NRG Controls celebrating 50 years of innovation, service & growth NRG Controls is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of innovation, customer service and growth in the building automation industry. Founded in 1976 by Tom McClay in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, NRG Controls began as a small automatic temperature controls (ATC) contractor with four employees. Five decades later, the company has grown into a full-service building systems integrator serving customers across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Alabama, West Virginia, and Ohio. “I was a little reluctant to start the company,” recalled McClay, who spent the first 32 years of NRG Controls’ history helping shape its culture, values, and vision before retiring in 2008. “I was 27 years old at the time, had a wife and a small child, but still had that spirit that led me to do it in the first place.” Today, NRG Controls employs nearly 200 professionals at four branch offices and serves more than 300 customers. The company provides integrated building system solutions that help organizations operate smarter, safer and more efficiently, including building automation systems (BAS), security and access control, fire alarm and life safety systems, lighting controls, energy management and service and preventative maintenance programs. “Reaching 50 years in business is more than a milestone for NRG Controls,” said Dave Sholtis, Chief Executive Officer. “It is a reflection of our loyal customers, employees and partners who have placed their trust in us. Our success was built on relationships, technical expertise, and a commitment to delivering value. As we celebrate the company’s history, we are also focused on implementing the next generation of solutions and opportunities for our customers and employees.” Throughout its history, NRG Controls has continually adapted to the evolving building automation industry. What began as a building controls company has expanded to encompass security, life safety, lighting, energy management and other integrated solutions designed to help organizations manage increasingly complex facilities. The 50th anniversary comes during a period of continued momentum for the company. Recent milestones include the acquisition of Nexgen Automation in Harrisburg, expansion into new territories and the addition of new services. These efforts have strengthened NRG Controls’ ability to serve education, healthcare, government, commercial, industrial and institutional customers with integrated building system solutions.
NEPA Philharmonic and Luzerne County to celebrate county’s 240th anniversary Luzerne County and the NEPA Philharmonic will celebrate both the county’s 240th and America’s 250th anniversaries with a performance featuring a local Broadway star, a local singer-songwriter, and multimedia of local history, along with music, dance, and narration inspired by Pennsylvania’s rich heritage and cultures. Both entities will present the Luzerne County 240th Celebration on Friday, September 25 at 7 PM at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. In the program, the NEPA PHIL will perform two major compositions by renowned American composer Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait, a moving work for narrator and orchestra highlighting the inspirational words of the 16th United States President Abraham Lincoln, along with Appalachian Spring, famous for its musical depiction of 19th-century Pennsylvanian heritage and the use of the Shaker melody “Simple Gifts”. Appalachian Spring will be presented alongside brand-new artistic multimedia, narration, and dance highlighting 240 years of Luzerne County history across its 76 municipalities. Wilkes-Barre City Councilman and local historian Tony Brooks will provide narration for Appalachian Spring; the narrator for Lincoln Portrait is to be announced. “The NEPA Philharmonic is thrilled to collaborate with Luzerne County and so many amazing partners on this once-in-a-generation celebratory musical event,” said Chason Goldschmitz, NEPA PHIL Executive Director. “We are immensely thankful for continued support from the broader Luzerne County and NEPA community, and we are proud to showcase the incredible artistry of our orchestral musicians and hometown stars on this special occasion.” Broadway star and Luzerne County native Celia Hottenstein also joins the orchestra for the concert, presenting a selection of Broadway songs from Oklahoma, Anastasia, Company, and more alongside her husband and fellow Broadway star Travis Taber. Luzerne County singer-songwriter-guitarist Gracie Jane Sinclair, winner of the inaugural NEPA PHIL Battle of the Bands, will perform two of her original songs alongside the orchestra, orchestrated by NEPA PHIL trumpeter Darin Kelly. The program will also feature the National Anthem, sung by Hottenstein with an orchestration by NEPA PHIL Music Director Mélisse Brunet, and the premiere of Keystone Jubilee, a new orchestral fanfare composed for the occasion by NEPA PHIL Executive Director Chason Goldschmitz. The program will be approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes in length, including a 20-minute intermission. Luzerne County & NEPA PHIL will also present a special Young People’s Concert for Luzerne County schools on Friday, September 25th at 10:30 AM at the F.M. Kirby Center. Copland’s Appalachian Spring and the new historical multimedia, narration, and dance will be presented for students in grades 3-12 from across Luzerne County, highlighting 240 years of Luzerne County history in an accessible and exciting setting. Interested schools and homeschool families can call the NEPA PHIL for more information, at (570) 270-4444. Sponsorships, including Pennsylvania EITC-eligible support, are still available and welcome for the concert from individuals and businesses; benefits at various levels include program book advertisements, recognition on screen and announced from the stage, complimentary tickets, and limited Title Sponsorship options. Support can be directed towards the entire event, the evening concert, the Young People’s Concert, a broadcast recording, or towards free Angel Tickets to be distributed to veterans and low-income Luzerne County residents through local nonprofit partners. Interested sponsors can reach out to the NEPA Philharmonic at (570) 270-4444. Tickets for the program start at $16 for students (with ID) and $24 for adults; tickets are available at NEPAPHIL.org, by calling the Philharmonic Box Office at 570-270-4444, or by visiting the F.M. Kirby Center Box Office on Public Square.
The Wright Center, Resident Physician Commits Career on 50th Anniversary When Sandra Rabat, D.O., first arrived in Scranton six years ago, she didn’t realize she was putting down roots for her future. The 30-year-old Erie, Pennsylvania, native spent three years in the Electric City as a member of the inaugural cohort from A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA), completing her clinical rotations at The Wright Center for Community Health during medical school. She remained in the region to pursue a three-year Internal Medicine residency with The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. As The Wright Center marked its 50th anniversary – celebrating a legacy of preparing highly skilled, compassionate primary care physicians to expand access to care in Northeast Pennsylvania and underserved communities nationwide – Dr. Rabat signed a contract to continue her career there as one of its newest primary care physicians. “I’m so proud to be able to sign my contract on our 50th anniversary. How special is it to be a part of something like that,” said Dr. Rabat, who will graduate from The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program on June 20. “Home is where your community is, and I’ve formed a community here in Northeast Pennsylvania.” The Wright Center’s story began in 1976, when a young oncologist named Dr. Robert E. Wright returned home to Scranton and realized the extent of the physician shortage in Northeast Pennsylvania. With community support and a Primary Care Workforce Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Health Manpower and several smaller grants, he established the Scranton-Temple Residency Program on Feb. 17, 1976. The program, designed to attract medical school graduates to the region for internal medicine residencies, welcomed its inaugural class of six resident physicians one year later. Since then, the program, which was renamed in its founder’s honor in 2010, has graduated more than 1,100 physicians in a variety of residency and fellowship programs. Those graduates, who hail from all over the world, have gone on to work across the country – including right here in Northeast Pennsylvania. As part of its mission, The Wright Center has expanded to offer interprofessional training opportunities for a variety of other health care careers, partnering with more than a dozen academic institutions. One such partnership, with ATSU-SOMA, is where Dr. Rabat first became familiar with The Wright Center and the region. “Scranton is where I learned to practice medicine in a way that prioritizes compassion, access, and continuity of care,” Dr. Rabat said. “I have built strong relationships with mentors, colleagues, and patients, and that sense of community is something I value deeply. Staying feels like a way to give back by continuing to serve this community and helping to train future physicians with those same values.” That commitment to patient-centered care is rooted in a personal loss that shaped Dr. Rabat’s path to medicine. After her father’s unexpected death from a heart attack in 2010, when she was a high school freshman, she was inspired to pursue a career focused on helping people live healthier lives. Throughout her journey to become a doctor, she found opportunities to hone her skills and expand her knowledge. As a medical student, Dr. Rabat joined the Pennsylvania Area Health Education Center’s prestigious Scholars Program to strengthen her focus on caring for vulnerable populations, integrating behavioral health services into primary care, engaging communities, and advancing access to health care for everyone. During her medical residency, she became involved in local and federal advocacy, working alongside colleagues and leaders to champion causes such as the vital role of teaching health centers and the needs of rural and underserved communities. In her last year of residency, she served as chief resident of the Internal Medicine Program, acting as a vital liaison between residents and faculty, managing schedules, mentoring junior residents, and facilitating clinical training. She is also a passionate advocate of organ donation awareness and advanced care planning services, both of which encourage patients and families to make informed, proactive decisions about their health. She has also led a community-oriented primary care project to increase rates of routine breast cancer screening, emphasizing preventive care and patient education. “Throughout my training, I developed a deeper understanding of health disparities and the importance of improving how care is delivered,” she said. “I have been especially drawn to prevention and access, whether that is identifying gaps or finding more effective ways to meet patients where they are.” Her enthusiasm and dedication caught the attention of Wright Center leadership, especially President and CEO Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak. “She is an AHEC Scholar, a Pennsylvania resident, and she embodies the idea of mission-driven work,” Dr. Thomas-Hemak said. “Welcoming her as one of our newest primary care physicians is a huge victory for our legacy.” After graduating from The Wright Center’s Internal Medicine Residency Program in June, Dr. Rabat is looking forward to fully stepping into the role of a primary care physician and building long-term relationships with patients. “Starting as an attending physician at the same community health center where I trained makes this next step especially powerful,” she said. “It allows me to care for the same communities that shaped me while growing into a new level of responsibility. I feel honored to continue serving these communities and to step into this role with purpose.”
Tech42 Celebrates 15 Years in Business Michael started the business in 2010. Michael wanted a company where IT Engineers wanted to come to work. There was a strong belief that if engineers enjoyed the people they work with, the environment, and the technology available at their fingertips, they would want to come to work every day, and we would be able to bring out the best in them. They would give us their best to take care of our customers.
Noteology Celebrate First Anniversary in New Location Scranton Tomorrow leaders and members of the Downtown Scranton business community recently celebrated a milestone for one of their own. On July 26, Noteology, a boutique perfumery and custom studio, marked its first anniversary at 537 Wyoming Avenue, Downtown Scranton. In honor of the occasion, Co-owners Danielle Fleming and Mark Bonfiglio expressed their gratitude to their supporters. “We’re deeply grateful to our customers, team members, friends, and family for their continued support,” Fleming said. “None of this would be possible without them.” Fleming and Bonfiglio have been active members of the Downtown Scranton Business community since 2013 when Noteology joined the Downtown landscape at 401 Biden Street. They regularly participate in Downtown events and promotions as a collaborative partner and supporter. In November, they will celebrate their 10th anniversary in business. Be sure to follow Noteology on social media for more information on how they plan to celebrate. To learn more about Noteology, visit www.noteology.com or call (570) 343.2100.
JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting Celebrates Milestone Anniversary JAN-PRO Franchise Development in NEPA/Lehigh Valley celebrated its 15th anniversary on Saturday, July 1, 2023. Owned by Stephen and Lori Zirnheld, JAN-PRO Franchise Development in NEPA/Lehigh Valley, has been helping individuals start their own JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting franchise businesses since 2008. These independent commercial cleaning business owners offer commercial cleaning services to local businesses in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Northampton, Monroe, and Carbon Counties. “We are excited to be celebrating our 15-year anniversary helping the community in the Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and Lehigh Valley Areas,” said Stephen Zirnheld owner and president of JAN-PRO Franchise Development in NEPA/Lehigh Valley. “We would like to thank these customers for their support and business, our JAN-PRO Cleaning & Disinfecting certified business owners for their professionalism and cleaning services, and our Regional Development team members for their constant drive for excellence. We look forward to seeing what the future holds. Thank you to everyone involved in our business.”
Outreach – Center for Community Resources 35th Anniversary Kickoff Outreach – Center for Community Resources is celebrating our 35th Anniversary of moving families forward. Formerly the Employment Opportunity & Training Center of NEPA (EOTC), Outreach serves over 4,500 individuals each year by helping them move towards economic self-sufficiency and family stability. We invite you to celebrate our 35th Anniversary and have an “axe-ceptional” and fun evening with Outreach by attending our kickoff celebration at Electric City Axe Throwing, 1141 Capouse Avenue, Scranton on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, from 5 PM to 7 PM. Enjoy Axe Throwing, food, beer, wine, raffles, and more. Tickets are limited to 60 guests, so purchase them soon! Visit www.outreachworks.org for tickets and information, or call Lori Ryan at the office: (570)558-7565. Scan QR Code to purchase tickets! Outreach is happy to kick off our celebration at Electric City Axe Throwing, a veteran-owned business in Scranton. Owners Jose Bataller and Sam Williams first met in 2017 while serving in the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group program at US Embassy Podgorica, Montenegro. Three years later, they were inspired by their visit to FXBG Axes, owned and operated by their former Detachment Commander, Gunnery Sergeant David Crawley, and his wife, Krista Crawley. Jose and Sam decided that Scranton was the perfect spot for axe throwing. Outreach is proud to serve Veterans and is excited about the opportunity to partner with Electric City Axe Throwing as our kickoff to our yearlong celebration. Please consider joining Outreach for a fun evening and support a Veteran-owned business in our community. Outreach Center for Community Resources delivers family educational and workforce development services and programs to the regional community to promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency. Outreach provides evidence-based early childhood programs that help families and children gain the skills needed to be healthy and productive members of the community. Outreach programs support families experiencing adverse life events, including economically disadvantaged families, individuals seeking services that are involved in the Women’s and Veteran’s Treatment Court System, residents at the Lackawanna County Prison, and justice-involved juveniles. Outreach improves the lives of over 4,500 adults and children each year with evidence-based family development, early childhood education, adult GED services, and workforce programs that support them as they navigate life’s challenges
Celebrating the 5th Anniversary of the PA Able Savings Program Treasurer Stacy Garrity today joined Senator Lisa Baker (R-20), Sherri Landis of The Arc of Pennsylvania, Susan Tachau of the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation, and other disability advocates to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) Savings Program. PA ABLE is a savings program for Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families. It provides a tax-free way to save without affecting eligibility for critical means-tested benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) (up to $100,000) or Medical Assistance. Nearly 6,300 Pennsylvanians have opened PA ABLE accounts and saved more than $72 million for disability expenses. “PA ABLE is a tremendous program that really expands opportunity and increases independence for Pennsylvanians with disabilities,” Treasurer Garrity said. “It’s great to see the success as the program keeps growing – and as it does, we will continue to look for ways to improve the program. I’m so thankful for the great support we have for PA ABLE in the General Assembly, and with our incredible network of partners who do such important work every day and help spread the word about how PA ABLE can help improve lives.” “Due to the care taken during the conception and legislative construction of ABLE, we have come up with a good balance of state assistance and personal initiative,” Senator Baker said. “This helps families in dealing with extremely challenging and difficult circumstances, by removing roadblocks and helping them offer a better life for their loved one coping with a disability. The concept is so simple – reward, rather than penalize, families for prudently planning ahead.” Federal ABLE legislation, championed by U.S. Sen. Bob Casey in 2014, allowed for states to create ABLE programs. PA ABLE was enacted in 2016 with instrumental support from Sen. Baker and former Rep. Bernie O’Neill. “Since its inception 5 years ago, PA ABLE has helped thousands of Pennsylvanians with disabilities and their families save for the future,” Senator Casey said. “I am proud to have led this effort at the federal level, but we have more work to do to make ABLE more accessible. The next step is to pass my bipartisan ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which would expand ABLE account eligibility to people with disabilities that occur prior to age 46—including veterans—and ensure more Pennsylvanians and their families can benefit from this life-changing resource. I thank Treasurer Garrity for marking this occasion and I will continue to fight in Congress for the needs of people with disabilities and their families.” “The Arc of Pennsylvania celebrates the 5th anniversary of the PA ABLE and the incredible opportunity the program has given to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Landis said. “Allowing individuals to save money for the future, while maintaining benefits, is a step forward in creating financial security.” “I’m honored to be here today to help celebrate PA ABLE’s 5th anniversary,” Tachau said. “Self-determination and autonomy are values that we hold dear – and PA ABLE provides an opportunity for people with disabilities to become empowered and save for their futures without jeopardizing critical services. As a parent of an adult with cerebral palsy, I’ve been able to have new discussions with our son about savings and goal setting because he can now control his finances. He has used his PA ABLE account to buy a smart doorbell so that he can see who’s at his front door, and he’s purchased a smart phone with specialized software so that he can make calls by himself. PA ABLE has given him the ability to be more independent in how he makes financial decisions.” Others joining the celebration included Karen Leslie-Henry, Coordinator of Community Relations for the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, a Pre-K to 12th grade school located in the Germantown section of Philadelphia; and Lori Tyndall, Vice President of AHEDD, a nonprofit organization that provides employment services for people with disabilities. PA ABLE is one of the largest, and fastest growing ABLE programs in the country, and is the largest in the 19-member National ABLE Alliance, accounting for nearly 25% of total assets. To be eligible for PA ABLE, a person’s disability must have occurred prior to their 26th birthday. PA ABLE account owners can choose from six different investment options and an interest-bearing checking account. Contributions and earnings in PA ABLE accounts can be used to help save and pay for short- or long-term disability related expenses. Qualifying expenses include education, housing, transportation, assistive technology, health care, financial management, and more. Tax advantages for PA ABLE account owners include no federal or state income taxes owed on earnings or qualified withdrawals; a PA state income tax deduction on contributions up to $16,000 annually; and exemption from PA inheritance tax. Senator Casey has introduced the ABLE Age Adjustment Act in Congress, which would raise the eligibility for ABLE programs to those whose disability occurs by age 46. This would expand ABLE account access to about 6 million more Americans, including an estimated 1 million disabled veterans. The legislation is cosponsored by Senator Pat Toomey. A House version has also been introduced and is cosponsored by 12 members of the Pennsylvania delegation. To learn more about PA ABLE, visit paable.gov, email info@paable.gov or call 855-529-2253.
