Commerce Quarterly Summer 2023

A platform of affiliated professional services firms, The Stevens & Lee Companies together provide a full range of legal, investment banking, financial advisory and government consulting services. Headquartered in Berks County and with 18 offices nationwide, we work closely with clients to solve their most complicated problems with a commitment to exceptional client service.

Learn more at www.stevenslee.com/our-companies.

Fassnacht, Editor lfassnacht@greaterreading.org

The opinions expressed in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

As the business voice of Greater Reading, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance leads the business community, as the economic driver, to a vibrant community.

Your Greater Reading Chamber Alliance…

» Partners with all other economic development organizations in creating an environment for growth.

» Enables all businesses to take deliberate and decided action on issues affecting their welfare.

» Helps small business thrive and entrepreneurs strive.

» Develops employees through training and educational programs/alliances.

» Prepares tomorrow’s workforce with our involvement in education partnerships.

» Operates as a model business and pursues best practices.

» Maintains a five-star rating as one of the best chambers in Pennsylvania.

» Reflects our multicultural community at large.

Letter from the Editor

There are stories and there are great stories. While many of you were attending the GRCA’s 110th Annual Dinner, I was exploring the U.K. with my best friend since childhood hearing some great stories.

While in London, we toured the same path as the infamous Jack the Ripper. This moonlit walk was punctuated by stops to retell the tales of his terror of 1888 East End London. Besides the obvious, unanswered question about his identity, why did he stop? Was he caught committing another crime? Did he die? Or did he move to America as some theorists suggest? I doubt we will ever know.

In Dublin, we found ourselves at the Cobblestone Bar where Irish musicians gather at the front of the bar and tell stories through traditional Irish music. It was incredible to see the packed bar fall silent the moment the first note was played. The respect was real, and the music was even better.

Edinburgh, Scotland, was chock full of magical stories, and by that, I mean arguably the most well-known magical story of all. As you may know, it is considered the birthplace of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series. The author wrote much of the beloved series while sitting in the city’s cafes. During a tour of the graveyard at Greyfriar’s Kirk, we learned that people who were buried there share names—albeit mostly with different spellings—with characters from the series. Elizabeth Moodie, William McGonagall, and, most notably, Thomas Riddell Esq. (shown in picture) are all laid to rest here. Rowling was known to walk the cemetery every day to pick her kids up from the school just on the other side of it.

Speaking of great stories, have you read the latest installments of our member storytelling campaign? Scan the flowcodes to catch up on them. Come with us as we learned how Sweet Street Desserts has become the world’s top-rated dessert leader in both taste and appearance.

Or check out our story on the Animal Rescue League of Berks County about how the organization is achieving excellence in both animal welfare and community. I mean, who doesn’t love to read about animals?

Finally, read about how Brian Cuccaro turned a summer gig mowing lawns into a full-service lawn and landscaping business.

After you read all of these, check out some excellent stories in this edition of Commerce Quarterly. Enjoy! CQ

Leah Fassnacht

Board of Directors

GRCA BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jeffrey R. Rush – Fulton Bank (Chairman)

Christina L. Weeber – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc. (Vice Chairman)

Daniel R. Langdon – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc./Retired (Immediate Past Chairman)

Michele L. Richards – Fulton Bank (Treasurer)

Michael A. Duff, Esq. – Penske Truck Leasing (Secretary)

DIRECTORS

Gregg A. Bogia – Bogia Engineering, Inc.

Ernest J. Choquette – The Stevens & Lee Companies

Jim Gerlach – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Jack Gombach – McNees Strategic Solutions Group

Laura Haffner – Wells Fargo

Sara Kuzma Stump – Suburban Testing Labs

Dr. Susan Looney – Reading Area Community College

Jamey Maack – Industrial Metal Plating

Debra L. Millman, Esq. – Greater Berks Development Fund

David C. Roland – Truist

Timothy D. Romig – Customers Bank

Alan Shuman – Shuman Development Group

David W. Stonesifer – Herbein + Company, Inc.

John Weidenhammer – Weidenhammer

GREATER READING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sara Kuzma Stump – Suburban Testing Labs (Chairwoman)

Laura Haffner – Wells Fargo (Vice Chairwoman)

Gregg A. Bogia – Bogia Engineering Inc. (Secretary)

Jack Gombach – McNees Strategic Solutions Group (Treasurer)

Timothy Dietrich – Barley Snyder (Solicitor)

Michele L. Richards – Fulton Bank (Immediate Past Chair)

DIRECTORS

Stephen Bonner – DoubleTree by Hilton Reading

David Cooper – Met-Ed, A FirstEnergy Company

Lucy Cortez – Community First Fund

Brian Dietrich – Ernst & Young (EY LLP)

Jonathan Encarnacion – UPMC FOR U, INC.

Becky A. Eshbach – UGI Utilities, Inc.

Alba Fernandez – Community First Fund

Andrea Funk – Enersys

Kristi Gage-Linderman – Gage Personnel

Jim Gerlach – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Dan Gring – D&B Construction

Joey Jurgielewicz – Jurgielewicz & Son, Ltd.

Kristin Kohler – Brentwood Industries, Inc.

Daniel B. Laws, Jr. – DaBrian Marketing Group

Ben Leisawitz – Barley Snyder LLP

John Perate – M&T Bank

Ryan Redner – Redner’s Markets

Daniel Richards – Berks County Intermediate Unit

Rodney Ridley – Alvernia University

Mike Riley – EthoSource, LLC

Ben Ross – Burkey Construction

Jim Sarro – Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd.

Alan Shuman – Shuman Development Group

David W. Stonesifer – Herbein + Company, Inc.

John Weidenhammer – Weidenhammer

GREATER BERKS DEVELOPMENT FUND

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Debra L. Millman, Esq. – Greater Berks Development Fund (President)

Daniel R. Langdon – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc./Retired (Chairman)

Ernest J. Choquette – The Stevens & Lee Companies (Vice Chairman)

Michael A. Duff, Esq. – Penske Truck Leasing (Secretary)

Michael Vind – FSL Public Finance (Treasurer)

DIRECTORS

Charles Barbera, MD – Tower Health

Richard Bashore – Reading Electric Motor Service, Inc.

Joseph Butto – Tompkins VIST Bank

P. Michael Ehlerman – Yuasa Battery, Inc.

Jim Gerlach – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Scott Hauseman – Fulton Bank

For the most up-to-date schedule of events, training and webinars, visit GreaterReading.org and click on the events calendar at the top of the page.

Ginger Kunkel – Tompkins VIST Bank

Dr. Susan Looney – Reading Area Community College

Jamey Maack – Industrial Metal Plating

David C. Roland – Truist

Timothy D. Romig – Customers Bank

Jeffrey R. Rush – Fulton Bank

Sally Stewart – Greater Reading Chamber Alliance

Michael Vind – FSL Public Finance

Christina L. Weeber – East Penn Mfg. Co., Inc.

A Message from GRCA CEO & President

Gerlach to retire at the end of the year

By Leah Fassnacht, Director of Communications & Marketing, GRCA

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) announced the retirement of Jim Gerlach, GRCA’s President and CEO, effective at the end of this year.

“Jim has helped GRCA become the most stable economic development organization in the area and has pushed the staff to become the best version of themselves,” said Dan Langdon, former GRCA Board Chairman.

Gerlach began his GRCA tenure days before the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He led his first all-staff meeting over Zoom.

“We are thankful that Jim came in and oversaw the organization through the pandemic. He brought a calming leadership presence during a tumultuous time,” said Jeffrey Rush, current GRCA Board Chairman.

Gerlach has agreed to stay on through the end of the year to ensure that GRCA and its staff accomplish everything they set out

to do in the 2023 strategic plan. This will also ensure a smooth transition to the next organization head.

“I am committed to working towards the goals our organization has set for this year, as well as helping shape future goals. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to work with such a terrific staff who have accomplished a tremendous amount in the past few years,” Gerlach said. “But I am most excited to have more time to be a grandfather to my grandchildren.”

During his tenure, Gerlach led a company reorganization that created a more unified team. Additionally, he has helped lead the charge to bring passenger rail back to Berks County—serving on the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority as chairman of its Community Engagement Committee and on the Franklin Street Working Group.

A committee made up of local business leaders and community stakeholders is leading the regional search for Gerlach’s replacement. CQ

The President and CEO has been at the helm since 2020

Jim Gerlach, GRCA President and CEO, leads an all-staff meeting.

Thank you!

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE

Building a Stronger City

Habitat for Humanity shares importance of neighborhood projects

new housing to create a neighborhood community. This project will be finished by 2026, but some townhome units are already completed.

Habitat’s 9th and Douglass Street project is focusing on reinvesting in a very dense neighborhood in Center City Reading. This new neighborhood will soon surround a new Reading School District school, which will be built there in the coming year and a half.

The third project is the Whole Home Repair Program, which aids homeowners who already live in the City of Reading who may need imperative home repairs. Due to an abundance of clients for this project, no new applications will be accepted as of now, and this project is expected to be complete by 2025. This will help increase the longevity of the home as well as improve the health and safety of its occupants.

Continued on next page >

Story & Photos by Rachel Kovach, Communications and Marketing Intern, GRCA

Through these projects, Habitat hopes to demonstrate the importance of prosperous and stable neighborhood communities in the City of Reading.

“We’re trying to create neighborhoods, along with the idea that people are able to live in an area, not by must but by desire… Organically, things will grow,” said Tim Daley, Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Berks County. “It’s all about creating opportunities and building neighborhoods. Then we get to watch those neighborhoods flourish from there.”

Beyond building homes, Habitat educates its prospective homeowners with a required 50 hours of financial literacy education, part of a 200-hour sweat-equity requirement to be able to qualify for a home. Applicants complete the rest of their hours through volunteer work.

Habitat depends heavily on over 300 dedicated volunteers each year. Volunteers can help on the job sites, at fundraising events or at Habitat’s ReStores. Groups, companies or individuals interested in volunteering can sign up on Habitat’s website.

“Volunteering is easy to do, and it’s different with us because of the experience,” Daley said. “It’s not a mundane type of experience. You’re actually building something, and, on top of that, maybe you’re learning how to do it at your own home. We [educate] intentionally. We would like people to walk away with a little more knowledge than when they started with us.”

Thanks to the many hours of education and volunteer time, the possibilities of a higher quality of life fall into place like dominoes for Habitat homeowners. The adults of households are in more stable living conditions and more likely to make informed decisions about their lives and their children’s lives. Kids in a stable household are more likely to succeed in school, raising their GPAs, making it more likely for them to graduate high school and go to college. A stable home life sets every member of a family up for success.

Daley knows firsthand what it’s like to see Greater Reading in varying degrees of health over the past couple decades.

“I grew up in the City of Reading, I grew up in a row home. I know what it’s like when it’s doing well, and I know what it’s like when it’s not,” said Daley. “I’ve been able to see this city over the past 40 years through different lenses—from a kid to a cop to my job now.”

Continued on page 12 >

Asthe premier Realtor in Berks County, Lisa Tiger uses her marketing, and extensive network to more quickly match buyers and sellers.

Lisa’s passion and tenacity combined with her sales and marketing skills have made her the most successful agent in Berks County. She would love to have the opportunity to share that success with you.

When you are ready to buy or sell, Team up with the Tiger!

S CO RE is currently looking for qualified volunteers to mentor people going into business or currently in business.

We have a need for accounting, legal, computer skills, general operation expert.

If you have extra time and would like to help us with our request, you can go to our website or call 484-577-9791.

Thank you, Co Chairs, Dave Verrill and Pete Kostick

Habitat wants to debunk the assumption that they are an organization that just gives housing away to people that need it. Instead, the organization builds all of the housing, requires 200 hours of volunteering and education for prospective homeowners, requires financial literacy classes and more.

“I’m very proud of the fact that we look at their education to handle their new financial status as very important,” said Daley. “Most of our families come to us with credit scores that are well below acceptable credit scores to get a mortgage. When they’re done with us, their credit scores are sitting around 640 to 650, and when they go to the bank for their mortgage, they’re good to go.”

Habitat of Berks requires the most volunteer and financial literacy education hours out of any Habitat for Humanity affiliate in the United States.

Habitat for Humanity of Berks County has served the local community for the past 30 years with its endless volunteer opportunities, building brand new neighborhoods and educating its homeowners along the way.

“There’s a saying out there that says, ‘It takes a village.’ It’s a casual and fun slogan until you realize for that village to truly take effect, I have to build it first,” said Daley. “If you really believe it, then get

Volunteer hours per year: 3,600

Current construction projects: 3

Habitat Affiliates in Pennsylvania: 36

Habitat Affiliates in the United States: 1,056

Countries Habitat works in: 70+

Who We Serve:

Future Updates to Highlight History Berks History

Center plans to improve its exhibits with meaningful technology, inclusivity

The Berks History Center is looking towards the future by showcasing the past.

As a hidden gem of Greater Reading, it boasts a museum full of artifacts from Berks County’s past, the Henry Janssen Library and a full itinerary of community events, presentations and even Pennsylvania Dutch lessons.

Benjamin Neely, the Center’s Executive Director, is proud of the challenges it has overcome since his start in late 2019, but he and his team have plans for some drastic updates for the museum.

“We’re going to do a very major redesign of our museum and we will be using technology as a way to stay connected with our audience throughout the year,” said Neely.

Ideally, the technology added to the museum will make the exhibits more meaningful, impactful and more fun to learn about. Neely hopes to have technology that “gamifies” the exhibits and makes them interactive so that people of all ages can enjoy them and hopefully will encourage patrons to become repeat customers at the museum.

In addition to the plans for a more technology-based museum experience, Neely also hopes to make Berks History Center a more inclusive museum that highlights the current demographics in Greater Reading.

“We want to make sure that our organization and our collections are representative of the community we serve,” Neely said. “We

Story & Photos by Rachel Kovach, Communications & Marketing Intern, GRCA

William Haman captured photos of Berks County natives from all walks of life. These photos were perfectly developed from hundreds of glass plate negatives. This is the first exhibit in the Center to display information in both English and Spanish.

would like to address the inclusivity issue and make sure that all the different waves of immigration that are [moving to Greater Reading] know that we’re a place they can begin to tell their story. We will continue to present these stories as a reminder that they are always relevant.”

Founded in 1869, the Berks History Center was started as a historical society. It was made up of wealthy, white people, who gathered materials to be included in the museum, resulting in a lack of diversity.

“I want to get many individuals of all backgrounds in here to look around the museum and tell me, ‘This is how you can serve us,’” said Neely.

Although many improvement plans are in the works for Berks History Center, it also has many established programs that are well loved by its patrons.

The Pennsylvania Dutch language is being taught by Bradley Smith, the archivist and assistant director. This program has been way more popular than expected, so two additional teachers were hired to handle the workload. Classes are taught in-person and virtually, with about 200 students in total. Neely hopes to eventually expand the program by adding “expert-level” classes.

MGM’s<

#Wizard ofOz

with special guest speaker Mr. John Fricke, the world’s preeminent historian on all things “Oz.” Learn about the film you thought you knew!

Movie followed by Q&A Discussion with John Fricke. Two-time Emmy Award winner John Fricke is regarded as the preeminent Oz and Judy Garland historian.

Sat, Oct 28th

3 - 5:45 pm

Tickets $10

Bring the Whole Family!

R/C Reading Movies 11 & IMAX - Theater 1

On the big screen as it was meant to be seen!

On the big screen as it was meant to be seen!

ReadingFILMFEST

Festival Dates

✩ 9th Annual For schedule and tickets

Oct 26th - 29th, 2023

ReadingFilmFEST.org

Another popular program is Road Rambles, which are driving tours through Greater Reading. The Center predetermines stop locations, and it distributes a booklet with a recording for patrons to listen to during the tour. These tours have a variety of stops and a specific driving route to take attendees on the most scenic route through the county.

In the museum, the first and third floors have permanent exhibits. To keep things fresh and new, the second floor’s exhibits change about once a year. Currently, there are exhibits celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Wyomissing Marching Band and showcasing the photography of Dr. William A. Haman.

As someone who did not grow up in Greater Reading, Neely finds it important to learn as much as possible about the place where he resides.

“There’s a big opportunity for community pride with [the Center]. For folks that aren’t from this area, like me, I’m here in Pennsylvania now and I want to know everything about the place I call home,” said Neely.

Over the last 100 years, the Wyomissing Marching Band has had many different uniforms. This red uniform was worn by band members in the 1970s.

For more information about Berks History Center, visit their website at www.berkshistory.org or contact Benjamin Neely at b.neely@berkshistory.org. CQ

GREATER TOGETHER

Here’s a taste of what the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) has been working on in the past couple of months and what’s to come!

Advocacy

The Advocacy program has been following the state budget impasse and assisting affected local businesses and non-profits. We are also gearing up for the start of the federal fiscal year and the battle over another five-year Farm Bill. Our committees continue to meet to discuss state bills that were introduced in the spring session that may be included in budget negotiations or in the fall legislative session. Issues such as increasing the reduction of the corporate net income tax, reforming net operating loss carryovers, increasing the minimum wage, expanding the child and dependent tax credit and adding financial literacy courses to school curriculum remain in limbo. This session may be complicated by the fact that Rep. Sara Innamrato (D-Allegheny) has resigned her post to run for Allegheny County Executive, leaving the House at 101-101 and one vacancy. We are also looking to host our members of Congress during their August recess for tours at businesses engaging in workforce training to showcase how we are working to solve our local workforce problems and encourage more people to choose to work and grow in their career in Berks County.

Economic Development

The Pennsylvania Loan Catalyst Fund offers flexible and below-market fixed-rate business term loans to support local

businesses in Berks County. The program enables financing for real estate, leasehold improvements, equipment and working capital, encouraging growth and expansion. Collaboration with private lenders through a 1:1 match is required. Learn more about the program at greaterreading.org/pa-loan-catalyst-fund/.

Events & Special Programs

Our biggest event of the year was our Annual Dinner, which brought together 800+ attendees for the Business Excellence Awards, an inspiring chat with keynote speaker Candance Nelson of Sprinkles Cupcakes, and the biggest night of networking in Berks County. On top of that, we hosted three networking events, welcomed members at a New Member Mixer and Breakfast4Success, and played ball with the Fightin Phils! We are now looking forward to our Annual Picnic back at FirstEnergy Stadium featuring live music, food, adult beverages, our Annual Home Run Derby and our inaugural Cornament (yep, that’s our Cornhole Tournament). Can’t wait to see you this summer!

Women2Women held five events in April, May and June. Our all-day Conference & Expo hosted 300+ attendees and featured keynote speaker Betsy Hamm, CEO of Duck Donuts, as well as our ATHENA Award winner Adelle Schade, founder of Total Experience Learning®. In addition, we welcomed young women to network and get free headshots, got our finances in order and connected over cocktails at Lobsterfest! A collection of W2W Council & Committee members met for an all-day Strategic Planning Meeting in June to plan for the next three years.

G

preservation or progress

I chose both

Family Business Alliance hosted a networking event for Peer Group Members, a workshop with an expert panel about Clarity of Roles & Accountability, and our annual Spring Symposium featuring A.D. Moyer Lumber.

Membership

Our new director of membership, Jackie Stiles, would like to thank everyone on the GRCA team for being so welcoming and helpful. In these past four months, she has enjoyed meeting members and looks forward to meeting even more at our upcoming events! You can meet her in person at the Annual Picnic Cornament!

Training & Workforce Development

The GRCA’s Training and Professional Development Department continues to expand its offerings of professional development programs. During the month of June, the department delivered the highly acclaimed Sales Methods and Mastery program, which provides new and seasoned sales professionals with the tools and knowledge to excel as a sales professional. The program will be offered once again on Sept. 7-8. The Situational Leadership

Bootcamp, GRCA’s latest leadership program, was successfully rolled out in June. The department now offers a virtual Spanish speaking training program for supervisors! Please contact Mark Dolinski at mdolinski@greaterreading.org to bring the Situational Leadership Bootcamp to your location or to learn more about the Spanish-speaking, virtual program.

Workforce Development hosted the initial meeting for the new Healthcare Industry Partnership (IP) on June 30. The funding for the IP came from the Berks County Workforce Development Board (WDB) who received a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to create a Nursing Pathway Apprenticeship Industry Partnership Program. This grant program was part of the COVID-19 Nursing Workforce Initiative and funded by the American Rescue Plan Act.

We also kicked off the Environmental Health & Safety Roundtable session in June. This quarterly program was brought back because of interest from several of our members. Additionally, we held a manufacturing tour at Unique Snacks in April as a way of helping to promote our local manufacturers. CQ

When Schuylkill River Greenways wanted help with the preservation and revitalization of the river and a 120-mile trail alongside it, they looked to Tompkins because of our shared commitment to traditional values and economic innovation. | tompkinsbank.com

Annual Dinner A Sweet Success

AWA

RDS R

GRCA celebrated its 110th Annual Dinner in style at the Santander Arena with over 800 people in attendance. The colorful, sprinkle-themed event celebrated the highly successful companies that were selected as winners of the Business Excellence Awards. Candace Nelson, a TV personality and producer, entrepreneur and best-selling author, was the keynote speaker for the night. She discussed the importance of confidence and the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and how she overcame those moments. CQ

Annual Dinner a Sweet Success continued

Now is the time to develop a skin care routine

By Susannah North, French Creek Aesthetics (FCA)

French Creek Aesthetics (FCA) is a med-spa based in Elverson, Pa. Our dedicated staff offers unique and individually tailored skin and medi-spa services, a range of different facials, fillers and injections, various massages, Reiki and reflexology.

We also carry a multitude of organic skin care products from Europe. Our treatments are based on the “European approach,” handson face massages. We focus on educating our clients about daily athome skin care to provide the best help by a hard-working and devoted team. Investing in your skin’s health by using the correct skin care products will not only help your skin look and feel at its best, but also will help protect it from aging and sun damage. Incorporating a skin care routine into your daily life will help you accumulate all the benefits and protections that your skin needs.

It is crucial that your skincare routine includes products to ensure that you are well hydrated and protected from the sun! An essential part of having an effective skincare routine is to use the correct products for your skin type. A great skin care choice is Shira, an all-natural European Approach skin care brand that helps with all types of skin conditions. An effective skincare routine provides you with a multitude of benefits, it helps prevent acne and wrinkles, improves skin hydration and keeps you feeling confident! It’s never too late or too early to start your skincare routine in your life; it will make a huge difference down the road once your skin begins to age. Make sure to wash your face and maintain it. Clean and healthy skin will protect you from bacteria, dirt and UV rays. Ultimately, having the correct skincare routine will protect the health and functionality of your skin and replenish all the minerals or hydration you may have lost throughout the day!

If you are having trouble with discovering the right skincare routine for yourself, or don’t know which products to use for your skin, FCA is here to help.

Visit FCA to learn more about your skincare goals at FrenchCreekAesthetics.com. Or call us at 610-901-3915 to schedule an appointment! Take some time to treat yourself; you deserve it! CQ

Create A Skin Care Routine

Here are tips to use for your routine to help you get amazing results!

Exfoliate: It’s important to exfoliate once a week; this will remove the dead skin, but won’t strip the skin of its natural oils due to over-exfoliating.

Cleanse: Every day and night, make sure to cleanse your face, and don’t forget about the areas by the nose and around the lips. Also, make sure to be very gentle around the eyes!

Tone: After you cleanse, apply a toner that works best for you; this will have a positive impact on the appearance and cleanliness of your skin.

Hydrate: To keep your face hydrated, apply moisturizer in the morning and at night, and lastly make sure to use SPF!

Protect: SPF will keep you protected from harmful rays of the sun and prevent wrinkles, skin cancer and burns. We recommend using a mineral-based SPF; this is superior to chemical-based SPF because it doesn’t get absorbed and stays on top of the skin to reflect the sun.

More Than Imagination IMAGINE Berks’ plan helps shape the county’s future

By Berks County Commissioners Christian Leinbach, Michael Rivera and Lucine Sihelnik

Imagine a Berks County where owners of new businesses and novice entrepreneurs could get training and support to develop and upscale their fledgling businesses. Imagine a Berks County that leverages its best existing asset—its people—to retrain and deploy skilled workers back into the county workforce. Imagine a Berks County that recognizes accessible and affordable housing is critical to attract and maintain effective workforces. Imagine a Berks County that identifies and encourages existing industrial and commercial workspaces to redevelop in ways that support growth industries and create new, in-demand jobs. Just imagine if all of that were possible!

We believe that it is! IMAGINE Berks is the county’s current economic development action plan working toward making Berks County a better place to live, work and grow. The plan kicked off over a year ago by engaging with local businesses, community members and various stakeholders, including the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA), to help us determine a direction and scope for an economic development plan.

“Looking ahead to 2030 and coming out of the COVID pandemic, the Berks County Board of Commissioners (including former Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt) identified we needed a comprehensive plan that focused on economic development and capitalizing on emerging opportunities that would help align funding, stakeholders and projects. IMAGINE Berks was developed to accomplish this goal and promote the growth of Berks County,” said Commissioner Christian Leinbach.

“We knew we had a once in a generation opportunity to shape a brighter future for Berks Countians. We can lean on our strengths in industries like manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and education while capitalizing on quick access to regional markets, strong communities and great schools to attract and retain top employers and a diverse workforce,” said Commissioner Michael Rivera. Commissioner Lucine Sihelnik added, “Stepping into the Commissioners’ Office during the IMAGINE Berks process was very interesting and educational. Being able to clearly detail all

these important resources and how our communities and various industries and stakeholders can work together today and into the future to grow and develop in ways that support each community’s unique needs to our collective benefit is a vital endeavor.”

Pamela Shupp Menet, the county’s Director of Community and Economic Development has been leading the project team. She shared why this plan is different from other planning studies and its importance to the future of the county.

“The County Commissioners encouraged us to broadly engage with our community outside of traditional partnerships to talk about a wide array of topics and current policies that impact our future. Growing our community means understanding how it can be prosperous and sustainable and provide the best possible opportunities for all our residents,” she said.

Those listening meetings helped to build the momentum for the IMAGINE Berks initiative and many of those community members became involved in IMAGINE Berks Implementation Teams. The plan has created new collaborations between and enhanced existing collaborations among county agencies and departments, private businesses and community organizations. It is a county-led plan with important private and public support and involvement offering top-of-mind guidance in all community, economic and housing development conversations.

What evolved from these efforts was a plan with six key focus areas that highlighted an array of hot topics essential to the continued growth and success of our county. Those focus areas include specific goals within Business & Industry Growth, Small Business & Entrepreneurship, Talent & Economic Mobility, Placemaking (development and access to arts, culture, greenspace and recreation opportunities), Infrastructure & Land Use and Housing.

Formally adopted by the Berks County Commissioners in August 2022, the plan guides the work of the Department of Community and Economic Development, which includes the Departments of Planning, Workforce and Agriculture. During the spring of 2023,

IMAGINE Berks held meetings inviting all Berks’ municipalities to the table to talk about what is important in their communities. Over 300 municipal and school district officials attended nine regional meetings, whose input will help guide year-two implementation, goals and action steps.

An obvious example of an IMAGINE Berks outcome to date is nearly $28 million in a combination of county, state and federal funds that have been identified as resources to implement the IMAGINE Berks action steps and strategies. That $28 million includes: $5 million for an infrastructure fund, $6.3 million for broadband expansion, $3.6 million to address affordable housing and keep it available in the community, $2.8 million to support small businesses and improve access to financial resources and much more. Part of the $3.6 million in housing funding included the hiring of Housing Planner Jaime Perez who is dedicated to actively addressing the county’s housing shortage.

“The coordination and prioritization of funds is unprecedented. That and the full commitment of the Commissioners to putting the plan into action is why we are realizing success. It guides our daily work and sets our priorities,” said Menet.

A first-year public report on the initiative will be presented to the County Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 22. This report will include success stories, metrics and expectations for the year-two implementation. Additionally, an improved IMAGINEBerks. org website will launch in August that will provide up-to-date information on plan implementation and activity.

Berks County is already seeing expanded connections and opportunities building between county and private industry, between new, local entrepreneurs and community organizations. We are working to build momentum in investment in our people, development in our community and planning for our future. Imagine what Berks County could be!

To stay up to date on the plan and its implementation, visit IMAGINEBerks.org. CQ

GRCA’s 2023-24 Advocacy Priorities

By Katie Hetherington Cunfer, Director of Government & Community Relations, GRCA

Since the end of 2022, the GRCA Business & Community Advocacy Council (BCAC) has been working on our 2023-24 pro-business, pro-growth advocacy priorities. We engage in this member-driven exercise to update our policies every two years to coincide with the state and federal legislative session calendars. The BCAC, through our Policy Committees, has once again put together robust local, state and federal agendas. Our advocacy priorities are broken apart into separate documents per government level and then the policies are listed by rank with the top priority listed first.

The BCAC is made up of six Policy Committees which include Workforce, Education & Healthcare; Labor & Benefits; Economic Development; Environmental Resources & Energy; Transportation & Infrastructure; and Budgets, Spending & Taxation. The BCAC meets every other month on the second Friday and the Policy Committees meet during the opposing months. While each committee has separate issues that they have direct prevue over, they often have issues where there is cross over and committees will work together to develop policy positions as new issues emerge. The goal with all this effort and coordination is to maximize GRCA member participation in the development of our positions.

Because of the continued workforce disruption being experienced by employers of all sizes, it is no surprise that “Providing,

Attracting, & Supporting a Skilled Workforce” is the top priority at the state and federal level. Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Rate in June was 3.8%, a historic low. At the same time, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicates that for every 10 job openings nationwide, only six people are actively looking for work.

The recovery from COVID-19 disruption, people retiring early or choosing to leave the workforce, and changes in careers continue to put a strain on employers. To address these issues, we are promoting a mix of policies that seek to support both the needs of employers and employees alike. New for this year includes advocating for expanding access to affordable, quality child and elder care to help people return to the workforce and increasing funding for English language training programs to help with workplace safety and career development.

Included in this issue at the federal level is the need for comprehensive immigration reform. We recognize the situation at our borders remains an issue, and the system for approving visas legally is broken. GRCA joined the UC Chamber’s Legal Immigration and Border Enforcement Reform This Year (LIBERTY) Campaign, calling on Congress and the Biden Administration to drop the political talking points and address the need for reform to the system to allow people wanting to come into the United States a legal and safe path to citizenship while securing our borders.

The 2023-24 policies also address priorities in the following areas:

• Modern, safe, efficient and reliable infrastructure including supporting efforts of the Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority to reestablish passenger rail to Reading, finding appropriate transportation funding solutions, and expanding broadband funding for rural communities and boosting the capacity of urban systems.

• Balancing land use and development including maximizing economic development, maintaining programs that preserve farmland and open space, supporting policies that increase the access to all types of housing and levels of affordability and addressing blight.

• Working on regulatory reform to increase transparency and reduce inconsistencies in the permitting processes that add unnecessary time and costs to economic development projects and increase permitting collaboration across all levels of government.

• Promoting energy independence policies that seek to develop all available U.S. energy sources, expanding U.S. economic opportunities, reducing dependence on foreign sources and helping moderate energy costs.

• Balancing labor and employment laws to ensure a fair and abuse-free work environment and limit unnecessary government intervention in the relationship between employer and employee.

• Investing in economic growth programs while promoting responsible, balanced budgets and conservative fiscal policy.

• Improving tax structures for businesses such as reducing the timeframe for the state corporate net income tax to drop to 4.99%, net operating loss carryover reform at the state level, maintaining federal business tax cuts and addressing inflation.

• Helping maintain affordable and accessible health care options and benefits by fostering program flexibility and reducing medical liability costs.

These policies are not exhaustive, and we continue to react to emerging issues as they arise. We use these policies as a basic set of guidelines when developing a response to an issue as well as share these policies with elected officials so that they are aware of our positions. These policies are also flexible and can be revised if needed such as when COVID-19 derailed all plans in 2020 and forced everyone to shift their focus. We sincerely hope that kind of axis-shifting situation is not in the cards, at least for the next two years.

If you are not currently part of the BCAC, we are missing your voice and your perspective. Our policies are informed wholly by our members and their priorities. The most effective way to advocate for the needs of our local business community is by having representation from a diverse coalition of employers and business leaders. We hope you’ll join us for a future meeting and help drive the priorities of GRCA. CQ

When it comes to the biggest investment in your lifetime, your experience is just as important as your agent’s. Over the last 40+ combined years in Berks real estate, the Eric Miller Team have delivered uncompromising honesty, integrity, attention, and tenacity, prioritizing their customers’ needs to give them the experience they deserve.

The Erics have mastered a blend of savvy negotiation, strategic problem-solving, and impactful marketing driven by a passion for their community. As Berks County natives, students, coaches, and playground leaders, the Erics know the area and market better than anyone. They join less than 0.5% of RE/MAX agents worldwide in the Circle of Legends, along with Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement status, and over $650 million sold.

You know the importance of having an advisor you can trust. And so do we.

Office: 610.670.2770 • Cell: 484.269.2394

“They truly are the top experts in buying/selling in this area, and the best team to entrust with such an important life event. Their team is incredibly committed to making the entire selling and purchasing process go as smoothly as possible.”

Postvention is Prevention

The Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance’s new LOSS Team helps families dealing with suicide access support.

By Wendy Seidel & James Trupp,

The Covid-19 pandemic brought to the forefront for many of us the realization that mental health and its effects were more significant than we first thought. Feelings of isolation and fear caused many people to experience increased anxiety and depression. Existing resources were overwhelmed by an influx of people seeking help. Suicide rates in Berks County were increasing, and the Berks County Suicide Prevention Task Force started looking for more ways to reduce these tragic numbers.

Suicide is a leading cause of premature death for people aged 10 to 24. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), from 2001 through 2021 suicide rates for men and women increased almost every year. In Pennsylvania, in 2020 there were 12.6 suicide deaths per 100,000 Pennsylvania residents. As of May 2023, 29 people died by suicide in Berks County, which was almost half of the total suicides in 2022.

Shortly after the pandemic, Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance (GRMHA) staff were asked to attend a training on the Local Outreach for Survivors of Suicide (LOSS) Teams by Dr. Frank Campbell. Recognizing the importance of bringing such a program to Berks County, GRMHA has been taking steps to establish what will be only the third LOSS Team in the state.

The LOSS Team is an Active Postvention Model (APM) that involves a team of first responders, often one of whom has experienced a loss by suicide, who contact the survivors and provide support and referral information. The goal of the program is to shorten the time between the death and survivors’

Greater Reading Mental Health Alliance

accessing services that will help them cope with this uniquely devastating loss. It is also the program’s goal to remove the stigma associated with a death by suicide by encouraging someone who has experienced the same tragedy and came out the other side to talk about their struggles with the newly bereaved.

The Active Postvention Model has been shown to positively impact both the team members, who have experienced a loss by suicide and have gotten the help they needed, and the newly bereaved. The model has now been replicated in countries as diverse as Australia, Singapore, Northern Ireland, Canada and America. There are 41 active teams in 15 states and five international locations and 15 to 24 sites in various stages of planning/preparation.

Clearwater Wellness in Wyomissing facilitates a Survivors of Suicide support group that meets twice a month as well as a grief support group that meets once a month. Both groups are open and free of charge to any attendee as the group costs are paid for by GRMHA funding through United Way.

The LOSS Team services also are provided at no cost. The service can be accessed by contacting lossteam@grmha.org or by completing a referral on the LOSS Team page of our website at www.grmha.org/loss-team/.

Nothing can take away the complicated grief associated with a loss by suicide, but we believe that we can provide support and hope to the bereaved and through this program, reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide, making our community healthier for all of us. CQ

Top 4 Reasons to Attend the Building Berks Awards

By Aaron Gantz, Senior Director, Economic Development, GRCA

The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is looking forward to hosting the fourth Building Berks Awards & Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 25. The event spotlights and celebrates innovation, community impact, positive economic growth and development across Berks County in the following categories:

• Adaptive Reuse

• Agribusiness

• Building Systems

• Commercial

• Education

• Healthcare

• Historic Preservation Restoration

• Hospitality

• Industrial

• Infrastructure

• Mixed-Use

• Placemaking

• Residential

• Sustainable Development

• Out-of-the-Box

Why should you attend this event?

1. Celebrate Community Impact: The event was created to honor businesses, organizations, professionals and community leaders working together to build a stronger, more sustainable and prosperous Berks County. Throughout the event you will learn how the projects have made a positive impact on the community, contributing to economic growth and enhanced quality of life.

In 2021, the nominated projects represented over $123 million of investment and over 2,700 jobs—what will 2023 hold?

2. Networking Opportunities: Attendees will have the chance to connect with a diverse range of industry professionals, business leaders and community stakeholders, establishing valuable networking relationships that can lead to future collaborations and opportunities.

3. Industry Recognition: Being part of the Building Berks Awards event allows attendees to be recognized among the industry’s top professionals, showcasing their involvement in the growth and success of Berks County. Nominated projects will be reviewed by an industry-diverse panel of experts:

• Kirsten Deysher, Manager of Client Engagement, Entech Engineering

• Jodi Gauker, Business Development Extension Educator, Penn State Extension

• Scott O. Graham, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB, President, Muhlenberg Greene Architects

• David K. Leinbach, President, Kaiser Martin Group

• James Whitton, Chief Lending Officer, Tompkins Community Bank

4. Exclusive Access: be the first to know who the winners are across fifteen award categories.

We hope you will join us on Oct. 25 to celebrate the nominated projects and to find out who the 2023 Building Berks Awardees will be!

To purchase tickets, please scan the flowcode or visit tinyurl.com/BuildingBerks23. CQ

Have You Heard About Our Team of Experts?

By Jackie Stiles, Director of Membership, GRCA

We know it can be very challenging to run a business in today’s world. The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is here to support you and your business in Berks County. One program GRCA has to support your business is the Team of Experts. The GRCA Team of Experts is a group of chamber members who are professionals in fields that support business operations. These individuals volunteer to provide one free, 30-minute consultation to other GRCA members.

We have enlisted experienced professionals practicing in the field to assist GRCA members in their area of expertise. This is a free membership benefit at all levels for new members and existing members. Who doesn’t want to save money and get a solid return on your investment? This is just one of the ways to take advantage of your GRCA membership.

Here is how it works. Do you feel adequate in marketing your company on the ever-evolving social media platform? If the answer is no, then let us help you! Contact me directly at jstiles@greaterreading.org or 610-898-7785. I will connect you with Zachary Bell at Bell Media Group for your free 30-minute consultation. They deliver digital marketing services that include social media management, social media content creation, brand storytelling, video production and graphic design.

Have you mastered doing your books? If you are not sure and don’t want the IRS knocking at your door, allow me to introduce you to George Reinoehl from RKL, LLP. Reinoehl supports local entrepreneurs and their management teams throughout the unique lifecycle of their businesses. He draws upon his diverse financial experience to deliver tax planning, compliance and accounting services to small businesses in a wide range of industries, including medical, retail, restaurant and food wholesale, as well as individual clients.

Maybe you are thinking about retirement. Are you financially prepared to retire? Ask our expert, Dennis Pellegrini from Peak Brokerage Services. He is dedicated to helping Reading area residents restore their wealth and achieve their financial dreams. I am happy to make that connection for you.

These are just a few examples. You can learn more about our talented and experienced Team of Experts on greaterreading.org/ team-of-experts/. The Team of Experts includes professionals from the following areas: architecture, commercial insurance, employee benefits, financial advising, insurance, leadership coaching and development, marketing services and real estate.

You are not alone. GRCA is here to help! Use your GRCA membership and invest in your company. Schedule your FREE consultation now. CQ

BOYERTOWN Oktoberfest is on tap

By Ellen Martignetti, Building a

Manager

Marks your calendars for Sept. 14, 15 and 16 as Boyertown, a vibrant community in Berks County, prepares to host its 16th annual Oktoberfest. The event is organized by Building a Better Boyertown (BaBB) and promises to be a celebration of German culture, music, food and camaraderie.

The festival will kick off with the 3rd annual Tasting Preview Dinner at Grind Restaurant in Boyertown. This ticketed event will provide an exclusive preview of the beers that will be on tap in the following days. Grind’s chefs will prepare a multi-course, gourmet meal paired with the beers on tap.

On Sept. 15 and 16, one of the main highlights will be an impressive selection of German style beers both imported and locally brewed as well as Frecon Farm’s Hard Cider. The traditional German music and entertainment will transport attendees to the streets of Bavaria. In addition to these festivities, there will be food vendors with something to satisfy everyone’s appetites. The event will also include fun family activities, such as games, inflatable slides and obstacle course, face painting and a lively marketplace featuring local artisans and vendors.

Attending Oktoberfest is not just about the festivities. It’s also an opportunity to give back to the community. It is a fundraiser for Building a Better Boyertown, which supports community initiatives of fostering economic growth and contributing to the betterment of the town. If you attend Oktoberfest, make sure you explore Boyertown’s many other offerings along its main streets.

Oktoberfest promises a memorable experience for all who attend. Whether you are a local resident, a German culture enthusiast, or simply looking for a fun-filled weekend, this celebration will provide an exciting atmosphere, amazing food, lively music and a chance to contribute to the growth of the Boyertown community. Mark your calendars, gather your friends and family and join in the festivities on Sept. 15 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., and Sept. 16 from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. The Tasting Preview Dinner is a special advance ticketed event.

Please visit www.buildingabetterboyertown.org/oktoberfest for more information. CQ

Better Boyertown Main Street

HAMBURG

T-Mobile supports development project

By Deena Kershner, Executive Director, Our Town Foundation

Our Town Foundation, Hamburg’s non-profit community revitalization organization, is one step closer to building an outdoor community hub after receiving a $40,000 Hometown Grant from T-Mobile. Its State Street Square Development project includes constructing a 3,000-square-foot, multipurpose facility that will include a covered stage, kitchen area with two concession windows, public restrooms and off-street parking. The Foundation’s goal is to create a community gathering place within the downtown business district where it can host live performances and other family-oriented activities, engaging the residents while spurring economic vitality for the downtown businesses. The project is scheduled to commence at the beginning of September.

The lot, located at 222 State St., Hamburg, became available for sale in 2015. Seeing the potential for turning the vacant lot into another community asset, the Foundation purchased it for $60,000 using funding from proceeds from the annual Taste of Hamburg-er Festivals. Since the purchase, the organization has applied for, and received funding from several sources allowing the project to move forward in phases. Land development and storm water management plans were partially funded by the Berks County Community Foundation with services donated by Crossroads Engineering Group,

LLC. The actual storm water management and construction of a gravel parking lot was completed last fall using funding from a County of Berks American Rescue Plan grant. Installation of water, sewer and gas lines also was completed last fall with the expense being covered by a Giant Corporation, Keep America Beautiful $15,000 grant. The next phase is to construct the shell of the building and stage, which is estimated to cost $350,000. This phase is partially funded by a $200,000 PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development Grant, the T-Mobile grant and capital campaign donations. After this phase is completed, the organization hopes to raise funds to install the kitchen equipment and restrooms fixtures.

The T-Mobile Hometown Grant program is a $25 million, five-year initiative to support the people and organizations who help small towns across America thrive and grow. Hometown Grants of up to $50,000 each are given every quarter to up to 25 small towns in support of their community projects. Projects that connect the community, add to a sense of place, or lead to further investment are of particular interest. To learn more about the T-Mobile Hometown Grant project, visit www.t-mobile.com/hometowngrants. For additional information on Our Town Foundation, visit www. hamburgpa.org. CQ

KUTZTOWN Award-winning community

By Sandy Green, Community Liaison and Government Relations Assistant, Kutztown Community Partnership

This past spring, KU sport management students and faculty led the charge to provide the campus and local communities exercise clinics and competitions. Community members attended an open fitness clinic, followed by a competition of local organizations and an art walk celebrating Haring’s work, led by the Kutztown Community partnership. Keith Haring Day marked a celebration surrounding Haring’s birthday, May 4, with the goal to bring awareness to Haring and the Fitness Court and provide the community with exercise leadership.

Kutztown University (KU) and the Kutztown Community Partnership were awarded the Townie Award for Organizational Excellence and Community Partnership by the Pennsylvania Downtown Center (PDC) for its work toward the Keith Haring Fitness Court at the annual statewide gala June 26 in Scranton, Pa. Accepting the award were Dr. Duane Crider, professor of Sport Management, and Jordan Davis, sport management intern who oversaw Keith Haring Day this past spring.

Kutztown Community Partnership and Kutztown University partnered to bring a world-class, one-of-a-kind Keith Haring Outdoor Fitness Court to campus to help promote health and wellness in the Kutztown Community. The Keith Haring theme is particularly exciting as it ties in so many strong aspects of our community, including health and fitness, town and gown relations, art, history, education, support of DEI initiatives and more.

The Keith Haring Fitness Court was dedicated October 2022, on the corner of Baldy Street and Normal Avenue, on the KU campus. In collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation, Outdoor Fitness Court and the National Fitness Campaign, the Fitness Court features a 35-foot-by-35-foot outdoor bodyweight circuit training system with 30 pieces of body-weight fitness elements, including seven full-body circuit training stations and a body-weight training wall.

The Townie Awards are a festive and venerable tradition designed to recognize the commonwealth’s core communities and individuals for creation and implementation of projects, programs and events that exemplify the goals of PDC’s community revitalization mission. Eligible communities consist of Pennsylvania Downtown Center’s nearly 200 member organizations, including Main Street and Elm Street programs, making the Townies a competitive award process each year.

On behalf of Kutztown Community Partnership and Kutztown University, I would like to thank the staff at Pennsylvania Downtown Center for selecting the Keith Haring Outdoor Fitness Court as an award winner for the Organizational Development-Community Partnership category. CQ

WEST READING

Destination: West Reading

By Mark Ratcliffe, West Reading Main Street Executive Director

West Reading has grown by leaps and bounds in the past six years, and we are proud of the ways our business owners have worked to improve how they do business and most recently how they have worked to improve their store fronts. To date the West Reading Community Revitalization Foundation has funded $24,000 in façade grants to help our businesses compete and grow. This funding came from the Pennsylvania Department of Economic Development and the Wyomissing Foundation.

Check out the businesses in the 400 block of Penn Ave. starting at the old Benchwarmers Cafe. We also have had a major redevelopment project happen at the old A to Z building, now the West Reading Motor Club, and are happy to see them fully open after COVID -19 slowed down their progress; it was worth the wait. The Noodl building, also in the 400 block, has helped bring a creative vibe to the Avenue, making the 400 block a go-to destination. Barley Mow added on to its business not too long ago and is working on expanding even more by going up. The West Reading Shopping Center is getting a face lift that will help spruce up the center. We feel this is just the beginning as West Reading continues to grow and draw even more businesses and customers year over year.

We recently discovered software called Placer.AI that can give us real time statistics based on cell phone data. With help from the county and Placer.AI, we have found West Reading is the 47th most visited destination in America. We also found out our events bring in close to 50% more people than we originally guesstimated or nearly 30,000 people to Art on the Avenue and close to that at our Fall Fest. Pretty mind blowing if you think about it. Berks County has a lot to be proud of, and we are happy to see West Reading has become a destination helping to draw people from all over the state and beyond. As our West Reading businesses community continues to grow and improve, I look forward to us being that change I had hoped for when I started in the non-profit world 10 years ago. CQ

Photo by Anthony Matz

Burns Logistics announced a change in leadership effective Monday, April 3. Founder Big Ed Burns transitions to the role of Chief Relationship Officer, and his son, Young Ed Burns, is stepping into the role of CEO (Chief Executive Optimist). The father-and-son team share a vision for the future of the trucking industry and are committed to taking the company to the next level, by valuing relationships and using innovative technologies to streamline operations and improve service.

RKL Virtual Management

Solutions welcomed Sharon Farina to the firm. Farina joins as a Client Service Manager, specializing in accounting and financial management. In her new role, Farina focuses on achieving higher efficiency in the workplace and increasing the accuracy of generated information.

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce Attorney Brandon D. Pack has joined the firm in its Wyomissing office. Pack will be a part of Barley Snyder’s Creditors’ Rights Practice Group, concentrating his practice in the areas of financial services litigation, banking litigation, and residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures. He brings over a decade of legal experience representing financial institutions as well as secured and unsecured creditors in both federal and state courts at the trial and appellate levels.

Barley Snyder, a law firm representing businesses and individuals in all major areas of civil law, has formed a Liquor Law Practice focusing on the complex area of liquor law and the unique legal needs of businesses that provide alcoholic beverages in the state. Barley Snyder’s Liquor Law Practice has pooled several attorneys and professionals at the firm with extensive experience in all areas of liquor law including: the purchase and sale of licenses, intermunicipal transfers, licensing, extension of licensed premises, opening and operation of storage and satellite locations, enforcement, and manufacturing licenses such as limited winery, limited distillery and brewery licenses.

Barley Snyder is pleased to announce Attorney Andrew J. Mahon has joined the firm. Mahon brings over a decade of experience in the areas of immigration and employment law. In his immigration practice, he represents families and businesses seeking immigration benefits in addition to defending individuals placed in removal proceedings. Mahon has significant experience representing hundreds of clients before numerous immigration law agencies.

MADJ Marketing (MADJ), a Berks County-based marketing, creative and brand success agency, announces the promotion of Olivia Massaro to the role of Account Executive. Massaro will oversee and execute client and account management, project and production management, copywriting and social media administration for several of the agency’s strategic accounts.

Members 1st Federal Credit Union is one of 143 credit unions across the country named a Forbes Bestin-State credit union. It is the third consecutive year the financial institution made the list that recognizes financial institutions that have shown excellent leadership and success over the past 12 months.

Herbein + Company Inc. (Herbein) is pleased to announce the addition of Mark Gallagher, Rachelle Gordon and Lyle Loeb to the firm partnership. The new partners have joined the leadership team of Herbein | FOS Risk Management, a leading provider of risk management services specializing in the banking industry.

Liberty Environmental, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Frey Engineering, LLC of Lebanon, New Jersey. The move is part of Liberty Environmental’s ongoing expansion strategy, which includes expanding its service areas, increasing its workforce and acquiring new technical capabilities. Frey Engineering is a well-known and respected environmental engineering and consulting firm that has been serving clients in New Jersey and surrounding areas for over two decades. The company’s expertise in the fields of remedial assessment, remedial design and construction oversight, particularly on large-scale Superfund cleanup projects and landfill closures, will be a valuable addition to Liberty Environmental’s portfolio of services.

The Board of Directors of Berks Community Television (BCTV) announced that English Bradley will serve as the community media organization’s acting director for the next twelve months. In this role, Bradley will oversee all business operations and guide strategic projects. She has served as the administrative manager of BCTV since January 2020. Heather Adams, who has served as BCTV’s executive director since 2014, is taking a sabbatical from her current role to help guide the creation of a potential new Spotlight PA news bureau in Berks County.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects is pleased to announce that Jacob M. Sockel has joined our firm as Design Technician II. Sockel will assist the firm’s Architects and Project Managers with all phases of design documentation and construction contract administration, develop detailed 3D/BIM models and will create construction documents and schedules from those models. He will also assist Project Managers with construction phase contract administration.

The Bollman Hat Company, America’s oldest hat maker, acquired dyeing and drying equipment from G.J. Littlewood & Sons after Littlewood discontinued its operations, following a flood in September of 2021, and has begun to fiber dye for their hat making operations and others in the textile world. Bollman is now using that equipment to dye cleaned wool for its mixes and swirl hat styles and provide contract wool dyeing for other companies. When using fiber dyed wool, Bollman cards and then felts wool with more than one color versus piece dyeing into a solid color after carding and felting.

Omega Systems, a portfolio company of Pfingsten Partners and award-winning managed service provider (MSP) and managed security service provider (MSSP), announced it has appointed its next CEO and COO to succeed co-founders Bill and Jen Kiritsis. Mike Fuhrman will serve as the company’s next chief executive officer. After an extensive search, Omega’s board and leadership team selected Fuhrman for his strong technology background as well as his commitment to fostering a people-centric culture.

Mark Levandowski has joined Gage Personnel as its Chief Financial Officer for all locations. With over 25 years of executive level experience in accounting, finance and full-service business consulting, Levandowski is positioned to provide both tactical and strategic direction in his new role.

Brentwood Industries, Inc., a global plastics manufacturing company headquartered in Reading, is excited to announce a manufacturing expansion project in Tijuana, Mexico. This development reinforces the company’s commitment to meet growing customer demand and to provide quality products, improved lead times and increased supply chain resiliency. Coming five years after the launch of Brentwood’s first operation in Tijuana, BC, MX, the new facility will add an additional 100,000 square feet of production space adjacent to the initial site. This expansion will not only bolster critical capacities but will serve as a development center for thermoforming technologies.

Entech Engineering, Inc. (Entech) is pleased to announce the promotion of Byron Killian, PE, Principal and Director of the firm’s Civil and Environmental Resources group, as the company’s new Executive Vice President, as well as two new members to its Board of Directors: Kara Humes, Senior Environmental Manager, and Bryan Haag, PE, Principal and Director of Energy and Utilities.

MADJ Marketing, and cinematic partner BLiNCK Studios, announced that the recent production of their Reading Hospital Street Medicine documentary has been named Best Silver and Bronze award winners in the record breaking 44th Annual Telly Awards. The Telly Awards honors excellence in video and television across all screens and is judged by leaders from video platforms, television, streaming networks, production companies and more.

The Reading Royals, proud affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms, announced that Tammy Dahms has been promoted to Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. Dahms has worked for the Santander Arena and the Santander Performing Arts Center for the last 10 years as a Ticket Seller Box Office and Group Sales Supervisor and Manager, Sales and Client Service Manager and, most recently, the Director of Corporate Sales and Sponsorships.

Albright College’s Board of Trustees has approved plans to design and develop a new school within the college focused on educational innovation. Albright College’s School of Educational Innovation is designed to integrate Total Experience Learning (TExpL) methodology across all of Albright’s education programs, reaching current and future PreK-12 teachers and administrators. In addition to bachelor’s degrees in PreK-4 education, special education, secondary education, art education and foreign languages K-12 programs, Albright offers master’s in education degrees and certifications in several categories, including educational innovation. A new 4+1 bachelor-to-master degree program, launched this year, allows Albright students to earn both degrees in five years.

Doctors at ENT Head & Neck Specialists have completed the practice’s 100th Berks County procedure of Inspire— an FDA-approved obstructive sleep apnea treatment option for people who cannot use Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. Drs. Scott Cronin, Jeffrey Driben and Adam Vasconcellos, partners in the Wyomissing practice, reached the milestone in April and have since performed five additional Inspire procedures.

Discovery Federal Credit Union is proud to announce that four dedicated team members have been promoted to their core leadership team. Each of these newly created positions will help to build on the strength and high caliber standards of the credit union. Michelle Leone is being promoted from IT Manager to Vice President of Technology and Innovation. Leone will ensure that members continue to have the best digital financial solutions and that employees have the tools they need to provide excellent member service. Jennifer Pelker is being promoted from Process Innovation Manager to the Vice President of Member Experience. Pelker ensures that members are receiving world-class service in the branch, online and in the community. Amy Rohrbach will remain Chief Financial Officer and has also been promoted to Executive Vice President. Rohrbach has proved time and time again that she can lead Discovery toward organizational growth and strategic financial footing. Kevin Unger was the credit union’s Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. He remains Vice President and has been promoted to Chief Risk Officer. Unger ensures that Discovery is a safe place for members and their money.

The Berks History Center has announced Marta Notarianni as their new Business Operations Manager, in charge of financial administration, membership enrollment, facilities maintenance, guest services, event planning and volunteer coordination.

Leading CPA advisory firm Herbein + Company, Inc. (Herbein) announces the election of David W. Stonesifer, CPA, and Joseph J. Witkowski, CPA, to their second five-year terms as chief executive officer, and chief financial officer, respectively. The ratification by the firm partnership comes before the end of their first term and extends their tenure through Sept. 30, 2029.

Berkshire Investment Group is pleased to announce the addition of Benjamin LaManna, Financial Advisor. LaManna has been in the industry for over 11 years and will be an integral part in continuing the firm’s growth model. He will continue to specialize in comprehensive financial planning for his clients.

Tower Health received a $193,078 grant from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to implement a hospital-based violence intervention program (HVIP) and provide community education and resources to prevent gun violence. The Hospital will hire and train a Trauma Violence Recovery Specialist who will provide support, case management and referral services to hospitalized victims of community violence; purchase equipment and operating supplies required to implement programming; and support staff participation in violence intervention program-related conferences and education.

New Members

Best Buy

Calderone Bullock LLC

Clean Done Rite LLC

Columbia Cottage Wyomissing

Commonwealth Commercial

Appraisal Group

FXV Digital Design

Grey Girl Photography

Heartland Payment Systems

HJ Warner Consulting, LLC

Inperium

Insperity, Inc.

Johnson’s Maintenance Service

Just Breathe. Weddings & Events

Lala Glam Events LLC

LCBC Church

LMG Marketing Solutions Options Psychiatry

Our Konnection

Residence Inn Reading

Signal of Eastern PA

Sonlight Services LLC

Studio West Hair Salon llc

Subito Motus Consulting LLC

Team Lifelong Wellness Yeager Supply Inc.

1 YEAR

 Aston Carter

 Compassus

 Cornerstone Financial Strategies, LLC

 EcoShip

 Haven Behavioral Hospital of Eastern Pennsylvania

 Jireh Cleaning Services Inc.

 Kreitz | Gallen-Schutt

 LGBT Center of Greater Reading

 Malvern Communications, Inc.

 Manpower

 Morgan Truck Body LLC

 NAMI Berks County PA

 Offices at Penn Square Plaza

 Phoenix Physical Therapy

 Post Precision Castings

 Tailor Brands

 The Poopbusters

5 YEARS

 Comcast Business

 Cornerstone Law Firm, LLC

 Gerry Keller Construction, Inc.

 House of Portalatin

 Prime Wellness

 Science Explorers

 UPMC

 WCR Center for the Arts

10 YEARS

 Adhezion Biomedical, LLC

 Blatt Construction, Inc.

 General Polymeric Corp, dba GenPore

 Reading Advanced Machining

15 YEARS

 Candlewood Suites

 Larson Design Group

20 YEARS

 Berkshire Country Club

 Kasper TV & Appliances Co., Inc.

 Safe Berks

 Township of Spring

25 YEARS

 Centro Hispano Daniel Torres

 Keystone Software Solutions, Inc.

30 YEARS

 Bonfitto, Inc.

 Clover Farms Dairy Company

 Elk Environmental Services

 Manny Esh Respiratory Care

 PermAward

 SFS Group USA, Inc.

40 YEARS

 E.M. Kutz, Inc.

 Entech Engineering, Inc.

 Kutztown University Foundation, Inc.

45 YEARS

 American Cancer Society Berks County

 Bellairs Real Estate

 Caron Treatment Centers

 GAI-Tronics

 Godiva Chocolatier, Inc.

 KMX International

 Long Barrell & Co. Ltd

 Masano Bradley - Attorneys at Law

 PA Rivers Chapters  Tower Health

55 YEARS

 Bob Fisher Chevrolet, Inc.

60 YEARS

 Edwards Business Systems

65 YEARS

 Electric Coil Service, Inc.

 Fabricon, Inc. T/A Trimmaster

70 YEARS

 Brown Engineering Co., Inc.

80 YEARS

 Capital Blue Cross

85 YEARS

 M.J. Earl, Inc.

 Rhoads Energy Sinking Spring Office

 The Stevens & Lee Companies

110 YEARS

 Albright College

 Carpenter Technology Corporation

 Lamar Outdoor Advertising

 UGI Utilities, Inc.

 Wells Fargo

 Wells Fargo - Exeter Commons

 Wells Fargo - Fairgrounds

 Wells Fargo - Green Hills

 Wells Fargo - Hampden

 Wells Fargo - Sixth & Penn

R.M. Palmer is truly grateful for the overwhelming support we continue to receive from our customers, community peers, and valued business partners following the tragic incident that took place at one of our West Reading, PA production facilities on March 24th.

We are proud to be a vital member of the community since 1948, and feel blessed to have such incredible partners and friends.  We appreciate your understanding and patience as we focus on supporting our employees and their families.

While the tragedy has affected us all, it has not shaken our resolve. We are wholly committed to re-establishing our full manufacturing capacity and to continue providing all our popular chocolate novelties for many years to come.

Some of your most important connections can be found close to home

We’re proud to put Berks County first for 30 years, and we’re committed to helping you build on your success with a financial strategy that’s just for you.

Maggs & Associates

Merrill Lynch Wealth Management 985 Berkshire Blvd. Suite 200

Wyomissing, PA 19610

610.320.5462

www.fa.ml.com/maggs

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated (also referred to as “MLPF&S” or “Merrill”) makes available certain investment products sponsored, managed, distributed or provided by companies that are affiliates of Bank of America Corporation (“BofA Corp.”). MLPF&S is a registered broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, Member SIPC and a wholly owned subsidiary of BofA Corp.

Investment products: Are Not FDIC Insured Are Not Bank Guaranteed May Lose Value © 2022 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved.

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