I Need A Speaker to Host Program for High School Students Area high school students are invited to participate in the STAND TALL SPEAK OUT program, a one-day event that teaches executive presence and public presentation skills to prepare attendees for future opportunities related to employment and college. The event will take place on Saturday, March 2, from 10 am to 3 pm at Scranton Preparatory School, 1000 Wyoming Ave., Scranton. “This program was created to help students build and maintain self-confidence as they approach the next stage of life,” explained Will Ramey, DBA, an Army veteran, entrepreneur and TEDx speaker who is one of two presenters. “Students will have two hours of instruction from me, supported by two hours of public presentation instruction from my colleague, Tricia Richards-Service, PhD.” Planners are seeking financial contributions for this program. Although sponsorship packages are available at $2,500, $1,000, and $500, contributions in any amount would be appreciated to offset costs. Additional information and registration forms are being distributed to area high school guidance counselors and administrators. Student registration is $20 for the event. Ten students will be awarded scholarships. Registration fees include programming and a boxed lunch. “This event is limited to the first 200 students to register,” said Richards-Service. “We encourage people to register early.” The registration deadline is February 15, 2024. To obtain additional information or secure your spot, e-mail info@ineedaspeaker.com or call 570-955-6965.
Geisinger Employee Named on 2023 Becker’s Healthcare’s for CMO Don Stanziano, chief marketing and communications officer (CMCO) for Geisinger, has been named one of Becker’s Healthcare’s 60 hospital and health system chief marketing officers (CMO) to know for 2023. The list includes bold strategic leaders who drive the planning and execution of marketing and communications initiatives for their organizations. “It is an honor to be recognized by Becker’s,” said Stanziano. “As a non-profit health system CMO, I recognize that the system’s growth and success is a critical element in achieving our mission to make better health easier for the people of Pennsylvania.” Mr. Stanziano leads all strategic marketing, communications, and consumer digital engagement across the 10-hospital health system, 650,000-member health plan and college of health sciences. Since 2018, he has led a brand modernization initiative that unified all Geisinger hospitals, clinics, health plan and academic programs under one brand platform, as well as launched a content marketing program and award-winning creative campaign. The result to date is a 10% improvement in brand awareness and 11-point lead in brand preference above other competitors. To drive growth marketing, he implemented an enterprise customer relationship management solution, created a marketing analytics team, and is leading the build of a customer data platform and website redesign to expand the marketing technology stack. Also, under his leadership, the entire employee communications program was redesigned, resulting in 85% of staff and 96% of leaders rating their communications as effective. Mr. Stanziano joined Geisinger in 2018 after leading marketing and communications at Scripps Health in San Diego where he spent 16 years in a variety of marketing and communications roles.
FNCB Bank Pledges $10,000 to United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne, & Pike Counties FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $10,000 donation to United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Counties. The United Way advances the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all. FNCB Bank’s donation will touch the lives of many individuals and families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The support of United Way is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
Johnson College Student Veteran Association Donates to Veteran’s Promise The Johnson College Student Veteran Association donated $500 to Veteran’s Promise on January 3, 2024, following an apparel fundraiser. The purpose of the fundraiser was to raise awareness among the College community for local organizations that support veterans throughout the region, including student veterans. Dr. Katie Leonard, Johnson College President & CEO, and Dr. Natalia Melgarejo, Johnson College Student Success Coordinator and Military and Veteran Services Liaison, visited Veteran’s Promise in Dickson City to tour the facility and present the donation. The 501©(3) organization advocates, educates, and raises awareness for all Veterans through outreach for PTSD, suicide prevention, drug and alcohol education, and supporting families of veterans throughout the region. During their visit, Dave Ragan, founder and president of Veteran’s Promise, shed some light on the impact of PTSD on veterans and families. The facility houses a wall of photos called the “Wall of Heroes,” which honors veterans who had made it home from the battlefield but took their lives on the home front. Dr. Melgarejo says that the College’s Student Veteran Association chose to donate to Veteran’s Promise to support the work they doing to help veterans in the region, including members of the Johnson College community.
Keystone College to Offer ServSafe Class Keystone College will offer a ServSafe manager certification class on Wednesday, Jan. 31, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at 120 College Avenue, Factoryville. The training will cover topics involving food-borne illnesses and health risks that commercial food service establishments must learn in order to provide safe food for customers. ServSafe, a nationally recognized certification program for safe food handling practices, meets Pennsylvania regulations and is accredited by the National Restaurant Association Education Foundation. For more information or to register, contact brenda.lidy@keystone.edu or call (570) 657-0248.
Woodloch Resort Announces Partnership with Moka Origins Coffee As the New Year commences, two businesses in the Poconos are poised for exciting new beginnings. Woodloch, an award-winning, three property resort, and Moka Origins, an ethically-sourced coffee and chocolate company, are proud to announce the start of a partnership aimed at enriching the experience for resort guests while honoring Moka’s motto, “made locally, support globally.” This collaboration represents a shared commitment to offering guests unparalleled quality, sustainability, and community support.Nestled in the Pocono Mountains, Woodloch has been a cornerstone of family-friendly getaways for decades, renowned for its exceptional hospitality and endless activities. Woodloch is the largest employer in Pennsylvania’s Pike and Wayne counties and generates the most tourism dollars in the Northern Pocono Mountains area. The Poconos resort employs over 1,200 staff members and welcomes nearly 100,000 visitors per year. Moka Origins, known for its artisanal approach to coffee production, places emphasis on direct trade relationships with farmers, sustainable farming practices, and social responsibility. Woodloch will feature Moka Origins across its various dining and retail outlets. Guests can now indulge in the finest handcrafted coffee and chocolate while supporting a shared vision of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.This ethos aligns particularly well with the philosophy at Woodloch’s destination spa resort, The Lodge at Woodloch. The property features a working organic farm where the focus is on giving back to the environment before benefiting from it, in turn creating healthy soil and healthy plants and, consequently, healthy people. The Poconos spa looks forward to presenting Moka products through immersive guest experiences, such as chocolate tastings intertwined with storytelling about how Moka Origins began. In 2015, Moka Farms was founded in Cameroon, West Africa to help generate employment through sustainable farming and the creation of a Farmers’ Training Center. By 2017, Moka’s co-founder, Jeff Abella, started buying cacao and coffee directly from farmers around the world and began a chocolate and coffee company in Honesdale, PA, just 20 minutes from Woodloch. The company’s mission is to use chocolate and coffee as a vehicle for social change by ethically sourcing coffee and cacao, offering training programs on their Cameroon farm, and planting a tree for every product sold. To date, over 517,000 trees have been planted, more than 276,000 pounds of beans have been sold, and 2,600 workshops on sustainable agriculture have been provided to farmers.“We are thrilled to partner with Moka Origins,” said Brad Kiesendahl, CEO of Woodloch Resort. “Their dedication to sustainability, waste reduction, and environmental consciousness aligns seamlessly with our values here at Woodloch. We are committed to enhancing the guest experience by offering the finest quality coffee and chocolate while supporting a company with such a strong mission.” Moka Origins CEO, Jeff Abella, expressed equal enthusiasm, stating, “Partnering with Woodloch is a fantastic opportunity for us to expand our commitment to sustainability and community impact. We admire Woodloch’s dedication to creating an exceptional guest experience and look forward to providing their guests with our products while contributing to meaningful initiatives together.”
Misericordia University to Hold Virtual Open House for Adult Learners Misericordia University will be hosting an Expressway Virtual Open House on February 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m., providing adult learners with a unique opportunity to explore their educational options and gain valuable insights into the advantages of the Expressway program. The Expressway Virtual Open Houses allows adults looking to return to school for a degree to ask questions about returning to college, hear about the academic program options, and learn more about the advantages of Misericordia University’s Expressway program. For more information about Misericordia University and the Expressway program or to sign-up for the Virtual Open Hosue, please visit https://www.misericordia.edu/arch/accelerated-degrees.
The Honesdale National Bank Announces Promotion of Cassandra Saul Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President, and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, has announced Cassandra Saul has been promoted to Branch Manager at the Lakewood Office. In making the announcement Sheridan stated, “Cassie has shown incredible dedication to our customers and local communities.” He continued, “We are glad to have her take on this role to express her local knowledge and understanding of our core values as she continues to expand her career at HNB.” As Branch Manager, Saul will be responsible for managing the daily operations of the HNB Lakewood Office to ensure customer expectations are met. She will lead frontline personnel, while ensuring the office is compliant with audits and account management. She is a graduate of Forest City Reginal School District and resides in Pleasant Mount, PA. Saul started her career in the banking industry in 2017 with HNB as Part-Time Teller, promoted to Teller/CSR, Head-Teller/CSR, Assistant Branch Manager of Forest City and Lakewood Offices, Branch Supervisor, and now, Branch Manager at the Lakewood Office. In commenting on her new role at the bank, Saul noted, “In six short years, working at HNB has given me the opportunity to grow in the banking industry. Starting out as a Part-Time Teller and working my way to Branch Manager shows how the bank has many opportunities available. Hard work, dedication to be more knowledgeable, and support from my co-workers leads to never ending success at HNB.” Outside of the bank, she enjoys golfing, hunting and being on the farm or at our retail meat store, Komar Farm and Meats, in Pleasant Mount, PA.
The Honesdale National Bank Announces Promotion of Rachel Brummett Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President, and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, has announced Rachel Brummett has been promoted to Branch Manager at the Clarks Summit Office. In making the announcement Sheridan stated, “Rachel has displayed commitment to our customers and internal partners.” He continued, “We are delighted to have her expand her role and showcase our core values as she continues to manage the relationships held in our Clarks Summit community.” As Branch Manager, Brummett will be responsible for opening accounts, oversight of office operations, customer retention, and so much more. She is a graduate of Garfield High School as she was born in California, moved to New Jersey in 1996, and later moved to Pennsylvania in 2013 where she has since resided. Brummett started her career in the financial industry 20 years ago, most recently being an assistant branch manager at another local financial institution. She joined HNB in May of 2022 as Teller/CSR at our Montdale Office. She was later promoted to Branch Supervisor of our Clarks Summit in June of 2023, and now promoted to Branch Manager of the HNB Clarks Summit Office. In commenting on her new role at the bank, Brummett noted, “Working here at HNB has made me feel fulfilled. It feels like I have come full circle. HNB has treated me like family, and I really appreciate that.” Outside of the bank, she enjoys watching her favorite sports teams such as the New York Giants, New York Rangers and the New York Mets. She also likes the outdoors, road trips, concerts, and spending time with her family.
