Whether it is providing personalized capital investment strategy, contributing funds to assist veterans groups, volunteer fire companies or the YWCA from revenue collected from operating Pennsylvania Skill games or assisting businesses with their web design, marketing and accounting needs, the businesses that were winners of awards this week at the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce 140th Annual Awards Banquet help contribute to the economic vitality of the region.

Awards went to:

Barbara Hudock, chief executive officer and founding partner of Hudock Capital Group, was the Vince Matteo Excellence in Leadership 2025 Award Recipient, receiving it from Jay B. Alexander, chamber of directors board chair.

Miele Amusements was the Staiman Family Large Business 2025 Award Recipient, with Louis and Nicole Miele accepting the award from Carmen Magistro, regional president, M&T Bank, presenting along with Richard Staiman on stage.

Ignite Business Services was the Emerging Business of the Year 2025 Recipient, with Anne Reiner, co-CEO and founder of Ignite Business Services, joined on stage by Marianne Beane, also co-CEO and founder of the business, who received the award after remarks by Tim Keohane, director, Penn State Small Business Development Center. The chamber did its usual thorough research on each award winner listing their achievements and contributions to the communities they serve.

Offering personalized financial investment strategies

Hudock, a certified investment management analyst, was noted for completing her certified portfolio manager certification through Columbia University and the Academy of Portfolio management. She is a graduate of the Securities Industry Institute, which is a collaboration of the Wharton Business School and the Securities Industry Association.

Hudock is a member of the Investment Management Consulting Association and frequently presents at continuing education events and industry conferences.

“You may have noticed driving around the area last fall billboards noting that she and the team she leads at Hudock Capital Group achieved management over $1 billion in assets,” Alexander said.

However, when others speak about her, they mention Hudock’s commitment to her community, he said.

“They mention how committed she is to the betterment of the community, leading by example and strongly encouraging the team at Hudock Capital to engage in service to the community,” Alexander said.

Hudock has devoted her time, expertise and philanthropic gifts to several organizations including the Woodcock Foundation for the appreciation of the arts, and has served as trustee on the Bloomsburg University Council of Trustees, a member of the boards of WVIA Public TV and Radio, the Community Arts Center, the Susquehanna Health Foundation, Bloomsburg University’s Foundation Board, the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania and a member of the Pershing Advisor Solutions Advisor Council.

At the closing of her emails, those receiving them will find a powerful three-word statement, “Dream. Plan. Live.”

“Not only is Barbara helping others to live their dreams through her work and philanthropy, but I believe she is also living her dreams through this work and support of the community,” Alexander remarked.

As she stepped on stage she was filled with gratitude for receiving this honor, but quickly steered that recognition toward an appreciation to the employees at Hudock Capital Group. “Their integrity, their commitment, their care for our clients and their support for one another are extraordinary,” Hudock said. “I would not be standing here today, without their belief in our mission, and their unwavering commitment and I am deeply grateful to each of them. It is a privilege to be able to share this honor with my family. So today, I accept this honor … with a new commitment to continue to serve our community with purpose, integrity and hard work.”

Emerging and growing

“Each year, the Penn State SBDC partners with the chamber to support and highlight one deserving business that embodies the drive, vision and risk taken by all entrepreneurs starting a business,” said Keohane. Ignite’s two CEOs, Anne Reiner and Marianne Beane, bring together over 20 years of experience across business, finance and education, he said.

What sets Ignite apart is that they did not wait until they “made it,” to give back, he said. “They saw early on that if our community needs certain services and support systems to exist, then someone has to step up and they chose to be that someone.”

Ignite invests directly into the community by sponsoring events and programs, and by donating 10 % of their sales to local nonprofits and educational programs.

“They’ve also given about $25,000 through discounts, donations and support. Their care for people is also clear in how they treat clients,” Keohane said. “They love watching clients grow, and they take pride in meeting needs in a way that leads to real success, you can see in results, confidence and profitability,” he said.

When it comes to the next generation, Ignite doesn’t just hire interns, “they teach, they mentor – they make sure students walk away with experience that actually builds their future,” he stressed.

Further, at the center of Ignite’s culture is a value that guides every decision, integrity, Keohane remarked.

One of their best principles says it all: “Be the boss you always want to have,” he said. “With a phenomenal team and strong relationships across Lycoming County, it’s clear they are not just building a company, they are helping build a stronger community,” he said.

“We wouldn’t be here today without our amazing clients and the team that we have,” said Reiner of the business located at 400 Market St. in the Firestone building.

Established in June, 2023, Ignite specializes in marketing, web design and accounting services, helping small businesses grow and thrive. On stage, Reiner offered her appreciation to the chamber and its members and business leaders and employees at the gathering. She noted how in just three years Ignite Business Services has assembled a wide array of clients throughout Williamsport, Lycoming County and the greater region.

From small to large business, and a bank’s commitment

At the heart of the Miele group is Miele Amusements, which was started in 1935 by present-day owner Lou Miele’s grandfather, Louis Allmond Sr.

“It says a lot for this business to be in its fourth generation of family owners,” Magistro said.

Under the vision and drive of Lou, the business goes beyond the installation and maintenance of pool tables, dart boards, pinball machines, jukeboxes, and the like in the local area. In fact, it has grown to have several other companies including Miele Manufacturing, Fastsigns, Virginia Amusements, Miele Development and its in-house charitable arm, Angelina’s Song.

All of these now fall under the umbrella of Miele Group with a footprint beyond just Lycoming County, Magistro said. Miele Group’s headquarters are in Muncy Township but they have a growing presence, including in Virginia.

Lou began his manufacturing career after designing and manufacturing jukebox conversion kits for Touchtunes. These kits were built to convert a standard CD jukebox into a digitally downloading one, using the same cabinet. He also helped bring Pace-O-Matic’s products to the market by distributing and manufacturing Pennsylvania Skill Games.

Nicole joined Lou and the team at Miele Manufacturing in 2010. Nicole brought to Miele Group the expertise she developed after a 15-year career in radio advertising sales and management. She began managing Fastsigns and has expanded her role through bringing her skills and expertise to the rest of the Miele Group’s companies.

While their footprint expands beyond Pennsylvania, what they do still impacts locally and regionally many businesses, as they source for their cabinets wood timbered here in the state, with cardboard boxes produced in Tioga County, and other materials from Radiant Steel Products.

The business has expanded employment having grown now to over 160 employees, providing quality, family-sustaining jobs. Through their charitable giving, Miele Group has donated to all kinds of non-profits, such as volunteer fire companies, civic and community organizations along with veterans groups. On any given day, the team can be found presenting checks to numerous worthy causes through the revenue from the Skill Games.

This past year, Miele Group made an impactful donation of over $1 million to the YWCA of Northcentral Pennsylvania to assist with their women and children through programming offered through Wise Options and Liberty House by updating their entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the YWCA’s historic building.

On stage, Nicole said, “When we were told that we were being given this award, we were so excited and then it us – LARGE business of the year!” she said. “Just 15 years ago, we only had about a dozen on our team,” Miele added. “The growth has been amazing and such a journey,” she said. “Without them, we would not be getting this honor!”

Lou, meanwhile, gave a touching tribute to M&T Bank for its loyalty to his company as a committed local financial lending institution. In a former Chamber Connection story, Nicole described how Angelina’s Song was founded by the couple in 2017 in memory of Angelina Miele, who succumbed to cancer at age 11. Through this charity, the couple has been able to raise funds for music therapy programs because, as Nicole once was quoted in a Chamber Connection article – “Angelina loved music.” Today, this charity allows children in hospitals throughout the nation to have access to music and music therapies.

Recognition of all

Besides the warm welcome, Alexander recognized the accomplishments of the chamber as an organization, and “more importantly,” he said, “you, our membership.”

“It is because of your tremendous efforts, volunteering on behalf of this organizations, which has helped the chamber to prosper, grow, and play a vital role in the economic vitality of Lycoming County,” Alexander said.

Last year was considered to be a good year for the chamber and the community, and Alexander took the group back through the year, also recognizing some very special members.

Before continuing, Alexander recognized outgoing chamber board members of this past year: Brian Bluth, Brian Cozzi, Jonathan Dewald, and Shannon Massey.

He recognized guest legislators, state Reps. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, and Jamie Flick, R-South Williamsport, along with the county commissioners, Ann Kauffman, from U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson’s office, and Matt Wise from the office of state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township.

The event included a special moment to recognize the work and effort by 2025 board chairman Gabriel A. Sinicropi Jr., vice president and marketing director, Williamsport Crosscutters, who received an honorary framed picture of a New York Mets celebration theme. “I’m a Mets fan,” Sinicropi said to clapping heard from a couple of fellow Mets fans in the room.

Closing remarks

“As Jay noted, we have a great network of volunteers that help us in getting accomplished much of the work undertaken by the chamber,” noted Jason Fink, chamber president and CEO.

“We are fortunate to have a team of professionals who lead the work through these committees and the backend operations needed to keep our organization moving forward,” he said, reading the names of those working at the chamber: Bo Hornberger, Cindy Robbins, Gina Edwards, Taryn Hartle, Taylor Chrisenberry, Trisha Douenbaugh and Valentino Acuna.

He remarked how Sinicropi had over the past two years been there for the organization and for him, providing his guidance over the work the chamber advanced during that time.

“Gabe’s commitment to this organization showed every summer, from about this time of the year to the beginning of September,” Fink said, adding anyone who knows anything about baseball understands the long days that go into pulling off the season.

“Through that, Gabe was there and I personally appreciate his time, effort and commitment to the support he gave both the organization and to me,” Fink said.

The chamber hosted many ribbon cuttings to help open many new businesses in the community, and several others were announced and will be coming in the next year or two.

“The reason for this is the solid foundation that the chamber has established over the last 140 years to ensure that the free enterprise system is valued and protected here in Lycoming County,” Fink said.

He urged the business community not to lose sight of this principle.

There are 53 townships in the county along with several boroughs and a city. This adds a layer of complexity when companies want to invest in expanding existing operations or for new start-ups, he said.

“We need to be diligent now more than ever to ensure that these local municipal bodies conduct their activities in accordance to the standards set forth in the state statutes and municipal codes,” Fink said, adding here were more opportunities that lie ahead, to benefit “all of use through new job creation, increased population and greater tax revenue from the growth and expansion of businesses in Lycoming County.”

“If we are able to work cooperatively, we’ll see more of our youth choosing to live and work here instead of leaving for other areas of the state and country,” he said.

“It’s something that we need to maintain our focus on because if we don’t, it will happen elsewhere,” he cautioned.

“Knowing our business community and many of our local elected officials, I am confident that we will work together to ensure this continues to be a place that the free market will thrive and grow,” he said.