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People in business

Branch executive director selected

to lead Eastern Lycoming YMCA

According to a news release, the River Valley Regional YMCA has named Gail R. Kulp as the new branch executive director of the Eastern Lycoming YMCA located in Muncy.

As branch executive director, Kulp will be overseeing the total operation of the Eastern Lycoming YMCA branch including membership, marketing, programs, facilities, volunteer and staff development, financial development, community relations and collaborations with community agencies.

Kulp brings 10 years of non-profit leadership experience to this position including extensive experience in grant writing and grant project management. Most recently, she served as executive director for the Sea Tow Foundation, a national, non-profit organization dedicated to promoting safe boating practices. Kulp previously served as the director of education and standards for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators headquartered in Lexington, Kentucky from 2005 to 2010. She also spent five years as a public school teacher in grades five through seven in both Virginia and Kentucky.

Growing up in Maryland, Kulp, the news release said, was active in her local YMCA as a swim team member, life guard and swim instructor and she continued to be a member of local YMCAs as an adult. She graduated from Salisbury University in Salisbury, Maryland, with a dual degree in elementary education and history and then went on to earn a master’s degree in educational policy, planning and leadership from The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. She earned her certified association executive credential from the American Society of Association Executives in 2012.

She will be holding member meet-and-greet sessions during her first couple of weeks on the job. Dates and times will be posted on the Eastern Lycoming YMCA website and at the front desk.

Kulp lives in Montoursville with her husband, Chris. The two of them can be seen working out at the Eastern Lycoming YMCA most weekday mornings.

Real estate agency

announces awards

Announcement was made by William Hodrick, president of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty, of the Williamsport office’s monthly awards for January 2015. The award for the sales associate with top production in listings was presented to Eiman Tuffaha while the sales award went to Chris Wallace.

“Eiman and Chris understand the value of maintaining open communication with clients and doing their best to meet their needs. I’m glad to have them on our team.” Hodrick said.

City man elected

to association’s board

At its Annual Meeting of Members held during the 2015 NAMM Show, the National Association of Music Merchants board of directors welcomed lauded music retailer Peter Sides to a three-year term on the board, according to a news release. The board of directors provides guidance and leadership to the global music instrument and product industry.

As the president of Robert M. Sides Family Music Centers, Sides is the third generation of his family to operate the music retail business. His grandfather started the business out of his home in 1937, selling and repairing pianos. Later, his parents ran the store. Today, the company has four locations in central Pennsylvania and New York. After more than 77 years in business, Robert M. Sides still is a family-owned and operated business.

Sides, the news release said, views his election to the board of directors as an opportunity to galvanize the music products industry. “As the third member of our family to serve on the board, it’s an honor to be chosen to serve my peers through the board of directors and the work they do to guide and strengthen our industry,” he said.

Sides especially looks forward to working on music education issues. “I’d like to see S.T.E.M. turn into S.T.E.A.M. in all schools, and to make sure that music education has an equal seat at the table. I look forward to working with the staff at NAMM to further the cause of music education for all.”

Sides is a member of the strategic planning committee for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, a past board member of the National Association of School Music Dealers, a member of the Omega Group and of the Alliance of Independent Music Merchants. He holds a degree in business from Babson College.

The National Association of Music Merchants, the news release said, is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $16.9 billion music products industry. The association is comprised of approximately 9,200 member companies located in 102 countries. Association events and members fund The NAMM Foundation’s efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music, and advance active participation in music making across the lifespan.

Real estate agency

hires Liberty man

Weichert Realtors – Premier, located in Williamsport and serving the Lycoming County area, announces Jay Smith has joined its office as a real estate agent. Smith will assist property buyers and sellers in Tioga, Lycoming and Clinton counties, a news release said.

“Jay is a great addition to our team of real estate experts,” said Marcy Benson, co-manager with Weichert Realtors – Premier. “He has a solid knowledge of the region, having lived in the area for 30 years, and with a strong work ethic and drive to succeed he is helping our clients achieve their real estate goals with confidence.”

A member of the West Branch Valley Association of Realtors, Smith currently lives in Liberty with his wife and daughter. Prior to real estate he worked in the distribution, logistics and warehousing industries. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Mansfield University.

Weichert Real Estate Affiliates Inc. has grown steadily since Jim Weichert, founder/president of the now 45-year-old Weichert, Realtors, named Martin J. Rueter as president of WREA. The two collaborated in 2001 to create a business model for franchisee ownership candidates described as “a clearly defined operating system for marketing and managing a real estate business,” the news release said.

People in business

Recreational authority

hires executive director

The Buffalo Valley Recreational Authority has hired Stacey Sommerfield, a Lewisburg area resident, as its next executive director. According to a news release, the authority began a national search to find the best candidate to step into the staff leadership role following the announcement that that the current executive director, Katie Davis, would be resigning, effective March 2015.

Sommerfield has 10 years of management experience with a master’s degree in public administration and nonprofit management. Sommerfield has a demonstrated ability to write and procure grant funding which will be a great asset to the organization. Starting March 3, she will oversee all parks and recreation operations at the authority including management, personnel, finance and public relations and records.

“I am excited to welcome Stacey to BVRA,” said Davis, according to the news release. “I know she is excited for this position and I have total confidence that she will put all her good energy and efforts into helping the recreation authority continue to grow in a positive direction. I feel great knowing that someone who really cares about our community will be filling this role.”

Most recently, Sommerfield served as the assistant director of service-learning at Bucknell University for three years, where, the news release said, she was responsible for facilitating a variety of service learning programs between the university and community partners. Most notable among her accomplishments is her role in the development of the Lewisburg Community Garden, a half-acre community space that offers rental plots and produces over 2,500 pounds of fresh produce for the community each year. For her work towards this project, she was awarded the Outstanding Collaborative Project Award in 2013 from Bucknell University.

“We were lucky to find Stacey in our own back yard after casting a wide net and receiving applications from all over the country,” authority chairman Jim Mathias said, according to the news release. “Her considerable skills as an administrator and fundraiser and her proven experience building community relationships present a great opportunity for success.”

For more information about the Buffalo Valley Recreation Authority, the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail, or any of its programs serving the Valley, please visit www.bvrec.org, or call 570-524-4774.

Real estate agency

selects award winners

Martha Barrick, president of Coldwell Banker Penn One Real Estate, recently announced monthly agent awards for their office in Lewisburg for the month of January. The top selling agent award went to Lynn Shambach. The top listing agent award went to Doug Wertz. Top Commission earnings for the month of December award went to Tony Mike.

Employee of

year named

Cheryl Bailey, maintenance unit secretary, has been named state Department of Transportation district employee of the year for 2014.

Bailey, a news release said, is an excellent secretary who supports the district’s maintenance and traffic units.

She coordinates unit travel arrangements and performs a wide range of clerical work. She produces letters for signing, files documents, answers phones and directs calls to the appropriate personnel, covers the receptionist desk, processes mail, oversees calendars, schedules meetings, takes meeting minutes, creates and sends emails, and reviews district memorandums.

Bailey also coordinates responses to customer concerns directed to the maintenance and traffic units. That is a substantial work load, as those units receive the largest number of customer concerns in the district.

She can be counted on to provide assistance to other units, including county offices, construction, human resources and the district executive’s office, the news release said. She often volunteers for special assignments and district committees.

She recently served as the chairwoman for the district’s Employee of the Month and Group of the Quarter Committee, demonstrating her understanding and support of the importance of recognizing outstanding employees.

Bailey, the news release said, is well-versed in clerical procedures and couples this with excellent interpersonal skills and “team player” attitude, which makes her an outstanding asset to the district.

As a result, she regularly receives notes of appreciation from her co-workers and managers and deserves to be recognized for her ability, attitude and efforts.

A nearly three-year PennDOT employee, Bailey lives in Sunbury with her husband Brian, son Vinny, and daughters Brooke and Callie.

Employee of

month named

Brian Crossley, work zone specialist, has been named state Department of Transportation district Employee of the Month for February 2015.

Crossley, a news release said, is a dedicated member of the district traffic unit who reviews all proposed work zone traffic control plans for contract projects. He conducts quality assurance reviews, as well.

He has a vast amount of knowledge about work zone traffic control and always is willing to provide information to help make work zones safer for workers and motorists.

During the winter months, Crossley has provided dark hour work zone traffic control training for foremen and operators in all nine District 3 counties.

Last March and April he provided flagger training to nearly 200 municipal employees. He also trains design and construction staff on long-term and short-term traffic control setups.

Crossley is a self-motivated employee who sees challenges as a way to improve PennDOT systems and provide better customer service. He is a “team player” who works well with all units in the department.

Crossley, a nearly 18-year PennDOT employee, lives in Williamsport with his wife Tricia, son Cameron, and daughter Adrien.

People in business

Veterinarian joins Northern Tier clinics

Animal Care Sanctuary has hired Dr. Robin Renee Rodgers to assist Dr. Alaire Smith-Miller with caring for animals at the community clinics in East Smithfield and Wellsboro. East Smithfield has been open to the community four days per week and Wellsboro’s clinic was one day per week. With the great need for low cost spay/neuter Animal Care Sanctuary is increasing East Smithfield to five days and Wellsboro to two days per week. Dr. Miller will continue with the clinic but also is responsible for the sanctuary animal’s care.

Rodgers graduated from New York State College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University and has been the sole proprietor of Four Winds Equine and Community Practice in Spencer and Wellness Waggin’ and will continue to provide to her clients. She also has provided spay/neuter services for Stray Haven.

Animal Care Sanctuary, one of the largest no-kill shelters in the United States, cares for between 500 and 550 animals daily with the objective to find them loving, forever homes, a news release said. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 570-596-2270.

Gas drilling firm

gets public

relations manager

Inflection Energy announces the addition of Matt Henderson as Public Relations Manager. Henderson will be responsible for community outreach, media relations and government affairs.

Most recently, Henderson served as the Shale gas asset manager at the Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research at Penn State University. In that role, he was responsible for community outreach and education to a variety of stakeholder groups.

“With our development area focused in Lycoming County, combined with our corporate commitment to the growth and prosperity of the local communities where we operate, it was important for us to hire local talent,” said Tom Gillespie, Inflection Energy’s director of regulatory, health and operations, according to a news relase. “As a local resident with experience in community education on shale development, Matt is an excellent addition to our team.”

“I am very pleased to join the Inflection Energy team,” Henderson said, according to the news release. “Inflection has an excellent safety and environmental track record and has been praised by local residents and officials in the county.”

Henderson is a member of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce and is active in numerous other local organizations and community activities. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Lycoming College. A lifelong resident of Lycoming County, Henderson currently resides in Eldred Township with his wife and 5 children.

Founded in 2008, privately-held Inflection Energy LLC is based in Denver, Colorado. With its operations office located in Williamsport, Inflection is focused on the exploration and development of natural gas resources in Lycoming County.

Engineer passes

state exam

Keller Engineers Inc. announces that Stephanie C. Shoenfelt recently passed the exam to become a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Registration requires passing an 8-hour examination relating to the principles and practices of engineering.

Shoenfeltgraduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. She has been with Keller Engineers since 1999 working in the land development division. Her specialty areas include industrial parks, retail shopping complexes, residential and commercial development and recreational facilities.

Employee of the

year selected

Paris Cos., Pennsylvania’s largest independent linen rental provider, announces that Katrina Bell, an employee of the Williamsport Healthcare facility, was recently selected as Employee of the Year for 2014. The employee of the year program recognizes outstanding achievement in performance, initiative, integrity, dependability, innovation, cooperation and teamwork. In addition, the employee of the year exemplifies Paris’ culture of professionalism and dedication, going beyond the call of duty, and being accident-free.

Bell began her career with Paris Healthcare Linen Services in May 2010 and is a dry-fold machine operator in the production department. According to a news release, “she is always willing to go above and beyond what she is required to do. Katrina demonstrates her work ethic by helping the team to achieve the highest of standards. Her commitment to being a dedicated Paris partner and devotion to her job make her a great fit for employee of the year.”

Bell lives in Williamsport and, the news release said, loves being a mother to her child. In her free time, likes playing the Wii U, reading, laughing and spending time with her family. She received a cash prize, Paris merchandise, an extra day off and a reserved parking spot for the year.

Headquartered in DuBois, Paris Cos. has been in business since 1918, with laundry facilities in DuBois, Williamsport and Ravenna, Ohio.

City attorney 1

of ‘Best Lawyers

in America’

Clifford A. Rieders, Esquire, a partner in the law firm of Rieders, Travis, Humphrey, Harris, Waters & Dohrmann, was invited to join Best Lawyers of America.

Rieders is board certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and a civil trial advocate, is past president of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice, formerly Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association, and is a past president of the Federal Bar Association, Central Pennsylvania Chapter. Rieders is the author of numerous books, articles and pamphlets, and is a frequent lecturer on legal subjects.

People in business

City physical therapy

facility director named

Phoenix Rehabilitation and Health Services Inc. announces the recent promotion of Erin Kuriga to the position of facility director and lead physical therapist for its outpatient physical therapy clinic at 816 Westminster Drive, Williamsport.

A graduate of College Misericordia, Kuriga joined the Phoenix team in September 2014 as a staff physical therapist. For the past 15 years, she has been serving patients in the Williamsport community. As director, Kuriga, a news release said, now is responsible for handling both the management end of the clinic’s day-to-day operations as well as overseeing the highest quality of patient care.

Kuriga, alongside physical therapist, Nancy Wood and Maria Ungard will continue to offer the community patient-centered care with superior outcomes, convenient patient scheduling, including Saturday appointments as necessary and processing of all insurance plans.

“Using evidence-based treatment techniques that focus on restoring function, reducing pain and preventing injury, our overall goal is to get patients moving and enjoying life again – pain free,” Kuriga said, according to the news release. “My patient care approach includes providing the most evidence-based, individualized and comprehensive care available to each patient. I strive to promote wellness and management of symptoms through patient education, examination and skilled interventions.”

Established in 1997, Phoenix is a privately held, certified rehabilitation agency.

Starting at $2.99/week.

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