Luyster Promoted to Vice President of Business and Workforce Development at The Chamber The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce leadership has announced the promotion of Amy S. Luyster to Vice President of Business and Workforce Development. With 25 years of service to The Chamber and its members, Luyster brings to the position a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the organization’s mission and goals. In her new role, Luyster will oversee the Business and Workforce Development affiliates: the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Business Company (SLIBCO), The Scranton Plan, the IGNITE program, Skills in Scranton, and Leadership Lackawanna. “Amy has played a crucial role in advancing the region’s business, economic, and workforce growth. This promotion reflects her exemplary contributions to The Chamber’s commitment to fostering a thriving business community,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. A graduate of Wilkes University, Luyster holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in organizational communications with a concentration in public relations and a minor in business marketing. In addition, she is a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organizational Management at Villanova University; the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program at The Kania School of Management, The University of Scranton; the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Business Leads Fellowship Program; and The Economic Development in Pennsylvania course, accredited by the International Economic Development Council. During her tenure at The Chamber, Luyster has directed economic and industrial development marketing under The Scranton Plan; workforce development through Skills in Scranton; Legislative affairs under the Government Affairs and Advocacy Committee; and provided organizational and program direction as a member of the Chamber’s Executive Leadership Team. The key responsibilities of Luyster’s new role will be to facilitate a comprehensive understanding of Lackawanna County’s business, workforce, and leadership assets and liabilities. Using her experience, Luyster will leverage this knowledge to identify opportunities to address challenges in the local business landscape. Luyster will establish and implement business development strategies that align with the Chamber’s mission, goals, and objectives. This includes fostering collaborations with and among SLIBCO, The Scranton Plan, the IGNITE program, Skills in Scranton, and Leadership Lackawanna in concert with Chamber membership, communications, and lending operations to promote economic development and workforce growth in the greater Scranton region. “I am thankful and excited for this expanded role and eager to lead initiatives that drive business and workforce development in Lackawanna County, said Luyster. I look forward to collaborating with our talented team to achieve continued success and make a lasting impact in our community.”
NRCI Spirit of Hope Celebration Finalize Event Details The Board of Ambassadors met last week at Montage Mountain to finalize plans for the upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Friday, November 11, 2022, at Mohegan Sun Pocono. The 2022 Spirit of Hope Tribute to Courage Honoree is Bob Durkin, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Ambassadors is a group of individuals and business leaders in northeast Pennsylvania whose purpose is to raise funds and promote a gala event in support of cancer screening awareness throughout the region.
The Board of Ambassadors Announce 2022 Tribute to Courage Honoree for Spirit of Hope Celebration The Board of Ambassadors will honor Bob Durkin as the 2022 Tribute to Courage Honoree at their upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Friday, November 11, 2022, at Mohegan Sun Pocono. Bob is President and CEO of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, overseeing planning, finances, staffing and programing of the Chamber and its affiliates – Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company, Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises, MetroAction, Inc., Leadership Lackawanna, Skills in Scranton, and The Scranton Plan. He previously served as President of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute; founding Director of the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority; Vice-President of the Chamber; and has worked in various capacities in the non-profit and regional government arenas. Bob is a 1981 graduate of Penn State University and undertook advanced studies at the PSU Institute for Public Administration and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute of Organizational Management at the University of Delaware. He and his family are active in several special needs related programs, including Challenger Baseball and Special Olympics. Bob resides in his native Olyphant with his wife Sherry. They are the parents of a daughter (Jessica) and son (Kevin).