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Kinsley Construction moves in court to have Think Loud building put up for sheriff’s sale

Kinsley Construction has moved to have the building that contains the offices of Think Loud Development and United Fiber & Data put up for sheriff’s sale to satisfy a more than $13.94 million judgment and interest.

Paul Minnich and Scott Landis, Kinsley’s attorneys, on Tuesday filed for a writ of execution in the York County Court of Common Pleas. The construction firm obtained the judgment on Sept. 17 and alleges that 120 York LLC, the company that owns the building at 210 York St., defaulted on a note and mortgage.

120 York’s general counsel, Jason Confair, could not immediately be reached.

Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration awarded a total of $7 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for the 210 York St. project, which included renovating the 53,000-square-foot warehouse that used to house Bi-Comp, a printing company.

The state has paid more than $3.38 million to reimburse for construction costs, according to the Office of the Budget.

The York County Board of Commissioners awarded a 10-year tax break to the property, and York City Council later adopted an ordinance closing off York Street to the public.

Three members of the multi-platinum-selling rock band Live — Chad Taylor, Chad Gracey and Patrick Dahlheimer — and their friend and business partner, Bill Hynes, own and control 120 York, according to court documents. The building also contains a state-of-the-art recording studio.

United Fiber & Data, the Powder Mill Foundation and Louis Appell III, the son of the late businessman, philanthropist and civic leader Louis Appell Jr., filed a lawsuit last week in York County.

The lawsuit alleges that Hynes, the founder and former CEO of United Fiber & Data, engaged in a “straightforward and blatant act of theft” and stole the more than $3.38 million that the state had reimbursed.

Hynes, 48, of York, a convicted felon who’s awaiting trial on charges of burglary, forgery, stalking and related offenses, is free on $50,000 bail and expected back in court on Oct. 21. He denies the allegations.

United Fiber & Data started in 2012 and built a 340-mile fiber-optic line connecting New York City to Ashburn, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, D.C.

The business has boasted that it would create more than 300 jobs and generate over $2 billion in state tax revenue in 30 years in Pennsylvania. But it seems that the startup has not lived up to its own hype.

 

Yanavitch named YCEA board chair

William T. Yanavitch II. (Photo: Submitted)

The York County Economic Alliance (YCEA) has appointed its leader for 2020, along with four new board members.

William T. Yanavitch II, chief human resources officer for York-based Kinsley Construction, was named chairperson of the Board of Directors at a recent meeting. Yanavitch also serves as chairman elect for the Cultural Alliance of York County, vice chairman for Penn-Mar Human Services and a director on Wellspan’s York Health Foundation Board.

Yanavitch will succeed Claire Forbush, vice president of commercial business banking with Pittsburgh-based FNB Bank. Forbush became the first ever female chair of the YCEA when she started her two-year term in 2018, and she will continue to serve on the board as immediate past chair

“I am honored and humbled to accept the role of chair for this dynamic organization focused on economic growth by leveraging collaboration, resources and expertise to create sustainable prosperity for York County residents,” Yanavitch said. “I’m following a wonderful leader in our past chairperson, and am grateful for her service.  I look forward to working with our strong YCEA team and board to advance our mission.”

Also joining the board as new members are: Abe Amorós, president of Amorós Communication; Taylor Groff, CEO of Groff North America; Bev Mackereth, Penn State Executive in Resident & Consultant; and York County Commissioner-elect Julie Wheeler.

Completing their board terms are: Doug Berman of RKL LLP (past chairperson); York County Commissioner Susan Byrnes; Joseph Clark, Esq. of The Stewart Companies; and Lynda Randall of New Level Advisors LLC.

New YCEA board members are (Top, l to r): Abe Amorós, president of Amorós Communication; Taylor Groff, CEO of Groff North America; Bev Mackereth, Penn State Executive in Resident & Consultant; and York County Commissioner-elect Julie Wheeler. (Photo: Submitted)

“We are honored to welcome this dynamic slate of leaders to our Board of Directors,” said Kevin Schreiber, president and CEO of the YCEA. “Each brings a unique perspective and set of talents to lead our organization in continuing to ‘Make Things Happen in YoCo,’ and our ‘Historically Edgy Downtown.’”

Kinsley Properties names new CFO

The leadership team of Kinsley Properties is transitioning with the announcement of a new CFO and executive vice president.

Kevin Snelbaker, who comes from the banking world, will serve as CFO of the York-based commercial real estate development, leasing and property management company, officials said. Dan Driver, who has held the CFO position with Kinsley for 27 years, has been named to the role of executive vice president.

“Kevin joins Kinsley Properties in this critical role supporting our expansion and continued success,” said  Timothy Kinsley, president of Kinsley Properties, through a company statement. “Kevin will be instrumental in guiding the organization through the changing needs of our growing client roster and expanding portfolio.”

Snelbaker has had a 25-year career in commercial real estate for several banks, company officials said, most recently serving as senior vice president and business services officer for BB&T Bank. He is a 1991 graduate of Penn State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in quantitative business analysis, and he also holds an MBA in finance from York College.

Driver, who has oversaw the company’s financial management team for nearly three decades, will continue to work with company leaders to develop organizational strategies.

Founded by Robert A. Kinsley in 1980, Kinsley Properties provides real estate management and development services in the Mid-Atlantic region. Kinsley Properties is one of several construction and real estate entities owned by the Kinsley family with Kinsley Construction serving as the largest of those entities and also the largest general contractor in Central Pennsylvania, by revenue, with $561.3 million last year, according to Business Journal records.