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People in business

2 take on new leadership roles

Larson Design Group, a 260-person engineering, surveying, and brand architecture firm with 11 offices across four states, has created a new position to meet expanding markets. Paul H. Lee has been appointed to the new role of national market leader for energy in order to leverage his targeted growth expertise in the energy sector.

As national market leader, Lee will oversee development of the LDG Energy Group, which expanded significantly in 2012, leading to new office openings in Pittsburgh; Morgantown, W.Va.; and San Antonio, Texas.

“It’s exciting to think about where LDG will go beyond the Marcellus, Utica, and Eagle Ford Shale Plays,” Lee said, according to a news release. “Our best opportunities are built upon relationships with existing clients. The quality of our work, our understanding of how we fit into the industry, and our ability to help our clients succeed has been instrumental in our development within the energy sector. This has been proven in our ability to follow an existing client to new opportunities in the Eagle Ford Shale Play. How quickly we can get to other shale plays? I think we’ll be surprised; it could happen sooner rather than later.”

Lee moves into his new position after serving as chief operating officer for 10 years. He joined the firm in 1989.

The chief operating officer position has been filled by Andrew Keister. Keister’s rising future with LDG began when he joined the firm as senior project manager in 2000. He most recently served as vice president of civil engineering, a position he held for four years. In that role, he served under Lee, whom he credits with supporting his success at LDG. “Paul has given me a lot of freedom to gain experience across the firm, to develop management expertise, and to operate independently,” said Keister. “His guidance and direction were great preparation for this position.”

Keister is advancing new methods for the firm to serve clients. He reports that “LDG is developing sales growth both internally, with new services, and externally, with new geographies. We are focused on implementing the key elements of our strategic plan as the framework for our new growth.”

Keister will complete training at the American Council of Engineering Companies Senior Executives Institute in March. LDG has not yet appointed a new vice president of civil engineering.

Real estate agents complete training

Seven members of the sales team at Weichert Realtors – Premier have been certified as Weichert lead specialists. Realtors Lori Solomon, Amie Penfield, Jody Harlan, Julie Hughes, Stacy Snyder, Amy Schemery and Christina Beiter successfully completed the agency’s first quarter lead specialist training on Jan. 30, equipping them to interface with Weichert Lead Network.

The network sends leads direct to agents from consumers who call into the Weichert call center as a result of viewing listings online. The system enables agents to be reached within minutes of the call center’s receipt of an inquiry about a “local” property from anywhere in the country. “Realtors who take advantage of this unique service show the relevancy of technology in today’s marketplace, putting them clearly at the proverbial cutting edge,” said broker and owner Chris Pardee.

Pardee and real estate agent and owner Marcy Benson facilitate the quarterly training sessions on the platform that “Weichert agents who have been certified as lead specialists are held to a higher standard of an already high standard” at the Williamsport agency. Certified Weichert lead specialists, Benson said, “are characterized as exceptional agents who are dedicated and hard working and who consistently listen to help achieve their client’s goals and wishes.”

People in business

New CEO for IMC

Lauren Bryson has been named executive director and CEO for IMC based in Williamsport on the campus of the Pennsylvania College of Technology. IMC’s board of directors conducted a national search to fill this position to lead the non-profit organization focused on growing manufacturing in the twelve-county Central Pennsylvania region. IMC is one of seven Industrial Resource Centers in Pennsylvania and one of sixty Manufacturing Extension Partnerships in the nation.

“The board is very pleased that Lauren has accepted this position. She is knowledgeable and well versed in the IMC mission, and we look forward to her leading the staff and board in the future. We also want to thank the IMC board of directors, the IRC Network and Penn College for their assistance in this process.” stated Mike Flanagan, IMC board chairman.

Bryson has been serving as interim executive director and CEO since September 2012 and has been with the Industrial Resource Center Network since 2006. She has coordinated statewide efforts for growth and innovation for Pennsylvania manufacturers. Bryson’s education and experience are in the areas of marketing and economic development. She has experience in leadership, non-profit management, market research and strategic marketing plan development. She is a graduate from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, R.I. with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, an associate’s degree in sales management with a concentration in Sociology and an international marketing certificate from Brugge, Belgium.

“I am excited about leading an organization that has a powerful mission for manufacturing growth. IMC has a strong team that is passionate and committed to serving our regions manufacturers. I am looking forward to working with the team, board of directors, stakeholders and partners to collaborate on efficient and effective ways to advance the mission of manufacturing growth in Central PA.” stated Bryson.

Manufacturing is critical to the US economy and even more important to Central Pennsylvania as it contributes the most Gross State Product of any other industry. A vibrant and innovative manufacturing sector is paramount to the heath and wealth of our nation and our communities. It is imperative, a news release from the organization said, to leverage public and private resources to provide a competitive and prosperous future for making things in the region.

Bryson was born and raised in Central Pennsylvania and is a strong advocate for the manufacturers that provide a solid economic foundation for the families and future generations in the region. She is excited, the news release said, to accomplish the mission by building on the strengths of IMC and continuing to innovate and improve the organization to provide high value services, support and initiatives to make Central Pennsylvania an international leader in manufacturing.

For more information on IMC visit www.imcpa.com or contact Lauri Moon, marketing and events coordinator at 329-3200×8085 or laurim@imcpa.com.

Deposit operations manager retires

Joanne Marvin, deposit operations manager, announced her retirement from First Citizens Community Bank in December, 2012, after 42 years with the company.

Marvin began her career with First Citizens as a bookkeeper posting checks on a huge machine called a Postronic, at a time when the Bank had just two branches. As the bank grew, bookkeeping expanded into a full deposit operations department, which Marvin has been managing since 1982. Honored as Employee of the Year by the bank in 1985, she was recognized in April 2011 for serving 40 years in the banking industry by the state’s major banking trade organization, The Pennsylvania Bankers Association.

“We have been very blessed to have Joanne as part of our team for such a long time, and she will be greatly missed,” stated Randall E. Black, CEO and president. “Her banking knowledge and technical expertise is irreplaceable.”

First Citizens Community Bank appreciates Joanne’s many years of dedication, and extends its best wishes to Joanne for a happy and healthy retirement.

First Citizens Community Bank is headquartered in Mansfield, Pennsylvania and currently operates 18 offices in Tioga, Bradford and Potter counties and in upstate New York.

People in business

Office names

month’s employee

Gene McGill, real estate specialist, has been named the state Department of Transportation district office Employee of the Month for February 2013.

McGill’s work ethic, a news release said, is unparalleled. While working on the real estate claims required for the Route 4014 (Milan Road) reconstruction project in Bradford County, he settled 10 claims in one day; the best record in the district prior to that was six claims in a single day. This, the release said, truly was an outstanding effort, since the timeframe the state had on this project was very short.

He also was a major contributor to the Route 1023 (North Old Trail Road) betterment project in Snyder County. The right-of-way unit had 97 claims on this project, and he settled 27 out of 36 property claims in a very short period.

McGill’s work is always well-organized and he knows at any given time where he stands on any claim he is assigned.

McGill also gives of himself to the community through a number of venues including the Central PA Food Bank, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, and his major contribution to the Bill Craver Bikes for Tykes drive every year which makes less fortunate children in our area smile at Christmas time.

McGill, an eight-year PennDOT employee, lives in Williamsport.

New vice president

for regional bank

Susquehanna Bank announces that Michael V. Petrine has joined the company as senior vice president and commercial executive in the Northern Pennsylvania region.

He will be a team leader responsible for developing and managing the needs of commercial business customers through the broad range of services provided by Susquehanna Bank and its related subsidiaries. Petrine will be based at Susquehanna’s office at 1705 N. Atherton St., State College.

Petrine previously worked as senior vice president and commercial relationship manager at National Penn Bank and has 25 years of experience in the banking and financial services industry.

A resident of State College, Petrine is a member of the Risk Management Association and a board member of the YMCA of Centre County.

Petrine graduated from Towson University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Real estate agents

speak at expo

Now is a great time to buy a home – that was the message three agents from Weichert, Realtors – Premier delivered for new couples at the Clear Channel Wedding Expo on Jan. 20 at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport. Amid bridal fashion shows and displays, real estate agents Lori Solomon, Linda Hunter, and Todd Mertz explained that home inventories are robust right now, and interest rates are low. Newlywed couples could have homes of their own.

2 city physicians

attend inaugural events

Local physicians Dr. Jason Shu and Dr. Grace Shu of Williamsport attended the Presidential Inauguration and Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 21.

Dr. Grace Shu serves as Chairman of the Asian American Voters Coalition, a national, bi-partisan organization, and also as minority chairwoman for the Lycoming County Republican Committee. She led a group of 10 people from the Asian American Voters Coalition to the Inauguration. Dr. Jason Shu formerly served on the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine. They both also attended the Inaugural Ball at the Washington Convention Center.

Dignitaries from all over the world attended the Inauguration. Foreign policy watchers noticed that one delegation attending was led by Mr. Jinping Wang, Chief of the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China on Taiwan.

“It was a great honor to accept the Presidential Inaugural Committee’s invitation and attend the Inauguration and the Inaugural Ball, which are always wonderful experiences,” Dr. Grace Shu said. “Hopefully Democrats and Republicans will work together towards what is best for the country and for all Americans.”

“Hopefully they can work together to make warmer weather for the next Inaugural,” Dr. Jason Shu joked.

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