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Fulton Bank, Pennsylvania Bar and more name new hires, promotions

Associations

Harrisburg-based Go Big Small Biz Network named Brian Brooks director of business development. Brooks has more than 32 years of experience leading organizations to growth, is a small-business owner and will help advocate for small-business interests.

Pennsylvania Bar Association elected Shawnee S. Burton to its Family Law Section Council. Burton is a partner with Lancaster-based Lancaster Law Group.

Wormleysburg-based Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association named David Simonetti a board member. Simonetti is a senior director of store operations and business operations for Wawa Inc., responsible for markets including Pennsylvania and for store operations business support services.

Banking and finance

Lancaster-based Fulton Bank named retired Rear Adm. Jan Hamby and Mike Shirk board members. Hamby has more than 35 years of expertise and leadership in telecommunications, space, cyber and national security and also co-owns Fair Winds Farm LLC and TwinSet Designs. Shirk is CEO of The High Cos. with more than 25 years of business management, strategy and engineering experience.

Economic development

Alexandria, Virginia-based Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives elected Ryan Unger a board member. Unger is president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corp.

Education

Mount Joy-based The Janus School named Heather Strunk head of school.

Health care

Derry Township-based Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine named Dr. Giselle Saulnier Sholler division chief of pediatric hematology and oncology at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and director of pediatric oncology research at Penn State College of Medicine, effective Sept. 1. Sholler, a pediatric hematology-oncology clinician and researcher, will bring with her the Beat Childhood Cancer Research Consortium, an international network of universities and children’s hospitals dedicated to discovering new therapies and cures for children with cancer. The College of Medicine will provide oncology team members with dedicated research space and opportunities to explore and identify treatments in the pediatric oncology field.

Law

Lancaster-based Brubaker Connaughton Goss & Lucarelli LLC elected Mark E. Lovett chairman. Lovett is a founding member, partner and senior member of the litigation department, representing businesses and individuals in real estate, construction, contracts, business, fiduciary and personal injury. Robert W. Pontz was elected vice-chair. Pontz, also a founding member and partner, is in the financial services group, emphasizing commercial collection, creditor interests in state court and bankruptcy proceedings, and business counseling.

Manheim Township-based Saxton & Stump named Candace N. Edgar senior counsel attorney in the Harrisburg office. Edgar has experience in insurance defense litigation in state, federal and appellate courts.

Media

Swatara Township-based WITF Inc. named Jess King executive director for The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement. The institute will build stronger communities by researching, developing and advancing innovations in local news consumption and delivery, media literacy and citizen participation in civic life. King has more than 20 years of experience in public and nonprofit organizations.

Nonprofits

Rotary Club of Lancaster installed Beth Trout as president. Trout is vice president of advancement and communications at Landis Communities. Trout has more than 30 years of nonprofit experience. Eric Elliott was named president elect. Jamie Alton was named club secretary. Tom Wobber was named treasurer.

Susquehanna Township-based Jewish Family Service of Greater Harrisburg named Dustin Copenhefer director of MyndWorks. Copenhefer, who has experience in counseling and an understanding of mental health care’s intricacies, hopes to help reduce barriers in accessing behavioral health care services.

York-based Bell Socialization Services Inc. named Peggy Davidson as philanthropy officer. Davidson has been working in fund development for more than 20 years.

Kinber elected Carrie Rampp chair of the board of managers for its KeystoneREN subsidiary, which will focus on research, education and community networking to empower Pennsylvania communities. Rampp is vice president and chief information officer of Franklin and Marshall College. Grant Dull was named executive director of KeystoneREN.

Self storage

York-based Investment Real Estate Group of Companies named Lisa Morgan operations specialist. Morgan will provide administrative support by scheduling meetings, booking travel, assisting with onboarding new properties and facilitating communication between the office and the field.

Senior care

Landis Communities’ Landis at Home named Shaneea “Shay” Brown care navigator for residents in Steeple View Lofts and Landis Place on King, both in downtown Lancaster. Brown will conduct welcome interviews, arrange education for residents, update resource guides, develop care navigation plans, engage with care providers and be a contact as care needs increase.

-Compiled by Amy DiNunzio

New hires, promotions include Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz, F&M Trust

Accounting
East Pennsboro Township-based Brown Schultz Sheridan & Fritz named Matt D. Hood a staff accountant specializing in accounting and auditing services. Madisyn F. Deller and Erin E. Morrison were named staff accountants specializing in tax services. They both work in the Lancaster office.

Architecture and engineering
East Hempfield Township-based David Miller/Associates Inc. named Zachary D. Beyler a professional licensed surveyor.

Arts
Chambersburg Ballet named Brian Grant artistic director of the Chambersburg Ballet Theatre School and its affiliated dance company, effective Aug. 1. Grant will expand the ballet’s offerings to include boys ballet classes, mommy/daddy and me classes and contemporary dance classes.

York-based Appell Center for the Performing Arts named Mary Beth Ching a board member. Ching is a philanthropist and chief of staff of York-based The Investment Real Estate Group of Companies.

Associations
Rotary Club of York named Aaron Jacobs president. Jacobs is president of Scorecard Sales and a second-generation Rotarian.

Banking and finance
Guilford Township-based F&M Trust named Scott Mayberry a mortgage loan officer for the Greater Capital Region in the Camp Hill office. Mayberry will develop and manage a mortgage portfolio and new mortgage opportunities from customers, home builders and real estate agents. Shon Baldwin and Brandi Gardner were named data operations specialists. They will assist customers with telephone and internet banking inquiries, debit card transactions, online bill payments, remote deposits and disputed ATM transactions. Samuel Clement was named a Salesforce developer. Clement will design, develop, and maintain the Salesforce customer relationship management platform. Casey Helm was named marketing coordinator. Helm will support the bank’s advertising, branding and sales approach, execute strategic marketing initiatives and coordinate the bank’s involvement in community events. Michelle Messner was named a loan servicing specialist. Messner will process new, existing and paid loans; reconcile and disburse payments to vendors; mail statements and notices; and assist customers, loan officers, and bank personnel with loan questions. Brian Rupp was named a technology services analyst. Rupp will help evaluate and implement bank technology, administer bank applications and provide computer support to bank employees. Andrew Sterling was named assistant community office manager for the Newville Community Office. Michelle MacKellar was named project analyst. Shamar Pates was named commercial services portfolio manager. Brian Reidell was named data and performance analytics manager. Maria Seabra was named credit department manager.

Nonprofits
Lancaster-based Advoz, which provides conflict mediation, restorative justice dialogue and conflict skills training, named Tasha Stoltzfus Nankerville a board member. Nankerville is an attorney with Lancaster-based Barley Snyder.

York Habitat for Humanity named Natasha Kukorlo executive director.
United Way of Lancaster County elected Beth Riley chair of its board of directors. Steve Nieli was elected immediate past board chair; Brooke Smith vice chair, collective impact; Willonda McCloud vice chair, equity; Monika Chap vice chair, finance; Victor Ramos vice chair, marketing and communications; Michael Frey vice chair, resource development; and Ben Eison secretary. Smith is community relations manager at UGI Utilities, and Chap is vice president commercial banking at Fulton Bank. Claire Mooney, Krista Wismer, Deb Brandt, Tina Citro, Bob Gantz, Alisa Jones, Dr. Sharee Livingston and Rakesh Popli were elected board members. Mooney is senior vice president and chief operating officer of Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center. Wismer is accounting manager for Horst Insurance. Brandt is with Fig Industries. Citro is president of WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital. Gantz is a partner with RKL LLP. Jones is president and CEO of Union Community Care. Livingston is an obstetrician/gynecologist with UPMC, Lititz. Popli retired as director and senior manager of open innovation with The Hershey Co.

Real estate
East Pennsboro Township-based Landmark Commercial Realty Inc. named Darren Smith senior adviser. Smith will provide strategic guidance and support for clients’ commercial real estate needs.

Technology
Chambersburg-based Global Data Consultants LLC named Dan Logan CEO. Logan will oversee sales and service delivery leadership reporting, guide efforts to promote and deliver products and services and expand the customer base. Mike Coons was named chief financial officer and executive vice president of mergers and acquisitions. Coons will oversee shared services and infrastructure leadership reporting  and select and assess companies that best fit within the company’s services. Greg Courtney will remain as founding partner.

Compiled by Amy DiNunzio

Elizabethtown College, Howard Hanna Krall Real Estate and more name new hires, promotions

 

Associations
Manchester Township-based The Manufacturers’ Association elected John C. Porter, Joshua Hedden and Tabitha Musso board members. Porter is a partner of Fowler, Hirtzel, McNulty & Spaulding, Hedden is director of operations with BAE Systems, and Musso is CEO of MKT Metal Manufacturing.

Banking and finance
York Township-based PeoplesBank named Matt Shandlay vice president of wealth management. He has more than 20 years of wealth management experience.

Scranton, Lackawanna County-based Peoples Security Bank & Trust named Ed Naab Central PA Market president. Naab, who has 30 years of banking industry experience, will develop relationships with customers and businesses and mentor staff from the bank’s Central PA Business Center in Lebanon. Naab will also continue to oversee all banking and lending operations within the Central PA Region

Mifflintown, Juniata County-based Pennian Bank named Coryann Catalano-Alexandre a relationship banker in its West Shore office in Lemoyne.

Construction
Fuse Alliance, an organization of professional commercial flooring contractors, added Lower Allen Township-based Commercial Flooring Professionals Inc. to its network. Commercial Flooring Professionals provides commercial installations in markets that include health care, education and corporate.

Heck Construction Co. Inc. named Kurt Meckley director of business development. Meckley will lead the marketing and public relations efforts for both Heck Construction Co. and Heck Residential. Heck Residential named Shawn Hess project manager. Hess has more than 32 years of residential construction industry experience and will oversee on-site visits, proposal presentations and management of time, materials and labor.

Education
Elizabethtown College named Christopher D’Imperio director of corporate partnerships in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies. D’Imperio will work with local and regional organizations to serve the needs of their workforce and continue to grow the school’s educational opportunities.

Government
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission appointed Theresa D. Mingarell of Cumberland County and Lenora M. Best, Ray Landis and Elizabeth R. Marx, all of Dauphin County, to its Consumer Advisory Council. Before retirement, Mingarell was a policy analyst with the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services. Best retired as a manager with the PUC’s Bureau of Consumer Services. Landis was an advocacy manager for AARP Pennsylvania. Marx is executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.

Insurance
Carlisle-based Strickler Agency Inc. named Jason Crider a commercial risk adviser in its Chambersburg office.

Nonprofits
Harrisburg-based HACC Foundation named Don Sites chair and Diane Grove vice chair of its board. Sites is retired and was previously employed in operations and corporate finance of multinational companies. Grove is director of support services with Boyer & Ritter LLC. Terry L. Davis was named a board member. Davis is the owner and CEO of Keystone Correctional Services Inc.

Warminster Township, Bucks County-based Planned Parenthood Keystone named Katelyn Rohrbaugh a board member. Rohrbaugh is an attorney with Lancaster-based Barley Snyder and a member of its litigation and real estate practice groups. Rohrbaugh is also part of the higher education and hospitality industry groups.

Real estate
North Cornwall Township-based Howard Hanna Krall Real Estate named Vicki Eckel a sales associate.

Compiled by Amy DiNunzio

Fulton Financial Group, RKL Virtual Management Solutions and more name new hires, promotions

Architecture and engineering

Derry Township-based Keystone Clearwater Solutions named Matthew King vice president of engineering and construction. King will oversee water system development and implementation for natural gas clients.

Banking and finance

Lancaster-based Fulton Financial Corp. named Karthik Sridharan senior executive vice president, chief operations and technology officer. Sridharan will lead information technology and operations professionals who provide digital experiences for bank customers.

Millersburg-based Mid Penn Bank named Lola Lamnatos a private banker and vice president.

Consulting

Manheim Township-based RKL Virtual Management Solutions named Ryan Coccagna client advisory and CFO services practice leader. Coccagna, a certified public accountant, will oversee the delivery and development of outsourced accounting and financial management services. Lindsay Heist was named workforce strategies human resources information system solutions practice leader. Heist will oversee the software capabilities that support the firm’s technology and human resources advisory offering. Amanda Miller was named core accounting practice leader Miller, a CPA, will lead a team of accounting professionals who handle clients’ back-office finance and accounting functions. Victoria Pritchard was named technology and innovation practice leader. Pritchard will lead the company’s technology and innovation efforts across all of its outsourced back-office service offerings. Jennifer Strobel was named workforce strategies practice leader. Strobel will lead the company’s human resources consulting and advisory services.

Health care

Pittsburgh-based UPMC named Dr. Paul D. Mahoney co-director of the structural heart program at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute in Central PA. Mahoney focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of structural heart disease and performs advanced interventions.

Law

Lancaster-based Barley Snyder named attorney Larry Heim chair of its liquor law practice. Heim has been helping hospitality industry businesses obtain and defend their liquor licenses for more than 40 years. Derek Dissinger is a partner and chair of the real estate practice and the Hospitality Industry Group. Dissinger works with the application, sale and transfer of liquor licenses for hotels, restaurants and joint ventures.

Nonprofits

Lancaster-based Water Street Mission named Dan Siewert senior vice president of programs. Siewert will oversee much of the mission operations serving those experiencing homelessness. Marj Wilcox was named senior vice president of operations. Wilcox will oversee information technology, finance and maintenance. Bob Kramer was named senior vice president of advancement. Luis Rodriguez was named vice president of residential life. Rodriguez will direct the operations of shelter and residential programs. Greg Kessler was named senior vice president of health services. Jeremy Wiker was named vice president of finance.

York-based Typical Life Corp., which supports individuals throughout York and Adams counties in residential group homes, day programs and community service opportunities, named Sandra Chilton executive director.

Real estate

East Pennsboro Township-based Landmark Commercial Realty named Jamie Keener senior adviser. Keener has more than 30 years of business and land planning experience and will provide strategic guidance and support for clients’ commercial real estate needs.

Self storage

York-based Investment Real Estate Group of Companies named Justin Quinto vice president of acquisitions and asset management. Quinto will oversee the research, evaluation and selection of properties to add to the Moove In Self Storage portfolio. Elizabeth Kirchner was named human resources coordinator. Kirchner will maintain employee files and personnel-related data; track the annual performance review process; and assist with employee orientation, training programs, compensation and benefits.

Compiled by Amy DiNunzio

HRG, ACNB Bank and Penn National Insurance name new hires, promotions

Architecture and engineering
Swatara Township-based HRG named Michael Smetana chief innovation and technology officer. Smetana, who has 21 years of experience helping architecture, engineering and construction consultants and their clients use information technology, will develop technology service offerings related to infrastructure planning, design and management.

Associations
Lemoyne-based Pennsylvania Association of Realtors named Paige Perrucci an associate counsel in the legal department. She will be one of four attorneys who staff the association’s legal hotline.

Banking and finance
Gettysburg-based ACNB Bank named Andrew A. Bradley senior vice president and chief risk officer. Bradley will manage the bank’s risk, audit, compliance and information security and keep abreast of banking industry regulatory requirements.

Education
East Pennsboro Township-based Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool/Youth Development Network named Contrell Armor director. Armor will promote high-quality afterschool and summer youth development programs through advocacy, capacity building and support for quality initiatives.

Construction
Susquehanna Township-based Quandel Construction Group LLC named Sarah Knehr project executive and health care team leader. Knehr will oversee a portfolio of health care projects, lead project teams and complete projects on time and within budget.

Insurance
Pennsylvania National Mutual Casualty Insurance Co., which does business as Penn National Insurance, elected David E. Black a board member. Black is a strategic adviser with Dame Leadership and was president and CEO of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber.

Law
Lancaster-based Barley Snyder named Brandon D. Pack an attorney with its creditors’ rights practice group. Pack will work in the Wyomissing, Berks County, office and concentrate his practice in financial services litigation, banking litigation and residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures.
Nonprofits
West Donegal Township-based Pennsylvania Masonic Youth Foundation named David W. Berry executive director. Berry will establish goals and objectives, supervise staff, maintain the budget, coordinate facilities’ usage and scheduling, communicate with Masonic youth groups and Masonic organizations; and oversee volunteer recruitment and training. Joseph A. Pullin was named assistant executive director. Pullin will be secretary to the board of directors, speak at Masonic organizations and youth group events, develop and supervise Masonic youth group programs and meetings and facilitate communication to adult and youth leaders.

Compiled by Amy DiNunzio

US creates 236,000 jobs in March; unemployment rate 3.5%

U.S. employers added 236,000 jobs in March, suggesting to economists that the economy may not dip into recession despite numerous Federal Reserve interest rate hikes.

The national unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, just above the 53-year low of 3.4% set in January.

The Friday jobs report from the Labor Department also showed signs that inflationary pressures might be easing. Average hourly wages were up 4.2% from a year ago, down from the 4.6% year-over-year increase in February.

Last month’s number was well under the 326,000 jobs created in February.

“The labor market continues to show resilience despite the Fed’s efforts to tame inflation by raising interest rates,” said Eric Merlis, managing director and co-head of global markets at Citizens, in a statement. “Today’s report should not deter the Fed from continuing its efforts to bring inflation to its target zone.” “Today’s report is a Goldilocks report,” Daniel Zhao, lead economist at Glassdoor, told the Associated Press. “It’s hard to find a way it could have been better. We do see that the job market is cooling, but it’s still resilient.’’

March’s job growth was led by leisure and hospitality, which added 72,000 positions. Restaurants and bars accounted for 50,000 of those.

State and local governments added 39,000 and health care companies 34,000.

Construction companies, however, cut 9,000 jobs, that sector’s first such reduction since January 2022. Factories also reduced payrolls slightly for a second straight month as manufacturing slowed.

Though unemployment remains higher for people of color than for white Americans, the unemployment rate for Black workers dropped in March to 5%, the lowest recorded in government records dating to 1972.

The March numbers are the last jobs report the Fed will see before its next meeting May 2-3, the AP reported. Its policymakers will gain a clearer view of inflationary pressures next week, when the Labor Department issues reports on consumer and wholesale prices.

Daniel Zhao is one of the economists holding out hope that the economy can avoid a recession brought on by Fed rate increases.

“Today’s job market does not look like one that’s about to tip into recession,” he said. “I wouldn’t bet against the job market.’’

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

York County Bar Association, F&M Trust and more name new members, hires

Rob Miskimon, Erin Tierney, Jerome Urban, Angelica Docog, Chante Miller and Thomas Koppelmann.
Rob Miskimon, Erin Tierney, Jerome Urban, Angelica Docog, Chante Miller and Thomas Koppelmann. PHOTOS/PROVIDED

Associations

York County Bar Association named Craig Milsten president-elect and Brad Muller a board member and chairperson of the Young Lawyers Section. They are personal injury attorneys with York-based Katherman, Briggs & Greenberg LLP.

Dauphin County Bar Association named John “J.” Quain secretary of its Young Lawyers Section. Quain, who is an attorney in the litigation and creditors’ rights practice groups of Lancaster-based Barley Snyder, will help guide attorneys in the early stages of their careers.

Banking and finance

Chambersburg-based F&M Trust named Rob Miskimon a network security engineer. Miskimon will evaluate and implement new systems, provide system maintenance and repair and network administration, and ensure internal and external data security. Shanna Simms was named residential mortgage processor. Simms will process, underwrite and prepare mortgage settlement packages; coordinate with mortgage originators, community offices and other departments; and assist and support loan officers and customers. Zach Hendricks was named assistant community office manager for the West Side Community Office. Lisa Hogue and Natasha Koons were named assistant vice presidents. Cherie Orndorff was named investment and trust services retirement support specialist.

Susquehanna Township-based Mid Penn Bancorp Inc. named Bruce A. Kiefer a board member. Kiefer is a chemist with The Hershey Co., overseeing the Laboratory Information Management System database, and serving as the chemical hygiene officer. Kiefer also is a managing partner of Lawrence Keister & Co.

Construction

East Hempfield Township-based B.R. Kreider & Son Inc. named Erin Tierney controller.

Susquehanna Township-based Quandel Enterprises LLC named Jerome Urban chief risk officer for the Quandel Enterprises family of companies. Urban will develop, implement and strengthen risk-management initiatives. Consulting 1 photo // The High Center for Family Business at Elizabethtown College named Julie A. Larison managing director of its Nonprofit Center.

Government

Harrisburg-based Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission named Angelica Docog director of The State Museum of Pennsylvania. Docog will supervise museum staff and collections management, including storage, exhibition, security and acquisition, along with fiscal oversight and planning.

Government relations

GSL Public Strategies Group, an affiliate of the Philadelphia-based Stevens and Lee Companies, named Elena M. Cross a senior adviser in the Harrisburg office.

Health care

Derry Township-based Penn State Health named Dr. David Goldenberg vice president of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery services for Penn State Health Medical Group.  Dr. Yatin M. Vyas was named vice president and physician leader for Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. Vyas will oversee the coordination of pediatric services for the entire health system.

East Pennsboro Township-based United Concordia Dental named Chante Miller a dental integration consultant. Miller will focus on increasing dentist and physician collaboration to improve patients’ health.

Manufacturing

Abbottstown-based G&S Foods LLC named Thomas Koppelmann vice president of sales. Chuck Sinon, former vice president of sales, will continue as a consultant.

Nonprofits

Berks County-based Historic Barn and Farm Foundation of Pennsylvania named Paul Bahn a board member. Bahn is a project manager with Ronks-based Quarry View Building Group.

Real estate

Landmark Commercial Realty named Nick Talley senior associate. He will help clients achieve their commercial real estate investment goals.

Technology

Lancaster-based Cargas named Corey Meyer vice president of emerging business. Meyer will work with employees, customers and partners to develop technology in existing and new markets.

Compiled by Amy DiNunzio

Spherion Staffing in Lebanon under new ownership

Spherion Staffing and Recruiting announced that its Lebanon office is now under the leadership of longtime Spherion franchise owners Don and Jay Ruggery.

The Ruggery brothers have filled thousands of positions for local Pennsylvania businesses since 1992, when they worked with their father, Don Ruggery Sr., at his office in Altoona. With the acquisition of the Lebanon office, they now have 12 locations statewide, a release said.

Their offices primarily focus on matching employers and employees within food, plastics manufacturing, and warehousing and distribution. Local Spherion teams specialize in filling entry-level to C-suite roles within their client organizations.

Spherion of Lebanon will remain at 827 Cumberland St.

“Don and I noticed the rapid expansion of the Lebanon area, and we’ve wanted to be a part of this community for years now,” Jay Ruggery said. “We look forward to continuing to help match people with the right career opportunities and expanding further in the community.”

“Jay and Don’s dedication to Spherion the past 30 years and their service to communities across Pennsylvania has been exemplary,” said Rebecca Rogers-Tijerino, president of Spherion. “… We know they will continue to provide excellent services to local businesses and job seekers as they work in the Lebanon community.”

Nationwide, the release said, Spherion provides workforce solutions to more than 4,000 businesses across its more than 200 offices.

Paula Wolf is a freelance writer

WellSpan Health seeks 200 behavioral health professionals; invests $30M in expansion 

WellSpan Philhaven in Mount Greta recently underwent a renovation to add 140 new beds – PHOTO/PROVIDED

WellSpan Health is investing more than $30 million to expand its behavioral health services across south central Pennsylvania in response to growing demand for services. 

And the health care system is looking to add 200 professionals to its team. 

To lead the expansion, WellSpan hired Dr. Shannon Gordon as vice president and Dr. Kenneth Rogers as vice president and chief medical officer of WellSpan Behavioral Health Network. 

“There is a real need for behavioral health services,” said Rogers. While the pandemic brought the need to the forefront, he said WellSpan was seeing the need for beds and services grow over the past six or seven years. That, coupled with a nationwide shortage of health care professionals, the need is great. 

Gordon said they are looking to hire RNs, LPNs, psychiatric technicians, social service specialists, therapists, peer support specialists and advanced practitioners. 

“We are a place of hope and help and we invite like-minded people to join our team,” she said. “This is an awesome place to learn, grow and give.” 

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, one in five adults experience a mental illness, yet fewer than half of those receive treatment.   

 Locally, WellSpan has seen a 30% increase in behavioral health patients in 2022 compared to 2021. Behavioral health visits to the emergency departments have also doubled, Gordon said.     

Dr. Shannon Gordon

WellSpan said it will continue to respond to this mental health crisis through programs such as the START Clinic in York, which has helped more than 1,500 people since opening in 2021, behavioral health consultants in emergency departments, crisis worker partnerships with police departments, and expanded access.  

Part of the $30 million investment is the expansion of WellSpan Philhaven in Mount Gretna. Gordon said the project which is adding 140 beds, is nearly complete and a ribbon cutting will be held at the end of January. 

WellSpan Philhaven teams across the region annually serve 64,000 patients with behavioral health needs across WellSpan’s six counties, she said.   

Also planned is an addition of 56 beds at WellSpan York’s behavioral health unit when the hospital renovations are complete by the end of 2024, Rogers said. 

And York ACT, the assertive community treatment program, will hold a grand reopening soon. Two mobile teams work out of the facility, now located at 150 Roosevelt Ave, Suite 100, to serve the community by visiting severely ill patients who don’t want to seek inpatient treatment.  

Teams of doctors, nurses and therapists work with them to ensure they take medications properly and provide housing support and other services, they said. 

 Gordon said WellSpan is holding a series of virtual and in-person hiring events throughout the month.  

“When people think about behavioral health careers, they think of doctors. But the front-line workers are needed as well,” Rogers said. “They provide day to day care for both inpatient and outpatient clients.” 

Rogers said psychiatric technicians work with patients daily. “They have conversations, serve meals and are the ones who calm patients down when they get upset.” 

Because they work with patients more than anyone else, “we want to make sure they are well trained,” he said. 

Dr. Kenneth Rogers

“We hire for the heart and train for skill,” Gordon added. “This is a meaningful job and offers a path for them.” 

Gordon explained that the technicians who facilitate morning check ins and conduct therapy programs, can go on to become licensed therapists if they choose. “They provide a healing presence.” 

“We are in a time where behavioral health is incredibly important and we are trying to be on the cutting edge,” Rogers said. “We will continue to do that through this investment and outreach in the community. We want to attract people who want to help us be number one in the region.” 

“We are a trusted part of the community, and we are committed,” Gordon said. “We believe there is no health without behavioral health.” 

“We are offering virtual and onsite job fairs and are simplifying the hiring process,” Rogers said.  

Along with that, WellSpan is reaching out to high schools and colleges to introduce students to career opportunities in hopes of generating interest in the behavioral health field.  

 

Newsmakers: RKL LLP, Stock and Leader and ECORE International

Salvatore Anastasi, Wilfred Bentley, Michael Koch, Debra Lechner, Shari Sell and Glenn Rambler
Salvatore Anastasi, Wilfred Bentley, Michael Koch, Debra Lechner, Shari Sell and Glenn Rambler.

Accounting

Manheim Township-based RKL LLP named Michael Koch leader of its valuations practice, which identifies and analyzes a business’ value and cost drivers. Koch is a certified valuation analyst and has experience in valuation, financial modeling and projections, and litigation support.

Associations

Arlington, Virginia-based American Intellectual Property Law Association elected Salvatore Anastasi second vice president. Anastasi is a patent attorney, partner and intellectual property practice group chair with Lancaster-based Barley Snyder.

Chicago-based American Bar Association Section of Intellectual Property Law named Joseph R. Falcon III chair of the patent litigation committee. Falcon will also serve on the America Invents Act Task Force and Patent Section 101 Task Force. Falcon is a partner and intellectual property attorney with Lancaster-based Barley Snyder.

Banking and finance

Jonestown Bank & Trust Co. named Glenn Rambler a commercial relationship manager. Rambler will help meet the financial needs of businesses and business owners in Lancaster and Lebanon counties.

Construction

East Hempfield Township-based B.R. Kreider & Son Inc. named Dean Stoner senior estimator.

Consulting

Harrisburg-based Dame Leadership named Mark Walker an assessment solutions practice leader. Walker will assist in the marketing and delivery of employee assessment services. Tedd Wheeler was named a leadership consultant. Wheeler will provide companies with coaching and strategic planning services. He is a U.S. Army veteran.

Insurance

Swatara Township-based Millers Mutual Insurance named Mickey Bekelja vice president of finance, chief financial officer and treasurer. He will manage, analyze, and ensure integrity of treasury operations and partner with Millers’ business units to monitor and guide the company’s strategic direction and support business operations.

Law

York-based Stock and Leader named David M. Walker counsel in the school law group. Walker will focus on general solicitor, labor and employment issues, school business, construction, contracts and pupil services matters.

Manufacturing

Lancaster-based Ecore International named Debra Lechner chief marketing officer. Lechner will oversee the planning and execution of marketing and advertising initiatives to support the company’s mission and strategic business goals.

Nonprofits

Lancaster-based Tenfold named Wilfred Bentley chief community investment officer. Bentley will lead the Tenfold Community Lending team, which focuses on increasing homeownership opportunities for underserved people in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.

Real estate

Manheim Township-based Sable Commercial Realty named Justin Geisenberger senior vice president. Geisenberger will help with business development and strategic company decisions. Geisenberger is a licensed real estate salesperson and Certified Commercial Investment Member.

Retail

East Hempfield Township-based Gish’s Furniture named Shari Sell manager of the East Earl store at the Shady Maple Complex.

Compiled by Amy DiNunzio