Member News

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RKL LLP has named Partner

Daniel J. Nickischer, CPA,

CCIFP®, leader of the firm’s Small Business Services Group. In this role, Nickischer will lead a team of RKL advisors dedicated to serving the tax, accounting and financial needs of small business owners, and direct firm wide efforts related to quality control, client service and workforce development in this service area. He succeeds James H. Ostrowski, CPA, who led the Small Business Services Group for seven years and remains a partner with the firm.

RKL LLP is pleased to announce that Stephane Smith, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, has been named one of Central Penn Business Journal’s 2022 Women of Influence honorees. The Women of Influence award celebrates high-achieving women for their accomplishments. These women are selected based on their professional experience, community involvement, leadership and a commitment to mentoring.

Industry publication Accounting Today has released the 2022 edition of its top 150 CPA-affiliated firms by assets under management (AUM) list, and

RKL Wealth Management

LLC claimed the 39th spot. The investment advisory firm, which is a subsidiary of CPA and advisory leader RKL LLP, reported AUM of more than $1.467 billion as of early May 2022 when Accounting Today collected the survey data.

Mid Penn Bancorp, Inc.

announced the appointment of Allison Johnson as senior executive vice president and chief financial officer in May 2022. Johnson brings over 13 years of financial and accounting experience in financial services and related industries, having served most recently as the chief financial officer of Spirit of Texas Bank in Conroe, TX.

Jeffrey Spotts, President of Spotts Insurance Group, is pleased to announce that his agency has been awarded the prestigious Personal Lines All-Star Award from Nationwide Insurance. This award is given to the top producing agencies in the United States during the past year. The agency is a leader in providing insurance protection for individuals and businesses.

Dr. Thomas Hanford has been hired to serve as Kutztown University’s new Registrar. Hanford brings more than a decade of registrar experience to KU. Hanford has substantial history in higher education administration employment and has a great deal of experience as an instructor.

When Ron Belldegrun and his sister Mia Funt decided to start a new baby formula company, ByHeart, they knew it wouldn’t be easy. The process can be so discouraging that just two conglomerates maintain a decades-long grip on the industry. It took the company five years to get its manufacturing facility opened, supply chain in place, clinical trial completed and regulatory approval secured. This year, ByHeart became the first new manufacturer of baby formula in the U.S. in 15 years. As further evidence of how tough it is to do, ByHeart is now one of just five manufacturers of baby formula in the United States.

Christopher Spohn has been named Director of Project Development, Pre-College and Summer Programs at the Albright College Science Research Institute. Spohn will be responsible for developing, managing and leading special projects, collaborative educational initiatives and program alignment for Albright Science Research Institute. In addition to the project oversight of current and new initiatives, Spohn will utilize his background in education to facilitate and teach graduate courses and professional development for educators and administrators.

Ginger Kunkel has moved into her new role as president of Tompkins Community Bank’s Pennsylvania market. Kunkel, who previously served as the bank’s chief operating officer, assumed the new role in late May. She succeeds Scott Gruber, who retired. Innovation was the theme for the Ben Franklin

Technology Partners of Northeastern

Pennsylvania’s annual iXchange event. Attendees gathered virtually for the May 18 event that included the presentation of six innovation awards to early-stage technology companies, established manufacturers and individuals who have helped the organization advance the technology economy of northeastern Pennsylvania.

Reading-based, black-owned businesses, Abnormel

Apparel, Turner Coaching, Training and

Consulting, LLC and Pagoda Apparel received the first seed of funding from the Financial Lending and Innovation Collaborative (FLIC) spearheaded by Alvernia University’s O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. “The FLIC microgrant Program was developed to help earlystage entrepreneurs at one of the toughest points. Continued on next page

Entech Engineering, Inc.

(Entech) is pleased to announce the recent hiring of Charles M. Maher, P.E. as a Senior Project Manager in our recently expanded Pittsburgh office. Maher brings 20+ years of experience in water, wastewater, and stormwater engineering with expertise and technical knowledge of both the design and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure. At Entech, Maher is dedicated to the successful execution of projects, client management, staff development, and service advancement.

Caron Treatment Centers has appointed Kristine Bashore as its new Chief Operating Officer. In her new role, Bashore will lead the day-to-day operations at Caron, an internationally recognized nonprofit dedicated to addiction and behavioral healthcare treatment, research, prevention, and addiction medicine education. Bashore, who has been with the organization for more than 20 years, will also continue to oversee the alignment of the organization’s resources with its new three-year strategic plan.

The Ben Franklin Technology

Partners of Northeastern

Pennsylvania (BFTP_NEPA) has announced the appointment of Dannah Hartman to Marketing Associate/Manager. As Marketing Associate/Manager, Hartman will work to advance BFTP_NEPA’s brand and enhance networks of support by communicating the organization’s accomplishments via social and traditional media, events, publications, and other platforms. She will promote existing and alumni clients and build awareness among prospective new clients. Channel Futures MSP 501 revealed Solve IT Solutions, LLC is No. 280 on its annual Channel Futures MSP 501 List. Companies included on the MSP 501 List represent some of the most innovative and influential IT market leaders around the world. This is the second year in a row, Solve IT Solutions has been included on the List.

Jeffrey C. Euclide, PE, President of Entech Engineering, Inc. has retired after nearly 40 years with the company. Euclide was succeeded in his role as President by Robert J. Weir, PE, on Sept. 28, but will remain Chairman of the Board until the end of 2022.

Solve IT Solutions, LLC

announces Michael Roberts is joining the team as Account Executive. As Account Executive at Solve IT Solutions, Roberts’ duties include establishing and managing relationships with the current client base at a technical and executive level. Also, whether through IT sales or MSP offerings, Roberts is responsible for developing, building and managing relationships with new business accounts by creating individualized IT plans to fulfill their unique needs.

Solve IT Solutions, LLC

announces the promotion of Joel Paige to Sales Support Engineer. “We are excited to announce the promotion of Joel Paige to Sales Support Engineer. He has shown true dedication to the Solve IT Team since his first day with us in 2019. His ability to assist both clients and service team members contributes greatly to the overall success of our client support,” said Troy Kantner, President/CEO, Solve IT Solutions, LLC.

Solve IT Solutions, LLC

announces Mark Koiro joins the team as Account Executive. His duties include establishing and managing relationships with existing clients at a technical and executive level, as well as developing new accounts through referrals and business relationships. In addition, Koiro provides clients with customized technical solutions that meet their businesses specific requirements and needs.

Herbein | Mosteller HR

Consulting, a division of leading CPA advisory firm Herbein + Company, Inc. (Herbein), announced that Laurel E. Cline has been promoted to Senior Vice President, HR Consultant. Cline has been a vital member of the firm for over 24 years. In her new role, Cline will have overall responsibility for management of Herbein | Mosteller HR Consulting, including continuing to manage client projects and relationships in her primary areas of expertise of compensation, HR policies and procedures, employee investigations, organizational development and HR outsourcing, managing the firm’s consultants, monitoring project results, as well as business development.

Reading Bakery Systems

(RBS), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of snack production systems, has promoted Marcelo Morales to the role of Senior Project Manager. “We are pleased to announce the promotion of Marcelo. He has been a valuable part of the RBS Project Services Group for more than eight years, successfully managing projects that cover our entire equipment portfolio. In this new role, he will continue to lead by example, through his willingness to share experience and his commitment to both RBS and our customers.” said Shane Hanlon Director, Project Services.

Reading Bakery Systems

(RBS), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of snack production systems, has named Phillip Stringer Director of the RBS Science and Innovation Center (S&IC). In his new role, Stringer will oversee the facility and management of staff, all customer on-site and virtual product trials, as well as research and development projects for the company.

Entech Engineering, Inc. is pleased to announce the hiring of Charles M. Maher, P.E. as a Senior Project Manager in our recently expanded Pittsburgh office. Maher brings 20+ years of experience in water, wastewater, and stormwater engineering with expertise and technical knowledge of both the design and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure.