration, including Scranton Counseling Center’s generosity with the time and the expertise of Sanjay Chandragiri, M.D., our pioneering program director, has generated the opportunity for four new doctors to learn how to treat and heal patients struggling with behavioral health issues. In this way, our community will take an important step toward reducing “deaths of despair” in our region, replacing years lost to disability with years of enhanced health and well-being.

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NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL JULY 2017 11 TS_CNG/ADVERTISING/AD_PAGES [ADB11] | 06/28/17

15:58 | BAIRDATHLE

HEALTHCARE

150,000 signed up to largest health system sequencing project Geisinger Health System recently announced it has reached 150,000 participants in its major biobank and DNA sequencing study known as the MyCode Community Health Initiative.

“This is an important milestone for us and it’s only the beginning,” said David H. Ledbetter, Ph.D., Geisinger executive vice president and chief scientific officer. “Each and every new participant allows us to perform research that will help us find new ways to anticipate or identify sometimes lifethreatening medical conditions early and greatly improve health outcomes.”

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, nearly 2 million people in the United States are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes because they have genetic mutations which predispose them to one of just three conditions: breast and ovarian cancers, Lynch syndrome cancers and hereditary high cholesterol.

These are three key conditions among the total of 27 conditions or diseases that Geisinger is informing MyCode participants about as a result of the nation’s largest genomic sequencing study.

Launched in January 2014 in collaboration with the Regeneron Genetics Center, the population genomics program originally set out to recruit 100,000 new study participants over five years.

That target has been rapidly surpassed and the goal reset to 250,000.

In the past year, MyCode has increased enrollment and expanded its reach from Pennsylvania into Geisinger-affiliated hospitals in New Jersey where, in only eight months of operation, more

By Jon O’Connell

than 8,000 participants have already signed up.

“For me, population health is taking better care of our patients. But it also means anticipating their medical needs when we can,” said Geisinger President and CEO David T. Feinberg, M.D. “We’re one of the only organizations taking a population approach to genomics with our MyCode Community Health Initiative. To me, what we’re doing is really anticipatory medicine. It’s coming up with medically actionable genomic results and giving that information back to our patients. And no one else is doing that on this scale.”

The growing database of information coming out of the MyCode precision health project represents a boon to current and future research but it is also providing Geisinger patients with personalized health care information that is impacting lives and changing health outcomes.

Geisinger patients who participated in the program have had cancers detected earlier than

they might otherwise have been and heart disease identified before any clinical symptoms were present.

Families are discovering possible explanations for medical events in their family histories and learning to take earlier pro-active measures for themselves and for their children.

On the research side, just in the past six months alone important scientific studies resulting from work on MyCode data have been published in major national journals, including Science and the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).

One recent NEJM study found people with certain mutations in a gene associated with cholesterol levels are up to 41 percent less likely to get coronary artery disease, leading to the potential for life-saving new drugs that mimic the effect of the mutations.

For more information or to follow the program’s progress, see: go.geisinger.org/mycode.

Network to acquire orthopedic group An Allentown-based specialty hospital network has entered an acquisition agreement for Scranton Orthopaedic Specialists.

The Dickson City physician group, with 10 orthopedic surgeons, a rheumatologist and a podiatrist, will join Coordinated Health, according to a news release Thursday.

Terms of the acquisition were not released.

Coordinated Health anticipates closing on the agreement Sept. 1.

Coordinated Health, a physician-owned network, has facilities in Pittston and Hazleton, and has been strengthening its position in the northeast part of the state.

12 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B12] | 06/28/17

Cognizant to buy TMG Health

15:51 | GRAHAMTOM

JULY 2017

A multinational company plans to purchase one of Lackawanna County’s largest private employers.

Cognizant, with its world headquarters in Teaneck, New Jersey, has begun the process of acquiring TMG Health, a Conshohocken-based company that services Medicare and Medicaid plans for the government and now employs 1,100 people at its Jessup Operations Center.

TMG also employs about 640 work-from-home employees, with a large share of them from the local area.

Josh Blumenthal, TMG’s vice president of communications, said it’s too early to say whether the acquisition will mean more or fewer jobs from the Jessup site.

“It’s premature to discuss that,” he said. “At this point we are focused on announcing the transaction and beginning the integration process.”

Both companies will remain separate until the transaction closes, Blumenthal said, which is to happen in the third quarter, pending regulatory review.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

“This transaction is about an opportunity to bring together TMG Health’s wealth of government health care business expertise and experience together with Cognizant’s exceptional business expertise,” Blumenthal said.

Cognizant plans to buy TMG from its current parent company, Health Care Service Corp. (HCSC), which has owned the company since 2008.

As part of the acquisition, TMG will enter into a multi-year service agreement to continue work for HCSC. The Fortune 500 company Cognizant provides professional services to companies in a full slate of industries to make their operations more efficient, according its website.

Officials on both sides of the pending deal touted how well TMG bolsters Cognizant’s existing services for government and public health markets.

“Government business lines are expanding, and more payers, big and small, are entering the market,” TMG President and CEO Susan Rawlings Molina said in a statement. “We believe there is a growing opportunity for our experienced teams to work together to help current and future clients succeed in highly-regulated, cost- and compliancedriven markets.”

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15:58 | BAIRDATHLE

TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS

Trends In Technology: Robotics

By Dave Gardner

Programmable robots and the humans who are trained to use them are “joining hands” to enhance the world of industrial automation.

Mike Duffy, founder and CEO of Keystone Automation, emphasized that the implementation of robotics is now the key to modern automation.

This process does not eliminate labor, but evolves the types of personnel needed from unskilled to highly skilled in the operation and maintenance of the equipment.

Duffy is certain that manufacturing of all types must now invest in automation if they are to avoid being overtaken by competitors, with a few exceptions that are steadily shrinking.

“I recently was at a chair factory where the human touch was needed to stretch and apply the fabric,” said Duffy. “This application currently has no chance for automation to be used, but in the future this could change as technology improves.”

The opposite of this exception, according to Duffy, involves his work on an application that resembles a giant warehousing amphitheater. The facility will be used for retail distribution of the new iPhone 8, which technology experts forecast will kindle “insane” levels of sales.

The facility is actually an automated fulfillment center with management system using 23 conveyors to fill the iPhone orders through 128 potential merchandise pick points. A robot will select the proper phone and verify it with a bar code reader that is capable of 100 percent accuracy.

“The system is capable of picking a phone for shipment every five seconds,” said Duffy. “The order is labeled, packed, and made ready for multiple shippers all by automation.”

Duffy emphasized that, as the labor portion of commerce is reduced, maintenance of the equipment becomes vital. Trade schools offering twoyear technical degrees are vital segments of the system to produce this skilled labor which will keep the industrial robots, conveyors, and integrated sensors all operating.

“I’m sorry to say we still do not have enough graduates in industrial automation to meet demand, which is steadily rising,” said Duffy.

He forecasted that, within 20 to 30 years, both market conditions and advancements in automation will create opportunities for large amounts of manufacturing to be on-shored. Transportation

This flying drone, created by a team of Johnson College seniors, was constructed using technologies within the electrical, electronics, machinist, and additive manufacturing technological specialties. Lightweight replacement girders needed after ill-fated flights were then reproduced using additive manufacturing, also known as 3-D printing.

Programmable control advancements Richard Fornes, director of innovation with also creating ceramic parts for jet turbines. costs for finished goods will also play a big role Johnson College, pointed to the newest series of Most of the additive parts are being created in the selection of manufacturing locations, with programmable logic controllers, called the 5000 from different plastics, plus metals, glass and prices for fuel oil a key factor if goods have to be series, as a versatile development in industrial nylon. The materials may include superior UV resis- automation. These controllers function more like shipped around the world. tance, making them suitable for outdoor use.

“Additional opportunities will be created a memory-laden PC than their predecessors, and “China is now printing small 3-D houses,” said are being used in systems dealing with food to on-shore because the number of trained workers overseas who can maintain automation may be lag- Goldstein. “Experiments are also underway with manufacturing to waste water management. ging,” said Duffy. “Therefore, domestic manufactur- 3-D printing of living materials using tissues that The robotic systems these controllers are part ing may register gains if we can pump out enough carry a patient’s own DNA codes, thereby avoiding of are more reliable than the human laborers they the possibility of rejection. Eventually we are going replace. They are still slower than computers, but trained technicians to meet demand.” to see 3-D printed organs.” are continually improving in speed as the chain of Another associated technology at work in the Added opportunities through additive controllers and sensors are improved. commercial arena involves the use of sensors to A cutting-edge technology making its technoThe robotics directed by the sensors and gather data that is integrated with industrial syslogical mark, known as additive manufacturing controllers are also becoming smaller, with system tems to measure information. Joe Ranalli, assistant reliability improved by better static shielding and or simply 3-D printing, uses layer upon layer of professor of engineering at Penn State Hazleton, material that is slowly arranged by a printer under efficient cooling systems. The sensor networks explained that these sensor systems create supethe precise control of a computer. Cole Hastings providing information to the controllers are now a rior ways to use data in process operations.

Goldstein, adjunct instructor of additive manumix of types and can detect size, shape, color, and According to Ranalli, an example of sensor facturing at Johnson College, explained that his surface textures. use already widespread with consumer products school is among those who have ramped up their “We are also seeing safety improvements in the involves automobile sensors that measure the instruction in this technology to stay ahead of the ways robotics can work next to humans with vastly operating conditions of an engine and then pass expanding use of 3-D printing in industry. reduced danger,” said Fornes. “As sensor abilities this data to a central computer which alters the According to Goldstein, additive manufacturimprove, applications become enhanced.” operating points of the engine for maximum ing is now being used for consumer goods parts Fornes agrees with Duffy that, to increase efficiency. Timing and fuel mixtures are varied production, such as soles for shoes or even a enrollments at the nation’s tech schools to fill without the car’s operator being aware the changes workforce demands, parents must understand complete footwear unit. General Motors (GM) and are taking place.

Ford are now producing additive manufactured engine parts to test prototype designs, and GM is An industrial application may involve the use Please see ROBOTICS, Page 15

14 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B14] | 06/28/17

of sensors on solar panels that would provide data about when is best time to clean a panel.

This can allow development of a maintenance schedule that reduces costs while maximizing solar panel efficiency.

Ranalli also reported that advancements in solar cell technology have reduced prices for the electricity they generate to approximately the same level as conventional energy. The national energy grid will undoubtedly continue to utilize conventional energy generation from fossil fuels to maintain base load generation, but multi-junction solar cells that feature sweet molecular spots for maximum electric production in layers will increasingly be used for generation at peak times.

“Large-scale storage of energy is increasingly a reality,” said Ranalli. “One type of system pumps water up into a reservoir during the day using solar power, and then releases the water at night for electric generation.”

15:51 | GRAHAMTOM

JULY 2017

Joe Ranalli, assistant professor of engineering at Penn State Hazleton, reported that advancements in solar cell technology have reduced prices for the electricity they generate to approximately the same level as conventional energy.

Johnson College graduates, from left to right, CJ Bonnaci, Rob Herbster and Aderly Rodriguez, are pictured working on programming a Fanuc LR Mate Robot to perform a pattern trace. Later in the same course, the students had to use the robots to palletize a product.

FROM PAGE 14 technology camp for incoming high school juniors all over as tech careers are discouraged in favor ment to lifelong learning is vital for anyone in the manufacturing does not take place in and seniors. Topics presented at the of four-year degree programs. We are technological arena. He declared that the dirty facilities of past days. Machine camp included lean manufacturing 101 therefore trying to address both kids passion plus knowledge creates an operators are actually programmers with a LEGO airplane simulation, value and parents with career planning, as environment for career success, and who are often physically separated he agrees with his industrial peers that stream mapping with a drone-build we change our overall culture about the from the manufacturing floor, and away simulation, plus plant tours of today’s people without a thirst for education value of a tech education.” from unpleasant environments. modern manufacturers and are increasingly headed into Vierling actually cringes when she Because school districts usually regional advanced manufacdark employment waters. hears commentary that no available jobs measure success by four-year college turing training facilities.

A Johnson operational exist throughout NEPA. She responds Zwanich placement rate, plus a variety of societal tactic prized by Zwanich that unskilled jobs with high pay levels Duffy factors, Fornes expects no big increasSocietal inhibition details how the school uses are actually what has become scarce, es to be logged in the enrollment of industrial advisory commitand that even agricultural science has Lucyann Vierling, executwo-year tech schools. He charges the tees staffed by people in the become very tech-driven and requires tive director of the Wayne United States as a whole is dragging workforce to establish the technical education for success.

Pike Workforce Alliance, its feet with acceptance of technology facets of the school’s varitakes the human side of Moving American society to the Fornes within industry, and said there are no ous technological majors, technology and skill training truth that good jobs require tech trainquick solutions for the plight of Ameritextbooks, tools, and equipfor industry a step further. ing, according to Vierling, is a very lofty cans who are anti-education. ment. In addition, students are required She charges that today’s lack of trained goal. The mass retirements of boomers Goldstein Vierling “I have no idea what we are going to to be educated in English, and special technicians for industry actually has a with industrial maintenance jobs is now do with the uneducated as far as their attention is directed at math-oriented societal root cause, even though the creating mass job openings, provided a place in the technological workforce,” said Fornes. instruction such as statistics. nation’s K-12 schools do routinely offer tools job candidate is properly trained.

Andrew Zwanich, senior director of student “Our students must make multiple speeches such as career readiness planning, career fairs, “The labor market data tells the story,” said Viaffairs at Johnson College, commented that indus- in the classroom, which is not an easy task for job shadowing and industrial field trips. erling. “Since the 1950s, for every master’s degree trial employers no longer want one-dimensional many kids with a technology focus,” said Zwanich.

According to Vierling, career awareness must level job, two bachelor’s degree jobs and seven employees, such as a person solely trained in “This all part of turning out graduates that meet start at the elementary school level and include associate and trade school positions become machinist or electrical technologies. Employers the comprehensive needs of technology-based practical applications of technology. Society must available. We need to fill these jobs with appronow desire to hire people with a blend of related employers.” also be a champion of technological learning. priately trained personnel, but to do this society skills, and to satisfy this need Johnson launched a The Northeastern PA Industrial Resource “Parents sometime interfere actively with a needs to change its outlook.” new curriculum called advanced manufacturing.

Center (NEPIRC) is breaking new ground in the student’s choice of a technology-based career and Zwanich also is preaching that a commitskill training arena by virtue of its recent eight-day a two-year school,” charged Vierling. “We see this

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL JULY 2017 15 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B15] | 06/28/17

15:51 | GRAHAMTOM

BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENT

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15:50 | GRAHAMTOM

JULY 2017

A series of evolving market conditions, movement of goods for e-commerce, and the mounting influence of the millennials are all shaping commercial real estate trends within NEPA. An acceleration of “westward movement” has been recognized by John Cognetti, president of Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate. According to Cognetti, this involves established firms in the metro areas of New York and New Jersey moving out due to astronomical real estate values, soaring operational costs and steep taxes.

These select companies are therefore buying “b-stock” locations with good price points in or near NEPA for relocation. Rail sidings are prized, plus decent ceiling heights, a clean environment, easy truck access, loading docks, natural gas service and ample parking.

“A lack of commercial property listings within NEPA for this relocation is now a reality, and we have been resorting to active recruitment of listings to meet demand,” said Cognetti. “As this relocation trend accelerates, we’re seeing options placed on various industrial properties.”

Prospective players in the medical marijuana market are jostling to get a piece of the action and evaluating how they can retro-fit older NEPA locations for their use. This activity is often suitable for older facilities, provided boundary lines, environmental conditions and data about prior use is all suitable.

“On virtually every sale of a commercial location the banks require an environmental assessment to be completed, so that is nothing new,” said Cognetti. “However, if boundary lines need to be surveyed, that can be expensive.”

Another economic development trend noted by Cognetti involves the expanding ways market data is collected, analyzed and loaded into computer systems as part of industrial forecasting. The efficiency gains made with these data systems virtually guarantee commercial companies will need to employ fewer people as productivity rises and production waste is reduced.

“So much disruption of labor through technology is occurring that radical changes are necessary in the number and types of employees that are needed,” said Cognetti. “This also influences the type of industrial sites that are needed.”

E-commerce power Changing market conditions in the retail industry are directly influencing the NEPA commercial market, according to Jim Cummings, vice president of marketing with Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services. He has noted that, according to Forbes. com, 18 nationally known retailers recently announced plans to close, a total of 2,727 stores.

“These included big names such as JC Penney, Please see REAL ESTATE, Page 24

YOUR GATEWAY TO GROWTH

The Future is

NOW!

By Jeff Blackman

With this month’s Journal’s focus on “technology” and “economic development” — it made me realize…

The battle blazes daily, for quick Internet connectivity. And some Internet providers boast no matter how much your data and Internet needs grow in the foreseeable future, with their solution, you’ll never outgrow the capacity they can provide.

They call this phenomena, “future-proof.”

Hmmm. Interesting language.

So it got me wondering: What are you doing to future-proof your business?

No matter how much your customers, clients and prospects grow, how will YOU be ready to help them?

How are you anticipating needs?

How are you devising innovative solutions?

What trends do you see?

How will you be future-proof?

And in your “present”…

Are you spending more time online, especially corresponding via email with clients, prospects and your team? Thought so.

Here are some guidelines to follow, so you’ll be E-savvy vs. Eeeh sorry!

These 15 simple, yet impactful strategies will make your emails both meaningful and memorable: 1. Be conversational in tone.

2. If you don’t want others to see it, don’t send it. (Remember, it’s called the world wide web for a reason. One click, can quickly cause chaos with consequences!)

3. Create specific and/or creative subject lines, yet nothing that creates confusion, misinterpretation or makes your message appear to be spam.

4. Never be angry, accusatory or sarcastic.

5. Use short sentences. Write in short paragraphs, NOT large blocks of text. Avoid upper case letters, they seem to YELL at you. Use them only for EMPHASIS. 6. Proofread. Knockout typos and bad grammar.

7. Write it, read it, then ask yourself: “Can I make it better?” And “Is there anything that might be misunderstood?”

8. Consider referencing the sender’s specific language, i.e., you place between arrows: >> their question, comment, etc. << then…

Your response. (Perhaps, in another color. This makes it easy, to quickly identify your response.)

9. Have a unique parting salutation, i.e., my use of: Creatively yours, 10. Use a signature block, i.e., with your name, title, contact info, website, favorite quote, an assistant’s contact info, links to social media, product or servicerelated videos, testimonials, etc.

11. CC others who are part of the decision-making process.

12. Keep easy-access desktop files of: template language, as well as key correspondence received and sent.

13. Be patient, use time to your advantage. (While e-mail affords the luxury of instantaneous replies, that immediacy may eliminate the benefits of reflection and deliberation.) Being speedy ain’t the same as being smart.

14. Avoid attached files, (unless they’re necessary and expected). Attachments require the recipient to do one more thing, plus there’s the ever-present fear of the dreaded virus. Also make sure the file can easily be read.

15. When appropriate, include a call-to-action, i.e., either you or the recipient will do something, like; set a date for a meeting, reach agreement on an issue or question, make a decision, promise to send something, honor a deadline or deliverable, etc.

MAKE YOUR MARK

And to help drive your future “economic development”…

Here are excerpts from good stuff I saw several years ago, posted on the walls at Griffin Transport Services in Reno, Nevada: Basic belief statements that underlie the most important attributes, productive employees hold: 1. I know what’s expected of me at work.

2. I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right.

3. At work, I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day.

4. In the last seven days, I’ve received recognition or praise for doing good work.

5. My supervisor or someone at work encourages my development.

6. Someone at work regularly talks to me about my progress.

7. At work, my opinion seems to count.

8. The mission and purpose of my company makes me feel my job is important.

9. My fellow employees are committed to doing quality work.

10. I can always share and discuss work issues with someone at work and find solutions together.

11. This last year, I’ve had opportunities at work to learn and grow.

And posted on another wall, Future is Your Choice n maximize cash flow n beat the business cycle n find customers n lead with confidence and optimism n be ready for recovery

I’ll add to the preceding list: n know, (or ask and discover), what your customers value most about their relationship(s), with YOU and your people, (then do more of it). n find out if YOU or others at your company are doing stuff that bugs ‘em, (first, apologize — then create systems, processes and solutions so they don’t happen again). n uncover what “frustrations” your prospects and customers have with your industry, (then eliminate those industry frustrations to give your company a distinct competitive advantage). n leverage your relationships with your current customers to see how they can benefit from other products/services you offer. n be a referral source for your customers, (introduce them to prospects). n pay close attention to your receivables. n be ready to move fast when you see an opportunity. n leave the doubt and doom to others. n plan for your prosperity. n be grateful for all that you still have, knowing, you’ve got time to “be more” and “make more.” n therefore, it’s time to “think more” and “do more.”

VISTAGE

NEPA

Business leaders seeking higher performance, better results and a greater return on equity For information, contact David Farrington david.farrington@vistage.com 570 878 1654

Jeff is a Hall of Fame speaker, Vistage Fast-Track Speaker of the Year, bestselling author, success coach, broadcaster and lawyer. His clients call him a business-growth specialist. If you hire speakers, please contact Jeff at: 847.998.0688 or jeff@jeffblackman.com. And visit jeffblackman.com to learn more about his other business-growth tools and to subscribe to Jeff’s FREE e-zine, The Results Report. Jeff’s bestselling books include; Stop Whining! Start Selling! and Peak Your Profits. You can also stay connected with Jeff via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter: @BlackmanResults

Landmark Community Bank supports technology and economic advancements that help secure a better tomorrow for everyone. Since the bank was founded in 2001, we’ve been thinking about the future, not only from the bank’s perspective, but from yours as well.

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NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL JULY 2017 17 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B17] | 06/28/17

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Amazon dives into groceries with Whole Foods

By Roger Meiners, University of Texas Arlington, AP

Amazon became a major player in the supermarket business overnight after the online retailer said it was buying upscale grocery chain Whole Foods for $13.7 billion, including debt, a premium of 27 percent over Whole Foods’ presale share price. The purchase would be Amazon’s biggest ever. The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts, recently asked economist Roger Meiners to explain what Amazon gets out of it and why Whole Foods agreed to sell.

Why would Amazon pay so much for bricks and mortar?

Buying Whole Foods gives Amazon 465 premier locations immediately. Whole Foods will continue to sell food, but as an Amazon subsidiary there is a chance to experiment with other facets of Amazon’s retailing experience. In other words, Amazon sees more than just a grocery subsidiary in Whole Foods.

Amazon has already been experimenting on its own with, for example, Amazon Go, which opened in its hometown of Seattle as a beta program for the company’s employees. Shoppers must use the Amazon Go app, which features “just walk out” technology that automatically detects all the products they’ve taken off the shelves. Amazon then simply charges their account for whatever items they leave with.

So with Whole Foods, Amazon could try this with prepared foods. Busy people could walk in on their lunch break, pick up what they want and walk out without having to wait in a checkout line. And now Amazon can do this on a much larger scale and won’t have to build a network of stores from scratch.

In addition, Whole Foods has a strong brand and above-average income clientele willing to pay a premium for groceries— and perhaps much else.

After all, its nickname isn’t “whole paycheck” for nothing.

Is there a risk that increased automation will lead to job losses at Whole Foods, an issue facing the entire economy in coming years as more tasks are replaced by robots?

I don’t think this is a big risk for Whole Foods.

There’s only so much automation can do in the grocery business. The company will still need

Amazon’s planned $13.7 billion acquisition of Whole Foods signals a massive bet that people will opt more for the convenience of online orders and delivery or in-store pickup, putting even more pressure on the already highly competitive industry. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) can order some cheap trinket and have it delivered “free” by UPS within two days. Yet sometimes the goods cost less than what Amazon pays for shipFood delivery has failed before, so why does ping, and that’s a large cost the retailer would like to reduce.

Amazon think it might work now?

Thus Whole Foods stores could give Amazon a Food delivery was tried before, back in the dotnew delivery outlet to cut these costs. For example, com era in the late 1990s. as an alternative to home delivery, Amazon could The promise was that everything was going to allow customers to pick up their package at the be ordered online and delivered, including grocernearest Whole Foods and earn bonus points or ies. As you may remember from that era’s bubble some other reward for helping the retailer reduce bursting, it did not work all that well back then.

One problem for delivered foods in particular is its shipping costs.

As most of us go grocery shopping a lot more that people worry that they will be given lower-qualthan we shop for clothing, the attractiveness of ity fruits and vegetables. When we go to the store, picking up deliveries at Whole Foods stores seems we can choose what we like and pick only highquality produce. Seeing the Whole Foods brand on clear.

As does the attractiveness of Amazon’s the grocery bag likely reduces this concern, which purchase, which clearly wasn’t about quantity. If it may encourage online grocery orders.

And another element of success is the physical had been, Amazon might have purchased children’s clothing chain Gymboree, which just filed for Chaplocations themselves, something that has helped ter 11 bankruptcy protection, with its 1,281 stores grocery delivery service Peapod expand in recent years. Amazon may see that as a model for Whole (it plans to close as many as 450 of them).

Rather, Amazon wanted a high-end grocery Foods. chain with convenient parking to provide a more attractive locale for foot traffic to pick up orders.

What other benefits might Amazon obtain?

Whole Foods’ physical stores could also allow Should we be concerned that Amazon will Amazon to reduce reliance on UPS and other have a monopoly on the economy along with delivery services.

As it is now, Amazon Prime customers like me Google and Apple? people to prepare the meals, for example, even if it won’t need as many cashiers.

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These companies, which were modest a decade ago, are now among the largest organizations in the world. There is concern — fueled in part by purchases like this one — that they will control too much as the tech companies take over the world.

That, in my opinion, is an old saw. We have heard the scaremongers throughout history. Remember when IBM was the dominant company in the computer market? It is just part of the evolution of business that goes back to economist Joseph Schumpeter’s idea of creative destruction.

Old grocery stores may fall by the wayside as people choose new modes of delivery for goods they want. But Amazon, with Whole Foods, isn’t alone in going this way. Other companies are experimenting in these areas as well, such as Walmart, and smaller, nimbler businesses like Peapod will always be nipping at the giants’ heels.

Or these giants may become dinosaurs and unable to react to new conditions. No company stays dominant forever.

Why would Whole Foods sell itself?

Whole Foods CEO and co-founder John Mackey had recently been fending off a serious threat from investors who wanted to force a sale of the chain or a big boardroom shakeup, including his ouster. While he had been publicly resisting their efforts, it’s hard to know if he was just sick of fighting or not.

But in the end, Mackey negotiated a premium sale price and gets to keep his job as CEO of his “baby” as part of one of the most valued and innovative companies in the world. That must offer some personal satisfaction.

And while he may think he’s taking Whole Foods into the future of retail, he may also be taking it back in time, to the bygone era of general stores, where you could get just about anything. In some locales, it even served as the post office too — it’s almost like a template for the virtual general store Amazon has become.

Whole Foods may bring this concept back to actual brick and mortar. In old westerns, there was always a general store where you could get crackers and a lasso. The same might be true about the new incarnation of Whole Foods. You could stop in to get organic crackers and pick up the exercise rope you ordered from Amazon.

This article was originally published on The Conversation.

EDUCATION

Lackawanna College To Begin Work On ‘Scranton Center’ This Fall the building more support, especially after a previous subsidence caused problems.

Before Lackawanna College students eat “We just want to make sure everything in a new dining hall or cook in new culinary is nice and firm as we go,” Volk said. “It just program kitchens, the school must ensure a makes sense to take care of that now.” solid foundation.

In March, Scranton City Council voted to The college purchased the Scranton Center allow the city to seek a $3 million state grant — two office buildings and a courtyard on for the “Commons at 409” project. the 400 block of Adams Avenue — in 2014.

A more spacious and modern dining hall on Officials plan to start renovating the two-story the second floor will replace the cafeteria used structure in September, after crews complete by students for decades when the main buildwork to minimize potential problems from mine ing was Scranton’s Central High School. voids below.

“The new dining commons is tremendous,” The first phase of the project includes Volk said. “We’ve been too small and not updating the 1970s building and adjoining had the ability for many years to address the courtyard. After construction begins this fall, dietary needs of our students ... this is a great the $14 million project should be complete in upgrade.” eight to nine months, college President Mark The first floor will feature state-of-the-art Volk said. kitchens for the culinary program, including a Crews completed underground testing in the baking and pastry kitchen. fall and now are pumping a concrete mixture “They’ll be thrilled to get in there,” Volk said. into holes drilled far below. The work will give Plans for the second phase — the renovaBy Sarah Hofius Hall

State university officials push for affordable education

By Debra Erdley, Tribune-Review, AP Faculty and administration officials with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education made their case for boosting college affordability to the state House Democratic Policy Committee.

Kenneth Mash, president of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties, the union that represents faculty members and coaches at the 14 state-owned universities, warned that the state could face serious long-term economic consequences for failing to support its public universities.

He said recent surveys of state support for public universities pegged Pennsylvania 47th out of 50 in terms of support per student. Resulting increases in tuition, fees and room and board have made it harder than ever for working-class families to afford college, he said.

“Pennsylvania is truly at a crossroads,” Mash said.

He said the university system faces serious financial challenges despite a proposed 2 percent increase in state subsidies next year.

“It’s a good place to start, but it keeps us at 1999 funding levels,” Mash said.

He said five universities including Cal U, Clarion, Edinboro, Cheyney and Mansfield are weighing layoffs and program eliminations,

based on current funding projections.

Mark Price, a labor economist with the Keystone Research Center, told the House panel the state has dramatically reduced support for higher education as a percentage of the spending over the last 30 years.

“If we look at the state appropriation versus the (state) GDP, it is 42 percent of the level it was in 1983-94,” Price said. His group recommends raising new funds for higher education through a severance tax on natural gas, and a raise in personal income taxes on capital gains and investment income.

Lawmakers, however, have been reluctant to discuss new sources of revenue for the schools.

So the State System Board of Governors, the appointed board charged with system oversight, is exploring various options as it awaits a report from an independent consultant that will outline recommendations for future operations.

The board last spring hired the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems at a cost for $396,000 to review everything from the location and number of campuses necessary for optimal operations to programs offered. That report is due July 31.

State system spokesman Kenn Marshall said a preliminary report from the Colorado-based education think tank is expected by July 13.

Lackawanna College plans to renovate the former Adams Plaza complex at 401-409 Adams Ave., more recently known as the Scranton Center. Photo by Jim Lockwood. tion of the six-story building on Mulberry Street ment of administrative offices to open up more and Adams Avenue — are still in development. classroom space in existing buildings.

“We’re going to brighten up that corner,” Volk expects the building to include space for Volk said. the college’s police academy and the move-

FORENSIC SCIENCE

Luzerne.edu

This fall 2017, Luzerne County College will offer an associate in science (AS) degree in Forensic Science.

The new degree program is designed to prepare students with the required background for successful transfer to a baccalaureate program through classroom instruction and laboratory experience, using a variety of equipment including NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), IR (Infrared Radiation), and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction).

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TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS

Tech Gets: What We Need, What We Don’t Need

your traditional workstations and other office environments.”

Technology continues its ever-changing advanceToday business owners need to determine ments, with updated and new features, faster speeds how to secure telephones, tablets and other mobile and more mobility in many of its offerings. equipment while controlling expenses and still giving For many in the business world, that advancement customers what they need in a timely fashion. can become an expensive proposition if people buy Andrews recommends businesses work closely into getting the newest and the best available. with software vendors to incorporate, update and Evaluating your actual needs versus your wants maintain security measures to protect data from theft, can go a long way toward reducing that expense viruses and other potential maladies. He urges users while still improving your productivity, efficiency and regularly install software updates and patches. profitability.

“It’s a moving target,” he said. “At the end of the Although every business has its own specific day, the best person to protect your information is needs, industry experts offer some guidance on what you.” many business do need…and what they don’t.

Protecting your information is only part of the “Because business is changing so quickly and equation of what businesses need. there are just so many options out there for people to “From our perspective, you don’t need to spend a get goods and services, companies need to be able million dollars,” said Risa Schatz, owner of 7th Level to be flexible more so now than ever before,” said Technologies, Sugarloaf, Luzerne County. “The botNathan Andrews, process improvement specialist and tom line is you need to keep your employees working IT manager for Northeastern Pennsylvania Manufacas efficiently as possible.” turers and Employers Association, Pottsville. “They That efficiency begins with the correct hardware to need to rely on technology to allow them to do those maintain or improve productivity. kinds of things, whether it be to communicate or what “If you want your employees to be working is needed to build processes, sales orders, to being efficiently, you do need to have some modern equipable to make changes very quickly to accommodate ment, a modern operating system,” Schatz said. what changes the customer is asking for.”

“That doesn’t mean you have to go out and spend Embracing mobility tops the list of business thousands and thousands of dollars on the best proneeds when it comes to keeping current with today’s cessor. You have to tailor it toward what applications technology. they are using and what they are doing day to day. The “You have people using cell phones, tablets and same thing goes to Internet speed. Paying more for iPads much more than your traditional laptops and a higher-tier package does not mean that you are not PCs,” Andrews said. “Traditionally we were using going to get the computer to open applications faster laptops and desktops to do a lot of our day-to-day because it depends on the hardware in that machine.” work whereas we are at a point now where we’re Hardware such as external hard drives, servers transferring to more and more to a mobility side. That and USB flash drives represent technologies that have presents some new issues for IT people because evolved as a backup source for many businesses to in the past we’ve always focused our attention on protect against data loss. Schatz recommends more. security and accessibility and things like that from “Having a good offsite data backup that is en-

By Kathy Ruff

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crypted, that goes offsite pretty much every night and does file versioning is really to us, the most vital thing a business can have these days,” she said.

Schatz also suggests businesses use a combination of onsite and cloud-based alternatives to expand that data protection. For example, online platforms such as Office 365 cloud exchange or Google’s business provide spam filters, anti-virus protection and data backup capabilities for e-mail. For small businesses, DropBox or Google Drive offer storage in the cloud.

“Gone are the days of let’s put it on a USB stick,” Schatz said. “They are mechanical devices. It’s not that you can’t do that but you want to have a digital backup somewhere so a cloud version, encrypted is so huge now. It’s so important.”

Savvy business owners put higher priorities on technologies that help the business do something more efficiently, faster and less expensively.

“Underlying that (technology) has to be a business efficiency, something that’s solving a problem in the marketplace, something that’s making an existing process more efficient,” said Scott Stiner, CEO and president of UM Technologies, Moosic. “That’s the underlying value of how companies use software nowadays. So if you are in the fashion business or energy business or widget manufacturing business, if you can find a technology that does it with less hands touching it, you’re going to increase your accuracy.

You’re going to increase your efficiency; you’re going to increase your speed. Businesses look for those types of solutions.”

Businesses want those solutions to be simple to use, intuitive and secure. While most people use e-mail, an office suite of products and cell phones, users may not need all the bells and whistles offered.

“The very basic functions seem to be crowded out by all those additional features that get into the i-phone and it can become frustrating,” Stiner said.

“There is a limit a user can take if you’re looking for one basic thing and that’s going to satisfy your user experience. A lot of the other stuff can become noise.

Somebody doesn’t want to spend $700 when they can spend $99 because they’re going to use it very simply. I don’t think there’s one magic pill that solves everybody’s problems.”

To make the best use of technology and determine what you need and what you don’t, investing in the advice of an expert may save you money and uncover options you may not have considered.

“There’s definitely a lot of noise on what is needful and what is not,” said Michael Pickreign, chief technology expert at tech42, LLC, Dunmore. “We see a lot of what we refer to as ‘Cousin Eddies’ in the industry where their receptionist’s father’s brother’s former roommate twice removed knows something about computers and does it for them. It’s usually a pretty economical solution for the company but a ton of things get overlooked because they are not in the industry day in and day out. They are putting in home solutions rather than commercial solutions. Probably over time, the company spends more money on those solutions there than they would with us.” tech42 offers an assessment of your business needs, commercial-grade solutions for the small business market and IT management services primarily to professional companies for a cost-effective flat monthly fee.

“What everybody does need is someone who really has a good footing and understanding in the marketplace and in the industry,” Pickreign said.

“Look for and talk to other companies that have used a given vendor. Find somebody who has a good track record in what they do and has customers that will validate them. Don’t hire somebody off the street.

Technology is very complicated. There are a lot of moving parts and definitely need people that know and understand.”

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TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS

When customers forget their passwords, business suffers

By Tim Johnson, McClatchy Washington Bureau (TNS)

A lot of money goes unspent in the online world for a simple reason: Shoppers can’t remember their passwords.

The average person is registered to 90 online accounts requiring passwords, and the number keeps growing. Few people remember so many passwords.

“About a third of online purchases are abandoned at checkout because consumers cannot remember their passwords,” a study conducted jointly by MasterCard and the University of Oxford says.

Experts in electronic commerce say major online vendors stand to lose a lot of shoppers if they don’t take corrective action.

“For most sites, it would be a multimillion-dollar loss, if not higher,” said Christian Holst, a co-founder of Baymard Institute, an independent research entity in Frederiksberg, Denmark that conducts large-scale tests on usability of e-commerce sites.

Passwords are only part of the problem, but a

major one. Consumers just can’t remember them all, and most online vendors, banks, airlines and others require them. So 51 percent of people use similar passwords over and over, the study found.

“They are variations of passwords they’ve used for many years. They keep changing the number (at the end) of the password from 1 to 2 to 3 to 4, or move through different special characters,” said Ryan Wilk, vice president of customer success at NuData Security, a Vancouver firm that helps companies identify online users based on passive biometrics and behavioral analytics.

“Quite often, people will use the same variation of a similar password across the board and will modify that password’s strength based on the requirements of a site,” Wilk said.

“Twenty-one percent of users forget passwords after 2 weeks, and 25 percent forget one password at least once a day,” the study found.

When online shoppers get into the digital checkout funnel of an e-commerce site but then give up because of a roadblock, it is called “cart abandonment.”

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It doesn’t take much for users to walk away from their e-shopping carts. Online sites routinely have different requirements for passwords. Some demand that they be a certain length. Others require alphanumeric combinations. Still others ask for a symbol to be included.

It is all in the name of security.

Online businesses don’t want to deal with fraudsters. And consumers don’t want their credit card data stolen from businesses by hackers.

So users come up with coping strategies. Some shoppers simply hit password reset. But that can bring other problems.

“Some users will start to get impatient after just one or two minutes,” Holst said. “Users are extremely impatient online.”

At some sites, those who reset passwords must wait to receive an email, and sometimes they have to reply to another confirmation email.

“What we’re asking them to do is to stare at the screen for several minutes. One or two minutes will feel like five minutes,” he said.

Baymard says it sees an 18.75 percent abandonment rate due to reset email issues.

Potential customers, even after committing to buy something online, are in what e-commerce developer Nirav Sheth calls “a fragile state.”

“Any little excuse can cause them to abandon.

They are questioning: Do I really want this? Do I really need this?” said Sheth, owner of Anatta Design, an e-commerce design and development agency in Los Angeles.

Outlets that streamline the checkout process, and offer forgetful users a “guest checkout” option if they’ve forgotten their passwords tend to succeed more, he said.

They focus on having a customer “think less and do less” and are “constantly showing them success messages, things like ‘Hey, you did it right!’ It’s almost like treating them a little bit like a baby, guiding them,” Sheth said.

Other issues that can cause shoppers to jump out of the checkout line, experts say, is lack of

information about shipping costs and failure to streamline the “clicks” needed to finish a purchase.

“Amazon is famous for their one click, where they can recognize that it is you. You’re able to transact with all your stored information. They know all the history of what you’ve looked at,” Wilk said.

But if you’re a new customer, it’s a different story.

“You’re almost in Amazon’s learning phase. They’re learning who you are.

They are learning if they trust you. It’s almost that you have to teach Amazon for a while when you’re a new customer or a non-repeat customer,” Wilk said.

Some websites, particularly those of financial institutions, are leaning more on passive authentication of users, taking sensor data from smartphones or desktop computers of those visiting their websites. But e-commerce sites are also experimenting.

“We’re seeing a lot of adoption right now,” Wilk said.

Smartphones have as many as 10 different sensors in them measuring motion, location, angle of the phone, pressure on the screen, ambient light and other attributes. Some websites can extract that data, at least partially, to help identify and profile a user.

“They can look at many different data points within the device, everything that the device is making publicly available, so things like pressure on the screen when you’re typing, how you swipe, and different angles of how you hold your phone.

Do you appear to be right-handed or left-handed?”

Wilk said.

Such passive biometric data, when compiled by analytic software, can help retailers, bankers and other institutions be assured of the identity of their customers.

“It doesn’t exactly say it is you. But if you see that the person who’s trying to authenticate is righthanded, and all of a sudden you see the device in a left-handed configuration, you can very easily see that it’s a different human interacting,” Wilk said.

BUSINESS PROFILE

David Kirkland, Greiner Packaging

By Kathy Ruff

Kirkland Education/ Experience:

“We can each define ambition and progress for ourselves. The goal is to work toward a world where expectations are not set by the stereotypes that hold us back, but by our personal passion, talents and interests.”

— Sheryl Sandberg, author and COO, Facebook David Kirkland, president of Greiner Packaging USA, Pittston, knows first-hand the value of ambition and progress.

In an ever-changing world of business, Kirkland proved anything is possible with ambition and commitment. It also doesn’t hurt when others believe in you and support you along the way.

Kirkland’s journey began during his senior year in high school. Greiner Packaging UK, a plastic packaging manufacturer based in Dungannon, Northern Ireland, reached out to schools and the community as part of its corporate social responsibility and employee recruitment efforts.

“My final year in school, I happened to visit Greiner as part of a tour,” he said. “In general, in Europe it’s a little bit of a different philosophy. The schools and manufacturing would work closely together. Apprenticeship programs are quite common and normal. Every year the company makes a presentation to the local schools but also there’s an open connection between the schools and the manufacturing companies.”

Kirkland learned a job was available at Greiner and the rest is history.

“I started my career basically out of high school as an apprentice and I managed to work my way up the company,” he said. “I often said when I graduate high school that would potentially be a good place to work.

On my graduation, there was an opening. I applied. I finished high school on a Thursday and started with Greiner on Monday.”

That was June 2003. Fast-forward 14 years. That apprentice now holds the title of president of Greiner Packaging USA. “I have had different positions eventually becoming the CEO of our manufacturing site,” Kirkland said. “If I hadn’t been on that school tour, I probably would have never ended up working for Greiner. “ Those different positions began as a tooling technician as part of Greiner Gold Program, a tried and proven apprenticeship program that allows employees to earn while they learn.

“The program is not a standard apprenticeship program,” Kirkland said. “It’s not a one-stop shop. A traditional apprenticeship is only focused on one skill,

electrical or maybe welding. You only see one area of the business. We are very, very different.”

Kirkland calls it a modern apprenticeship program.

“What that means is you’re not focused on one area for your apprenticeship duration,” he said. “You get two or three years to work in different departments.

That gives you a very, very deep understanding of the business from really early on, which is really not common.”

Kirkland’s participation with the apprenticeship program provided a wide and overall picture of the entire business, one that charted the course for his ongoing success.

“Just by natural selection everybody has a slightly different direction that they want to go in and it works,” he said. “We offer in this program diversity. As you’re coming toward the end of the initial apprenticeship, you start to hone in on the specialty area. After two years you say, I really like electronics and this third year you focus 100 percent in electronics but you still have that value of understanding the different areas. That’s really a big difference in our apprenticeship program.”

Kirkland knew from his initial hiring he wanted to get into precision engineering design, one of many areas his apprenticeship allowed him to investigate.

During his first 11 years in Northern Ireland, Kirkland learned about the business as a tooling technician before earning promotions to senior technician, moulding manager and engineering manager. By August 2014, Kirkland learned and earned his way to chief operating officer of Greiner Packaging USA, becoming president in January 2017.

“It’s not just a one-way channel,” he said. “As you shine or excel in an area, it’s very easy to see if that’s the direction you’re going to go. I don’t think that’s a

common approach in America. It’s a modern apprenticeship with a real good overview of the business, the production and technical side of the business.”

Kirkland’s ambition to pursue precision engineering remained with him, even after his exposure to all the different disciplines available at the company during his initial apprenticeship.

“After I finished my apprenticeship after three years, I focused on precision engineering for the following three years and really started to specialize within the company,” he said. “I didn’t stop after my three years. Greiner continued to support my education development for a further four years.”

During that time, Kirkland moved around to different departments, taking his ambition, commitment and talents with him.

“I wanted to excel myself,” he said. “I wanted to grow. As you prove yourself in a position, there’s always a door that opens for the next promotion. I think that’s important. It’s not finished after three years.

I would like to think even today I am not done. We never slow down.”

Kirkland now works to bring the opportunities he received as an apprentice to those in Greiner’s Pittston facility.

“We actually pay the apprentice but also support them financially through their education, which is important,” he said. “Basically, you’re earning while you’re learning. With the Greiner Gold, financially you get paid. You’re making money as you’re learning. You’re not accumulating debt as you’re learning.”

The company’s Greiner Gold apprenticeship program currently has two students enrolled and hopes to have two more beginning in fall. The company partnered with Luzerne County Community College to

Greiner Packaging UK, Dungannon, NI: June 2003 - March 2010: tooling technician.

Initial 3-year apprenticeship in tool making; thereafter responsible for maintenance and preparation of all tools of thermoforming department.

March 2010 - March 2012: senior technician.

Project work and continuous improvement implementation in thermoforming department.

March 2012 - June 2013: moulding manager.

Responsible for injection moulding/IML and extrustion blow moulding.

June 2013 - Aug. 2014: engineering manager. Responsible for engineering activity on site.

Greiner Packaging USA, Pittston, PA: Aug. 2014 - Dec. 2016: chief operating officer.

Jan. 2017 - Present: president. offer a two-year advanced mechatronics degree as part of a three-year apprenticeship program with mentors and in-house training at Greiner’s Pittston facility.

Participants of the program get paid to work and Greiner pays for the college education.

“You just have to be a good worker, turn up, advance yourself, be committed to the company and there is really no limitation as to where this will go,” he said, a walking example of the possibilities.

“There are many, many doors open within our company,” he said. “As an employee, I always feel that the door is never closed. I’m never stuck in a job for the rest of my life. Internal growth and development is hugely important right to the top of the company. We have such a strong belief in investing in our people because that is what allows us to grow the company.”

Greiner is growing fast, according to Kirkland.

“We are expanding all the time, setting up new locations, buying new locations,” he said. “To make that company growth, we need good people and that’s what the benefit (of Greiner Gold) is for the company.

It’s a win-win relationship if it’s treated right on both sides.”

Greiner Packaging USA employs more than 70 people at its 220,000 square-foot facility in Pittston.

The plastic packaging manufacturer serves the food market with 70 percent of its business targeted to yogurt and the dairy industry.

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continues to grow across the country, we expect all of the communities along the I-81 Corridor to be in contention for new fulfillment centers.

is still needed, such as the executive offices, but open bench desking and a Payless ShoeSource, Radio Shack, Macy’s, The quiet huddle room often is becoming Limited, Staples and Gander Mountain,” said Cumthe norm. mings.

“The workers can then use the Retail analysts agree the United States has been huddle room for quiet and privacy or to Millennial power “overstored” for several years. However, the most make phone calls,” says Luikart.

The nation’s millennials, now enterpowerful force causing the retail contraction is an ing the workforce in great numbers, are Stiff competition for skilled emCognetti explosion of e-commerce that now allows consumalso a force commercial real estate playployees is also playing a role in office ers to comparison shop, find the lowest price and ers must contend with. Denise Luikart, demands. In particular, larger companies place an order that is shipped to their doorstep in associate principal and interior designer are striving to land talent, and recognias little as 24 hours. with Highland Associates, explained that tion of the need for a specific type of According to Cummings, national retailers specific demands for interior design still office environment has become part of are therefore occupying millions of square feet of depend on individual client tastes and the labor equation. distribution space near interstates and major metro predictable demographics, but metro Even in health care, where facilareas, and his firm often entertains square footage appetites are seeping into NEPA. ity dollars can be tight and regulation demands of 300,000 to perhaps one million to creCummings With millennial workers one of these is active, managers have recognized ate fulfillment centers where e-commerce orders trends is called bench-style desking, the need to create a specific environcan be processed and products quickly shipped to particularly when office space is expenment as care systems function within a consumers. These companies typically search the sive. Bench desks allow companies to free-market hospitality environment and I-81 Corridor and I-78 Corridor from Harrisburg to accommodate more workers for each must compete for customers. Inevitably the Lehigh Valley to northeastern Pennsylvania to square foot, witch also make sense patient satisfaction controls the flow of find sites that meet their requirements for logistics, because the millennials as a group are dollars through care, and the demands labor, taxes, operating costs and quick delivery. usually not concerned with privacy or of the patients must be met to build “Northeastern Pennsylvania is benefitting from adhering to an assigned space. repeat business. this activity with firms such as Boden USA, Amazon.

Luikart An open office environment can “It’s also interesting how urban com, Chewy.com, American Eagle Outfitters and therefore be installed for these youths. locations are making a comeback,” said the city, and this is breathing new life into a lot of others who have opened e-commerce fulfillment Limited availability of some private office spaces Luikart. “The millennials want to live and work in urban real estate.” centers here,” said Cummings. “As e-commerce REAL ESTATE continued from page 16

Nominate Now!!

NEPA’s Top 20 Under 40 December 2017

Top 20 Under 40 is the Business Journal’s annual salute to Northeast Pennsylvania’s Best and Brightest young stars in business. We'll feature 20 of these professionals in a special publication in our December edition.

Send your nomination to the Business Journal with a detailed description as to why your nominee is deserving of this honor. Be sure to include your business/cell phone number and email address.

Send to: biz570@timesshamrock.com

Nomination Deadline: October 31

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JULY 2017

Midway Shopping Center sold for $17.6 million

By Denise Allabaugh

The Midway Shopping Center in Wyoming has been sold for more than $17 million, according to a property transfer from the Luzerne County Recorder of Deeds office.

SIN Ventures Midway LLP has sold the shopping center to Endeavor Equities, a privately held company in New York, according to a press release from CBRE Group, a Los Angeles real estate services and investment firm that handled the transaction.

The total amount of the sale was $17,555,000, according to the property transfer.

CBRE Executive Vice President Brad Nathanson negotiated the sale of the 226,894-square-foot shopping center at 1026 Wyoming Ave. on behalf of the seller and procured the buyer.

The sale marked the fifth property Nathanson said he has sold on behalf of SIN Ventures over the last two years to close out their retail fund.

SIN Ventures was formed in 2006 to acquire a national portfolio of shopping centers with a 10-year horizon on their fund and all have been sold, he said. Among the tenants in the Midway Shopping Center are Price Chopper, Bon-Ton and Harbor Freight, which have recently extended their leases, Nathanson said.

“We had very strong interest in the asset given the preferred choice in today’s market is to own grocery-anchored assets,” Nathanson said. “With the Price Chopper, Bon-Ton and Harbor Freight recently extending their leases and committing to the market, the asset was very favorable in providing attracting returns for a secondary market. With the abundance of national tenants overall in the asset, it attracted national interest.”

The Midway Shopping Center was built in 1970 and renovated in 2000. It is 93 percent occupied, according to CBRE Group.

The shopping center also houses CVS Pharmacy, Dollar Tree, Burger King, M&T Bank, Pet Valu, Payless ShoeSource, Angelo’s Restaurant, Hong King Chinese restaurant, Super Bounce, Midway Beverage and a liquor store.

Lauren Woodard: Lavish Body & Home

By Carolyn Giordano

Lauren Woodard is the co-owner of Lavish Body and Home, located in downtown Scranton.

Lavish is a unique hybrid space, both a full-service salon and high-end retail boutique. The boutique offers jewelry, accessories, loungewear, a men’s department, home décor, and body-care lines.

The store carries upscale items, from lines that consumers can’t find anywhere else. Woodard describes Lavish as “a very miniature department store.” The two aspects of the business are designed to feed and complement each other while offering clients a truly “Lavish” experience.

Co-owning the business with her husband Micah, Woodard is from Point Pleasant, New Jersey and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in family counseling. Although Woodard’s degree is not typical of a business woman, she has used her schooling to form a relationship with her clients that goes beyond business. Woodard takes pride in the notion that Lavish is not only a business, but a personal experience between the two aspects of the store and her clients. Prior to owning Lavish, Woodard certainly had plenty of experience in both the retail world, as well as the beauty industry.

Woodard has previously worked many smaller jobs in retail, and received her skin care certification working as an esthetician.

Woodard purchased Lavish from its previous owners three years ago. Prior to purchasing Lavish, Woodard had been a successful employee of the store, working as a part time manager and eventually becoming a full-time manager. When the previous owners were ready to sell, Woodard got the call. Lavish had become such a part of her that the decision was an easy one, one that she never saw coming but ended up being perfect. Of course nothing is ever actually perfect, and there certainly were some bumps in the road.

Carolyn Giordano and Lauren Woodard.

Purchasing the business itself, Woodard says, was the most intimidating part. More stressful than even running your own. After the purchase it was up to Woodard to make sure that the business was successful. Being a mother and having a career is certainly not easy, however Woodard was determined to make it work. Knowing that the majority of small businesses which remained successful were hybrid spaces, Lavish’s original structure as a salon as well as a retail boutique remained. Today, Woodard struggles with the ever-changing trends in consumer habits, as well as the trends in the beauty industry. With the rise of internet shopping and next day shipping, there has been a change in people’s mentality towards retail. Woodard noticed that previously sold high-end necessities weren’t selling as well as they had been in the past, in order to adapt, the store made a shift toward unique gifts.

Woodard embraces each shift in trends saying “it makes it fun constantly changing, shifting, having to reinvent.” As far as the beauty industry is concerned, Woodard strives to find the balance between staying on top of trends and staying current, however not at the risk of getting too caught up in them.

Woodard is always looking to continue to reinvent and grow both the store and salon. While the salon has just been recently redone, her ultimate goal is to be able to offer an experience to clients, not only a service. Woodard believes this is what stands out to clients.

For women entrepreneurs, or entrepreneurs in general, Woodard offers a few pieces of advice.

Always reevaluate every aspect of your business.

Even when things are good, you can always be working to make sure each aspect is working in the best possible way. This advice is evident in the salon as well as the store, where it is clear that the time Woodard dedicates to making sure her business is functioning as well as possible is being well spent.

You can check out everything Lavish has to offer at their store, located at 600 Linden Street Scranton, PA and on their website, lavishbodyhome.com. They can also be found on Facebook (Lavish Body & Home :: The Salon at Lavish) and Instagram (lavishbodyhome).

SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT IS ON...

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The steps that go into a comprehensive plan Owls Sleep Solutions in the hopes that they could to get your child to sleep through the night are a teach infants or children proper sleep habits and combination of sleep education, along with comachieve a better-quality life for families. mitment and consistency. Your child’s age and personality, as well as your particular parenting Can you tell us about Little Night Owls Sleep style also play a role.

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We help families nurture their child’s sleep by Families with children of all ages can participate creating a customized sleep plan, where we gather in our program. We primarily deal with children unevery detail of baby’s days, nights, temperament der the age of five and we’ve worked with children and eating habits. The plans include guidance on age-appropriate wake times, a coordinated feed and as old as eight. sleep schedule, and bedtime/naptime strategies How do you envision the Chamber helping to help baby learn self-soothing for independent your business in the future? sleep. We also offer specific follow up support via Simply by letting people know that this service phone and email to answer questions, navigate exists. Neither one of us knew about sleep educaany hurdles and motivate until all sleep goals are tion when we were expectant parents. We believe achieved. We are there to guide families through that letting other tired parents know that help is out the innumerable “what ifs” in a way that a book there will help us reach more families. cannot.

Madison Township littlenightowls.com Member Since 2016

Carolyn Giordano is a University of Scranton Women’s Entrepreneurship Center intern who works under the supervision of Donna Simpson, Consultant Manager.

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MARKETING

STRATEGIC PLANNING

How brands from China teach us an important lesson in branding

Leadership as a Conceptual Framework Part 1

dark side of this, of course, is the rampant product counterfeiting that goes on in China “Made in China” is as familiar and other countries. But I’m refera phrase as you could imagine, ring to the concept of trying to be and why not, with a vast array of about as good as another product products made in Chinese factoand thinking that offering a better ries and shipped around the world deal will be enough to grow a each year. But, while Chinese business. companies are adept at producing Being a “me-too” brand hurts products ranging from 10-cent a company in two ways. First, knick-knacks to high-quality copycat brands don’t innovate, Taylor electronics for established brand so they are always playing catch names in America and Europe, up, trying to match this feature or they have, so far, been unable to develop that add-on and scrambling each time a true brands with global reach. advance hits the market. But second, and What’s the best-known Chinese-owned more importantly, a me-too brand will always brand in the United States today? Argustruggle to build an emotional connection ably it’s Lenovo, the with its customers and, computer company. But “While China has proven subsequently, the muchLenovo became known needed brand loyalty that that they can make almost sustains a brand over globally by forming a anything cost effectively, time. joint venture with IBM, they have yet to build a which essentially sold Apple may be the their PC business to global brand from scratch. perfect illustration of this them, and has helped principle because they them market former are virtually impossible IBM brands like Thinkto copy. Most of Apple’s Pad in the U.S. and other countries. products are made in China. They are highHaier may be a better example, since it quality, amazing devices. But it’s Apple’s has grown from a regional refrigerator com- brand that makes them valuable. Their brand pany in China to an internationally-known holds the promise of continually innovabrand of appliances and smart phones. They tive products that are simple to use and recently made a big move toward brand help their users be creative and enjoy their building by acquiring the GE appliance busi- lives. No one can copy that just by making a ness for a mere $5.6 billion. That’s a lot of cheaper version of the same hardware. Look cash for a very big brand. But, like Lenovo, at the brands that are competing with Apple they bought it; they didn’t build it. and having some success, like Samsung.

Other brands like TCL (televisions), They, too, provide innovation (and make their Huawei (electronics), and BYD (cars) have phones in China), though they lack the skysignificant sales in China and some other high levels of brand loyalty that Apple has countries, but virtually no brand name recog- built in the last two decades. nition in the world’s largest market, the U.S. While China has proven that they can Ever wonder why there are so few make almost anything cost effectively, Chinese-owned brands succeeding in the they have yet to build a global brand from U.S.? scratch. Buying other brands is certainly Me too. one way to grow a business. But moving And, by that, I mean the kryptonite of past the me-too approach to one based on brand: trying to succeed by duplicating what creating something unique is how all brands others are doing and selling it for less. The ultimately succeed

skill; a physical skill like riding a bike or golfing. Or a mental skill such as new ideas revolving around My publisher and I have been collaborating on leadership. Some hold the view that gaining any a project that takes into consideration a new and helpful information, even if philosophy of leadership, as well as the incomplete, is positive because at least pragmatic behaviors needed to make something new is being gained. This leadership successful. It has develview is false. Acquiring skills that when oped into a project called Provocative put to practice are destined to produce Leadership, and should be reading for a failing result is more destructive than the publishing machine by the end of never having learned them in the first August. place. This harkens back the selfI have taken the liberty, this month destructive nature of diving in without a Sciacca to use my “white space” to highlight proper foundation. some of the attributes of the new If, on the other hand, these skills project. As always, your comments are much are integrated properly, they will not only become appreciated. useful tools to call upon when necessary, they will The skills that spur leadership in an individual be strengthening an already established and poware often the primary focus of a leadership learnerful leadership foundation. Concentrating on speing process. These skills become dominant when cific leadership skills must follow the establishthey should be viewed as ancillary. Without a solid ment of this solid footing. This yields maximum foundation upon which to build, they are only pre- benefit, allowing these skills to flourish in the sented as cursory information and never establish appropriate psychological environment. Cona lasting foothold in the mind and nature of the versely, the skills can be utilized once or twice and participant. The antithesis of training for success discarded. This can be true of leadership courses is training with expectations of failure, without the and innumerable analogous situations. Whether it proper values, principles and attitudes learned. is someone investing in the most expensive home This becomes counterproductive and self-destruc- gym equipment, the most advanced language tive long-term. Failure should never be viewed as learning software, the guaranteed top-of-the-line a definitive outcome. It is understandable to fail leadership course, if that person is not prepared the first few times as long as one understands to confront the question, “Why do I want this that very experience carries with it important for myself?,” they are destined to fail. Someone lessons that could be useful in the future. At the who does not build the appropriate foundation, same time, failure should never be viewed as an understanding that leadership must become a acceptable outcome. That is the problem in this mindset beginning with answering that question, hypothetical situation. When someone hasn’t has created the ultimate conundrum and their efinvested the proper time in learning a certain skill forts will prove futile. All anecdotal skills that can and they then fail, the failure isn’t so harmful bebe accessorized will not allow the participant to cause if the person is honest, they know that they overcome this penetrating issue. Someone must expected the failure. It becomes a self-fulfilling adopt the leadership conceptual framework and it prophesy. If on the other hand, the person invests will become the mantra through which all future the appropriate amount of time and effort to learn ideas must filter. However, they must WANT to something and their hard work still hasn’t paid adapt it; they must personally embrace it. Our job off, this becomes a compounding problem. Not as leaders is to create a climate of acceptance so only have they learned to use important skills that our employees can move forward. improperly, they have entered a self-defeating Accountability questions: cycle. This exacerbates complacency and lowers What do you consider to be your best idea or self-esteem. Once someone loses confidence take away from the material? in their own abilities and self-worth, rebuilding How will you use that idea in a. your business this becomes a more difficult task than the one life, and b. your everyday, personal life? originally undertaken. This is why it is crucial to Can you use that idea in a way to develop your learn the skills properly. And this goes for any employees?

By Biagio “ Bill” Sciacca

By Dave Taylor

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JULY 2017

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Economic Specialties

to being globally competitive. This specialty is far more important today than was the case in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. The ability to be globally competitive is There are many economic specialties that have a significant factor in making the region relevance to the growth and development a major competitor in the 21st century. It of the Pocono-Northeast. These have paris why special attention should be placed ticular emphasis on the overall economic upon exporting, foreign students who atdevelopment role that is so critical to the tend regional colleges and universities, and lifestyle of this region. Start with the normal participation in programs that are related to positioning of who, what, when, where and world events. why of economic development and this will There are research specialties that are lead to the means by which the regional valuable tools for economic development. economy has changed over the last fifty Grossman One such specialty is the work of the years, diversifying well beyond the stalled Institute of Public Policy and Economic economy that had existed for many years.

Development which focuses on Lackawanna The opportunity that exists today is to focus on techand Luzerne Counties, and has published many renology, adding higher income jobs, and increasing the ports on various topics over the last decade. An imporability to secure larger industries and actually expand tant asset is the multitude of media organization, print manufacturing in light of the worker productivity that and electronic, including the fine work of the Northeast is available regionally. A special asset that the region Business Journal which carries extensive stories about offers is to continue the SWOT approach to evaluate how the region can better cope with the obstacles that many economic conditions, events, people, and places across their service area. One of the greatest factors have engaged this region for many decades. SWOT leading to the economic growth of the region is the includes, examining the strengths, weaknesses, PODSCORB approach. This includes, planning, orgaopportunities, and threats that have been identified in the past, but need updating annually. As one example, nizing, developing, staffing, coordinating, reporting and telecommunications has been added as an asset to the budgeting for public administration and the three secmany reasons why the region is attractive as an invest- tors of the economy which include private, public, and nonprofit. The latter is not always thought of in relation ment opportunity by businesses and industries who are looking for new sites as well as expanding existing to the economy but is quite significant in adding many jobs as well as the many services it provides. This firms across the region. One of the strengths is the theme needs more attention as more focus is given to location of the region so close to New York and New Jersey , and this has enabled movement of transporta- ways to improve the economy.

Economic models exist in the region that can be tion so efficiently across regional boundary lines. The region’s e enterprise development program is another replicated in the future. One such example is the city of Pittston and its downtown renaissance which is a asset that has been available for decades through spectacular success and shows what political leaderthe work of the NEPA Alliance (formerly Economic ship and appropriate funding can accomplish when Development Council of Northeastern Pennsylvania joined together. The various councils of government (EDCNP), and includes business financing, procurethat exist in the region are another example of success ment, exporting, and matching buyers and sellers. that can be utilized and replicated as well as the area Another specialty is the amazing role that the various development agencies play in the region and the excel- land bank that exists in the Greater Pittston Area. Open lent staff that exists to help existing businesses as well space bond issues in some of the counties of the as supporting the role of development. This is an asset region have been successful and could be replicated in the future along with community development activithat sometimes is taken for granted but is a major reason that the Pocono-Northeast has survived down ties such as arts districts.

All of these situations have the benefit of strong times such as recessions and always come back to be competitive economically. The marketing of the region citizen leadership, another hallmark of regional pride.

The ability to mobilize such leadership has maintained includes excellence in staffing, the ability to highlight that advantages the region offers, and the use of a joint a great many steps in the battle to be economically competitive, especially in today’s setting of global comeffort between and among counties.

Collaboration between counties and public-private petition. This factor is essential in meeting the needs partnerships are hallmarks of economic specialties that of the past history of regional economics and setting a have proven effective in the past and will continue as a tone for the next set of decades.

A positive result will follow so that the region will method to enhance regional economic development. continue to have experienced “the greatest regional As the region reaches out to attract new job developeconomic comeback in the history of the United ment, there will be many strategies and tactics to be States.” assembled to meet the goals and objectives related

By Howard J. Grossman, AICP

BANKING AND FINANCE

A Lifetime of Retirement Planning

By Peter D. Shelp

Saving and investing for retirement is a long journey. The strategies you use to pursue your goals may differ depending on your stage of life.

nity to make annual “catch-up” contributions to their workplace retirement plans and IRAs. The maximum catch-up contribution amount in 2017 is $6,000 for most types of retirement plans and $1,000 for IRAs. At this stage of life, individuals should also start looking at when they will claim Social Security retirement benefits and deciding how best to maximize them.

Just Starting Out At the start of a career, it’s not unusual to have financial goals, such as paying off student loans, that seem The focus now should be on Shelp more pressing than saving for retirepreserving investments and protectment. But making room in the budget ing against losses. Investors can help for even a small amount of retirement savings is reduce their portfolio’s risk exposure by moving better than not saving anything at all. some assets out of higher risk investments and Signing up for an employer’s tax-favored into lower risk investments, such as bonds and retirement plan earlier in life gives a retirement cash. However, even modest inflation can have account many years for potential growth. Many an impact on retirement savings over the course employers match a percentage of employee of a long retirement, so investors might want to contributions, which provides an additional incen- consider retaining some investments that have tive to save. Employees who don’t have a plan at the potential to beat inflation. work can open an individual retirement account (IRA) and/or create another investment account Contact Peter D. Shelp, AWMA®, ChFC®, reserved for retirement.

CFP®, CRPC® Kingston Retirement Group of The longer money is invested, the greater the Janney Montgomery Scott LLC 270 Pierce Street, potential benefit from compounding, the continu- Kingston 18704. ing reinvestment of any investment earnings. A Call 570-283-8140 or visit kingstonretirementlong time frame until retirement may allow an in- group.com vestor to take more investment risk than someone who is a lot older.

Janney Montgomery Scott LLC Financial Advisors are available to discuss the suitability and Midway Through risks involved with various products and strateThe middle-career years are crucial to the gies presented. We will be happy to provide a growth of retirement assets. At this point, invesprospectus, when available, and other information tors may also be financing a home and saving for upon request. Please note that the information their children’s college educations. However, con- provided includes reference to concepts that have tinuing to save for retirement can help an investor legal, accounting and tax implications. It is not to stay on course with funding retirement. be construed as legal, accounting or tax advice, Since retirement is still several years away, and is provided as general information to you investors may want to continue to keep a larger to assist in understanding the issues discussed. portion of their retirement portfolio in investments Neither Janney Montgomery Scott LLC nor its that can potentially grow at a rate higher than Financial Advisors (in their capacity as Financial inflation. However, it’s always important for inves- Advisors) give tax, legal or accounting advice. We tors to consider how much risk they feel comfort- would urge you to consult with your own attorney able taking before choosing investments. and/or accountant regarding the application of the information contained in this letter to the facts Almost There and circumstances of your particular situation.

With retirement on the horizon, investors Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, is a full-service should evaluate their personal financial situations investment firm that is a member of the NYSE, to see if they have enough in savings. Individuals the FINRA and SIPC. Source: DST Systems Inc. A who are age 50 or older may have the opportuLifetime of Retirement Planning.

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PERSONNEL FILE AAA North PeNN

emma tobias, E.I.T., of Allentown, joined the Andrew Snyder has been promoted to director municipal department as staff professional. She specializes in roadway design, ADA ramps, general of continuing education. Andrew has worked for stormwater calculations and the company for eight years. He started his career PennDOT regulations. Tobias with the company in the was previously employed by emergency road service McTish, Kunkel & Associates, department in April 2009.

Allentown, where she served In October 2014, he was as a highway design engineer promoted to administrative for more than two years. She assistant in the Scranton is a graduate of Stony Brook administrative office. He Tobias University, where she earned later took on the additional Snyder a Bachelor of Science in materesponsibility of being trained rials engineering and specialized in civil engineering. and certified as a mature operator instructor for the club.

real estate law for eight years in a row. Schwager practices in the areas of real estate, title insurance, real estate taxation, business law, municipal law, commercial litigation, estate administration and creditors’ rights. A past assistant district attorney for Luzerne County, Schwager is chair of the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, an assistant Luzerne County solicitor, and chairman of the Kingston Borough Zoning Hearing Board.

ensure the bank’s goals and activities are properly integrated. Gay previously served as a branch manager with First National Bank since 1987. She serves as a member of the Tunkhannock Chamber of Commerce and resides in Tunkhannock with her husband, Rick.

DeltA meDix

Dr. Susan Summerton, a native of Philadelphia, has joined the medical group. An honors graduate of Temple University, she received her Doctor of Medicine from Temple ciGNA University Medical School monica Schmude was named market president and completed an internfor the states of Delaware, Ohio, Pennsylvania and ship at Cooper Hospital in West Virginia, providing senior leadership for the Camden, New Jersey, where company’s growing presence BohliN cywiNSki jAckSoN she received the Outstanding in these areas.

Schmude’s Gabriel hodge, AIA, has been promoted to the AmericAN iNStitute of PerSoNAl iNjury AttorNeyS Teacher award. Summerton responsibilities include role of principal at the architecture firm.

The organization has recognized the exceptional completed her diagnostic ensuring that the company’s A graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland Summerton performance of personal injury attorney Neil t. radiology residency at Albert overall market strategy, and Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, Gabe joined o’Donnell as 2017 10 Best Personal Injury AttorEinstein Medical Center in product and network offerthe firm in 1998 and has contributed to a wide neys for Client Satisfaction. ings meet the evolving needs Philadelphia, where she was chief resident. Board range of academic, cultural and residential projects, The attorney rating organiza- including Marywood University’s new Learning of its customers and clients, certified in diagnostic radiology, Summerton brings Schmude tion publishes an annual list partnering with area health Commons, Sawyer Library at Williams College, and her knowledge in breast and body imaging to the of the Top 10 personal injury the Visitor Activity Center at Pocono Environmental care professionals and health group, and plans to continue teaching students, attorneys in each state. Attor- Education Center. Gabe leads the firm’s Wilkessystems to improve health, and leading its efforts medical professionals and community members in neys who are selected must to serve the community. Schmude has held a series the Scranton area.

Barre office with principals Bill Loose and Peter pass a selection process of roles driving the company’s Mid-Atlantic market Bohlin. He resides in Waverly Twp. with his wife Dime BANk based on client and/or peer since joining its sales office in 2010, and was and three children.

O’Donnell The bank recently recognized employees who nominations, research and most recently the markets senior vice president of BuScAriNi lAw firm independent evaluation. The sales. She earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial/ are celebrating a five-year incremental anniversary of employment at an appreciation dinner. EmployThe American Institute of Family Law Attorneys organizational psychology with a concentration in list was created as a resource for clients during the has recognized family law attorney carrie Buscaattorney selection process. women’s studies from the University of Wisconsin. ees with work milestones are cynthia Burdick, 40 years; ruth Daniels, 30 years; cynthia Galloway, rini as Four Years 10 Best Family Law Attorney for She serves on the boards of the Montgomery BArry iSett & ASSociAteS iNc. irene Selvaggi and james robbins, 25 years; Client Satisfaction. The third-party attorney rating County Business Roundtable on Education and christopher Bickings of Birdsboro joined the tracy kwiatkowski and christine Goda, 15 years; organization publishes an annual list of the top Girls on the Run Northern Virginia. She is an accode services department of the multidiscipline maria ungro, janet Salkoskas, talwinder Sohi, 10 family law attorneys in each state. Attorneys tive participant in the Menttium Program and the engineering firm with offices in Wilkes-Barre ekaterina Pereyra and jeremy kudrich, 10 years; who are selected to the “10 Best” list must pass a Million Women Mentors effort. Schmude is also and Hazleton. Bickings has and Amy caggiano, laura Novak, Donna Dichirigorous selection process based on client and peer a member of Marymount University’s Masters in experience in the fire and aranti, kim metz and christine Angland, five years. nominations, research and an independent evalua- Healthcare Management Advisory Council.

EMS industries and holds tion. The annual list was created as a resource for eSSA BANk & truSt International Code Council clients during the attorney selection process. commuNity BANk NA roger r. Anderson has joined the bank as a and Pennsylvania Uniform Debra Gay has joined the bank as a retail serchAritoN, SchwAGer & mAlAk Construction Code certificavice officer in the Tunkhannock branch. She brings commercial loan officer for the Wilkes-Barre/ScranDavid e. Schwager has been named a Penntions. He is certified as a to the position more than 30 years of experience in ton region. Roger has nearly 20 years of experience sylvania Super Lawyer by Philadelphia Magazine building inspector, buildthe banking industry. Gay is responsible for provid- in the banking industry, serving both the consumer Bickings for the eighth consecutive and commercial sectors. For ing plans examiner, fire ing customers with a broad year. Only five percent of the the last 10 years, he specialinspector, and accessibility range of commercial and lawyers in Pennsylvania have ized in commercial real estate inspector and plans examiner. Bickings recently consumer services, including received the designation of and commercial and induscompleted the Pennsylvania Construction Code small-business loans and Super Lawyer and Schwager trial loans. Anderson resides Academy’s building code official course, allowing preparing mortgage loans is the youngest lawyer in in Mountain Top with his him to become certified as a UCC Building Code and supporting documents.

Luzerne County to receive wife and two children. He is a Official. He attended Waldorf College and earned a She will work with managethe designation in the field of volunteer youth soccer coach Bachelor of Science in fire service administration. ment and staff personnel to Schwager Gay Anderson

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PERSONNEL FILE care market. Corgan has served in the industry for the past 25 years. Most recently, he served as national sales manager with EZ-ACCESS, a leading brand in the home accessibility market.

Jack Byrne has been Corgan appointed chief financial officer. In this newly created position, he is responsible for the financial management of the organization and improving processes to achieve profitable growth. Jack has more than 25 years of experience in financial Byrne management in manufacturing environments. For the past 12 years, he served as CFO at EXTOL, a privately owned software company based in Pottsville.

Chris Carroll has been named director of marketing. She is responsible for developing and maintaining marketing strategies to take Golden’s Fidelity Bank retail brand to the next angelo J. deCesaris has joined the bank level. Carroll will support the as vice president and commercial relationship dealer network and sales manager. As a member of the banking team, organization to maximize DeCesaris will be responsible use of marketing tools as for driving business developwell as create new resources ment and sales for A variety to support retail initiatives. of industries in Northeast Chris has more than 20 years Carroll Pennsylvania. He comes to of experience in public relathe bank with more than 13 tions and marketing. Most years of banking experience recently, Chris served as the director of annual working with individuals and giving and alumni relations at Geisinger ComDeCesaris closely held companies in the monwealth School of Medicine in Scranton. She development of customized currently serves on the board of directors at the Arc financial solutions for credit and non-credit needs. of Northeastern Pennsylvania and is a member of He received a Bachelor of Science in marketing and the Healthcare Innovation Committee for the 2017 a minor in business management from King’s Col- Northeast Pa. TecBRIDGE Innovation Conference. lege, Wilkes-Barre. He is active in NEPA Council of Boy Scouts of America, Wilkes-Barre and Scranton honeSdale Pulmonary & SleeP mediCine chambers of commerce, Wilkes-Barre Chapter Certified family nurse practitioner Christina of UNICO National, United Way of Lackawanna “tina” Cobb, mSn, FnP-C, has joined boardCounty and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association certified pulmonologist Sean McVeigh, M.D., FCCP, for the Blind. He resides in Shavertown with his FACP, at his practice. Located wife, Riann, and their three children. at the Stourbridge Medical and Professional Complex, Golden teChnoloGieS inC. the practice is part of Wayne Cy Corgan has been appointed vice president Memorial Community of national accounts. In this newly created position, Health Centers. Cobb earned he is responsible for expanding upon and building both her Master of Nursing relationships with strategic accounts in the U.S. Science as a family nurse home medical equipment and aging in place health Cobb

for Mountain Top Youth Soccer and a graduate of Leadership Wilkes-Barre’s Core Program.

John J. Serafin has joined the bank as vice president and commercial loan officer for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton region. Serafin served as vice president for the commercial and residential banking divisions of several financial institutions over the last 16 years; most recently as vice president/senior commercial loan officer for Fidelity Deposit & Discount Serafin Bank. He is an Army veteran having served in the 1st Armored Division stationed in Nuremberg, Germany, and TRADOC Command at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

He is treasurer of the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Greater Pittston YMCA, a committee member for the Wilkes-Barre chamber golf committee and finance committee member for Immaculate Conception Church.

practitioner and Bachelor of Science in nursing from Misericordia University, Dallas. Her nursing career, which spans more than nine years, includes staff and charge nurse positions in orthopedic, neurology and medical/surgical floors at Regional Hospital of Scranton. Cobb was most recently employed by Advanced Inpatient Medicine serving as a hospitalist at Wayne Memorial Hospital and Lehigh Valley Hospital.

huntinGton Creek reCovery Center, PoCono mountain reCovery Center

muhamad aly rifai, m.d., has accepted the position of medical director for the two affiliated programs. Rifai’s behavioral health care leadership experience includes service as the medical director of New Vitae Wellness and Recovery, medical and psychiatric director of Lehigh Valley Center for Recovery and White Deer Run of Blue Mountain, regional medical director for Acadia Healthcare and CEO of Blue Mountain Psychiatry. Rifai is also a clinical professor of psychiatry at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, an adjunct professor of psychiatry at Drexel University School of Medicine, and a clinical professor of psychiatry and medicine at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He received the National Institute of Mental Health Clinical Excellence Award in 2005 and the William Webb Award from the Academy of Psychosomatic Medicine in 2006.

JohnSon ColleGe

Two new members have been selected to serve on the board of directors. The new members, installed at the April board meeting, include Patrick dietz and Stephen h. Franko iv. Also, Joseph S. durkin and deborah kolsovsky will return to the board of directors this academic year.

Dietz is senior vice president of Peoples Security Bank. He holds an MBA from Marywood University and a Bachelor of Science in economics and finance from the Dietz University of Scranton. He has board experience as chairman of the Salvation Army advisory board. He resides in South Abington Twp. Franko is an attorney at Franko Law Office. He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh and Franko IV

Bachelor of Science in sociology from Wilkes University.

He has board experience from the state Truck Association and Wyoming County United Way, and serves as president of the Wyoming County Bar Association.

Durkin Durkin returns to the board of directors after a mandatory year off after serving three three-year terms. He began his role with the college in 2007. Over 10 years, he has served on numerous college commitKolsovsky tees and is the past chairman of the property committee.

He is currently on the presidential search committee. He is the vice president of Reilly Associates and resides in West Pittston.

Kolsovsky returns to the board of directors after a mandatory year off after serving three three-year terms. She began her role with the college in 2007.

Over 10 years, she has served on numerous committees and is the past chairwoman of the fundraising committee. She is currently the chairwoman of the presidential search committee. She is the executive vice president and managing director of institutional advisory solutions for PNC Bank and resides in Eynon.

JoneSkohanSki ConSultantS & CertiFied PuBliC aCCountantS

Christina m. kuchak, CPa, has been promoted to the position of tax and small-business accounting manager.

Kuchak previously served as a supervisor in the tax and small-business accounting division of the firm. She has been with the company for 15 years, specializing in the areas of small-business accounting and taxation for Kuchak closely held businesses, individual tax preparation and planning, tax compliance and correspondence with taxing authorities. Kuchak is a certified public accountant in Pennsylvania and a member of both the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants. She is also a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor. She resides in Moosic with her family.

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PERSONNEL FILE King’s College

Dr. Jayne Klenner, associate professor of computer and information systems, facilitated interactive workshops for parents and caregivers on children’s cyber safety as part of Child Abuse Prevention Month. The workshops were sponsored by the Safe Environment Advisory Committee of the Diocese of Scranton and were held at King’s College and the Klenner Diocesan Pastoral Center in Scranton. Klenner began teaching at the college in 1995 as an instructional designer and earned tenure and was promoted to associate professor of mass communications in 2005. She transitioned to the Computer and Information Systems Department in 2011. She previously served as an adjunct professor at Penn State University, Penn State’s World Campus and Bloomsburg University. She is a member of the Safety Committee for the Diocese of Scranton.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree in marketing from King’s, she earned a master’s degree in instructional technology from Bloomsburg, and her doctorate in instructional systems with a focus on human computer interaction from Penn State.

luzerne County puBliC DefenDer’s offiCe

attorney Cheryl sobeski-reedy has been accepted to attend the 2017 Juvenile Training Immersion Program Summer Academy hosted by Georgetown Law’s Juvenile Justice Clinic and the National Juvenile Defender Center in Washington, D.C., in June.

Sobeski-Reedy was selected as one of 25 attorneys from across the country to attend the academy and was also Sobeski-Reedy chosen to become a certified JTIP trainer at a certification course to be held at the University of Delaware Law School in July. JTIP is a comprehensive, 41-lesson trial advocacy training program designed to enhance the capacity of juvenile defense attorneys across the country.

Sobeski-Reedy serves on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee and is the treasurer of the Juvenile Defenders’ Association of Pennsylvania. A practicing attorney since 1994, her Juris Doctorate degree is from Hofstra University School of Law, New York.

She is an honors graduate of Marist College, New York, studied abroad at Manchester College, Oxford University, England, and has been admitted to practice law in the Pennsylvania state and federal courts and U.S. Supreme Court.

student life at the university.

Ward met all of the criteria set for the award, including consistency, development, harmony, positive attitude and student affairs commitment.

miseriCorDia uniVersity

The American Association of Nursing’s Leadership for Academic Nursing Program selected Brenda Hage, ph.D., Dnp, Crnp, assistant dean of the College of Health Sciences and Education and chief nurse administrator at the university, as a fellow.

At the university, Hage has served as chairwoman of the graduate nursing and health care informatics programs, as well as the director of the Hage Master of Science degree in nursing’s family nurse practitioner and Doctor of Nursing practice programs. In addition to her responsibilities at the university, she is vice chairwoman for the Pennsylvania Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment Task Force and was appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate as a member of the Pennsylvania Council on Aging. In 2015-16, she was a fellow in the Duke-Johnson & Johnson Nurse Leadership Program. Hage has volunteered abroad in Haiti, Guyana and Nicaragua. lanDmarK Community BanK The university has named glenn Bozinski, thomas V. amico was appointed president m.s., as the first vice president of enrollment and chief executive officer of the bank. Former marywooD uniVersity management.

Bozinski is responsible for the leadpresident and CEO Dan Nulton, who recently reJoseph a. polizzi, ership and management of tired from his post, will serve ph.D., associate professor enrollment planning, student as an adviser during the of education and educational recruitment and undergradutransition period. Amico is a leadership, recently received ate and graduate admisgraduate of the University of the 2017 Donald Walters sions.

He also oversees the Scranton with a Bachelor of Lecture and Award at the strategic allocation of needScience in accounting. Prior 8th Annual New Democratic, and merit-based financial to coming to Landmark, he Ethical, Education and Leadaid, and collaborates with was market executive for Polizzi Amico Bozinski ership conference at Temple enrollment marketing to First National Bank of PennUniversity, Philadelphia. attract and retain qualified sylvania as senior vice presiPolizzi was also an invited students.

At the university, Bozinski has served dent, where he managed three team leaders and speaker at the conference. as assistant director of admissions, director of eight lenders with a ($575 million commercial loan He gave a talk titled “Seeking transfer recruitment and as an adjunct profesportfolio. He was responsible for Northeastern and Resilience, Wellbeing and sor in the department of business. He developed North Central Pennsylvania. Amico is a 15-year Even Happiness in the Dark institutional and programmatic articulation agreeboard member of the Greater Pittston Chamber Places of Education.” ments with regional colleges and universities, of Commerce and served as its president. He is a tyler ward, m.s., and was a member of the team that developed board member of Penn’s Northeast, having served Ward Dunmore, assistant director the Expressway Accelerated Degree Program for for more than 10 years. He has been a board for housing and residence adult learners.

Bozinski holds a Bachelor of Arts member of the Greater Pittston YMCA for more life, recently received the 2017 Raymond P. Heath in journalism from the S.I. Newhouse School of than 20 years.

Leadership Award for his outstanding service to Public Communication at Syracuse University

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with a minor in psychology. He earned his Master of Science degree in organizational management from Misericordia University. He has been an employee of the university since 1989. Bozinski and his wife, Laura, live in Kingston Twp., with their daughter, Madalyn.

munley law

Seven of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2017 list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, an honor awarded to the top 5 percent of lawyers in Pennsylvania. The personal injury lawyers named are robert w. munley sr., marion K. munley, Daniel w. munley, robert w. munley iii, J. Christopher munley, John m. mulcahey and Katie nealon.

Super Lawyers is a resource that recognizes the country’s most outstanding attorneys in more than 70 practice areas. Selection is based on independent research, peer nominations and peer reviews.

myers, Brier & Kelly llp

nick Kravitz, an attorney with the Scranton law firm, was recently selected by the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers as a Rising Star for 2017. This selection is published in Philadelphia Magazine and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Magazine and Kravitz was previously selected in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, which is an honor limited to 2.5 percent of attorneys Kravitz in Pennsylvania. He is a litigation attorney representing individuals, corporations and municipal and governmental entities in all facets of litigation in state and federal court.

national assoCiation of insuranCe anD finanCial aDVisors

george r. shadie of Drums was presented the prestigious Jeff Thol award by the association.

The award is presented each year in recognition of significant contributions to the financial services industry. The award recognizes his dedication and service to his clients.

Shadie has been a New York Life agent for 28 years. He is a registered representative offering securities through NYLIFE Securities LLC MemShadie ber FINRA/SIPC, a licensed

PERSONNEL FILE yers. She was recognized as a 2017 ALM Top Rated Estate and Trust Lawyer. attorney Michael a. o’Donnell has been included in the Pennsylvania Rising Star Lawyer list for 2017. This is the first year C. O’Donnell O’Donnell has been recogNeuroSeNSory CeNter of eaSterN Pa. nized with this prestigious Dr. Jeffrey Becker, o.D., director of Vision designation.

Services, has been confirmed as a member of A frequent contributor to the state Board of Optometry, which regulates the legal education programs, practice and licensure of optometry. He is a 1978 O’Donnell has received the graduate of Penn State University and graduated Martindale-Hubbell AV Prefrom the Illinois College of Optometry in 1983. eminent Rating 2016-2017.

M. O’Donnell He has been a practicing optometrist in Northattorney Neil t. east Pennsylvania for more than 24 years, with o’Donnell, owner and a specialty practice in rehabilitative optometry. founder of the law firm, has been included in the Becker is an adjunct faculty member at Misericor- Pennsylvania Super Lawyer list for 2017, and dia University, Dallas. He serves as a consultant has also been recognized as a Pennsylvania Top to Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital in Al100 Super Lawyer. This is the 14th consecutive lentown, Allied Services in Scranton, John Heinz in year O’Donnell has been recognized with these Wilkes-Barre, and Guthrie at Towanda Rehabilitaprestigious designations. A frequent contributor tion Hospital. to legal education programs, O’Donnell has held leadership positions in both regional and state NexStar MeDia GrouP iNC. legal communities, including the Pennsylvania WBRE-TV has named Kelly Byrne morning Association for Justice, the Pennsylvania Bar co-anchor on Eyewitness News. Byrne is from the Association and the Pennsylvania Bar Institute. He Philadelphia area and earned a bachelor’s degree has been recognized as a Top 100 Pennsylvania in communications with a Super Lawyer from 2007-2017. He has also been specialization in journalism selected by his peers for inclusion in the Best from Villanova University.

Lawyer in America 2017 and, from 2002-2017 he Kelly joins the Eyewitness has received the Martindale-Hubbell AV PreNews team from Nexstareminent Rating. O’Donnell was inducted into the owned WNCT-TV, the CBS Melvin Belli Society, named after Melvin M. Belli, affiliate in Greenville, N.C., America’s most famous trial lawyer. where she has worked for Byrne the past two years as a PeNN State worthiNGtoN SCraNtoN weekend anchor, execuA book edited by Dr. Patricia hinchey, tive producer and multimedia journalist. While in professor of education, has received a national college, Kelly reported on-air as a junior reporter professional award. “A Critical Action Research for Fox 29 News in Philadelphia and completed Reader” has been named a internships with 3 On Your Side in Philadelphia, 2017 Outstanding Book by WCAU, WTXF and as a sports contributor for the Society of Professors ESPNU. of Education. It is Hinchey’s second book on the topic of o’DoNNell law offiCeS action research — a process attorney Catherine r. o’Donnell has been educators and community selected a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2017. members use to improve This marks the seventh time Catherine has reHinchey conditions in their classceived this recognition. She has been consistently rooms and communities. recognized by attaining Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Hinchey has been at the Scranton campus since Preeminent Rating of Preeminent Women Law1992 and has authored several books on educa-

insurance agency. He is a lifetime member of Million Dollar Round Table, the Premier Association of Financial Professionals and is a presenter at the upcoming convention in Orlando, Florida. He is an accredited estate planner and a chartered life underwriter. He also serves as president of Supporting Autism and Families Everywhere and lives with his son, Alex.

tion. She also co-edited a highly publicized book assessing recent quality of think tank research, “Think Tank Research Quality: Lessons for Policy Makers, the Media and the Public.”

Tax Meeting Committee. Other volunteer commitments include serving as treasurer for the Luzerne County Fair and Harveys Lake Lions Club. She is also a member of Misericordia University’s adult student council. A resident of Dallas, Shina earned PeNNSylvaNia Bar aSSoCiatioN her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Wilkes The Pennsylvania Bar Association has present- University. ed awards that recognize outstanding leadership Also elected were: in the legal profession and extraordinary service • President-elect: francis K. eick, CPa, is a and long-standing membership in the associamanager at Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co. PC in tion. Recipients were: John B. Beemer, Beemer Kingston. Eick also serves on the PICPA North& Beemer, Clarks Summit, Fifty-Year Member eastern Chapter Executive Committee. In addition Award; Dorrance r. Belin, Oliver Price & Rhodes, to his volunteer leadership with PICPA, Eick is a Clarks Summit, 50-year Member Award; ernest J. youth softball coach and a volunteer with Coaches Gazda Jr., Gazda & Penetar, Scranton, Fifty-Year vs. Cancer of Northeast Pennsylvania. The Dallas Member Award; Melinda C. Ghilardi, federal resident received his bachelor’s degree in accountpublic defenders office, Scranton, PBA President’s ing from King’s College.

Award; richard t. Mulcahey, Scranton, 50-year • Secretary: Nicole t. Buckman, CPa, is with Member Award; Judge James M. Munley, U.S. Jones Kohanski & Co. PC in Sugarloaf, specialDistrict Court Middle District of Pa., Scranton, izing in bookkeeping, taxation and forensic 50-year Member Award; Jacob i. Nogi, Nogi accounting. In addition to her active involvement Appleton Weinberger & Wren PC, Scranton, 50with PICPA, Buckman is secretary of the Northeast year Member Award; otto P. robinson Jr., Penn Chapter of the Institute of Management AccounSecurity Bank, Scranton, 50-year Member Award; tants, treasurer of the Greater Scranton Jaycees, Benjamin S. Schnessel, Carbondale, 50-year and a member of St. Monica parish’s finance Member Award; C.h. welles iv, Welles & Mccouncil committee. A resident of Forty Fort, BuckGrath, Scranton, Fifty-Year Member Award; elaine man received her bachelor’s degree in accounting Cook, Cook Law PC, Drums, PBA Special Achieve- and economics from King’s College. ment Award; Joseph f. flanagan, Forty Fort, • Treasurer: robert G. Coar, C.P.a., is a suFifty-Year Member Award; Daniel G. flannery, pervisor at Kronick Kalada Berdy & Co., where his Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald LLP, Wilkes-Barre, focus areas are nonprofits and HUD properties.

Fifty-Year Member Award; harry hiscox, Hiscox He earned his bachelor of science degree in ac& Musto, Kingston, Fifty-Year Member Award; counting from King’s College. Coar serves on the Paul r. Mahler, Mahler Law Firm LLC, Forty Fort, PICPA Northeastern Chapter Executive Committee.

Fifty-Year Member Award; James a. Schneider, The Dallas resident is an active golfer and enjoys Schneider Law Offices PC, Hazleton, Fifty-Year fitness, music and travel.

Member Award; David e. Schwager, Chariton Schwager & Malak, Wilkes-Barre, PBA Special PPl CorP. Achievement Award; Sandor yelen, Yelen Law OfIn recognition of April as National Volunteer fices, Wilkes-Barre, Fifty-Year Member Award; and Month, the company honored the efforts of albert G. rutherford, Rutherford & Rutherford, employee volunteers.

Honesdale, Fifty-Year Member Award.

Pam yale, universal services representative for regulatory programs and business services PiCPa NortheaSterN ChaPter in Hazleton, earned PPL’s top award, Volunteer of Kimberly a. Shina, a certified public accounthe Year. tant, was elected president of the Northeastern Donna Bowser, administrative assistant in Chapter of the association.

Scranton, earned the Leadership Recognition VolShina is a controller with unteer Award for advocating for the less fortunate.

American Asphalt Paving Bowser organizes contributions for the Women’s Co. in Shavertown. She is Resource Center in Scranton, collects gifts for a member of PICPA’s Cordisadvantaged children and holds food collections porate Finance Committee, for St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen. as well as the Northeastern Chris Gonzalez, field manager-Distribution Chapter Taxation and Annual Operations in Hazleton, received a Peer-to-Peer Shina

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PERSONNEL FILE encounters submissions, rejections and reporting for the company’s Medicare and Medicaid clients.

Before joining the business, Smart held the positions of director of implementations, director of In addition to an engraved award, each winner soRdoni ConstRuCtion seRviCes inC. claims operations, and director of service operations at OptumCare, Phoenix. Her experience also received a contribution to a nonprofit of their timothy o’shea has joined the firm as direcincludes roles as director of claims and learning choice. tor of strategic development. He has a wealth of experience in sales, business operations and or- and development, provider reimbursement manganizational strategy, having ager, and claims manager for Tufts Health Plan, Rosenn, Jenkins & GReenwald llP Watertown, Massachusetts. She attended Lean previously been employed Robert d. schaub has been selected to the Six Sigma certification training and was previby the Turner Construction 2017 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list in the area ously certified as a Healthcare Chart Auditor by the Co. in Philadelphia, and of business litigation. Schaub, chairman of the Association of Health Care Auditors and Educamore recently as the chief firm’s litigation department, tors.

She was also a member of the International development officer for Hilhas most recently representClaims Association. debrandt Learning Centers ed clients in all aspects of LLC. A resident of Shaverlitigation involving Marcellus O’Shea united Gilsonite laBoRatoRies town, he holds a Bachelor Shale issues, including leadof Science in mechanical The manufacturers of paint specialty products ing disputes, will contests engineering from the University of Delaware and a announced the recent hiring of Joe Johnson, and gas pipeline issues. He master’s degree in business administration from Ph.d., to lead its research and product developserves on the Pennsylvania the University of Scranton. ment team. Throughout his career, Johnson has Schaub Bar Association’s profesheld numerous roles in resional liability committee and search and development and is a member of the Luzerne County Bar Associastate BoaRd of oPtometRy business management, and tion (Wilkes-Barre Law and Library Association).

Carl J. urbanski, o.d., of Mountain Top was has enjoyed some significant He also serves as president of the board of recently reappointed to the state board by Gov. professional achievements, directors for both Luzerne County Head Start and Tom Wolf. Urbanski was originally appointed in which include 21 U.S. patLeadership Wilkes-Barre, and is vice president of 2012 and has served as ents and 52 world patents. the board of directors for the Luzerne County Child vice chairman. He currently Johnson has held leadership Advocacy Center. A graduate of Catholic University serves as chairman of the Johnson positions at Cabot, Lexmark School of Law (J.D., 1984), Schaub received his board, which is responsible and MicrOptix.

He earned undergraduate degree from Lemoyne College for regulating the practice a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from (magna cum laude) in 1981. and licensure of optometry Syracuse University, a doctorate in physical chemin Pennsylvania. Urbanistry from Clarkson University and an MBA from ski is a graduate of Wilkes shoPRite of daleville Urbanski Boston University. Joe and his family will relocate University and the Pennsylkatie Gallagher, Scranton, has been hired from New Hampshire to Scranton to work from vania College of Optometry. as a registered dietitian at the Covington Twp. the company’s corporate facility.

He currently practices at Family Vision Care of store. As the new registered dietitian at the locaKingston. He is a past president of the state Option, Gallagher provides complimentary health univeRsity of sCRanton tometric Association and currently serves on the and wellness services that guide customers on evidence based guideline development committee Ten faculty members were honored recently a range of issues, from learning how to shop of the American Optometric Association. He is a with Provost Faculty Enhancement awards for and prepare healthy meals, to proper nutrition diplomate of the American Board of Optometry excellence in teaching, scholarship or service. for specific health conditions and dietary needs. and also remains active with the Kiwanis Club of She also offers recipes with healthy alternatives, Rebecca s. Beal, Ph.d., received the ExcelWilkes-Barre. provides information on pantry makeovers, and lence in Adapting Classic Principles of Jesuit

Volunteer Award for participating in PPL career Gallagher previously worked as a clinical dietitian for St. Luke’s Village, a Hazleton skilled-nursingpresentations, serving as a role model to high care facility. school students and engaging members of the future workforce.

navigates the aisles with shoppers to help them better understand food labels. In addition, Gallagher partners with local hospitals, schools and nonprofits to conduct free health and wellnessfocused workshops and seminars. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Italian studies and history from Fordham University. She completed a dietetic internship, and earned her Master of Science degree in nutrition at Marywood University.

Pedagogy into the Curriculum: The Magis Award.

Beal, professor of English and theater, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1983. She earned her bachThe leading national provider of business elor’s degree at Westmont College, her master’s process outsourcing solutions to the Medicare Addegree at the University of Chicago and her Ph.D. vantage, Medicare Part D and Managed Medicaid at the University of Texas. markets recently named yvette smart director of michael Jenkins, Ph.d., received the Excelencounters. She is responsible for the execution lence in Scholarly Publication Award. Jenkins, of Enterprise Encounter Business Operations, associate professor of sociology, criminal justice including reconciliation and data management for

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tmG health

JULY 2017

and criminology, received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Scranton and his master’s degree and doctorate from Rutgers University. He joined Scranton’s faculty as an assistant professor in 2013.

Cyrus P. olsen iii, Ph.d., received the Excellence in Advancing Interdisciplinary Study Award.

Olsen, associate professor of theology and religious studies, received his bachelor’s degree from University of Washington and both his master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Oxford.

He joined the faculty at Scranton in 2006. maria J. oreshkina, Ph.d., received the Excellence in Integrating Diversity in Learning Award. Oreshkina, associate professor of education, joined the faculty at Scranton in 2007. She received her master’s degree from the Moscow State Pedagogical University and her doctorate at the University of Tennessee. ann a. Pang-white, Ph.d., received the Excellence In Advancing Global Learning Award.

Pang-White, professor of philosophy and director of Asian studies, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1997. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Tung-Hai University in Taiwan, her master’s degree from the University of South Carolina — Columbia and her doctorate from Marquette University. kimberly a. subasic, Ph.d., received the Excellence in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Award. Subasic, associate professor of nursing, has been a Scranton faculty member since 2006. She earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Francis University, her master’s degree from the University of Massachusetts and her doctorate from St. Louis University. stephen e. whittaker, Ph.d., received the Excellence for University Service and Leadership Award. Whittaker, professor of English and theatre, joined the faculty at Scranton in 1983. He earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Texas.

Patricia moyle wright, Ph.d., received the Excellence in Integrating Mission and Justice into the Curriculum Award. Wright, associate professor of nursing, joined the faculty at Scranton in 2007.

She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Misericordia University and her doctorate from Loyola University, Chicago. margarete lieb Zalon, Ph.d., received the Excellence in Graduate Teaching Faculty Senate Award. A member of Scranton’s faculty since 1988, Zalon, professor of nursing, earned her bachelor’s degree from Duke University and her

PERSONNEL FILE master’s and Ph.D. degrees from New York University.

In addition, Emily Denison, adjunct professor in the English and Theatre Department, was honored with the Part-Time Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

WaynE MEMorial CoMMunity HEaltH CEntErs

University, Philadelphia. Additionally, she holds a Master of Health Science degree from Drexel University, Philadelphia. Arnold serves as vice chair of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Specialty Exam Committee of the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She is the director of didactic education and assistant professor at Misericordia University, Dallas, a position she has held for nearly three years.

Award. Wagner is a 2009 graduate of Wilkes with dual Bachelor of Science degrees in computer science and mathematics and a minor in computer information systems. He completed his Master of Business Administration with a concentration in operations management in August 2013 and is also a graduate of the Leadership Wilkes-Barre Core Class of 2014.

recipients are: anne thomas, faculty of practice of education, for the School of Education; Megan Jones, Act 101-program coordinator, for University College; shaokang Wang, assistant professor and MBA director, for the Jay S. Sidhu School of Business and Leadership; ajay Bommareddy, associate professor of pharmacy, for the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy; abas sabouni, assistant professor of electrical engineering, for the College of Science and Engineering.

thomas Franko, assistant professor of pharmacy, and kalen Churcher, assistant professor Jennifer arnold, M.H.s., Pa-C, has joined of communications, received the Interdisciplinary WilkEs univErsity the medical office as a cardiovascular physician Teaching Award.

Thomas Franko also received the WyoMing County The university recognized 12 faculty and staff assistant at its general and interventional cardiolOutstanding New Faculty Award. sPECial nEEDs assoCiation members with nine awards for excellence in teachogy practice, Honesdale thomas Baldino, professor of political sciCardiology. Arnold’s respon- ing and advising at the 2017 Teacher Recognition The association anence, received the Alumni Mentoring Award. sibilities include conducting and Effectiveness Committee Awards Ceremony. nounced the addition of inpatient consultations, katie Holahan, l.s.W., to amy kuiken, associate professor of French, lisa kadlec, associate professor of biology, administering stress tests its team. Holahan graduated received the Innovative and Nontraditional Teachreceived the Carpenter Award for Teaching. The and holding outpatient office award, considered the university’s highest honor from Marywood University ing Award. hours. Arnold brings 15 with an MSW degree in sofor teaching, recognizes an outstanding member abas sabouni, assistant professor of electrical years of clinical experience cial work, with a concentraof the faculty and includes a $1,000 award and engineering, received the Scholarship Award.

Arnold as a physician assistant in tion in behavioral health. She framed certificate. Kadlec holds a post-doctoral Francis Dave rash, accounting and finance cardiothoracic surgery to has been working in the field research fellowship from Princeton University, a Holahan professor, was awarded the Adjunct Faculty Award. for 10 years and has been Wayne Memorial, having spent much of her career doctorate from Duke University and a bachelor’s The Outstanding Advisor Award is a studenttrained in trauma therapy, in the Philadelphia area. She earned a Bachelor of degree from Haverford College. nominated award that recognizes one academic family and individual therapy, substance abuse, Science degree in biology from Arcadia University, Jason Wagner, courseware application advisor from each college who demonstrates Glenside, as well as a Bachelor of Science degree developer in the Office of Technology for Teaching and behavior modification. excellence in academic advising. This year’s in physician assistant studies from Hahnemann and Learning, received the Academic Support

JFSNEPA Honors Sondra and Morey Myers The second annual Jewish Family Service Community Matters recognition event was attended by more than 130 people on May 24, 2017 and raised more than $36,000 for JFS. The event honored Morey and Sondra Myers for their dedication to the community both locally and globally as well as their contributions to JFS. Former Chief to US Sen. Robert P. Casey, Jr and Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey, Mr. James Walter Brown was the guest speaker for the evening. Sondra and Morey’s son David Myers, a professor of Jewish History at UCLA, closed the evening with an emotional speech thanking his parents for their inspiration, love and dedication.

A silent auction was held with items from local businesses and the event was sponsored by more than 70 corporate sponsors and community individuals.

Morey Myers, Sondra Myers, Lynne Brown and James Walter Brown.

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine hosted the event which was catered by Prestige Caterers and music for the evening was provided

by Daniel Jaggers and Ian Hipps courtesy of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic.

Established in 1915, Jewish Family Service is a human service organization, which reflects the Jewish tradition of caring and compassion for all people in need. Through professional counseling, advocacy and educational programming,

our services seek to enhance and strengthen the quality of individual, family and community life.

It is this agency’s mission that drives all services and activities of Jewish Family Service.

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FOR THE RECORD DEEDS COLUMBIA COUNTY Robert B. Kelly. Property Location: Madison Twp. Seller: Norman R. Lester. Amount: $410,000.00.

Jacob S. Sukal. Property Location: Fishing Creek Twp. Seller: Estate of Daniel R. Reichard.

Amount: $319,600.00.

William C. Campbell. Property Location: Briarcreek Twp. Seller: Shawn E. Bonawitz. Amount: $300,000.00.

C&M Warehouse LLC. Property Location: Montour Twp. Seller: Vincent M. Green. Amount: $360,000.00.

G2SM Management LLC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Seller: Kevin S. Gottstein. Amount: $300,000.00.

Jason A. Laubach. Property Location: Madison Twp. Seller: H. Joseph Lyons. Amount: $500,000.00.

Red Rock Realty LLC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Seller: Jack M. Deal Jr. Amount: $350,000.00.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY Thomas J. Palermo. Property Location: Clifton Twp. Seller: Jody Malloy. Amount: $280,000.00.

Gabi N. Waite. Property Location: Covington Twp. Seller: Richard Levine. Amount: $444,000.00.

Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orth. Property Location: Dalton Boro. Seller: Bishop Joseph Bambera. Amount $2,950,000.00.

Thomas M. Hill. Property. Location: Dalton Boro. Seller: Joseph F. Cermak. Amount: $765,000.00.

Dickson City Investments LLC. Property Location: Dickson City. Seller: Barbara Valton. Amount: $350,000.00.

John Evangelista. Property Location: Dunmore Boro. Seller: Darolee Mary Tarapchak. Amount: $328.000.00.

Juliana Obi-Wilson. Property Location: Dunmore Boro. Seller: David Brady. Amount: $3260.000.00.

Thomas J. Virbitsky. Property Location: Greenfield Twp. Seller: George D. Hedges Estate.

Amount: $765,000.00.

Amie J. Kurilla. Property Location: Greenfield Twp. Seller: Michael Frezzolini. Amount: $285,000.00.

Franconia Real Estate Services Inc. Property

Location: Jefferson Twp. Seller: Robert J. Pipcho.

Amount: $420,000.00.

Syed Beyabani. Property Location: Jefferson Twp. Seller: Franconia Real Estate Services Inc. Amount: $420,000.00.

Tal J. Waide. Property Location: Jermyn Boro.

Seller: Patricia Ann Wasley. Amount: $266,000.00.

Theodore Kosa. Property Location: Moosic Boro. Seller: Tara Lee Kernoschak. Amount: $434.500.00.

Kelie Santaniello. Property Location: Moscow Boro. Seller: Frank Hubbard. Amount: $318,097.50.

Jeffrey Boam. Property Location: Old Forge Boro. Seller: Laurie Argonish. Amount: $300,000.00.

Sean Powell. Property Location: Olyphant Boro. Seller: S&G Acquisitions Inc. Amount: $260,000.00.

Martha Taliento. Property Location: Scranton City. Seller: Patricia Baldassari Estate. Amount: $250,000.00.

409 Holdings LLC. Property Location: Scranton City. Seller: NBT Bank. Amount: $1,200,000.00 640 Jefferson Scranton LLC. Property Location: Scranton City. Seller: Sheldon W. Roberts.

Amount: $272,000.00.

Laura R. Warnken. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Seller: Boston Land Company Inc. Amount: $340,800.00.

Nina Capitano. Property Location: Springbrook Twp. Seller: Robert Weidow. Amount: $250,000.00.

Alex Khochafian. Property Location: Thornhurst Twp. Seller: Lisa A. Balestrini. Amount: $335,000.00.

Douglas A. Yazinski. Property Location: Thornhurst Twp. Seller: Donato C. Rinaldi Jr. Amount: $365,000.00.

Adele Rothofsky. Property Location: Thornhurst Twp. Seller: Thomas M. Hill. Amount: $390,000.00.

Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orth. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Seller: Bishop Joseph Bambera. Amount: $2,950,000.00.

Harry Colton. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Seller Frank Trovato. Amount: $312,000.00.

Adam R. McCormack. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Seller: David A Nothdurft. Amount: $339,500.00 Edward J. Robson. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Seller: Innovative Investment Group LLC. Amount: $250,000.00.

James Michael Spickard Jr. Property Location:

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JULY 2017

W. Abington Twp. Seller: David Michael Wilkinson Jr. Amount: $307,000.00 Matthew R. Brzycki. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Seller: Kenneth Powell. Amount: $365,659.80.

Robert P. Zelno. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Seller: Damski Builders & Design LLC. Amount: $370,000.00.

LUZERNE COUNTY

Ian R. Smith. Property Location: Lehman Twp. Seller: Brian W. May. Amount: $483,000.00.

Kenneth R. Koziel Jr. Property Location: Rice Twp. Seller: Jan Witek. Amount: $284,000.00.

John F. McNichol. Property Location: Fairview Twp. Seller: Steven Angel. Amount: $360,000.00.

Ryan Lindbuchler. Property Location: Jackson Twp. Seller: Outlook Design & Construction Inc. Amount: $360,000.00.

Luke M. Medico. Property Location: Salem Twp. Seller: Michael Knaus. Amount: $469,000.00.

William H. Perry Jr. Property Location: Plains Twp., Three Parcels. Seller: Sincavage Lumber Company. Amount: $375,000.00.

Timothy J. Fedor. Property Location: Kingston Twp. Seller: Lakewood Development Co. Inc. Amount: $474,000.00.

Joseph N. Legg. Property Location: Harveyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lake Boro. Seller: Brian A. Zaborny. Amount: $392,000.00.

One Trinity Real Estate Investments LLC. Property Location: Hazle Twp., West Hazleton, Two Parcels. Seller: WP Valmont Associates LP. Amount: $4,000,000.00.

Isaac W. Witmer. Property Location: Huntington Twp. Seller: Lorraine Petrishin. Amount: $375,000.00.

Allison J. Friedman. Property Location: Kingston Twp. Seller: Matthew Crowl. Amount: $345,000.00.

Jasdeep Singh. Property Location: Wilkes Barre. Seller: Patricia Kolesar. Amount: $450,000.00.

Colin R. Trebilcock. Property Location: Bear Creek Twp. Seller: Ronald A. Panko. Amount: $430,000.00.

Kurt Thomas Cruse. Property Location: Foster Twp. Seller: Thomas J. Staruch. Amount: $355,000.00.

Jeffrey A. Sirota. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Seller: Juan Dario Gaia. Amount: $300,000.00.

Robert J. Riley. Property Location: Kings-

ton Boro. Seller: Daniel W. Upton. Amount: $265,000.00.

Jennifer M. Avvisato. Property Location: Duryea Boro. Seller: Jerome J. Sauter. Amount: $280,000.00.

Paul Benhamou. Property Location: Kingston Twp. Seller: Robert P. Long Jr. Amount: $279,500.00.

Eryn Milius. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Seller: Patrick Deats. Amount: $327,000.00.

Wilkes University. Property Location: Wilkes Barre City, 5 Parcels. Seller: JA-VA Inc. Amount: $500,000.00.

Jared Reesman. Property Location: Lehman Twp. Seller: Allison J. Friedman. Amount: $452,000.00.

Tri-Mountain Realty I LLC. Property Location: Hazle Twp. Seller: Greater Hazelton Community Area New Development Organization Inc. Amount: $402,400.00.

Pyramid Healthcare Inc. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Seller: Wilkes Barre Hospital Company LLC. Amount: $1,750,000.00.

Joseph Fusi. Property Location: Butler Twp. Seller: Xinyuan Gedeon. Amount: $373,000.00.

Ber Real Estate Investments I LLC. Property Location: Wilkes Barre Twp. Seller: Bob Evans Farms LLC. Amount: $928,056.83.

Timothy P. Munley. Property Location: Rice Twp. Seller: Russes Construction LLC. Amount: $249,000.00.

Wyoming Valley Apartments LLC. Property Location: Wilkes Barre City. Seller: Charles E. Crawford. $287,000.00.

Paul Michael Santry. Property Location: Jenkins Twp. Seller: Robert Baron. Amount: $340,000.00.

Freeman Ridge Properties LLC. Property Location: Dorrance Twp. Seller: George D. Smith.

Amount: $342,000.00.

MONROE COUNTY Little Caesars Holdings LLC. Property Location: East Stroudsburg. Seller: GAC Realty LLC. Amount: $272,500.00.

Hirshland & Company. Property Location: Stroud Twp. Seller: Stroud Realty Partners LP, Stroud Developers Inc. Amount: $1,850,000.00.

Richard Williams. Property Location: Pocono Twp. Seller: Juan Asencia. Amount: $330,000, Avram Hornik. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: Dorothy Hadles. Amount: $862,500.00.

FOR THE RECORD William Regli III. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: Anthony Serino. Amount: $795,000.00.

Blake Martin. Property Location: Pocono Twp. Seller: Frank Hess Jr. Amount: $400,000.00.

Jose Garces. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Seller: Joshua Kwantoro. Amount: $321,500.00.

Edmund Ewing. Property Location: Coolbaugh Twp. Seller: Alexander Bichutsky. Amount: $379,000.00.

Steven Browning. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Seller: Aloysius Magagna. Amount: $480,000.00.

LIDL US Operations LLC. Property Location: Stroud Twp. Seller: Hirshland & Company. Amount: $3,500,000.00.

Paul Knoblich. Property Location: Smithfield Twp. Seller: Bajram Veseli. Amount: $465,000.00.

Daniel Forman. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: Peter French. Amount: $470,000.00.

Ugo DiGirolamo Donella. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Seller: Peter Kopmer. Price: $439,800.00.

Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network Inc. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Seller: Grant Homes Inc. Amount: $525,000.00.

Eric Bremer. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Seller: Wayne Strobel. Amount: $324,800.00.

Shine Hill Properties LLC. Property Location: Pocono Twp. Seller: Katharine Rossiello. Amount: $438,000.00.

Christopher Grasso. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: Kenneth Zuar. Amount: $325,000.

David Lesley. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Seller: Stephen Somers. Amount: $465,000.00.

Silver Valley Resort LLC. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Seller: John Sosko. Amount: $1,385,000.00.

Alfred Segro. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Seller: Joseph Martin. Amount: $415,000.00 Noel Baiquin. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Seller: DE&S Properties Inc. Amount: $338,000.00.

Brian Sullivan. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: William Robinson. Amount: $575,000.

BTS Stroudsburg LLC. Property Location: Stroudsburg. Seller: Beco Srdanovic. Amount: $287,000.00.

Owen H. Knox. Property Location: Eaton Twp. Seller: Ronald Vieczorek. Amount: $300,000.00.

Gerald R. Pennay Jr. Property Location: Overfield Twp. Seller: Margaret S. Mitchell. Amount: $376,000.00.

Kyle A. Stanton. Property Location: Clinton Twp. Seller: Robert D. Atkinson. Amount: $255,000.00.

Yoav Ilan. Property Location: Blooming Grove Twp. Seller: Joseph Sdao. Amount: $460,000.00.

Serge Guy Djiya. Property Location: Blooming Grove Twp. Seller: Alan Afraim. Amount: $420,000.00.

Christopher M. Melia. Property Location: Blooming Grove Twp. Seller: Nancy Fink. Amount: $270,000.00.

Richard A. Schneider. Property Location: Blooming Grove Twp. Seller: Stephen A. Cooper.

Amount: $640,500.00.

Lisa Borodovsky. Property Location: Delaware Twp. Seller: Dale Den Herder. Amount: $295,000.00.

Matthew Melville. Property Location: Dingman Twp. Seller: Anthony Valla. Amount: $272,000.00.

Robert Russo. Property Location: Dingman Twp. Seller: James Babits. Amount: $279,500.00.

Marek Stopczyk. Property Location: Dingman Twp. Seller: Roy Rappa. Amount: $250,000.00.

Terry L. Wilhide. Property Location: Greene Twp. Seller: Jeffrey Wert. Amount: $550,000.00.

Paul P. Pepa. Property Location: Greene Twp. Seller: Scott Groeber. Amount: $280,500.00.

Donald L. Bartleson. Property Location: Greene Twp. Seller: John E. Dziuba.

Amount:$294,900.00.

James Mauro. Property Location: Lackawaxen Twp. Seller: Vito Dicarlo. Amount: $370,000.00.

Salvatore Focella. Property Location: Lackawaxen Twp. Seller: Douglas C. J. Brigandi. Amount: $562,000.00.

Gary Labarbera. Property Location: Lackawaxen Twp. Seller: Stuart Levy. Amount: $380,000.00.

Michael Berlanga. Property Location: Milford Twp. Seller: Fannie Mae a/k/a National Mortgage Association. Amount: $273,000.00.

Jessica Gamer. Property Location: Milford Twp. Seller: Deborah H. Ayers. Amount: $290,000.00.

PIKE COUNTY Columbia Gas Transmission LLC. Property Bruce W. Insinger. Property Location: Lemon Location: Milford Twp. Seller: Justin K. Snyder.

Twp. Seller: Arthur Walton. Amount: $290,000.00.

Amount: $300,000.00.

James P. Rabaduex. Property Location: Fall Edward J. Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Andrea. Property Location: PalTwp. Seller: Stephen Diperri. Amount: $297,000.00.

BTS Stroudsburg LLC. Property Location: Stroudsburg. Seller: Christiana T LLC. Amount: $330,600.00.

BTS Stroudsburg LLC. Property Location: Stroudsburg. Seller: Helen Gallo. Amount: $515,000.00.

HSK Properties. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Seller: Robert Burney. Amount: $550,000.00.

Jose Pillaga. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Seller: David Cho. Amount: $390,000.00.

Aubrey Proud. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Seller: Gerald Roscher. Amount: $350,000.

Dario Fortuna. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Seller: Berndardo Cantens. Amount: $400,000.00.

2Main St Buildings LLC. Property Location: Stroudsburg. Seller: Brendan Gilsenan. Amount: $525,000.00.

Salvatore Ferraioli. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: Joseph Mastantuono. Amount: $375,000.00.

Alexander Lakhter. Property Location: Stroudsburg. Seller: Charles Niclaus. Amount: $719,000.00.

Michael Nardozzi. Property Location: Coolbaugh Twp. Seller: He Chen. Amount: $313,500.00.

Karl Myiow. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Seller: Matthew Hurni. Amount: $331,000.00.

John Coscia. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: Daniel Perullo. Amount: $401,900.00.

Howard Woodhouse. Property Location: Ross Twp. Seller: Michael Lemke. Amount: $373,000.00.

JLFJJ LLC. Property Location: Price Twp. Seller: Mountain Resort Ski & Golf Inc. Amount: $412,000.00 Alfred Sauer. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Seller: Howard Berlinger. Amount: $304,500.00.

Lisa Lanham. Property Location: Ross Twp. Seller: Alfred Califano. Amount: $425,000.00.

Vincent Wieczorek. Property Location: Jackson Twp. Seller: Kristy Chalfant. Amount: $361,000.00.

Century Realty MP LLC. Property Location: Mt. Pocono. Seller: JSFS Realty LLC. Amount: $550,000.00.

myra Twp. Seller: Kimberly Arasimowicz. Amount: $385,000.00.

Alan Scott. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Seller: Vernon I. Derstine. Amount: $650,000.00.

David J. Yakaboski. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Seller: James Bell. Amount: $265,000.00.

Jason Russell. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Seller: Andrew W. Combs. Amount: $350,000.00.

Marshall G. Gayden. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Seller: Maureen A. McGuire. Amount: $340,000.00.

James Francis Cummings. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Seller: Thomas P. Cummings Jr. Amount: $625,000.00.

Jacob I. Goldin. Property Location: Shohola Twp. Seller: John F. Kramer. Amount: $278,000.00.

Jason Cawley. Property Location: Shohola Twp. Seller: Thomas F. Burke. Amount: $296,000.00.

Antonio Cammarano. Property Location: Shohola Twp. Seller: Peter E. Yalango. Amount: $270,000.00.

WAYNE COUNTY David L. Kandel. Property Location: Paupack.

Seller: Thelma L. Marici. Amount: $605,000.00.

Patrick Filippelli. Property Location: Paupack.

Seller: Robert C. Fredericks. Amount: $302,000.00.

Christine Albanese. Property Location: Paupack. Seller: Barry C. Malloy. Amount: $622,000.00.

Robert Kramer. Property Location: Paupack.

Seller: Jonathan Lipman. Amount: $1,299,500.00.

MORTGAGES COLOMBIA COUNTY Richard B. Supplee Jr. Property Location: Madison Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $389,500.00.

John Creasy. Property Location: Hemlock Twp. Lender: FNB Bank. Amount: $387,600.00.

MSP Properties of Pennsylvania LP. Property Location: Berwick. Lender: Apollo Trust Company.

Amount: $800,000.00.

Brian A. Seidel. Property Location: Scott Twp. Lender: Service 1st Federal Credit Union. Amount: $535,000.00.

C&M Warehouse LLC. Property Location: Montour Twp. Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $380,000.00.

SNB Hotels LLC. Property Location: Hemlock

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FOR THE RECORD Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank.

Amount: $2,450,000.00.

112 East Main LLC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $298,000.00.

Mark S. Williams. Property Location: Main Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank.

Amount: $304,000.00.

Jason A. Laubach. Property Location: Madison Twp. Lender: H. Joseph Lyons. Amount: $495,000.00.

Red Rock Realty LLC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $262,500.00.

Landmark Signatures Homes LLC. Property Location: Bloomsburg. Lender: Theodore L. Oman.

Amount: $325,000.00.

Lawrence P. Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Reilly. Property Location: Jackson Twp. Lender: Santander Banki. Amount: $404,000.

LACKAWANNA COUNTY Leroy R. Waite. Property Location: Clifton Twp. Lender: First National Bank of PA. Amount: $250,000.00.

Thomas M. Hill. Property Location: Dalton Boro. Lender: Residential Mortgage Services Inc. Amount: $688,500.00.

Northeast American Diocese of the Malankaf. Property Location: Dalton Boro. Amount: $750,000.00.

Northeast American Diocese of the Malankaf. Property Location: Dalton Boro. Amount: $750,000.00.

G. Davis Properties LLC. Property Location: Dickson City. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $300,000.00.

John Evangelista. Property Location: Dunmore Boro. Lender: United Wholesale Mortgage.

Amount: $295,200.00.

United Gilsonite Laboratories. Property Location: Dunmore Boro. Lender: PNC Bank. Amount: $19,400,000.00.

Belladaro Realty Holding GP LLC. Property Location: Dunmore Boro. Lender: Centric Bank.

Amount: $5,000,000.00.

R & A LLC. Property Location: Dunmore Boro.

Lender: Dime Bank. Amount: $663,000.00.

Belladaro Realty Holding LLP. Property Location: Elmhurst Twp. Lender: Centric Bank. Amount: $5,000,000.00.

Paul James Salvatore. Property Location:

Fell Twp. Lender: Stearns Lending LLC. Amount: $272,690.00.

Mark D. Colombo. Property Location: Glenburn Twp. Lender: PS Bank. Amount: $800,000.00.

Juliana Obi_Wilson. Property Location: Glenburn Twp. Lender: Quicken Loans Inc. Amount: $336,000.00.

Triucia Ann Rubner. Property Location: Glenburn Twp. Lender: Fidelity Dep & Disc Bk. Amount: $424,100.00.

Thomas J. Virbitsky. Property Location: Greenfield Twp. Lender: Fidelity Dep & Disc Bk. Amount: $424,000.00.

John R. Kurilla. Property Location: Greenfield Twp. Lender: PS Bank. Amount: $279,000.00.

Syed Beyabani. Property Location: Jefferson Twp. Lender: First Bank. Amount: $336,000.00.

Eric S. Ritter. Property Location: Jefferson Twp. Lender: Honesdale National Bank. Amount: $290,000.00.

Olga O. Rivenbark. Property Location: Jefferson Twp. Lender: Citizens Savings Bank. Amount: $282,900.00.

Belladaro Realty Holding GP LLC. Property Location: Jefferson Twp. Lender: Centric Bank.

Amount: $5,000,000.00.

James J. McDermott. Property Location: Jermyn Boro. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $275,000.00.

James McDermott. Property Location: Jermyn Boro. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $275,000.00.

Tal J. Waide. Property Location: Jessup Boro. Lender: Stearns Lending LLC. Amount: $261,182.00.

James J. McDermott. Property Location: Jessup Boro. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $275,000.00.

David W. Tompkins. Property Location: LaPlume Twp. Lender: PS Bank. Amount: $600,000.00.

Anthony Polit. Property Location: Moosic Boro. Lender: Fidelity Dep & Disc Bk. Amount: $630,994.00.

Academy II LP. Property Location: Moscow Boro. Lender: PA Housing Finance Agency.

Amount: $970,000.00.

Daniel B. Nowakowski. Property Location: Newton Twp. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $263,143.00.

Matthew J. Renzi. Property Location: Old Forge Boro. Lender: PS Bank. Amount: $280,000.00.

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Birchwood Estates Realty LLC. Property Location: Old Forge Boro. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $350,000.00.

Eric Pusey LLC. Property Location: Olyphant Boro. Lender: Fidelity Dep & Disc Bk. Amount: $475,000.00.

Sean Powell. Property Location: Olyphant Boro. Lender: Citizens Bank. Amount: $255,000.00.

Steven Brzozowski. Property Location: Olyphant Boro. Lender: Wells Fargo Bank. Amount: $269,000.00.

Earl Harvey. Property Location: Ransom Twp. Lender: PS Bank. Amount: $340.000.00.

Jody G. Cordaro. Property Location: Roaring Brook Twp. Lender: Centric Bank. Amount: $5,000,000.00.

David T. Lowe III. Property Location: Scott Twp. Lender: PS Bank. Amount: $305,000.00.

Malmar Realty LLC. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $15,000,000.00.

Steamtown 300 LC. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $2,200,000.00.

Scranton-Samter LP. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: PNC Bank. Amount: $450,000.00.

William F. King. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: Quicken Loans Inc. Amount: $250,240.00.

Philip J. Kolatis Jr. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: Landmark Community Bank.

Amount: $640,000.00.

Philip J. Kolatis Jr. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: Landmark Community Bank.

Amount: $640,000.00.

Philip J. Kolatis Jr. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: Landmark Community Bank.

Amount: $640,000.00.

Paul Gianino. Property Location: Scranton City.

Lender: First National Community Bank. Amount: $531,000.00.

AJT Properties LLC. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $450,000.00 R & A LLC. Property Location: Scranton City.

Lender: Dime Bank. Amount: $663,000.00.

329 Penn Avenue Associates LLC. Property Location: Scranton City. Lender: Honesdale National Bank. Amount: $1,100,000.00.

Laura R. Warnken. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Lender: American Financial Network Inc. Amount: $272,640.00.

Mark Clarks Summit North Associates LP. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Lender: Wells Fargo Bank. Amount: $3,600,000.00.

Christopher Tyler Lee. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Lender: Reliance First Capital LLC. Amount: $353,286.00.

Mark S. Pisano. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Lender: Citizens Bank. Amount: $291,000.00.

Kristy J. Voytek. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Lender: loandepot.com LLC. Amount: $350,000.00.

La Corte Family Limited Partnership. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank.

Amount: $824,000.00.

Allied Health Care Services. Property Location: So. Abington Twp. Lender: FNCB. Amount: $10,000,000.00.

James J. Gaughan. Property Location: Taylor Boro. Lender: Honesdale National Bank. Amount: $1,300,000.00.

Alex Khochafian. Property Location: Throop Boro. Lender: JP Morgan Chase Bank. Amount: $264,000.00.

Douglas A. Yazinski. Property Location: Throop Boro. Lender: NBT Bank. Amount: $290,000.00.

Select Realty of Pennsylvania LLC. Property Location: Vandling Boro. Lender: PA Industrial Dev Auth. Amount: $825,000.00.

Harry Colton. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: US Bank National Association.

Amount: $294,000.00.

Northeast American Diocese of the Malankaf.

Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $750,000.00.

Northeast American Diocese of the Malankaf.

Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Landmark Community Bank. Amount: $750,000.00.

John P. Hoban. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Fidelity Dep & Disc Bk. Amount: $262,235.00 Thomas P. Tulaney. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Third Federal Savings & Loan Assoc.of C. Amount: $300,000.00.

Adam R. McCormack. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Stearns Lending LLC. Amount: $322,525.00.

Joan Kost. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: First National Bank of PA. Amount: $260,000.00.

Elizabeth Rebecca Sender. Property Location:

FOR THE RECORD W. Abington Twp. Lender: Univest Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $334,950.00.

Robert Ryan Thomas. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: First National Bank of PA. Amount: $277,600.00.

Peter D. Mercatili Jr. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: PNC Bank. Amount: $300,000.00.

John J. Farrence. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Open Mortgage LLC. Amount: $300,000.00.

John J. Farrence. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: USA HUD. Amount: $300,000.00.

Matthew R. Brycki. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: NBT Bank. Amount: $292,527.00.

Marshall Squire Properties LLC. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Landmar Community Bank. Amount: $250,000.00.

R & A LLC. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: Dime Bank. Amount: $663,000.00.

Robert P. Zelno. Property Location: W. Abington Twp. Lender: NBT Bank. Amount: $252,000.00.

LUZERNE COUNTY Syeda MS Chaklader. Property Location: Jackson Township. Lender: Mortgage. Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $266,807.00.

Ian R. Smith. Property Location: Leman Twp. Lender: Fidelity Deposit & Discount Bank. Amount: $366,400.00.

Colin T. Trebilcock. Property Location: Bear Creek Township. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. USAA Federal Savings Bank. Amount: $327,615.00.00.

Richard C. Gesler. Property Location: Dorrance Twp. Lender: Wells Fargo Bank. Amount: $370,000.00.

Timothy J. Fedor. Property Location: Kingston Twp. Lender: Jersey Shore State Bank. Amount: $379,920.00.

Patrick Keating. Property Location: Edwardsville Boro. Lender: Wyoming Valley West Community Federal Credit Union. Amount: $272,000.00.

Kevin D. Eckrote. Property Location: Butler Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Quicken Loans Inc. Amount: $263,060.00.

Karunesh Properties Inc. Property Location: Dorrance Twp. Lender: First National Bank of Pennsylvania. Amount: $510,000.00.

Berry Global Films LLC. Property Location:

Wright Twp.(Two Parcels). Lender: U.S. Bank.

Amount: $500,000,000.00.

Luke M. Medico. Property Location: Dorrance Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Crosscountry Mortgage Inc. Tara Ulitchney. Property Location: Ross Twp. Lender: Citizens Bank. Amount: $332,500.00.

Anthony Pittelli. Property Location: Jenkins Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $250,000.00.

Joseph T. Alba. Property Location: Pittston Twp. Lender: Citizens Savings Bank. Amount: $321,568.00.

John F. McNichol. Property Location: Fairview Twp. Lender: PNC Mortgage. Amount: $288,000.00.

Vanessa Ann Ferrance. Property Location: Rice Twp. Lender: C.U. Mortgage Services Inc. Amount: $345,600.00.

Darren G. Crispin. Property Location: Salem Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank.

Amount: $419,000.00.

Amarpreet Rai. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Bank of America.

RLS Real Estate of Pittston PA LLC. Property Location: Yatesville Boro. Lender: Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania.

Prem Investments LLC. Property Location: Wilkes Barret City. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $310,934.00.

Kashish Ventures LLC. Property Location: Hanover Twp. Two Parcels. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $523,914.00.

Drinker Realty Corporation. Property Location: Hanover Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $300,000.00.

Eryn Milius. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. CU Members Mortgage. Amount: $261,600.00.

Meliossa Koviack. Property Location: Rice Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. Amount: $334,000.00.

Lisa A. White. Property Location: Buck Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $304,000.00.

Payne Printery Inc. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Lender: Community Bank. Amount: $1,480,000.00.

Jared Reesman. Property Location: Lehman Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $424,100.00.

Christopher Michael Ervin. Property Loca-

tion: Dorrance Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. FNB Bank. Amount: $297,000.00.

Vince Joseph Cocco. Property Location: Dupont Boro. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $263,150.00.

Timothy S. Connell. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Residential Mortgage Services Inc. Amount: $258,300.00.

Luke Osborn. Property Location: Rice Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Residential Mortgage Services Inc. Amount: $289,750.00.

Simon D. Daywood. Property Location: Wright Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Pacific Union Financial LLC. Amount: $268,375.00.

Joe Fusi. Property Location: Butler Twp. Lender: Wells Fargo Bank. Amount: $298,400.00.

MacNauchtan Holdings LLC. Property Location: Plymouth Twp. (3 Parcels) Hanover Twp. (2 Parcels). Lender: First Columbia Bank & Trust Company. Amount: $268,500.00.

Misty A. Cook. Property Location: Dallas Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Benchmark Mortgage. Amount: $306,801.00.

Ber Real Estate Investments I LLC. Property Location: Wilkes Barre Twp. Lender: Wells Fargo Bank. Amount: $200,000,000.00.

Michael Santry Paul. Property Location: Jenkins Twp. Lender: USAA Federal Savings Bank.

Amount: $347,309.00.

Nicholas B. Canall. Property Location: Wright Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Loandepot.Com.LLC. Amount: $350,374.00.

Richard M. Frank. Property Location: Fairview Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC. Amount: $245,828.00.

Irem Temple Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Shrine Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.

Property Location: Dallas Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank.

Amount: $450,000.00.

MONROE COUNTY RML Land Investments LLC. Property Location: Delaware Water Gap. Lender: PS Bank.

Amount: $255,000.00.

Little Caesars Holdings LLC. Property Location: East Stroudsburg. Lender: Dime Bank.

Amount: $453,750.00.

PIKE COUNTY Mark Case. Property Location: Lackawaxen Twp. Lender: Dime Bank. Amount: $328,000.00.

Edward J. Dandrea. Property location: Palmyra Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration System Inc. Amount: $308,000.00.

Arrump LLC. Property Location: Westfall Twp. Lender: 1st Constitution Bank. Amount: $1,130,000.00.

Yoav Ilan. Property Location: Blooming Grove Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $414,000.00.

Terry L. Wilhide. Property Location: Milford Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $440,000.00.

Serge Guy Djiya. Property Location: Blooming Grove Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $412,392.00.

Jessica Gamer. Property Location: Milford Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $275,500.00.

Robert Gadue. Property Location: Shohola Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration System Inc. Amount: $393,000.00.

Robert Gadue. Property Location: Shohola Twp. Lender: Secretary of Housing & Urban Development. Amount: $393,000.00.

Stratford Land Development Company LP. Property Location: Milford Twp. Lender: Peoples Bank. Amount: $1,200,000.00.

David J. Yakaboski Jr. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $265,000.00.

Halvest Limited Partnership. Property Location: Green Twp. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $1,750,000.00.

James Mauro. Property Location: Lackawaxen Twp. Lender: Citizens Savings Bank. Amount: $265,000.00.

Lisa McKenzie. Property Location: Milford Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $332,000.00.

Jason Russell. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $280,000.00.

Robert E. Maley. Property Location: Palmyra Twp. Lender: CACL Federal Credit Union. Amount: $295,066.32.

Donald L. Bartleson. Property Location: Greene Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $294,900.00.

Jason Cawley. Property Location: Shohola Twp. Lender: MERS. Amount: $303,181.00.

John F. Jorgenson. Property Location: Milford Twp. Lender: Unity Bank. Amount: $488,000.

John F. Jorgenson. Property Location: Dingman Twp. Lender: Unity Bank. Amount: $488,000.00.

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FOR THE RECORD

Avram Hornik. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Lender: TD Bank NA. Amount: $690,000.00.

Regli III. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Lender: M&T Bank. Amount: $424,100.00.

Axay Patel. Property Location. Coolbaugh Twp. Lender: US Small Business Administration.

Amount: $604,300.00.

Lukov & Association LP, Monolith LLC. Property Location: Pocono Twp. Lender: NEPA Alliance Business Finance Corp. Amount: $986,000.00.

Blake Martin. Property Location: Pocono Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $380,000.

Shahid Mahmud. Property Location: Ross Twp. Lender: Affinity Federal Credit Union. Amount: $330,000.00.

Mario Arostegui. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Lender: E Mortgage Management LLC. Amount: $394,843.00.

Frank Deinero. Property Locatrion: Tobyhanna Twp. Lender: PNC Bank NA. Amount: $400,000.00.

Zs Properties Inc. Property Location: Smithfield Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank.

Amount: $465,000.00.

New Development & Relocation Opportunities Needed

Pennsylvania Counties of Interest Include: • Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, Wyoming Locations Wanted: • Flexible space requirements • End Cap, In-Line, Drive-Thru, Free Standing Bring us any and all potential locations.

We will determine if we can develop or possibly relocate to your site.

PLEASE CONTACT Abbie Muto muto_a@sdepa.com Cheryl Green green_c@sdepa.com (610) 366-8120 • www.sdepa.com

Member of International Council of Shopping Centers

BPB Development GP LLC. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $5,000,000.00.

Pleasant Valley Ecumenical Network Inc. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Lender: First Northern Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $650,000.00.

Pocono Community Church Inc. Property location: Coolbaugh Twp. Lender: Assemblies of God Loan Fund. Amount: $300,000.00.

HRP Corp. Tree Tops Inc. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Lender: Western Alliance Bank. Amount: $45,000,000.00.

Jerome Perry. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Lender: Community Bank NA. Amount: $2,700,000.00.

MBC Development LP, MBC Management LLC. Property location: Hamilton Twp. Lender: PNC Bank NA. Amount: $1,150,000.00.

Donald Wenner. Property Location: Stroud Twp. Lender: Vipul Shah. Amount: $800,000.00.

DLP Professional Building LLC. Property Location: Smithfield Twp. Lender: Vipul Shah.

Amount: $800,000.00.

Shine Hill Properties LLC. Property location: Pocono Twp. Lender: First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union. Amount: $350,400.00.

David Lesley. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Lender: Quicken Loans Inc. Amount: $315,000.00 RBG Homes LLC. Property Location: Stroud Twp. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $300,000.00.

Silver Valley Resort LLC. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Lender: John Sosko. Amount: $1,100,000.00.

Noel Baiquin. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Lender: Movement Mortgage LLC. Amount: $304,200.00.

SC Palace PA LLC. Property Location: Smithfield Twp. Lender: Parke Bank. Amount: $1,904,690.00; $2,869,690.00; $2,334,690.00.

SC Stream PA LLC. Property Location: Paradise Twp. Lender: Parke Bank. Amount: $2,334,690; $1,904,690.00; $2,869,690.00.

Brian Sullivan. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Lender: Santander Bank NA. Amount: $460,000.00.

Dale Heller. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Lender: ESSA Bank & Trust. Amount: $358,000.00.

Pocono Manor Investors LP. Property Location: Mt. Pocono. Lender: Manufacturers & Traders Trust Co. Amount: $3,650,000.00.

Bella Canarte. Property Location: Tobyhanna

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Twp. Lender: American Financial Network Inc. Amount: $332,500.00.

Scott Slater. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Lender: Community Bank NA. Amount: $1,500,000.00.

HSK Properties LLC. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Lender: First Northern Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $556,000.00.

BTS Stroudsburg LLC. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Lender: First Northern Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $4,044,420.00.

Carol Walker. Property Location: Pocono Twp. Lender: Huntington National Bank. Amount: $440,000.00.

Svetlana Ustinova. Property Location: Pocono Twp. Lender: United Wholesale Mortgage. Amount: $300,000.00.

James Pease. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Lender: Loandepot.com LLC. Amount: $323.000.00.

Emil Ahnert. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Lender: Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania. Amount: $300,000.00.

Jose Pillaga. Property Location: Middle Smithfield Twp. Lender: Centennial Lending Group LLC. Amount: $351,000.00.

Buck Hill Falls Co. Property Location: Barrett Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $1,010,000.00.

Dario Fortuna. Property Location: Hamilton Twp. Lender: Homebridge Financial Services Inc. Amount: $320,000.00.

2Main St. Buildings LLC. Property Location: Stroudsburg. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $393,750.00.

Salvatore Ferraioli. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Lender: Santander Bank NA. Amount: $300,720.00.

Alexander Lakhter. Property Location: Stroudsburg Lender: First Keystone Community Bank.

Amount: $575,200.00.

Kresgeville Plaza Inc. Property Location: Polk Twp. Lender: Mauch Chunk Trust Co. Amount: $245,000.00.

John Coscia. Property Location: Tobyhanna Twp. Lender: First Choice Loan Services Inc. Amount: $361,710.00., Kenneth Pickette. Property Location: Stroud Twp. Lender: Clearpath Lending. Amount: $331,300.00.

Robert Driscoll. Property Location: Polk Twp. Lender: ESSA Bank & Trust. Amount: $302,575.00.

Howard Woodhouse. Property Location: Ross Twp. Lender: Wells Fargo Bank NA. Amount: $335,700.00.

Larry Hallenbeck. Property Location: Jackson Twp. Lender: Essa Bank & Trust. Amount: $424,000.00.

Buck Hill Water Co. Property Locatrion: Barrett Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. Amount: 1,010,000.00.

Lot Holding Co. LLC. Property Location: Stroudsburg. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $250,000.00.

CRE HRP LLC. Property Location: Middlefield Twp. Lender: Western Alliance Bank. Amount: $25,000,000.00.

Jun Chen. Property Location: Coolbaugh Twp. Lender: Univest Bank & Trust Co. Amount: $320,000.00.

Bruce Brown. Property Location: Ross Twp. Lender: Fulton Bank NA. Amount: $358,400.00.

Shafer Holdings LLC. Property Location: Jacksopn Twp. Lender: First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union. Amount: $366,000.00.

Mount Pocono Campground Inc. Property Location: Coolbaugh Twp. Lender: First Keystone Community Bank. Amount: $430,000.00.

RGB Homes LLC. Property Location: Stroud Twp. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $300,000.00.

Frys Plastic Tubing LLC. Property Location: Polk Twp. Lender: Kenneth Fry. Amount: $3,000,000.00.

Rogue Audio Inc. Property Location: Chestnuthill Twp. Lender: First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union. Amount: $392,000.00.

Eagle Valley Realty LP. Property Location: East Stroudsburg. Lender: Landmark Community Bank.

Amount: $8,000,000.00.

Jies Cordial Cottages LLC. Property Location: Paradise Twp. Lender: Dime Bank. Amount: $430,500.00.

Century Realty MP LLC. Property Location: Mt. Pocono. Lender: First National Bank of Pennsylvania. Amount: $1,000,000.00.

SCHUYKILL COUNTY James Folmar. Property Location: Eagle Rock. Lender: Cardinal Financial Co. LP. Amount: $400,000.00.

Ted Souchak. Property Location: Frackville.

Lender: Mid Penn Bank. Amount: $405,000.00.

Keith Masser. Property Location: Hubley Twp. Lender: Mid Penn Bank. Amount: $608,000.00.

FOR THE RECORD Keith Masser. Property Location: Hubley Twp. Lender: Mid Penn Bank. Amount: $675,000.00.

JPBDL Inc. Property Location: Pottsville.

Lender: Laurel Developers. Amount: $300,000.00.

Ralph Vance. Property Location: Barry Twp. Lender: LMC Home Loans, Amount: $266,000.00.

Shoffstall Real Estate LP. Property Location: Pine Grove. Lender: Meridian Bank. Amount: $300,000.00.

William Marquardt. Property Location: Ashland. Lender: MERS-Fla Corp. Amount: $291,970.00.

WAYNE COUNTY David J. Kandel. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: MERS-Guaranteed Rate. Amount: $300,000.00.

G’s Plaza LLC. Property Location: Texas.

Lender: The Dime Bank. Amount: $525,000.00.

Daniel M. Nicholas. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: TD Bank NA. Amount: $350,000.

Curt R. Hogancamp. Property Location: Damascus. Lender: MERS-Summit Mortgage.

Amount: $393,550.00.

Thomas P. Valet. Property Location: Paupack.

Lender: The Dime Bank. Amount: $700,000.00.

Samhaven Lake LLC. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: Parke Bank. Amount: $2,869,690.00.

Samhaven Lake LLC. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: Park Bank. Amount: $1,904,690.00.

Samhaven Lake LLC. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: Park Bank. Amount: 2,334,690.00.

Peter Albanese. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: MERS-Cardinal Financial. Amount: $400,000.00.

Brian H. Trosper. Property Location: Paupack.

Lender: MERS-Investors Home Mortgage. Amount: $414,000.00.

Longacre Wayne County Properties LLC. Property Location: Damascus. Lender: The Dime Bank. Amount: $460,000.00.

Susan Birtch. Property Location: Damascus. Lender: One Reverse Mortgage. Amount: $237,000.00.

Susan Birtch. Property Location: Damascus Lender: Housing & Urban Development. Amount: $237,000.00.

Guy Stephen. Property Location: Dreher.

Lender: MERS-Embrace Home Loans Inc. Amount: $259,462.00.

Ronald E. Seeman. Property Location: Paupack. Lender: MERS-Quicken Loans. Amount:

$256,000.00.

Halvest, LP. Property Location: Salem & Palmyra. Lender: Wayne Bank. Amount: $1,750,000.00

WYOMING COUNTY Lake Realty LLC. Property Location: Overfield Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $1,146,400.00.

RMR Property Investments LLC. Property Location: Falls Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $1,146,400.00.

RE Realty Investments LLC. Property Location: Falls Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $1,146,400.00.

James P. Rabaduex. Property Location: Falls Twp. Lender: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. Amount: $302,436.00.

Christopher R. Higdon. Property Location: Monroe Twp. Lender: FNCB Bank. Amount: $324,500.00.

Teen Challenge Training Center Inc. Property Location: Clinton Twp. Lender: Heritage Investment Services Fund Inc. Amount: $800,000.00.

Virginia Hawk. Property Location: Lemon Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company.

Amount: $319,602.00.

Virginia Hawk. Property Location: Lemon Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company.

Amount: $319,602.00.

Virginia Hawk. Property Location: Lemon Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company.

Amount: $319,602.00.

Virginia Hawk. Property Location: Lemon Twp. Lender: Peoples Security Bank & Trust Company.

Amount: $319,602.00.

STOCkS This report on insider trading activity has been prepared for informational purposes only by James Blazejewski, CFP, Senior Vice PresidentInvestment Officer, Wells Fargo Advisors, 672 North River Street, Suite 300, Plains, PA 18705.

It is based on information generally available to the public from sources believed to be reliable.

No representation is made that the information is accurate or complete and it does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any particular security. Current information contained in this report is not indicative of future activity. Wells Fargo Advisors, is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Source of data: Thomson Financial

INSIDER TRADING ACTIVITY ON STOCKS OF LOCAL INTEREST FOR JULY (CZNC – 22.53) CITIZENS & NORTHERN CORPORATION Frank Pellegrino, director of Citizens & Northern Corporation, purchased 87 shares on June 2 at $22.89 per share for a total cost of $1,991.

Pellegrino controls 3,968 shares directly.

Over the last six months insiders of Citizens & Northern Corporation acquired 15,323 shares and disposed of 7,969 shares.

(FTR – 1.27) FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION Kenneth Arndt, vice president of Frontier Communications Corporation, purchased 13,000 shares on May 25 at $1.38 per share for a total cost of $17,875. Arndt controls 498,235 shares directly.

Over the last six months insiders of Frontier Communications Corporation acquired 88,300 shares and disposed of 530,631 shares.

(FNCB – 7.50) FNCB BANCORP INC. Ronald Honick, officer of FNCB Bancorp Inc. sold 1,967 shares on May 23 at $7.60 per share for total proceeds of $14,953. Honick controls 6,583 shares directly.

(MTB – 157.18) M&T BANK CORPORATION Scott Warman, officer and treasurer of M&T Bank Corporation sold 1,000 shares on May 23 at $161.20 per share for total proceeds of $161,198.

Warman controls 11,858 shares directly and 6,145 shares indirectly.

Brian Hickey, vice president of M&T Bank Corporation sold 2,000 shares on May 23 at $162.02 per share for total proceeds of $324,042. Hickey controls 12,169 shares directly.

Over the last six months, insiders of M&T Bank Corporation acquired 26,183 shares and disposed of 103,197 shares.

(NWFL – 38.44) NORWOOD FINANCIAL CORPORATION William Lance, chief financial officer of Norwood Financial Corporation exercised options for 1,100 shares on May 31 at $24.44 per share (exercised 2.8 years prior to the expiration date) for a total cost of $26,884 and on the same date sold those shares at $38.90 for total proceeds of $42,790. Lance controls 1,500 shares directly and 2,200 shares indirectly.

(NBTB – 35.76) NBT BANCORP INC. John Mitchell, director of NBT Bancorp Inc. sold 1,438 shares on June 1 at $35.48 per share for total proceeds of $51,025 and on May 24 sold 1,570 shares at $36.27 per share for total proceeds of $56,941. Mitchell controls 32,781 shares directly.

Over the last six months, insiders of NBT Bancorp Inc. acquired 70,899 shares and disposed of 203,304 shares.

(PEI – 11.08) PENNSYLVANIA REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST John Roberts, director of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust, purchased 10,000 shares on May 30 at $10.76 per share for a total cost of $107,600. Roberts controls 33,060 shares directly.

Over the last six months, insiders of Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust acquired 10,000 shares and disposed of 45,197 shares.

(UGI – 50.86) UGI CORPORATION Robert Beard, officer of subsidiary of UGI Corporation, exercised options for 30,000 shares on May 25 (exercised 5.6 years prior to the expiration date) at $21.81 per share for a total cost of $654,300 and on the same date sold those shares at $50.75 per share for total proceeds of $1,522,563. Beard controls 36,827 shares directly and 6,182 shares indirectly.

John Walsh, chief executive officer of UGI Corporation, exercised options for 50,000 shares on May 25 (exercised 2.6 years prior to the expiration date) at $16.13 per share for a total cost of $806,500 and on the same date sold those shares at $50.90 per share for total proceeds of $2,544,930. Walsh controls 427,617 shares directly.

Roger Vincent, director of UGI Corporation, exercised options for 25,500 shares on May 25 (12,750 shares exercised 4.6 years prior to the expiration date and 12,750 shares exercised 5.6 years prior to the expiration date) at $20.50 per share for a total cost of $522,750 and on the same date sold those shares at $50.70 per share for total proceeds of $1,292,909. Vincent controls 7,516 shares directly and 67,525 shares indirectly.

Over the last six months, insiders of UGI Corporation acquired 393,550 shares and disposed of 311,299 shares.

NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL JULY 2017 39 TS_CNG/NPBJ/PAGES [B39] | 06/28/17

15:52 | GRAHAMTOM

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Our dedicated relationship managers will get to know your business and connect you with the solutions you need to meet your goals. It’s the personal side of business banking—and for businesses big and small, it counts.

Our newest commercial banking team members: Matthew Colgan, Commercial Banking Relationship Manager 570.341.8426 mcolgan@nbtbank.com John Palmieri, Commercial Banking Relationship Manager 570.341.8444 jpalmieri@nbtbank.com Tom Sohns, Commercial Banking Relationship Manager 570.341.8422 tsohns@nbtbank.com

40 NORTHEAST PENNSYLVANIA BUSINESS JOURNAL TS_CNG/ADVERTISING/AD_PAGES [ADB40] | 06/28/17

JULY 2017

15:58 | BAIRDATHLE

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