President Archives

PPL Electric president leaves, interim named

Allentown-based PPL Corp. named 20-year PPL veteran Christine M. Martin as interim PPL Electric Utilities president, succeeding Stephanie R. Raymond, who left her post-Sept. 1.

A release said Raymond departed the company by mutual consent. Before assuming this new post, Martin was vice president of public affairs and chief sustainability officer.

“We thank Stephanie for her service and contributions to PPL Electric Utilities over the past decade,” said Fran Sullivan, PPL executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We wish her well in her future endeavors and are fortunate to have someone of Christine’s caliber ready to step into this role as we create the utilities of the future.”

A native of Pennsylvania, Martin joined PPL in 2003. She brings extensive experience in public affairs and stakeholder engagement to her new role, including as vice president of public affairs and vice president of state government relations earlier in her PPL career.

Before coming to PPL, Martin was deputy secretary for water management in the state’s Department of Environmental Protection, where she was responsible for statewide water resources management and policy. She also served as senior policy manager for environmental, infrastructure, energy and regulatory issues for governors Tom Ridge and Mark Schweiker.

“I look forward to partnering closely with the PPL Electric leadership team and the broader organization, and I’m eager to engage with key stakeholders as we deliver on our mission to provide safe, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy,” Martin added.

PPL Electric is one of several regulated utilities in the PPL family of companies. PPL Electric delivers electricity to approximately 1.5 million homes and businesses in 29 counties across eastern and central Pennsylvania.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

Greater Reading Chamber Alliance president to retire

The president and CEO of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance (GRCA) is retiring at the end of the year.

Jim Gerlach, who began his tenure days before the COVID-19 lockdown and conducted his first all-staff meeting via Zoom, said he is grateful for his time with the organization, but is ready to spend time with family.

“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.

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.

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

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 and ensure a smooth transition to the next organization head, GRCA said.

“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.”

A committee, made up of local business leaders and community stakeholders, is currently being formed to lead the regional search for Gerlach’s replacement.

Morningstar Living president to retire

The president and CEO of Nazareth-based Morningstar Living is retiring after more than 36 years.

Susan Cooper Drabic directed the organization through many renovation and land development projects to improve housing, hospitality and health care services for older adults during her tenure, Morningstar Living said.

The company said her strategic vision has shaped Morningstar Living’s physical landscape and enriched the lives of its residents.

Cooper Drabic’s commitment to providing top-quality health care services earned the senior living facility regional and national recognition for the best in nursing care, rehabilitation services, personal care, and dementia care, Morningstar Living said.

David Swartley, president and CEO of Moravian Manor Communities, a sister community in Lititz, will become interim president and CEO of both communities until a legal affiliation is completed in August or September, at which time he will be named president and CEO, Morningstar Living said.

Cooper Drabic will remain with Morningstar Living through September to assist with this transition.

Members 1st names new president and CEO

Members 1st Credit Union has selected Mike Wilson as its next president and CEO.

Wilson, who currently serves as chief experience officer, will take on the new role July 1, replacing George Nahodil, who is retiring after 23 years, including six as president and CEO, Members 1st board of directors said.

“This appointment highlights Members 1st’s commitment to fostering growth, recognizing talent within the organization and upholding its distinct culture,” said Chairman of the Board Jon Kirssin, who helped to lead the national search for the credit union’s next president and CEO as part of a more than two-year succession planning process.

“With a deep understanding of the organization and a demonstrated history of leadership, Mike is well-positioned to guide our financially sound credit union toward further success,” Kirssin said.

Wilson joined Members 1st in July 2016 as a vice president of relationship management and has held several leadership roles, including his current role as chief experience officer.

“I am honored to continue to serve our members, associates and communities as Members 1st’s next president and CEO,” said Wilson. “Throughout my long-term history with this credit union, I have witnessed first-hand the positive impact we make on the lives of those we serve. I am excited to partner with George, our board and our leadership team throughout this transition and work alongside our phenomenal associates as we honor an incredible legacy and plan for the next chapter in our family’s history.”

In his current role, Wilson oversees branch operations, online banking, customer service, business development and mobile app. He provides leadership and direction for the credit union’s retail, operations and customer service areas, as well as public relations, marketing, community outreach, internal and external communications, and financial literacy, Members 1st said.

In addition, Wilson leads the business development and wealth management teams to cultivate and foster relationships to help drive business and achieve all business goals.

“Mike’s strong leadership skills, strategic thinking and deep understanding of our unique culture make him the perfect choice to lead Members 1st into the future,” said Nahodil. “I am immensely proud of the significant contributions he has made to our members, associates and communities during his tenure.”

“I have worked closely with Mike over the last seven years and am extremely comfortable with his leadership skills, creative and innovative use of technology, and practical experience,” Kirssin said.

Wilson is involved in the local communities within Members 1st’s nine-county footprint. A lifelong advocate of the tenets of servant leadership, he serves as president of the Members 1st Charitable Foundation, whose mission is to support grassroots organizations within southcentral and northeastern Pennsylvania to make them stronger, healthier and more financially sound.

In addition, Wilson serves on several boards and committees in the credit union industry and throughout the community, including CrossState Credit Union Foundation and the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC).

With a passion for people and entrepreneurial thinking, he has been recognized for his professional accomplishments with numerous business awards, Members 1st said.

Wilson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, an MBA, and graduated from the Credit Union Executive Society (CUES) CEO Institute Program, earning executive certificates from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business, the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business and Cornell University’s Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Wyomissing tech firm names second president

Wyomissing-based Weidenhammer, a technology company, named its second president in the company’s 45-year history.

Charles G. Zwicker has been named president and chief operating officer (COO). He has more than 30 years experience in consulting and sales and marketing.

Charles Zwicker

“After more than four decades as Weidenhammer president it is time for me to move into a new role as chairman and CEO,” said John P. Weidenhammer. “We are transitioning leadership to the next generation. Smart and successful organizations plan well their transitions which is exactly what we are doing with this change. Zwicker is a seasoned and capable executive leader. He has my full support and confidence. Moreover, the entire Weidenhammer team is behind this change.”

Zwicker joined Weidenhammer in 2006 as a sales manager before moving to sales director, vice president, and most recently COO.

“I am humbled and honored to be stepping into this position that has been held by John for 45 years.”, said Zwicker. “This company has an amazing history and legacy. I am proud to be able to contribute to its future and feel very grateful for the support I have received as Weidenhammer reaches another milestone.”

Zwicker is a graduate from Bloomsburg University and an active member of his community. He currently serves as co-chair for The Chamber of Commerce for Great Philadelphia’s Middle Market Action Team’s Steering Committee. He also serves as a Judge of Elections in Montgomery County, a Steering Committee member at La Salle College High School, and as an adult leader in Scouting BSA.

Third generation to lead retirement organization

Meredith Mills and Michael Leader – PHOTO/PROVIDED

Country Meadows Retirement Communities and Ecumenical Retirement Community has a new president and CEO.

Meredith Mills, granddaughter of former Gov. George Leader and Mary Jane Leader, who founded Country Meadows, will take the helm of the Hershey-based organization which has facilities in Wyomissing, Allentown, Bethlehem and Easton.

Mills takes over from Michael Leader, who, after more than 30 years leading the organization, will serve as executive chairman.

“I have every confidence in handing over our organization’s leadership to my niece. Meredith has been leading teams on campuses and at the home office for more than 11 years and did an outstanding job guiding us through the pandemic,” Leader said.

Mills has held various positions at Country Meadows including marketing director, campus executive director, vice president of strategic planning and most recently, COO.

She has a master’s degree in Health Administration from Penn State University and an undergraduate degree from Franklin and Marshall College.

“I cannot express in words what an incredible honor it is to follow not only in the footsteps of my grandparents, parents, and uncles, but also in the footsteps of so many of the Country Meadows and Ecumenical ‘family members’ who have committed many years to our mission to serve seniors,” Mills said.

This year marks the 61st year of the Leader family’s involvement in the senior living industry, which contrasts with a 2010 report by the Conway Center for Family Business that found the average lifespan of a family-owned business is just 24 years, Country Meadows said.

Mills promotion transitions the family’s third generation into the top leadership role, despite a 2010 study that found just 13% of family-owned businesses are passed down successfully to a third generation.

“I consider it a privilege to transfer leadership to such a capable and experienced member of the third generation of our family,” Leader said, “Nothing pleases me more than to ensure that Country Meadows and Ecumenical Retirement Community will remain a family-owned and family-managed organization led by such an outstanding CEO.”

It was Mills’ respect and admiration for her grandparents that led her to a career in senior living.

“I was motivated to come back to Country Meadows by my grandfather’s request to see the third generation more involved and was blessed to be able to spend a few years at Country Meadows while he was still with us,” she said. “His strong commitment to innovation, integrity, and empowerment was impressed upon me during that time, and I am grateful for the opportunity to receive further mentorship from my uncles and father.”

Newsmakers: HNL Lab Medicine, Norris McLaughlin P.A., and more

Dr. Nguyet-Cam Vu Lam, David M. Confalone, Alyssa Christian, Julie Wagner Burkart, Matthew Malozi and Cíara Purcell. PHOTOS/PROVIDED –

Associations

The Association of Family Medicine Residency Directors named Dr. Nguyet-Cam Vu Lam a member of its Program Director Wellness Task Force. The task force will explore options for providing wellness support to association members and recommend wellness initiatives to the board of directors. Lam is program director of Bethlehem Family Medicine residency at Fountain Hill, Lehigh County-based St. Luke’s University Health Network.

Banking and finance

Wyomissing, Berks County-based Marathon Business Group LLC & Marathon Advisory Services LLC named Jack A. Russell a financial analyst and office administrator. Russell will focus on financial analysis, market research and brand development

Education

Warwick Township, Bucks County-based Middle Bucks Institute of Technology named Mark Covelle administrative director.

Health care

Hanover Township, Lehigh County-based HNL Lab Medicine named David M. Confalone vice president of finance. Confalone is a certified public accountant.

Insurance

Stroud Township, Monroe County-based Frailey Insurance and Financial Services named Felicia M. Gwinn account manager for personal lines.

Law

Rocco Beltrami

Norris McLaughlin P.A. named Rocco Beltrami an associate in the Allentown office. Beltrami will practice in the business law group and the real estate, zoning and land use group and will provide strategic counsel to clients on general business topics and a variety of real estate transactions. Alyssa Christian was named an associate in the business law group in Allentown. Christian counsels clients on general business issues.

Philadelphia-based Stevens & Lee named Julie Wagner Burkart a member of the real estate department, based in the Allentown office. She practices in land use and zoning law, contracts and leasing, landlord-tenant law, business formation and organization, estate planning and litigation.

Marketing

Grace Peoples

Emmaus, Lehigh County-based Altitude Marketing named Grace Peoples social media coordinator. Peoples will manage social media and strategic direction for the company and its clients.

Media

Hanover Township, Northampton County-based ASR Media Productions named Cíara Purcell a junior editor. Purcell will continue to strengthen her editing skills and support production of client projects.

Nonprofits

Communities In Schools of Eastern Pennsylvania, with offices in Allentown, Lehigh County, and Wyomissing, Berks County, elected Sandra K. Green, Hope Johnson and Adrian Marsh board members. Green works with Kutztown University and the Kutztown Community Partnership. Johnson is vice president of perioperative and endoscopy services for Lehigh Valley Health Network. Marsh is global head of administrative finance at Olympus Corp.

Public transportation

Mike Lichtenberger

Allentown, Lehigh County-based Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority named Matthew Malozi chair of its board of directors. Malozi, a board appointee of Lehigh County, is co-founder and president of Civitas Regio LLC. Mike Lichtenberger of Bethlehem was named vice chair. Lichtenberger, a board appointee of Northampton County, is group executive and chief operating officer of enTrust Payment Systems of Bethlehem.

Real estate

South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County-based Howard Hanna The Frederick Group named Vitaliy Raskot a Realtor.

Compiled by contributing writer Amy DiNunzio

President and CEO of Populytics is retiring

Gregory Kile –

Gregory Kile is retiring as president and CEO of Populytics Inc., Allentown June 30.

Populytics, a health care data analytics and population management, and subsidiary of Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), said Kile has had an extraordinary career, serving in numerous roles across LVHN, Populytics, and Valley Preferred spanning nearly four decades.

Kile started his association with LVHN in 1991 as a colleague in HealthEast, then the parent organization to the Allentown Hospital and Lehigh Valley Hospital.

In 1992, he helped assemble Valley Preferred/Lehigh Valley Physician Hospital Organization (LVPHO). He served as executive director of Valley Preferred from 1992 to 2010 before leaving to become senior vice president and chief innovation officer at Blue Cross of Northeast Pennsylvania.

In 2013, LVHN recruited Kile back as chief insurance officer and president and CEO of Populytics. He developed an analytic infrastructure for the network’s population health aspirations that would allow LVHN to develop and expand its capabilities for value-based reimbursement contracting, Populytics said.

He built a team of more than 225 colleagues who manage the LVHN Health Plan; offer a list of third-party, broker, and direct-to-employer services; and provide care coordination for commercial health insurance members.

Operations within Populytics related to population health analytics, LVHN Health Plan operations, and value-based contract execution will move to the office of LVHN’s chief physician executive under the direction of Dr. Robert Murphy Jr.

Network responsibilities for Valley Preferred also will report to Murphy. These changes will accelerate LVHN’s and Populytics’ adoption of population health strategies and advance execution of value-based initiatives and programming.

State PUC chairman elected president of MACRUC

Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille has been elected as president of the Mid-Atlantic Conference of Regulatory Utilities Commission (MACRUC).

Gladys Brown Dutrieuille –

In her remarks at MACRUC’s 27th Annual Education Conference, Dutrieuille noted the importance of collaboration and engagement as states work to address utility issues, underscoring “we are in this together.”

The organization includes utility regulators from Delaware, the District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia and West Virginia.

Dutrieuille emphasized the need to ensure that MACRUC remains a forum for discussing issues and concerns, even when those issues are controversial, and continues to be a strong resource for regulators.

Key issues facing regulators in the Mid-Atlantic Region and nationally include grid modernization, electric vehicles and related transportation issues, power transmission, renewable energy, cybersecurity and safeguarding critical infrastructure systems against natural disasters or human threats, she said.

Dutrieuille also serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) – which oversees the association’s general and financial functions and approves resolutions that serve as the association’s policy.

Previously, she completed three years as the chair of NARUC’s Committee on Critical Infrastructure. She is a member of the Critical Infrastructure Committee and serves as the chair of the Black Sky Subcommittee under NARUC’s Emergency Preparedness, Recovery and Resiliency Task Force, which explores utility issues related to weather emergencies and evaluated the national utility response to COVID-19.

She was also nominated by NARUC to serve on a joint Federal-State Task Force on Electric Transmission.

Northampton Community College names fifth president

Northampton Community College named David Ruth as its fifth president.

David Ruth is named fifth president of NCC – PHOTO/PROVIDED –

Ruth, current vice president and chief of staff will take over the position July 1 after current President Mark Erickson retires at the end of this month.

“We couldn’t be more pleased with our selection,” said NCC Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Fehnel. “We felt Dave in many ways was uniquely qualified to be our next president. As a community college graduate, he identifies with our students and their needs; as someone who has worked at NCC in an executive role, he well understands the heart and soul of our college; and as someone who has been part of the leadership team at a major university (Drexel), he brings a fresh perspective that will forge our successful future.”

“This is such a special place with so many great past achievements and so many outstanding opportunities,” said Ruth. “It is a college of possibilities, of incredible promise, enormous potential and a depth of talented, truly committed people that are the life blood of NCC,” he said.

“I am honored and excited to lead NCC as its next president.”

Ruth said he owes a debt of gratitude to outgoing Erickson for his work in shaping NCC into what it is today. “He has left an enduring legacy that has made NCC one of the nation’s community college jewels,” he said.

That legacy includes one of the largest endowments of any community college in the nation, having more than doubled in the last decade to $86 million.

After earning his associate degree from Hagerstown Community College, Ruth earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Frostburg State University, a master’s degree in secondary education and mathematics from Lehigh University, and a Ph.D. in educational leadership from Drexel University.

Ruth spent 23 years at Drexel including 11 years as dean of students and chief student affairs officer where he led a division of more than 120 staff members who provided curricular and co-curricular programs and services across multiple campus locations for 26,000 students. Ruth also served on the President’s Executive Council and Provost’s Council of Deans.

He joined Northampton Community College as vice president and chief of staff in 2016. In his role, he serves as chief advisor to the president while directing strategic planning, institutional research, planning, government and community relations, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts as well as global education and international student services.

“I managed to remain active in the classroom as an adjunct instructor, teaching graduate and undergraduate courses (online and face-to-face) in mathematics, statistics, management, higher education and student development,” said Ruth.

“It’s been important for me to do that to really appreciate the challenges students and faculty face every day, especially during the pandemic.”

Gastroenterologist is new president of Pa. Medical Society

From left, Dr. David Talenti is inaugurated as PAMED president next to his partner, Desiree Dobbin and daughters Catherine & Christine Talenti by Dr. Edward Balaban, chair of the Board of Trustees. PHOTO/PROVIDED –

Dr. David Talenti, a gastroenterologist who practices in Wayne County, was inaugurated as the 172nd president of the Pennsylvania Medical Society on Jan. 8.

Talenti has experience in both private practice and large health systems. He is currently a partner at Northeastern Gastroenterology Associates in Honesdale.

As PAMED president, Talenti’s initiative will focus on servant leadership, a teaching concept for leaders to be servants first, not bosses, according to a press release from the Pennsylvania Medical Society.

“I want to increase the quality of life not only for our patients, but our physicians as well,” Talenti said. “I’m in my 34th year of practice, I’ve noted a disturbing trend. Doctors have become more burdened with paperwork, computer work, prior authorization and I could go on. The result? Not a good one. The result is burnout.

“When our main goal is to have others grow and succeed, not only do our patients and staff win, but so does the physician. Quality of life increases, burnout starts to lift, and medicine becomes fun again,” he said.

In addition to his clinical duties, Talenti taught medical students at SUNY Upstate Medical Center and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and was director of the GI Fellowship Program at Guthrie.

After earning his medical degree from Hahnemann University School of Medicine in 1988, Talenti completed an internal medicine residency at Guthrie Clinic and a fellowship in gastroenterology at the Cleveland Clinic.

He is a longtime member of PAMED and has served in various roles, including as the chair of the board of trustees from 2014-17.

UPMC president and CEO to leave role after 15 years

Pittsburgh-based UPMC’s president and CEO of 15 years is set to step down from his position next week after 48 years with the health system—he will be succeeded by Leslie Davis, a health care executive with 17 years of experience at UPMC.

Jeffrey Romoff, attributed with growing the $23 billion network of 40 hospitals to become the largest non-governmental employer in Pennsylvania, will leave the role he has held since 2006 on Aug. 1.
With Romoff at the helm, UPMC has expanded across Pennsylvania with the acquisitions of regional health systems such as Susquehanna Health and Pinnacle Health and into New York and Maryland with the acquisitions of WCA Hospital in Jamestown, New York and Western Maryland Health System in Cumberland, Maryland.

“Under Jeff’s leadership, UPMC has provided excellent and unmatched health care across our tri-state service territory and internationally. He has led UPMC in developing new models of care and supported advanced research that has benefitted our patients,” said G. Nicholas Beckwith III, chair of the UPMC Board of Directors. “Jeff’s contributions are numerous in helping to build UPMC into the global health care leader that it is today. The full Board of Directors joins me in recognizing Jeff’s accomplishments, including the establishment of a strong foundation for the advancement of patient care, research breakthroughs and developing the overall vision for UPMC’s growth.”

Romoff will remain with UPMC as president emeritus, acting as a resource for incoming president and CEO Leslie Davis.

Davis, president of the Health Services Division at UPMC and former president of UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital from 2004 to 2018, joins the role after 30 years of health care experience.

As president of Health Services, Davis has been responsible for leading UPMC’s operations across its portfolio of hospitals and has played a large role in positioning the system as a national health care innovator, the system wrote in a statement on Wednesday.

“She brings a stellar track record built over three decades of leadership in health care with the background and expertise to help propel UPMC into the next phase of growth,” said Beckwith. “In her 17 years at UPMC, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to clinical excellence and very strong relationships with our patient families, physicians, employees, leaders and communities.”

Prior to joining UPMC, Davis was president of Graduate Hospital in Philadelphia and began her career at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City.

“I look forward to continuing to ensure that health care is accessible and affordable to our communities while driving innovation, employee engagement, academic excellence and research across all of our hospitals and practices,” said Davis. “I am confident in our organization’s future and look forward to continuing to serve our patients, our members, our employees and our communities as UPMC soars to even greater heights in the future.”

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PPL Electric president leaves, interim named

Newsmakers: HNL Lab Medicine, Norris McLaughlin P.A., and more

UPMC president and CEO to leave role after 15 years