NEPIRC Announces Leadership Appointments And Promotions NEPIRC, a not-for-profit technical assistance firm serving manufacturers across an 11-county region, has named Marla Hager Evans as its new President and CEO. Hager Evans formally assumed her responsibilities in December 2025 after spending the past decade with the organization. She joined NEPIRC in 2016 as the Business Advisor for northern Luzerne County and has since taken on expanded leadership responsibilities in business development, strategic sales and marketing initiatives, and organizational growth. As President and CEO, she will continue overseeing and coaching NEPIRC’s Business Advisor team while guiding the organization through its next phase of transformation and long-term sustainability. NEPIRC also announced the promotion of Leo Gilroy to Senior Director of Training and Consulting Services. Gilroy brings more than 40 years of experience in the manufacturing and Department of Defense sectors, with expertise spanning engineering, product and business development, marketing, and sales. Throughout his career, he has helped more than 3,500 professionals strengthen leadership and project management skills through relationship building, emotional intelligence, and performance coaching. Additionally, Charles Wallinger joined NEPIRC as Controller in December 2025. Wallinger brings more than 35 years of experience in finance and accounting within governmental, grant-funded, and nonprofit organizations. His background includes working closely with boards of directors and executive leadership teams to strengthen financial management and organizational accountability. “Leo and Charles are both seasoned, experienced leaders who have already brought so much value to our organization,” said Hager Evans. “They are aligned with NEPIRC’s mission and are in tune with the evolving needs of our clients, funders, and partners. We are thrilled to recognize Leo with this well-deserved promotion and look forward to the positive impact Charles will make on NEPIRC in the months and years ahead.”
SBA Launches $1 Million Patriot Pitch Competition To Showcase Americas Entrepreneurs U.S. Small Business Administration recently launched the Patriot Pitch Competition, a national initiative celebrating 250 years of American free enterprise and the small businesses driving innovation, job creation, and economic growth across the country. The competition features a $1 million cash prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc. and is open to eligible small businesses that represent American innovation and opportunity while utilizing qualifying SBA capital products. “The SBA is proud to spotlight the legacy and potential of entrepreneurship through the Patriot Pitch Competition,” said Kelly Loeffler, SBA Administrator. “This nationwide contest will award a total of $1 million in cash prizes to small businesses whose innovation, grit, and leadership are helping build America’s next great era of strength, prosperity, and competitiveness.” The Patriot Pitch Competition will include four stages of judging, with submissions evaluated on strengthening American competitiveness, innovation and industry impact, delivering economic opportunity and quality jobs, and demonstrating strong business fundamentals and execution readiness. The competition will culminate in a live finals event in Washington this September, where finalists will present before a panel of judges and a national audience for the opportunity to win a share of the prize pool. The event will also feature speakers from business, government, and industry, along with networking opportunities, supplier matchmaking, and connections with investors and policymakers. Small business owners interested in participating are encouraged to apply by June 10. Additional information regarding eligibility, competition stages, and event details can be found at SBA Freedom 250
Fidelity Bank, Ruth Turkington Promoted To Executive Vice President, Chief Banking Officer Dunmore, PA – May 13, 2026 – Daniel J. Santaniello, President and CEO of Fidelity Bank, is pleased to announce that Ruth Turkington has been promoted to Chief Banking Officer. Turkington joined Fidelity Bank in May 2023 as EVP, Chief Consumer Banking Officer, bringing more than two decades of executive leadership in banking, digital transformation, and client-focused strategy. In her new role, Turkington will continue to drive Consumer Banking, encompassing Branch, Client Care Center and Digital channels, along with Residential Mortgage and Consumer Lending. She continues to lead Marketing, Retail Learning and Development, along with the oversight of Deposit Operations and Digital Banking, further broadening her influence within the bank. This new title reflects both the pivotal role Turkington plays and her unwavering commitment to shaping Fidelity Bank’s future success. In making the announcement, Santaniello stated, “Ruth’s strategic approach to innovation, ability to foster strong relationships both internally and externally, unwavering integrity, and proven track record of success make her exceptionally well-suited for this role.” He continued, “We look forward to seeing the many ways Ruth will continue to drive our bank forward.” A dedicated community leader, Turkington serves on the boards of St. Joseph’s and NEPA Junior Achievement.
Congolese Community Of Scranton Receives $20,000 Grant For Community Transportation Van Congolese Community of Scranton recently received a $20,000 grant from Scranton Area Community Foundation to support its Communal Transportation Project, allowing the organization to purchase a van to address critical transportation needs within the local Congolese community. The newly acquired vehicle will provide transportation for immigration-related appointments in Philadelphia, including Green Card fingerprinting, citizenship testing, and oath-taking ceremonies. The van will also assist community members with transportation to and from work, medical appointments, youth events, and training programs that promote personal growth and development. “This project is more than just a van; it’s a bridge to opportunities, dignity, and community cohesion,” said Ushu Mukelo, Board Chair and President of CCS. “Transportation has always been a major issue for our community, and thanks to SAF’s generosity, we can now address this challenge in a meaningful way.” The Congolese Community of Scranton is made up of refugees who arrived through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and continue working toward successful integration into American society. The Communal Transportation Project reflects the organization’s commitment to mutual assistance and collective community support.
Citizens Savings Bank In Clarks Summit Announces Promotion Ms. McNichols has been promoted to the position of Vice President/Loan Operations in theAdministrative Offices in Clarks Summit, effective April 2026. She joined the Bank in March 2008as Teller in the Bank’s South Scranton branch office, was later promoted to Customer ServiceSpecialist, Collector, and then moved to the Loan Operations Department, where she wasnamed Assistant Loan Operations Manager in 2019. McNichols was elevated to her most recentrole as Assistant Vice President/Loan Operations Manager in May 2022. Ms. McNichols will be responsible for organizing, planning, and directing the Bank’s loanservicing activities and related functions, providing customer service, and participating in specialassignments as directed by the Bank’s leadership. Ms. McNichols resides in Scranton.
Pennsylvania PBS Honors Seven Champions Of Lifelong Learning Pennsylvania PBS and its seven member stations, including WVIA, celebrated public media and seven Champions of Lifelong Learning award winners during “A Beautiful Day in the Capitol” in Harrisburg on Wednesday, May 6, 2026. “This recognition is a reminder that lifelong learning doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s strengthened by a shared commitment to the public good,” said WQED President and CEO Jason Jedlinski. “We’re grateful for leaders who understand the long-term value of investing in education. Their support helps us equip teachers, librarians, parents, and community partners across Pennsylvania, bringing trusted PBS resources and local storytelling to learners of all ages.” Each member station honored an elected official or Commonwealth employee with a Good Neighbor Award at a presentation at the East Wing Rotunda of the Capitol. 2026 honorees include: · WLVT – Sen. Nick Miller · WVIA – Drew Popish, Northeast Regional Director, Office of Governor Josh Shapiro · WPSU – Rep. Paul Takac · WQLN – Rep. Patrick Harkins · WQED – Sen. Lindsey Williams · WITF – Bob Measel, ESL/Bilingual Education Advisor, Pennsylvania Department of Education · WHYY – Rep. Mary Isaacson Champions of Lifelong Learning honorees regard public media as a community asset. They support Pennsylvania PBS and its member stations’ mission to inspire lifelong learning, engage audiences in civic leadership and be a valued partner in public safety across the Commonwealth. “Each of this year’s honorees reflects the enduring power of lifelong learning,” said Bill Marrazzo, President & CEO of WHYY, “recognizing it not only as a personal strength, but as a force that helps build more informed, connected communities across Pennsylvania. Their leadership underscores the vital role public media plays in serving all residents of the Commonwealth, providing trusted information, educational resources, and opportunities for civic engagement that strengthen our shared future.” Visitors to the East Wing Rotunda were greeted by WHYY character Albie and had an opportunity to meet with representatives from all seven Pennsylvania PBS member stations to learn more about their educational and civic engagement initiatives.
Dave & Buster’s Offering Double Game Play Dave & Buster’s is helping groups level up the fun this summer with a special limited-time promotion for hosted events. Groups that host an event by August 31, 2026 will receive double gameplay on every Power Card purchase of $25 or more, in addition to already discounted special event Power Cards. The offer provides added value for team outings, client appreciation events, camp groups, summer socials, and other group gatherings without increasing overall event spending. Organizations and groups are encouraged to take advantage of the promotion while planning their upcoming summer events and celebrations.
The University Of Scranton To Have NYT Best-Selling Author As Undergraduate Commencement Speaker Douglas Brinkley, Ph.D., a best-selling author, award-winning producer and nationally celebrated historian and scholar, will serve as the principal speaker at The University of Scranton’s 2026 undergraduate commencement ceremony. Dr. Brinkley will address Scranton’s Class of 2026 on Sunday, May 24, at Mohegan Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township. Dr. Brinkley’s prolific career has included authoring, editing and contributing to dozens of books and hundreds of essays. He has covered topics including American foreign policy, the presidency and the environment, as well as the lives of transformative figures such as Jack Kerouac, Rosa Parks and Hunter S. Thompson. Among Dr. Brinkley’s New York Times best-selling books are his biography of Walter Cronkite, which won Fordham University’s Ann M. Sperber Prize, and “The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” which earned the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Book Award. He also won a pair of GRAMMY awards as a co-producer of the albums “Presidential Suite” and “Fandango at the Wall in New York.” “We are honored to welcome Dr. Brinkley to Northeastern Pennsylvania, where he will address our graduating students at an important moment in their lives,” said Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., University president. “Dr. Brinkley has demonstrated that history, when researched with care and written with authority, can inform, inspire and endure.” Additionally, Dr. Brinkley is a leading voice in the environmental conservation and historic preservation community with service that has included board membership and advisory leadership in support of organizations at the forefront of protecting America’s natural beauty. “Dr. Brinkley’s writing invites readers to see history not as possession, but as gift, entrusted to each generation anew,” Father Marina said. “In that spirit, he has taken his words and thoughts and put them into action, advocating for the preservation of our nation’s natural and historic treasures. He reminds us that the finest form of scholarship comes when intellect and action align in service of the common good.” Dr. Brinkley was born in Atlanta, Georgia, before moving as a child to Perrysburg, Ohio. He pursued the study of U.S. history at Ohio State University and was awarded a fellowship to Georgetown University, where he immersed himself in the study of U.S. diplomatic history, and received master’s and doctorate degrees. Dr. Brinkley’s early career included faculty positions at the U.S. Naval Academy, Princeton University and Hofstra University. As part of his “American Odyssey” course at Hofstra, he traveled across the country with students to historic landmarks that shaped America. The ambitious nature of his course drew national attention with writeups in publications like The New York Times and SPIN magazine. Dr. Brinkley has since taught at the University of New Orleans and Tulane University. He is currently the Katherine Tsanoff Brown Professor in Humanities at Rice University. He is also CNN’s presidential historian and a Vanity Fair contributor. Dr. Brinkley will receive an honorary degree at the undergraduate commencement ceremony, which will be followed by the graduate commencement ceremony, also held at Mohegan Arena. Doors open at 9:45 a.m. Undergraduate commencement activities are set to begin at 11 a.m. and graduate activities at 4:30 p.m.
Friendship House Board Of Directors Executive Committee Announced Friendship House recently announced its Board of Directors Executive Committee leadership team. The Executive Committee includes Laurie Cadden as Board Chair; Daniel Santaniello as Chair-Elect; Jeff Kelly as Treasurer; Gretchen J. Van Dyke as Secretary; and Judge Thomas M. Blewitt as Immediate Past Chair. Also serving on the Executive Committee are Attorney Frank J. Bolock Jr. and Alex J. Hazzouri, President and Chief Executive Officer of Friendship House.
The Wright Center Names New Vice President, Enterprise Chief Operating Officer An experienced health care executive with deep ties to Northeast Pennsylvania has joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as its vice president and enterprise chief operating officer. David Hall will oversee all business operations within The Wright Center, working closely with clinical and administrative leadership. He will play a key role in developing and implementing enhanced clinical delivery models supporting innovative care redesign in the communities served by The Wright Center. Hall earned his bachelor’s degree in biology and allied health sciences from Bloomsburg University and a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in health care administration from Eastern University. He has been a certified medical practice executive since 2018. Before joining The Wright Center, Hall served as the chief executive officer of Hazleton-based DermDox, a division of Seven Isles Capital, and as the chief operating officer of Mission Autism Clinics in Hazleton, also a Seven Isles Capital division. He has also held leadership roles, including associate vice president at Guthrie Medical Group in Sayre, further building his experience in advancing patient-centered care within community-focused, nonprofit systems. He resides in Beach Lake, Wayne County. The Wright Center is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026. Founded in 1976, The Wright Centers for Community Health, Graduate Medical Education, and Patient & Community Engagement are a physician-led, community-owned nonprofit and a cornerstone of health care in the region. The organization employs more than 677 professionals – including nearly 200 resident and fellow physicians – and trains more than 200 interprofessional health care learners each year. In fiscal year 2024-25, The Wright Center served about 38,300 unique patients across its growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, as well as its mobile medical and dental unit, Driving Better Health. As a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike and safety-net provider, The Wright Center serves all patients, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. No patient is turned away due to an inability to pay.
