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Ron Tirpak, President An engineer and businessman, he is the president of Carbon Engineering Inc., Summit Hill, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Pennsylvania State University B.S. degrees in Civil and Sanitary Engineering (1963). He is a registered Professional Engineer (1967) and a Professional Land Surveyor (1965) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His professional career began with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and continued for a period of 18 years serving as the District Bridge Engineer for the last 10 years with the Department. He founded and serves as president since 1974, of Carbon Engineering Inc. a multi-discipline civil engineering firm. He is an original incorporator and serves as president since 1984, of the Carbon County Economic Development Corp. He also was an original incorporator and served as president, since 1972, of Black Diamond Development Corp. a real estate development company. He is presently serving as a director on the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation. Over the years he has served as a director of the American Society of Civil Engineers, Lehigh Valley Section; Panther Valley Chamber of Commerce, Past President; and Gnaden Huetten Memorial Hospital/Blue Mountain Health System. He is married and has a son and a daughter both residing in Summit Hill. |
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Paul Canevari, Vice President Paul J. Canevari is the Regional Community Relations Director for PPL’s Pocono Region. Paul has worked at PPL for 29 years. He currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Monroe County Industrial Development Corporation, the Monroe County Industrial Development Authority and the Pocono Mountain IPA and served as chairman of those boards for 7 years prior. He is the past chairman of the board and current board member of the NEPA Alliance. He serves on the board of the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority which manages short-line rail operations for Lackawanna and Monroe Counties. Paul serves on the boards of Skytop Lodge Corporation and Blue Cross of Northeast Pennsylvania as well as the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation and the Advisory Board of Northampton Community College. Paul was selected the 1995 Monroe County Citizen of the Year and the Monroe County United Way 97/98 Volunteer of the Year. Paul has earned a B.S. degree in Biology from Syracuse University and an M.S. degree in Education from the University of Scranton. He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute, Oklahoma University and the Community Development Institute, University of Central Arkansas. |
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Mark Sverchek, Treasurer Mark A. Sverchek is the owner of the Mark Sverchek Insurance Agency in Summit Hill, a full-service, multi-line agency providing all types of insurance to individuals and businesses throughout Pennsylvania. Prior to owning his own business, Sverchek spent 15 years in the banking industry serving as vice president, branch manager for Keystone Financial in Lehighton. He also served for seven years in the Carbon County Treasurer's office in various positions including Acting County Treasurer. Sverchek is a graduate of Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration Management and also received a Master’s degree in Business Administration from DeSales University, Center Valley. He is a member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the National Association of Realtors. He is very involved in various civic and community activities including serving on the Board of Directors of the Blue Mountain Health System, president of Lansford Alive!, member of the Summit Hill Lions Club, volunteer with the Summit Hill Memorial Day Parade Committee, member of the Summit Hill Historical Society, Tamaqua Elks, Carbon Lodge #242 F&AM, Carbon County Chamber of Commerce Board member, a former director & officer of the United Way of Carbon Co., and treasurer of the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation. He and his wife, Anne have 3 children and reside in Lehighton. |
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Dawn Ferrante, Secretary/Executive Director Dawn is the Executive Director of the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation and has been in the position since February of 2009. In this role, Dawn is responsible for supporting local businesses, attracting new business, and developing entrepreneurs in Carbon County. Dawn has a background in business and technology consulting and provided project management and user interface design on large implementations for Verizon, AT&T, and many other Fortune 500 clients. Prior to working in the corporate world, Dawn owned her own business in San Francisco for five years and participated in an Entrepreneurship program http://www.rencenter.org/ that gave her training and financing to get her business going. Dawn is a strong proponent of entrepreneurship as an economic development strategy, especially in smaller rural areas. Dawn has a degree in Broadcasting from San Francisco State University and began her career in the multimedia industry in the Bay Area developing educational and game titles. She is also currently enrolled in the Master's program at Pennsylvania State University in Community and Economic Development. Dawn still does consulting for corporations outside Carbon County, providing Strategic Planning and business assistance. |
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| William Smelas, Director |
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Frank Hager, Director Executive Committee Frank Hager is co-owner of Hager Furniture Co. Inc., which has been in business since 1957. Frank has been involved in the family business for 50 years. He was a board member for Palmerton Hospital (now Blue Mountain Health Systems) for 11 years. He is a past President of Blue Ridge Country Club. He is currently a board member for the Allentown Diocese School Board. He is currently on the Sacred Heart Catholic Church parish council and a member of the finance committee. He resides in Palmerton, and is married and has 4 children and 12 grandchildren. |
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Michael Harleman, Director |
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Victor Jahelka, Director Victor Jahelka began his entrepreneurial career developing his sheet metal manufacturing business. He ran Vic’s Time for 30 years, from start-up to what he claims to be retirement. Victor started this company in 1977 in College Point, New York, grew the company and eventually moved to Palmerton where he and his family have resided for the last 22 years. Victor sold the company to his son Christopher in 2007. Victor has also served as President of the Palmerton Memorial Park Association for more than 10 years and as a member of the Board for over 20 years. In addition to this position he is the Adjutant and Finance Officer of the American Legion Post 269. Currently Victor’s endeavors include helping his son with the daily operations of Vic’s Time; in addition to helping his daughter with her business Dedicated Fitness, also in Palmerton. When he’s not pre-occupied with these two businesses, he is incessantly working on the operations of the pool and the Legion. |
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Gail Christman, Director
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Rick Reaman, Director Mr. Reaman joined Kovatch Corporation and KME in 1998 as Corporate Controller. He has been in charge of directing all corporate financial, cost accounting, risk management, and financial activities for the Kovatch Organization. In 2000, he was promoted to Vice President & Chief Financial Officer with the additional responsibility of the Real Estate division and overall financial, tax and administrative responsibilities for the entire organization. Mr. Reaman holds a B.S. in Business Administration with majors in Accounting and Finance from Susquehanna University. Prior to his tenure with the Kovatch Organization, Mr. Reaman held various positions with Ernst & Young LLP, a worldwide accounting and auditing firm, for five years. Mr. Reaman has been actively involved in community organizations including the Panther Valley Youth Soccer Association as a coach, the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation as a board director, and as a founding member of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce where he served as Treasurer and a Director. He resides in Nesquehoning with his family. |
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Patrick Reilly, Director Patrick H. Reilly is President and Chief Executive Officer of Mauch Chunk Trust. He joined the company in 1991.
Reilly began his banking career in 1976 with the Bank of Hanover in Hanover, York County, PA. During his 15 years with the Bank of Hanover he held various positions including Director of Marketing, Vice President of Operations and Chief Financial Officer.
Reilly is a 1975 graduate of Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, PA and holds a Master Degree in Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s College in Emmitsburg, MD. Over the course of his career he has graduated from a number of banking schools including the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin and the Executive Banking Institute offered by the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University.
In addition to his professional responsibilities with Mauch Chunk Trust Mr. Reilly is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of the Blue Mountain Health System, Secretary of the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board of the Carbon County Economic Development Corporation.
Reilly is a member and Past President of the Carbon County Partners for Progress and the Jim Thorpe Rotary Club. He has also served on the board of the Mauch Chunk Historical Society in Jim Thorpe and the Advisory Board of Marian Catholic High School in Hometown, PA.
Mr. Reilly and his family reside at Bear Creek Lake in Jim Thorpe. |
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Jane Sebelin, Solicitor Sebelin Law Offices |
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Kyle Whittaker, Director
Kyle Whittaker is president of Hydra-Tech Pumps of Nesquehoning, Pa. Hydra-Tech is a manufacturer of hydraulically powered submersible pumps and hydraulic power units. Kyle is also president of Prime Funding, Inc. in Northwales, Pa. and Managing Partner of Interchange Partners. Kyle is a US Army veteran 1968 – 1971 and graduated from Villanova University in 1974. Kyle and his family live in Coopersburg, Pa and he is active with Boy Scout Troop 334. |
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Craig Zurn, Director Craig A. Zurn is the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jim Thorpe National Bank. Craig has worked at JTNB for 27 years and has served in several positions throughout his career. Craig is also a member of the Board of Directors of JTNB and the JTNB Bancorp, Inc. since 2005.
Mr. Zurn is a graduate of the Jim Thorpe Area High School and has completed his banking education through the PBA Central Atlantic School of Banking at Dickinson College, Penn State University, as well as AIB-ABA and RMA schools of banking.
In addition to his professional responsibilities with JTNB, Mr. Zurn is currently serving as Chairman of the Board of the St. Luke’s Miners Memorial Hospital, Treasurer of the Jim Thorpe Area Sports Hall of Fame, and Past President and Member of the Jim Thorpe Lions Club. Craig has also served his community in numerous positions to assist charitable and non-profit organizations.
Mr. Zurn, his wife Lisa and their four children reside in Jim Thorpe. |
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