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Tag: cpbjpower1002023

Robin Zellers

Robin Zellers

President

NAI CIR

“My leading responsibility is to advise and consult with our team to ensure we proactively manage our client relationships and transactions,” said NAI CIR President Robin Zellers. “In addition to mentoring newer agents and strategizing with our senior agents, I consult with our management and administrative team to improve the firm’s comprehensive commercial real estate platform. Additionally, I oversee and manage the firm’s national and international business through NAI Global.”

The last year produced economic uncertainty, amplified by rising interest rates, he said. “My 35 years of experience in this industry have provided me with the foundation to explain to our clients and our team the cyclical nature of the business and remind us all that transactions occur during all phases of any real estate cycle.”

Daniel A. Wubah

Daniel A. Wubah

President

Millersville University

President of Millersville University since July 1, 2018, Daniel Wubah oversees and is responsible for the institution, which has an enrollment of approximately 7,000 students and 1,000 faculty and staff. The university, the first in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, offers more than 100 undergraduate programs and more than 50 graduate programs and professional certifications in the areas of science and mathematics, education, and humanities and social sciences.

“Dealing with the COVID pandemic was a challenge for leaders everywhere,” Wubah explained. “As a microbiologist, I helped move the university to the endemic phase of the pandemic and a more ‘normal’ campus experience. In fall of 2022, we opened with masks optional and an 80/20 mix of in-person and online classes, knowing some still preferred to work and study remotely. I restarted my listening tours to hear from the campus community on their needs. And we began holding lectures and events in person again.”

Jayson Wolfgang

Jayson Wolfgang

Managing Shareholder, Harrisburg

Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC

As managing shareholder for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Jayson Wolfgang handles administrative oversight locally for about 40 of the firm’s lawyers, government relations professionals and staff. “My law practice includes representing various businesses such as insurers, health care entities and nonprofit corporations in commercial disputes, governance, administrative regulation and state government contracts,” he said. “I’ve been in practice for over 31 years and with Buchanan for over 26 years.”

In the last year, Wolfgang was tested by family health issues that required his undivided attention. “When I reflect on it, I see two key takeaways. First, by surrounding oneself with competent and compassionate colleagues to whom delegation can be entrusted, client needs can be met regardless of what life interrupts. Second, a common attribute among successful leaders is the ability to empathize with others when they are going through personal challenges; return the favor and pay it forward.”

Kenneth B. Wolfe

Kenneth B. Wolfe

President and Managing Principal

Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz

At Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz Certified Public Accountants & Business Advisors, “our mission is to help people achieve extraordinary outcomes, and I have the important responsibility of leading the firm toward that charge,” said president and Managing Principal Kenneth Wolfe. “My job is to care for our team members, clients and community, making sure BSSF is both a great place to both work with and work for. It is also my duty to drive our firm’s vision … . I am always seeking out-of-the-box opportunities to bring talented individuals on board and enhance the services we provide to our clients.”

In the past year, “we had an opportunity to merge two entities, adding a team member with experience in a service line we’d recently launched,” Wolfe explained. “However … we also decided to rename the entity. It was a challenge to rebrand while remaining true to our culture, but it was a great exercise looking past immediate obstacles to see the future impact. It required a lot of conversations and collaboration, but it strengthened our ability to provide value to clients, so the challenge was worth the effort.”

Bob Whalen

Bob Whalen

President and CEO

HB Global

“My responsibility as CEO is the overall performance and success of the organization,” said HB Global’s Bob Whalen. “As (we are) an employee-owned organization, I have a responsibility to our 2,000 employees to create value. HB Global is the holding company for two subsidiaries that house 10 operating companies. I have trusted and well-equipped leaders in place in those two business units to ensure operational excellence. This gives me space to primarily concentrate my day-to-day activities on our organizational strategy and structure.”

In 2022, “managing our company through the highest level of inflation in 40 years along with ongoing supply chain issues tested not only me but our leaders throughout the organization,” he added. This challenge affected virtually every part of the business, “so we reimagined, refined and dug deep. I made some structural refinements and started clearly defining how we operate and interact within the organization. We also got much better at slicing and sharing our data.”

B.J. Werzyn

B.J. Werzyn

Founder and CEO

West Shore Home

The CEO of West Shore Home, “I lead the organization by setting audacious goals and investing in the highly capable men and women who share my vision of bringing happiness to every home,” B.J. Werzyn said. “We are based in Mechanicsburg but have a national footprint with locations in 35 cities in 17 states. Overseeing company growth is my main priority. Ensuring we have the right teammates to lead in this industry is key. We create our own talent pool by hiring for values and culture, and training for skill.”

Werzyn said one of the biggest hurdles last year was creating growth in the midst of economic uncertainty. “As we have always done, we took a default aggressive approach in looking for innovative solutions. At the same time, we held true to our core values without compromising the vision that led us to becoming a national brand.”

Brian Wassell

Brian Wassell

Partner

Trout CPA

Brian Wassell, a partner with Trout CPA, said he assists clients with buy-side and sell-side due diligence to help minimize risk and increase sale price. “I also have extensive experience in transaction advisory services, mergers and acquisitions, exit and succession planning, and tax planning and preparation. I have implemented and lead the firm’s outsourced accounting practice, which is currently the largest growth area of the firm.” He is also a member of Trout CPA’s Management Committee.

“As our firm continues to grow and focus intentionally on advisory services to our assurance and tax clients, we are constantly tested to add and retain top advisory professionals to our team,” Wassell said. “We have been fortunate to add strategic hires in client accounting services, transaction advisory services and strategic advisory services. We have been successful by providing a dynamic place to work and allowing nontraditional advisory professionals to thrive in a traditional accounting and tax firm.”

Heather Valudes

Heather Valudes

President and CEO

Lancaster Chamber

As president and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber, Heather Valudes reports to the 15-member board of trustees and oversees a 15-person staff. She interacts with executives and employees of member organizations; elected officials and their staffs; other economic development, business, nonprofit and private sector partnership organizations; educators; members of the media; and the public at large. This role holds the responsibility for the complete operation of the Chamber as it involves staff, program, planning, operations and finance.

“In mid-2022, I transitioned into the role of president and CEO,” Valudes said. “I succeeded a highly respected legacy leader and that does place a specific spotlight on the transition. I am immensely grateful for the support of the board of trustees, staff, volunteers and members of the Chamber who have demonstrated their commitment to the organization through the transition. We also had the opportunity to spend 2022 celebrating 150 years of business history in Lancaster!”

Ryan Unger

Ryan Unger

President and CEO

Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC

In his role as president and CEO, which he’s held since July 2021, Unger provides vision and strategic direction for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, including responsibility for all administrative and management functions and executing the overall mission of the organization. He directs strategic and operating planning in conjunction with the Chamber and CREDC Board.

“January (2022) marked what we had hoped to be a new ‘reopened’ year. And instead we were closed for two months and quickly pivoting to virtual convening and experiences,” Unger explained. “Connectivity is critical to our work and our members demand and expect it. Having to figure out the best way to meet those expectations while the conditions on the ground were changing was an immense challenge. We overcame it by listening to our members and being in a constant state of flexibility.”

John J. “Ski” Sygielski

John J. “Ski” Sygielski

President and CEO

HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College

As president and CEO of HACC, John Sygielski said his primary responsibility is to provide vision, leadership and direction for the college; ensure a long-term commitment to student access and success; take data-informed risks to frame that commitment; ensure assessments and internal changes produce a result-oriented environment; foster strong internal and external relationships; raise resources from multiple sources; ensure HACC’s fiscal strength; and attract, motivate and retain a high-performing leadership team.

“During the last year, recruitment and retention were among my greatest tests as HACC continued to experience enrollment decline, demographic shifts, financial strains and a pandemic,” he explained. “We developed an aggressive recruitment plan to include nontraditional-age students, individuals of color, veterans and displaced workers. We reviewed services to ensure students get the support they need to make it easier to complete their credential and our course offerings to ensure they meet employers’ needs.”

John Swygert

John Swygert

President and CEO

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet

John Swygert, president and CEO of Ollie’s, named four of his major responsibilities. They are to guide the leadership team to support Ollie’s mission of “bringing the thrill of bargain shopping in a fun and quirky way to America”; provide oversight to all functions of the business to stay true to Ollie’s roots while also propelling the company forward; mentor team leaders and associates in the fundamentals of Ollie’s and its unique business model; deliver the financial results expected to shareholders by of one of the country’s fastest-growing retailers.

Since the onset of COVID-19, hiring and retaining employees to fuel growth has been a challenge, he said. “We have invested in our over 10,000 dedicated team members and sourced people that are willing to lead our teams with tenacity and passion. Supply chain and transportation were also large obstacles for everyone in late 2021 and the first half of 2022. Fortunately, we have made investments and worked extremely hard to return our supply chain to more normalized operations.”

John G. Swanson

John G. Swanson

CEO

Willow Valley Development Corp.

In his role as CEO of Willow Valley Development Corp., John Swanson oversees the active real estate development projects on Willow Valley Communities’ main campuses, and two major real estate projects in downtown Lancaster city: Southern Market and Mosaic, a high-rise age-qualified residential community.

“This past year has been one of professional transition for me,” Swanson said. “I made the decision to step out of the leadership role I held at Willow Valley Living for 30 years. Change is inevitable, but it can also be unsettling. It has been reassuring for me to reflect on what we have accomplished, becoming a leading destination community for close to 3,000 individuals from over 40 states. I now look forward to carving out more time for personal interests, family and exciting new endeavors.”