Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Latest Employees of the Quarter Over 3,100 individuals make up Tobyhanna Army Depot’s world-class workforce. Although many of which are worthy of praise, each quarter two employees are named the junior and senior employees of the quarter. For the 4th quarter of 2023, it is Mr. Zachary Long of the Installation Services directorate and Ms. Kristina Nolan of the Resource Management directorate receiving the honors respectively. Nolan’s career at TYAD defines the idea of “working your way up.” After receiving a bachelor’s degree in Education from Marywood University, she took a job as a Teacher Assistant at Tobyhanna’s on-post Children and Youth center. After two years, she moved into a position supporting to the mission side of TYAD’s operations, working a total of four years as a secretary in the C4ISR and Field Logistics Support directorates. About halfway through her time as a secretary, she decided to return to college to further her education. Having always had an interest in computers, she was encouraged to pursue a master’s degree in IT Cyber Security from Capella University. It was while earning this degree that she applied for and received the opportunity to work in TYAD’s Information Management Division as an IT Specialist. Nolan’s employee of the quarter award comes two years into her time as an IT Specialist. She said receiving this distinction is a tremendous accomplishment. “It is a big accomplishment definitely. It shows that the hard work I have done to this point and will continue to do is recognized and is respected and that means a lot to me,” said Nolan. “Because I know this isn’t just a “my department” kind of an award, it means that I am recognized across the depot for the work I have put in and the things I have accomplished up to this point so that means a lot to me.” Cyber Security Enterprise Branch (CESB) Chief Sean Hannan serves as Nolan’s supervisor. He lauded her not only for consistently seeking opportunities to better herself, but also her dedication to TYAD’s mission. “Ms. Nolan’s dedication to mission success was nothing short of exceptional, consistently exceeding her daily mission requirements with unwavering diligence. Throughout this quarter, she took on increased responsibilities and requirements, showcasing a remarkable commitment to surpassing current duties and contributing to the overarching mission objectives of TYAD,” said Hannan. “Not only did she embrace these additional tasks willingly, but she also proactively sought out knowledge to educate herself on the necessary mission systems, demonstrating her selflessness and determination to ensure successful execution.” Hannan also credited Nolan for serving as a helping hand to her colleagues. After she spearheaded a recent network coverage initiative, she took the time to impart essential knowledge to her teammates, guiding and training them in the proficient utilization of mission systems that were critical to success. She credited developing this mindset to mentors she’s worked with through her time at TYAD. Nolan said that, in her line of work, being a team player is essential. “Especially in our department, we definitely have to be cohesive as a team. There’s such a diversity of skills among the team in the CSEB and we help each other to balance all our skills as a community to achieve success. To teach newcomers or people just coming into that department all of the ins and outs and getting accesses and everything is very important,” said Nolan. “There is just so much happening on a daily basis that is behind the scenes that our department has to shift gears quickly so being able to help out in any of the areas and being well rounded in each of the skills helps everyone a lot.” Nolan credited team in the CSEB for her success. “I owe a lot to the team I work with in CSEB, they are a group of incredible people, with such knowledge and skillsets,” said Nolan. “Their willingness to share knowledge and communicate so well is a definite contribution to the success of the department and the depot. They’re just a great group of people to work with and for.” Long is receiving the honor in recognition of a unique maintenance and tracking program he created that is being utilized at TYAD. The creation of this program was a cross-functional effort with the Equipment and Supply Branch that required he go beyond his typical scope of work. Lancelot Ottley is a supervisor within the Installation Services directorate. He said the initiative Long took to create this program benefits not only the team he works with, but the depot as a whole. “Long’s exemplary handling of administrative matters attested to his professional knowledge, willingness to accept responsibility, attention to detail, and the ability to adapt himself to any situation,” said Ottley. “His ambitiousness in establishing and managing this program has motivated his peers and increases overall readiness status and sustainability.” The Employee of the Quarter awards and other employee recognition programs align with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035 – specifically the Investing In Our People line of effort. The plan aims to posture the depot for success in the coming years as the Department of Defense’s premier worldwide C5ISR readiness provider.
The Dime Bank Contributes to the Wayne County Public Library The Dime Bank recently contributed $30,000.00 to the Wayne County Public Library (WCPL) through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. The libraries are approved for two Educational Improvement Organization (EIO) programs. Learning @ the Library which supports in-house and outreach programs aimed at K- 12 students. The second is Teen Tech @ the Library which provides specialized teen programs in STEAM, robotics, computers, and online resources. The library’s outreach coordinator, Scarlett Davidson, works with the three school districts in the library’s service area (Wayne Highlands, Wallenpaupack, and Western Wayne) to provide a wide variety of training, Storytimes, STEM, and other innovative literacy/learning programs. Scarlett helps students, teachers, and their families understand not only what the library has to offer, but how to access resources from home such as Tutor.com, LearningExpress Library, Teen Health and Wellness, Core Concepts: Biology, Chemistry, Periodic Table, and PowerKnowledge: Earth and Space, Life, and Physical Sciences. “The Dime Bank’s Investment in the seven Libraries of Wayne County via the EITC program is an investment in the future of Wayne County,” said Library Director Tracy Schwarz. “Funding for quality programming is difficult to come by. We simply could not do what we do for the community without this level of support. We can’t thank The Dime Bank enough for supporting the future of our community by supporting the library’s approved EIO programs. Thank you for allowing us to create connections, memories, and learning that will last a lifetime!”
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.
TechCelerator Participants Showcase Businesses at Closing Presentations After completing their ten-week cohort in the TechCelerator at Lackawanna County program, participants from seven technology start-ups recently shared valuable insights into their business plans. The pitches were presented to an audience of local funders, coordinators, dignitaries, and supporters at Penn State Scranton’s state-of-the-art Engineering Building on Tuesday, December 5, 2023. In recognition of their efforts, each participating business was awarded up to $10,000 from Lackawanna County to fuel their future business growth. The seven showcased start-ups: I Need A Speaker, The Brain Trust, Washboard, NEPA Lifestyle, RentChexx, STAIPUT, and KX Arms unveiled upcoming products and services spanning a speaker connection hub, local destination discovery platform, property management solutions, and on-demand laundry services. Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber, expressed his satisfaction, sharing, “Collaborating with other sponsors for the TechCelerator program has expanded our initiatives to support and nurture local entrepreneurs through our Ignite program, seamlessly transitioning these emerging firms into our robust business development incubator sites.” Ken Okrepkie, regional manager of Ben Franklin Technology Partners, added, “The Lackawanna County TechCelerator program, designed to assist early adapting entrepreneurs in shaping their ideas into viable businesses, has undeniably been a success.” The TechCelerator Program is a partnership between Lackawanna County, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, IGNITE, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and tecBRIDGE.
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.”
