Peoples Security Bank’s Leaders Named to Banking on Brilliance Awards

Peoples Security Bank & Trust announced today that Susan Hubble and Stephanie A. Westington, CPA have been named a recipient of the 2024 Banking on Brilliance Awards, powered by KlariVis. 

The Banking on Brilliance Awards recognize remarkable women in community banking who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in driving transformation through innovation and data. Hubble and Westington were selected due to their excellence in innovation and data-driven leadership.

“We are proud to see Susan and Stephanie recognized among such accomplished leaders,” said Jerry Champi, President of Peoples Security Bank & Trust. “Their dedication to leveraging data and innovation has had a major impact on our organization. This award is a testament to their talent and vision.”

Ms. Hubble leads the Information Technology division as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, a role she has held since December 2019. She is responsible for overseeing strategic technology planning to align with the bank’s objectives and directs the Information Technology, Business Support Services, and Program Management departments. Previously, as Senior Vice President and Senior Information Technology Officer, Ms. Hubble managed the department’s daily operations and led several system conversion projects.

Ms. Westington is a Senior Vice President and Chief Profitability Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, with over 35 years of experience managing finance and accounting for community banks. Previously, as Chief Accounting Officer for FNCB Bank, she oversaw key financial operations and played a pivotal role in the recent merger with Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company. She holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from the University of Scranton and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She is a licensed CPA and active in her community, including serving as Treasurer of the Catholic Women’s Conference of the Diocese of Scranton. 

“The women we’ve recognized are changing the game in community banking. Their commitments to driving innovation are remarkable not only for their banks, but for each customer they serve,” says Kim Snyder, KlariVis founder and CEO. “It is incredibly encouraging to be in an industry where women are leading the charge in such an exceptional way, and I look forward to seeing what each of these women continues to accomplish.”

For more information on the 2024 Banking on Brilliance Awards and to view the full list of winners, visit https://go.klarivis.com/banking-on-brilliance. 

NEPA Philharmonic Appoints New Executive Director

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic has announced that Chason Goldschmitz has joined the organization and will formally assume the role of Executive Director on January 1, 2025, when Nancy Sanderson steps down from the position. Carol Nelson Dembert, President of the Philharmonic Society, governing board of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, introduced Mr. Goldschmitz at the first concert of the Thalenfeld Family Masterworks series, “Bizet, Lalo, and Sibelius” on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 3 PM at the Scranton Cultural Center.

The Philharmonic Board of Trustees has unanimously endorsed Chason Goldschmitz‘s appointment for his new role as Executive Director. We are confident that Chason and Music Director Mélisse Brunet are a dynamic duo who will continue to move the orchestra forward, building on a half century of excellence and expanding the Philharmonic’s missions of world class concerts, excellent educational programs, and community outreach.

Chason Goldschmitz is an artistic administrator, producer, composer, and arranger, and he is honored to join the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic as its new Executive Director during the 2024-25 season.

Goldschmitz joins the NEPA Philharmonic from the office of world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming, where he served as Director of Production, Music, and Arts & Health. In this role, he produced and supervised logistics for concerts, large-scale summits, and other public events, and served as producer and production engineer for Ms. Fleming’s multimedia events, including “Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene” performances in collaboration with National Geographic. Goldschmitz also coordinated arts and health research, policy, and funding initiatives on behalf of the Renée Fleming Foundation, in partnership with a diverse array of governmental partners and performing arts, healthcare, education, and community organizations — including the Kennedy Center, LA Opera, Johns Hopkins University, the Aspen Institute, Los Angeles County, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization.

Performers of arrangements and orchestrations by Goldschmitz include soprano Renée Fleming; pianist Inon Barnatan; conductors Marin Alsop and JoAnn Falletta; the Baltimore, Houston, North Carolina, and Palm Beach Symphonies; the Buffalo Philharmonic; the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa); L’Orchestre des Nations (Geneva); and the Kennedy Center Honors. His original compositions have been commissioned by venues such as 92NY and been performed by ensembles including the Juilliard Orchestra and the Daedalus String Quartet.

Goldschmitz participated in the League of American Orchestra’s 2024 Essentials of Orchestra Management program, and he will complete a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University in December 2024. He previously received a Master’s of Music in Music Composition from The Juilliard School, where he co-founded the school’s first contemporary opera program. Goldschmitz also received a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science at Columbia University under the Columbia-Juilliard Exchange program and a 3-year accelerated graduation track, and conducted science research in neuroscience and geochemistry at the Columbia University Medical Center and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic is a fully professional symphony orchestra performing classics, pops, holiday, chamber, and July 3-4 concerts. The Philharmonic’s educational programs include a juried mentoring program for talented high school students, “Meet the Maestra”, “Music in our Schools”, Young Peoples’ Concerts, “Once Upon an Orchestra” in regional libraries, and interactive performances in senior centers.  

For tickets and additional information, please call 570.270.4444 or www.NEPAphil.org.

Misericordia University to Host Federal Reserve Economist

Please join Federal Reserve Board Senior Economist Anton Badev, Ph.D, as he presents “A Perspective on Peer Effects in Social Networks.”

Hear Dr. Badev share how social networks influence our beliefs, decisions and behaviors. He will develop the question of how a policy maker can influence the formation of social networks, and provide us a low level overview of a contemporary toolkit for thinking about peer effects in the most flexible way. The talk will introduce the perspective and discuss its implications for designing successful public policies.

This event will be held in the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library, McGowan Room,   Monday, November 11, 2024, from 12:20 to 1:30 pm. Please RSVP Here:

https://www.misericordia.edu/academics/academic-colleges/college-of-business/college-of-business-event-series/cob-event-series-anton-badev-rsvp-form

Lackawanna College Culinary Students Open “MISFITS”

Lackawanna College is thrilled to announce the return of its holiday pop-up event, Misfits, a festive and inclusive experience set to open in downtown Scranton at 409 on Adams, the College’s student-run restaurant. This event will run from November 13th through December 21st, and invites guests to embrace the holiday spirit in an unconventional way – where everyone is welcome and being different is celebrated.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural season, which saw over 7,000 guests, Misfits is set to be bigger and better in 2024. The theme of the event is inspired by the heartwarming story of Charlie, a kindhearted but misunderstood soul who inherits an old boarding house. Inside, the rooms are filled with unique characters and festive tales that bring a fresh perspective to the holiday season. Attendees are encouraged to come, find their tribe, and celebrate the holidays with a twist.

“Misfits is about creating a space where everyone can come as they are and be part of something special,” said [Name], [Title] at Lackawanna College. “It’s a unique celebration that brings together our community, our students, and everyone who supports the College and its mission. Last year was a huge success, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests in 2024.”

A Meaningful Impact
Beyond being a fun and festive experience, Misfits plays a vital role in supporting the mission of Lackawanna College and empowering its students. All proceeds from the event help fund initiatives that provide tangible support for the College’s diverse student body, including:

  • Loaner Laptops for Students – Providing 130 students with the necessary tools to succeed in their education by loaning out laptops to help bridge the digital divide.
  • Fighting Food Insecurity – Through programs like The Common Kitchen, Lackawanna College combats food insecurity among students by offering nutritious food staples, culinary training, and access to a community-driven food bank.
  • Student Leadership Opportunities – Scholarships and workforce training opportunities are provided to upperclassmen who take on leadership roles within the College, preparing them for real-world success.
  • Nourishing Neighbors – In partnership with the Scranton Counseling Center, Lackawanna College has provided over 2,300 meals to local families in need, supported by over 100 hours of student and faculty volunteer time.

“We’re not just celebrating the season – we’re supporting our students and our community,” added [Name]. “By attending Misfits, you are helping to make these programs possible, and together, we can continue to create opportunities for those who need it most.”

Become a Sponsor
Lackawanna College is actively seeking sponsors for the 2024 Misfits season. Sponsorships not only provide visibility and recognition within the community but also directly support the College’s mission to empower students and give back to the Scranton area.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, or to inquire about event details, please contact [Name] at (570) 504-7945 or via email at deckers@lackawanna.edu.

Get ready for AMEX Small Business Saturday on November 30!

Shop Small, an initiative launched by American Express (AMEX), is dedicated to supporting local, small businesses that form the backbone of communities across the country.

Each November, Shop Small culminates in Small Business Saturday, a day encouraging shoppers to choose local businesses for their holiday needs. By doing so, consumers directly boost their local economy, helping to create jobs, sustain neighborhoods, and maintain the vibrant character of their towns and cities.

The Chamber is proud to champion small businesses, which make up 80% of its membership, most of them with fewer than 25 employees. These businesses are the heartbeat of our organization, providing unique products, personalized services, and driving innovation across various industries in northeastern Pennsylvania. The Chamber remains committed to supporting members’ growth through resources, networking opportunities, and initiatives like Shop Small.

This November, we encourage everyone to shop local and support Chamber members that contribute so much to our community. Provided by members is a list of deals and discounts that you can take part in this season.

Search for Chamber members.

Download AMEX Toolkit

Wallenpaupack Freshmen Visit Scranton Enterprise Center to Explore Entrepreneurship and Workforce Resources

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed the Wallenpaupack Area School District’s freshman class of 2028 to the Scranton Enterprise Center for an engaging day focused on business, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. The visit introduced students to resources available in Lackawanna County, such as the IGNITE program and the Chamber’s Career Resource Video Library, aimed at supporting students interested in pursuing careers in northeastern Pennsylvania.

During the visit, students learned about the resources and support available for aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners, gaining insights into potential career pathways. “This experience was a great way for students to learn about entrepreneurship and small businesses in our area as a potential career path,” said Maria Day, IGNITE Program Manager.

The event highlighted the resources and programs designed to help students explore career and educational opportunities within Lackawanna County. Throughout the day, students were introduced to incubator businesses and other resources offered by the Chamber, providing them with valuable exposure to the world of entrepreneurship and insights into the opportunities it can offer. Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at the Chamber, emphasized the importance of introducing young students to local workforce resources early on to foster a mindset of goal-setting and career exploration.

The Chamber’s commitment to nurturing northeastern Pennsylvania’s future workforce includes initiatives that introduce students to career pathways and encourage proactive planning. Through programs like IGNITE and Skills in Scranton, the Chamber’s workforce development division, aims to inspire the next generation of leaders and innovators.

The Swiftwater Makes its Mark with Triple Award Win

Newly Opened Pocono Mountains Hotel Wins Prestigious AAA Four Diamond, “Newcomer of the Year” from Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, and a Bizzy Award for Interior Design.

The Swiftwater, the Pocono Mountains’ newest luxury destination, has achieved a remarkable trio of industry accolades within just four months of opening. The Swiftwater is celebrating the coveted AAA Four Diamond rating, the title of “Newcomer of the Year” from the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association, and a Bizzy Award for Interior Design. This trifecta highlights the hotel’s dedication to excellence, elevating the guest experience in this iconic region.

AAA Four Diamond Rating: A Symbol of Superior Hospitality

Receiving the prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award, Swiftwater has distinguished itself as a premier destination in the Poconos. This rating is a testament to the hotel’s exceptional service, upscale amenities, and meticulous attention to guest satisfaction. From personalized concierge services to luxurious on-site dining, Swiftwater offers an experience that redefines modern luxury in the region.

Named “Newcomer of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association

The Swiftwater has also been named “Newcomer of the Year” by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, celebrating its swift rise in popularity and its impactful contributions to Pennsylvania’s hospitality landscape. This award speaks to the hotel’s unique combination of locally inspired charm, innovative experiences, and community commitment that have resonated with visitors and locals alike.

Interior Design Excellence Recognized with Bizzy Award

Swiftwater Hotel was honored with the Bizzy Award for Interior Design, a nod to its visionary blend of elegance and mountain-inspired aesthetic. This award recognizes the hotel’s commitment to creating an immersive environment that harmoniously reflects the Pocono region’s natural beauty while delivering sophistication in every detail. The design features custom décor, inviting public spaces, and stunning guest rooms crafted to evoke both relaxation and inspiration.

“We are immensely honored by the recognition we’ve received in our first few months,” said Dante Trapasso, Managing Partner of The Swiftwater. “These awards reflect our team’s dedication to delivering a hospitality experience that blends the scenic allure of the Poconos with a level of service that leaves a lasting impression.”With its luxurious accommodations, signature dining, and dedication to a refined guest experience, The Swiftwater is already making waves in the hospitality industry, poised to become a must-visit destination for those seeking both adventure and tranquility in the Pocono Mountains.