Scranton Counseling Center New Psychological Assessment Hire

Scranton Counseling Center recently hired Dr. Allison to provide Psychological Assessment services. Dr. Allison is a licensed psychologist and a graduate of Marywood University.  She enjoys a variety of work-related activities including providing psychotherapy and psychological assessment for many types of presenting issues and engages in supervision of psychological trainees.  She also has specialized training and experience in the treatment of serious mental illness and is a big proponent of the recovery model.  Prior to joining the Scranton Counseling Center team, Dr. Allison worked at a community mental health agency outside of Kansas City, Missouri.

NEPIRC Announces Key Staff Promotion and New Hire

Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO of NEPIRC, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jenelle Osborne and the hiring of Ashley Tice to further enhance NEPIRC’s commitment to workforce development and business advisory services for manufacturers throughout the region.

Osborne, who previously served as NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Dream Team project coordinator, has been promoted to full-time status as the company’s manufacturing talent stream coordinator. This position, which is new to NEPIRC, will advance the organization’s current manufacturing talent pipeline activities. Her responsibilities will include expanding NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Ambassador Dream Team program, publishing and promoting NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Education Guide, and incorporating job application functionality to NEPIRC’s online Manufacturing Jobs Board.

Osborne’s passion for making a positive impact on the region’s manufacturing sector and her dedication to promoting the abundance of career opportunities in manufacturing align perfectly with NEPIRC’s mission.

Speaking about her new role, Osborne expressed her enthusiasm for connecting manufacturers with the regional talent pools and enhancing the image of manufacturing in the region.

“I am passionate about working with schools, manufacturers and economic development partners to have a positive impact on our manufacturing sector’s top concern, which is the attraction and retention of quality talent. Through the success and expansion of NEPIRC’s Dream Team program and the implementation of NEPIRC’s other initiatives, including its Manufacturing Education Guide and Jobs Board, I am excited to be a catalyst that connects manufacturers in our region to current and future talent pools,” said Osborne.

Osborne’s promotion reflects NEPIRC’s commitment to developing a skilled workforce and supporting the growth of the manufacturing industry in northeastern Pennsylvania.

Ashley Tice joins NEPIRC as the new Northern Tier business advisor. With a background in the natural gas industry working in the areas of safety and field sales, Tice will play a crucial role in providing guidance and support to businesses in Pennsylvania’s Northern Tier region. Her expertise will be invaluable in helping businesses navigate challenges, identify growth opportunities and maximize their potential in a competitive market landscape.

“Although I come to this role with a background in the natural gas industry, I find manufacturing fascinating, especially seeing all of the products that are made locally. I am eager to learn and grow under NEPIRC’s leadership while helping manufacturers throughout the Northern Tier expand their workforce and address other operational challenges,” said Tice.

Esoda expressed his confidence in both Osborne and Tice, stating, “We are thrilled to have Jenelle take on this new role and are confident that her leadership will drive continued success in our workforce development initiatives for our manufacturing partners. Additionally, we warmly welcome Ashley to the NEPIRC team and look forward to her contributions to supporting manufacturers across the Northern Tier region.”

These strategic staff changes underscore NEPIRC’s commitment to fostering economic growth, innovation and prosperity throughout its service area.

For more information about NEPIRC and its services, please visit www.NEPIRC.com.

John N. Grochowski Joins PS Bank

Anthony J. Gabello, President and Chief Executive Officer of PS Bank, is pleased to announce the hiring of John N. Grochowski as Indirect Lending Department Manager / Vice President.   

With John’s hiring, a new line of business has been added to PS Bank’s robust portfolio. Indirect lending will allow for the financing of new and used automobiles for customers across all markets. Mr. Grochowski has over 35 years of banking experience and has spent the past 25 years in the indirect lending area.  

“With John’s leadership, we anticipate great success for the indirect lending department at PS Bank. He brings tremendous experience and quality relationships to our institution and is a great addition to our team.,” said Gabello.

Mr. Grochowski holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Wilkes University. He has also served in various leadership and volunteer capacities for numerous community fundraising campaigns.

Mr. Grochowski resides in Forty Fort with his wife Luciann.  

Chamber Names New Board and Office Administrator

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce Amanda Byron as its board and office administrator, a newly established position within The Chamber.

As the board and office administrator, Byron will be the point of contact between The Chamber and its affiliate boards and committees. Her responsibilities encompass board management, communication, and reporting. In addition, Byron will provide essential administrative support to The Chamber office and affiliate organizations, Skills in Scranton and Leadership Lackawanna.

Byron received an associate degree in paralegal studies from Lackawanna College. She also served as a litigation paralegal at multiple law firms, worked as an insurance customer service representative, and later as a customer care office manager, where she managed a team, handled finances, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

With previous experience in office management and legal affairs, coupled with her understanding of the unique needs of organizations like Skills in Scranton and Leadership Lackawanna, Byron brings a wealth of experience to The Chamber.

Keystone Mission Introduces New CEO

Keystone Mission introduces Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre as their new CEO & Executive Director. Her vision is to continue the journey together with the NEPA community for Keystone Mission to be a beacon of hope for the homeless and marginalized in Northeast PA.

Keith-Alexandre has a background of 20+ years working with individuals experiencing HIV+/AIDS, substance abuse, homelessness, and other marginalized communities through non-profit programming and contract management.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Human and Social Services from Walden University. 

Doctor Joins The Wright Center

The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education have named Dr. Richard Weinberger as deputy director for Allied and John Heinz Services and core faculty for the Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency programs.

He will oversee the development and execution of strategies to enhance The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s programs at Allied and John Heinz as deputy director. He will also assist the designated institutional official in assessing, implementing, and developing new graduate medical education programs and will serve on the Graduate Medical Education Committee.

In addition, Dr. Weinberger will serve as a core faculty member of the Internal Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residency programs. In that role, he will treat patients and supervise resident physicians, medical students, and interprofessional health learners at The Wright Center for Community Health and Allied and John Heinz clinical learning environments. He will also see patients at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn.

Dr. Weinberger is board certified in internal medicine and geriatric medicine and a fellow of both the American College of Physicians and American College of Osteopathic Internists. He has a long history with The Wright Center. After graduating from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, he completed his internal medicine residency at the Scranton-Temple Residency program, the precursor to The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. For decades, he has worked in private practices in Lackawanna County, most recently with Horizon Medical Corp.

For more information about the locations and services provided by The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. Call 570.866-3017 or email GMErecruitment@TheWrightCenter.org for more information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education.

Moses Taylor Foundation Welcomes New CFOO

Tom Bisignani has joined Moses Taylor Foundation, a private foundation with a mission to improve the health of people in Northeastern Pennsylvania, as its Chief Financial and Operations Officer. He will be responsible for all aspects of the Foundation’s financial and business operations, along with supporting strategy development, program implementation, and grants management within the Foundation’s 11-county service area.

Bisignani is a highly accomplished, results-driven financial executive with 20 years of experience in hospital operations and finance. He brings notable expertise in the healthcare sector with demonstrated success in blending quality and fiscal management to improve outcomes and satisfaction for physicians, patients, and team members.

Most recently, Bisignani served as Commonwealth Health’s Market Chief Financial Officer – Scranton Market, overseeing fiscal operations for its two-hospital integrated healthcare delivery system and Physicians Health Alliance. Bisignani previously held Chief Financial Officer roles at Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital.

“Tom has built an impressive career in healthcare leadership and is deeply familiar with our regional community health needs. In this new role, Tom will provide leadership and expertise as we continue to advance the Foundation’s mission across our service area,” said Danielle Breslin, President and CEO of Moses Taylor Foundation.

Bisignani assumes this role in advance of the planned July 14, 2023, retirement of the Foundation’s long-time Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Kelly, Jr.

Bisignani holds a Master of Business Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Scranton. He assumed his responsibilities at Moses Taylor Foundation on June 12, 2023.

Dean Appointed at Marywood University

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., recently announced that Shelby W. Yeager, MEd, LAT, ATC, CSCS, was appointed as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Marywood University, effective July 1, 2023. She had been serving as the college’s Interim Dean since March 2022.

Prior to this role, Dean Yeager was a long-term faculty member and department chair within the College of Health and Human Services. She began her academic career at Marywood in 2004. Before that, she was an Athletic Trainer at Wilkes University, then assumed clinical and administration roles at John Heinz Rehabilitation Institute and Keystone College. Additionally, Dean Yeager worked as part of the Sports Injury Prevention Program at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City.

Dean Yeager earned her bachelor of kinesiology and sports medicine degree from Temple University and a master’s in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University. She is a licensed athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach with an emphasis on movement assessment, injury reduction, and corrective exercises. She also holds multiple specialty certifications from the USA-Weightlifting, National Academy of Sports Medicine and Functional Movement Screening.

HNB Welcomes New Branch Manager

Thomas E. Sheridan, President, & CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced James Marsh has joined HNB as a Branch Manager of the HNB Forest City Office.

In this role, he is responsible for oversight of the operations of staff and customer service in our Forest City office.  He will provide opportunities for staff to grow by coaching and leading by example. Marsh will retain any relationships this bank has with all current customers and expand or create relationships with new customers.

President & CEO, Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., noted, “We are excited to have James join our team in Forest City, and his enthusiasm mirrors HNB’s interests in supporting our communities. He said, “His overarching career experience will allow ease of development internally while ensuring the provision of great costumer service for our current and future customers of HNB.”

Marsh has eight years in the financial industry, previously working at another area financial institution as a Teller and Customer Service Representative. He also has seven years of experience teaching at Stroudsburg Area School District and Commonwealth Charter Academy.

He grew up in Clarks Summit and currently resides in Lake Ariel. He is a graduate of Abington Heights High School, attended Keystone College for a bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in psychology, and currently attending The University of Phoenix for a master’s degree.

In mentioning his role at HNB, Marsh noted, “Working with HNB has given me ample opportunity to grow professionally and learn not only about this company, but about myself. Each employee has been very gracious, kind, and very helpful with my entering the company.” He continued, “This point in my career has been very rewarding to say the least. I hope to learn and grow with this company for many years to come.”

Outside of work, he likes to sing, cook, play with his 3 dogs, and be outside whenever possible.

Leadership Lackawanna Hires Program Coordinator

The Chamber is proud to announce the addition of Jennifer Strzelec as program coordinator for its affiliate Leadership Lackawanna, the area’s premier community leadership and professional development organization.

In this role, Strzelec primarily supports the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program – a seven-month initiative for high school juniors. This includes recruitment, marketing, evaluations, and administrative support.

Strzelec has several years of experience as a preschool aide at Bright Beginnings Preschool in Mt. Cobb and at the YMCA in King George, Virginia. She also served in the United States Army in the avionics division at both Fort Hood in Texas and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii.

Strzelec earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Temple University and is currently earning her MBA at West Chester University.