News

Lycoming County United Way announces staff

Amber Newell and Savannah Lorson will join Taylor Yeagle to round out the team at the Lycoming County United Way. Newell will serve as the Director of Community Impact, while Lorson joins the team as Administrative Manager, replacing Betsy Reichenbach, who left to take a position with State Senator Lynda Schlegel Culver in September.

The announcement was made by the organization's President, Ron Frick, and Board Chair, Patti Jackson-Gehris.

"It's exciting to welcome new team members who have a passion for serving and a new level of excitement around our mission. These new team members are already bringing new energy to the organization and will lead the Lycoming County United Way for years to come. Both Amber and Savannah have experience in leadership, organizational planning, and community involvement that we know will help us with challenges and opportunities for years to come," said Frick.

"Several board members were involved in the hiring process and we were very deliberate in our approach," said Frick. We are thrilled with the results.

Jennifer Stehman, a new board member with significant human resources experience, and Carolyn Hawk, Chair of the Board's Community Impact Committee, led the search team under the leadership of Board Chair, Patti Jackson-Gehris. "As a long-time supporter of the United Way, both personally and as a leader in healthcare, it is energizing to bring great talent to our community with new drive, ideas, and vision. Our approach was to take the time to source the best talent to fulfill the open positions and help us fulfill the United Way's mission. We have a board of strong community leaders with a passion for serving others and we are excited about the new team Ron and the board

have put in place," said Jackson-Gehris.

Newell, a native of Lycoming County is no stranger to working in her community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Clarks Summit University and recently served STEP and the Office of Aging as the Center for Healthy\Aging Coordinator in South Williamsport. Before her service with STEP, she was a senior program director at the River Valley Regional YMCA, Jersey Shore Branch.

"I feel humbled to have been entrusted with such a great responsibility to serve and impact a community that has served and impacted me in such deep ways. I greatly look forward to meeting and collaborating with more of our community members and working together to continue the legacy of positive change established by the Lycoming County United Way," said Newell.

Amber resides in South Williamsport with her husband, Brett, and their cat, Lady.

Lorson is also a native of Lycoming County and joins the organization with strong ties to our region.

A 2021 graduate of Gettysburg College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a concentration in Environmental Policy and a Peace and Justice Studies minor, Lorson moved back to the area after a two-year assignment with a major trade show organization as a Data and Trade Show Administrator and prior positions with First States Financial in Reading, PA and Lewis Lumber Products in Picture Rocks, PA. In addition to her employment experience, Lorson has a passion for advocacy; an important skill she can use with our United Way network.

"I am beyond excited to be a part of the LCUW team. As an organization that has strived to make our community a better place for more than 100 years, I feel this is a place where I can make a real difference. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for me here," said Lorson.

Lorson lives in Nisbet with her husband, Wyatt, and daughter Sienna. Frick also announced the promotion of Taylor Yeagle from her role as an Administrative Associate in development and operations to Development and Communications Manager. "Taylor has not only performed multiple jobs in her short time with the organization but has already gained respect and accolades from the board and our community," said Frick. We think Taylor has a great deal of drive and potential and are happy to provide her with these new responsibilities."

In addition to her leadership in marketing and communications, Yeagle will assist with resource development activities, including the coordination of special events and promotions and volunteer engagement.