The Chamber Hosts Congressman Rob Bresnahan for Capitol Conversations The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce recently hosted Congressman Rob Bresnahan for the first 2025 session of Capitol Conversations—a series designed to foster open dialogue between business leaders and government officials. The event provided a platform to discuss key issues impacting northeastern Pennsylvania’s economy, workforce, and business landscape. Congressman Bresnahan, moderated by Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber, addressed several pressing topics, including workforce development, housing, childcare, and the challenges facing small businesses. On tariffs, Bresnahan noted that while business owners are adaptable, sudden tariff hikes place undue strain on Americans. He advocated for incremental increases instead of abrupt policy changes. When discussing the housing market, he pointed out how tariffs on supplies influence interest rates and the overall cost of building materials. He called for a stronger push for domestic production and noted that tariffs remain an executive order, not a congressional action. Bresnahan also addressed the ongoing workforce challenges at Tobyhanna Army Depot. He stressed Tobyhanna’s importance as an economic driver, with local companies playing a critical role in its operations. The conversation also covered the Small Business Administration (SBA). Congressman Bresnahan urged the SBA to improve its outreach efforts and more effectively distribute funding to small businesses, recognizing their significant contribution to the region’s economy. Childcare was another focal point, and the congressman emphasized its connection to workforce development. He discussed the difficulty of finding qualified staff and the need for increased support to help families afford services. Tourism, a vital industry for the region, was also discussed. Bresnahan acknowledged the sector’s ongoing workforce challenges and stressed the need for improved self-promotion to combat negative self-perception. “The Capitol Conversations series offers a unique opportunity for our members to connect one-on-one with our elected officials,” shared Bob Durkin, president of The Chamber. “We thank Congressman Bresnahan for his openness to listening to and discussing these issues critical to our business community.” The Chamber’s Capitol Conversations series will continue to bring policymakers and business leaders together, fostering meaningful dialogue and driving advocacy efforts that support economic growth in northeastern Pennsylvania.
Strzelec Named Top 25 Women in Business Honoree by NEPA Business Journal The leadership of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Jennifer Strzelec, program coordinator for its community leadership and professional development division, Leadership Lackawanna, has been selected as an honoree for the prestigious Top 25 Women in Business by the NEPA Business Journal. The NEPA Business Journal’s Top 25 Women in Business recognizes outstanding women who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, community involvement, and professional success throughout the region. As program coordinator, Strzelec plays a vital role in advancing Leadership Lackawanna’s mission to cultivate community leadership and foster professional development across northeastern Pennsylvania. She primarily supports the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) program, a seven-month initiative designed for high school juniors. In this capacity, Strzelec oversees recruitment, marketing, evaluations, and administrative operations. Her leadership ensures that the next generation of leaders is equipped with the essential skills and knowledge they need. In addition to managing TLT, Strzelec runs Leadership Lackawanna’s collegiate initiatives and alumni engagement, fostering a lifelong network of leadership and community involvement. Strzelec brings a diverse background to her role. She previously gained valuable experience as a preschool aide in Mt. Cobb and at the YMCA in King George, Virginia. Her commitment to service extends beyond education, as she is a veteran of the United States Army, where she served in the avionics division at both Fort Hood, Texas, and Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. “This honor is a true reflection of her talent and hard work, and I’m very proud to see her recognized. Indeed, it is a testament to her dedication, not only to Leadership Lackawanna but to our community,” shared Nicole Morristell, executive director of Leadership Lackawanna.
Olympic Gold Medalist to provide Keynote Address at EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces that Olympic Gold Medalist Dominique Dawes will provide the lunch keynote at EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience. Dominique Dawes is the first African American gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal. She is the owner of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academies. The first academy opened in July 2020 during the global pandemic, and the second location opened in 2023. Dominique Dawes, lunch keynote speaker Christina Butler, breakfast keynote speaker Dawes holds minority ownership in the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League. Alongside Drew Brees, she served as the co-chair of the President’s Council for Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition under the Obama administration. Recently, Dawes collaborated with LeBron James and Maverick Carter as Executive Producer of the Peacock docuseries “Golden,” which follows USA’s elite gymnasts on the road to the Tokyo Olympics and has been nominated for a Sports Emmy. EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience is the premier women’s leadership event in northeastern Pennsylvania. Marking its 10th year, the 2025 conference theme is “DREAM BIG!” and will be held on April 24 at Kalahari Resorts & Convention Center. Presented by Geisinger, EMPOWER is a day-long conference highlighting the ability all women have to create positive change in their communities and lives while recognizing the extraordinary power that exists when women come together to support each other. In addition to Dawes, the breakfast keynote address will be provided by Christina Butler, a communications and presentation skills professional, and 44 regional speakers will present in breakout sessions. Attendees will also have access to a wellness studio and a small business marketplace. It is anticipated that the conference will host 1,000 attendees in 2025. For a third year, The Honesdale National Bank will sponsor EMPOWER TEEN, a specialized track for students currently enrolled in high school and between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. The program empowers and enhances students’ personal and professional development. Tickets are available through April 1, 2025.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Enhances Mission Readiness with Training The fate of future missions could rest on the skills honed at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) last week, where Pennsylvania Army National Guard (PA ARNG) soldiers underwent training essential to the Department of Defense’s strategic objectives, provided by the civilians who keep them safe. Lead IT Specialist for the Tactical Network Engineering Branch Daniel Harnden guided Staff Sgt. Joshua Kleese of the 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment and Staff Sgt. Cody Everitt of PA ARNG Field Maintenance Shop #27 through an intensive training session on the AN/TTC-64Dv3 Command Post Node (CPN) focused on unlocking protocols and performing crucial software updates to strengthen the system. This collaborative training effort between TYAD and the Army National Guard highlights their shared commitment to ensuring personnel are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for effective field operations, ultimately strengthening mission readiness and capabilities. A CPN is a mobile communications system that provides secure voice, video, and data capabilities to military units in the field. It enables units to maintain real-time communication and situational awareness, ensuring seamless coordination and decision-making during missions. CPNs are critical for establishing tactical command posts as they allow deployed units to stay connected to higher headquarters and other operational elements, even in remote or challenging environments. The need for training was realized when the 2nd Squadron, 104th Cavalry Regiment sent their CSN to PA ARNG Field Maintenance Shop #27 for repair, but found they didn’t have the capability necessary to solve the issue. That is where TYAD came in. After a conversation with TYAD, it was discovered that existing depot personnel had the skills required to teach a troubleshooting course. Thus, a brand-new capability for TYAD was born. From Feb. 24-27, Staff Sgt. Kleese and Staff Sgt. Everitt gained invaluable hands-on experience in maintenance, troubleshooting, and testing, which will directly enhance their ability to maintain and operate their CPN in future missions. Harnden said coming to TYAD for training provides value to the warfighter in more ways than one. “Here we have a main maintenance unit for the Pennsylvania National Guard getting depot maintenance understanding of how to approach different equipment that comes in from guard units and you have a representative of the unit who owns the equipment that can take that back to his unit,” said Harnden. “It is twofold as the equipment is getting looked at and repaired and the soldier now has experience he can bring back to his unit.” Harnden emphasized that training opportunities such as these are important for warfighters as sometimes issues arise in a moment’s notice and due to the complexity of military systems, troubleshooting notes aren’t always readily available. “Trainings like this provide the opportunity for soldiers to see the stuff that is not in their books,” said Harnden. “This represents a real-world problem where a soldier may be thinking ‘This is broken. How do I approach this? How do I make this compatible in the field? I don’t have this in my books.’ Here at TYAD, they can be hands-on and take this knowledge back with them.” Staff Sgt. Kleese spoke highly of the training he received at TYAD, stressing the positive impact it will have on warfighter and mission readiness. “This training is going to help with the overall mission readiness of our unit as we’re gaining knowledge on how to fix the equipment after it gets troubleshooted at our level and we can’t figure it out,” said Staff Sgt. Kleese. “Getting that firsthand knowledge at the unit level is going to be imperative for troubleshooting in the field. Now, we have the highest level of troubleshooting knowledge we can get and we couldn’t get that anywhere else but here [at Tobyhanna].” Logistics Management Specialist Jessica Rollyson coordinated getting the soldiers to Tobyhanna. She said the ability to work together with the National Guard benefits both them and TYAD. “Collaboration is a key component of the training. Soldiers working closely with TYAD’s highly skilled technicians allows them to learn troubleshooting and repair techniques as well as familiarize themselves with the systems in real-time,” said Rollyson. “It’s a unique opportunity to enhance the synergy between those who maintain the systems and those who use them in the field, creating a more agile and well-prepared force overall.” While on-post, Staff Sgt. Kleese and Staff Sgt. Everitt were also given the opportunity to assist in maintaining a spectrum analyzer at TYAD’s U.S. Army High Tech Regional Training Site and to support TYAD’s Engineering and Cyber Technology Center by utilizing and building a Phone Box Exchange RedCom for testing, further expanding their technical expertise. The depot averages about 640 soldier training hours per year. TYAD is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for command, control, communications, computers, cyber, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters.
The Wright Center Resident Physician Earns National Award for Advocacy Work A resident physician in The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program received a national award for his advocacy work in Washington, D.C. Dr. Usman Rana accepted the National Association of Community Health Centers’ (NACHC) 2025 Elizabeth K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award at the association’s Policy & Issues Forum held Feb. 5-8 in Washington, D.C. The award recognizes efforts to educate federal and state legislators about community health centers and to establish and expand grassroots advocacy efforts at health centers across the country. Dr. Rana, a 40-year-old resident physician from Pakistan, became interested in advocacy efforts after a federal policy change prevented him from completing his geriatrics fellowship at The Wright Center in 2022. Observing leadership’s efforts at The Wright Center to support him and other affected fellows inspired him deeply. While the fellowship path shifted, prompting Dr. Rana to join The Wright Center’s Internal Medicine Residency Program, the experience sparked his commitment to advocacy work. “I had no idea what was happening in Washington, D.C., or how it affected health care here in Scranton or across the country,” he said. “I realized that being a voice for your community, colleagues, and patients can work miracles.” For the past two years, Dr. Rana has been involved in The Wright Center’s Advocacy Team, first as a resident leader and now as the resident chief. In addition to educating his colleagues about issues, Dr. Rana has participated in several advocacy opportunities on Capitol Hill. He focuses on several topics, including the need for long-term reauthorization of the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education Program, increased funding for community health centers like The Wright Center, and improved access to health care and prescription medication. In his nomination for the NACHC award, leaders at The Wright Center noted Dr. Rana’s remarkable efforts to continue building a culture of advocacy within the enterprise and the larger community. “Dr. Rana, The Wright Center’s chief resident of advocacy for public health priorities, is a remarkable physician servant leader in support of our work to enact policy change in our nation’s public health policies. In this role, he is a member of the advocacy committee of our governing board and works closely with The Wright Center’s Advocacy Team,” said Jennifer Walsh, Esq., senior vice president and chief legal and governance officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “His passion is helping to elevate the key role that physicians can play in helping to shape federal and state policies to better serve patients, their families, and the communities they serve.” While in Washington, D.C., to accept the NACHC award, Dr. Rana joined several other leaders from The Wright Center in meeting with legislators on Capitol Hill, including freshman U.S. Representative Rob Bresnahan, who took office in January. He represents Pennsylvania’s 8th District, which includes Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike counties, as well as most of Luzerne and Monroe counties. Dr. Rana said sharing patient stories with U.S. Representative Bresnahan and other federal, state, and local leaders is an effective way to educate them on the role The Wright Center and other community health centers across the country play – not just in providing affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay, but also as educational powerhouses addressing the growing shortage of primary care physicians nationwide. “Sharing these stories creates an impact that can lead to positive change,” Dr. Rana said. “It’s something that I want to continue to do even after I graduate in June and begin providing medicine, hopefully here in the region.”
NET Donates AEDs to the Taylor Community NET Credit Union recently donated three AED’s to the Taylor Borough. An AED, Automated External Defibrillator, is a portable life-saving device to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. This life saving device provides electrical shock to the heart to restore normal rhythm. The Taylor Police Department will keep the AED’s in their patrol cars. Hopefully, these devices will not have to be used, but if so, the department is prepared in case of emergency. “Being able to support our local communities is an honor. Budgets are tightening for everyone, and being able to donate some potentially life saving equipment without burdening taxpayers is a win for us all,” states Clarence Baltrusaitis, CEO of NET Credit Union. NET Credit Union opened their Taylor Branch at 900 S Main Street in the summer of 2023. We encourage the community to become a member of our credit union. Because of our members, we are able to give back with donations like this. Pictured L to R: Clarence Baltrusaitis, NET CEO; Police Chief Brian Holland, Taylor Borough Police Department; Jessica Hernandez, NET Taylor Branch Manager; Loni Kavulich, Mayor of the Taylor Borough; Cindy Bellucci, Taylor Borough Manager; Jim Digwood, Taylor Borough Councilman; Ken Mickavicz, Taylor Borough Council President; Fran DeAngelo, Taylor Borough Council Vice President; Chuck McKeel, Taylor Borough Councilman.
NEPA Philharmonic Brings the Joy of Music to Schools The musicians of the NEPA Philharmonic, alongside students from their Mentoring Program, have been keeping busy this winter, spreading the joy of music across the community! From inspiring local students in schools to sharing powerful musical moments with senior center residents, NEPA Phil has truly made a difference this season. Music in Our Schools This January, the NEPA Philharmonic’s Woodwind Quintet visited South Scranton Intermediate and Scranton High School, introducing students to the unique sounds of the wind instruments and offering a glimpse into the world of professional music. In February, former NEPA Philharmonic Principal Cellist Alberto Parrini brought his expertise to Abington Heights High School, working with student musicians—many of whom are also part of the Philharmonic’s Mentoring Program—on key techniques including bowing, rhythm, scales, and tone. Later in the month, renowned pianist Marcantonio Barone joined Parrini for an inspiring performance at Wyoming Valley West Middle School, where they engaged with young string musicians. These opportunities allow students to connect directly with professionals, gaining invaluable insight and experience that enhances the incredible work of local music programs. The enthusiasm and dedication from the students were evident, and their interactions with these accomplished musicians will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. A special thank you goes out to the dedicated teachers—Greg Hulse, Diane Amari, Allison Covell, and Suzanne Hall—whose support made these visits possible. We encourage the community to express their gratitude to local music educators for their ongoing efforts in shaping the next generation of musicians. Mentoring Program and Outreach The NEPA Philharmonic Mentoring Program recently visited Green Ridge Care Center as part of the Music in Our Senior Centers initiative. Students shared their musical talents with senior residents, creating meaningful connections across generations through the universal language of music. The heartfelt performance was a testament to the power of music to bring people together. Rehearsals for the Mentoring Program’s upcoming chamber ensembles are also in full swing. Young musicians—including violinists Isaiah, Roman, Soren, and Alec, violists Judah and Lucas, and cellists Giada and Aiden—are hard at work in coaching sessions with Philharmonic musicians Gabriel and Leah, preparing for their highly anticipated Mentoring Program Chamber Concert on May 18th.
Marywood University Art Students Earn Addy Awards for Creative Work Several Marywood art students earned Addy awards for their creative work from the American Advertising Federation NEPA chapter, at a ceremony held at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center on February 28. They competed against other students from Penn College of Technology, Susquehanna University, Wilkes University, and the University of Scranton. Award categories and Marywood student winners include the following: Judge’s Choice (both students and professionals compete for this award): Caroline Flynn, sophomore graphic design; Jaws poster Student Gold Addy, Best of Show (both professionals and students compete for this award) and People’s Choice: Stephanie Klemick, senior graphic design; Fruit Cups packaging Klemick also won the Rising Star award, given to senior students or young professionals under the age of 24 in the field, which is based on their achievements and contributions to the community. Klemick’s gold award winning entry will advance to the regional competition, with students from several states competing, and then, if she wins, she will advance to the national competition. Student Silver Addy awards: Jess Sunar, senior illustration major; illustration series Julia Perpetua, senior graphic design; juice packaging Lilli Millon, graduate student; Marywood strings poster Sabrina Resuta, senior graphic design; chocolate packaging Honorable mentions were awarded to: Emily Duris, senior graphic design Melissa Bostjancic, senior graphic design; Bostjancic was also nominated for the Rising Star Award. Stephanie Klemick, senior graphic design Sabrina Resuta, senior graphic design Lilli Millon, graduate student Photo ID, from left to right: Julia Perpetua, Emily Duris, Lilli Millon, Melissa Bostjancic, Stephanie Klimek, Caroline Flynn, Jess Sunar. Also recognized, but absent from the photo, was Sabrina Resuta.
Johnson College Now Enrolling for OSHA Training Course Johnson College is now accepting enrollments for its 30-hour, non-credit OSHA training course at the Scranton campus. The course will run from April 22 to May 3, 2025, with classes scheduled for Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. The final week will feature classes on Monday, May 5, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., and Thursday, May 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m. Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge on a range of essential safety topics, including fall protection, electrical safety, personal protective equipment (PPE), and more. The course, which is delivered through in-person classroom instruction, is designed to help individuals reduce workplace accidents, ensure compliance with federal safety standards, and foster a culture of safety within their organizations. The OSHA 30-hour training is ideal for individuals in leadership roles, those seeking advanced safety training, and employees in the general industry workforce. Upon successful completion of the course, attendees will receive the official OSHA 30 General Industry Outreach Course Completion Card. The cost for the course is $600. For more information or to reserve a spot in the course, visit johnson.edu/continuing-ed/osha-30. You can also contact the Continuing Education team at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.
Geisinger Expands with Longtime Local Physician Joining Primary Care Network Nicholas Dodge, M.D., will be affiliated with the Geisinger primary care network beginning on Monday, March 3, and his practice at 414 E. Drinker St. will become Geisinger Primary Care Dunmore. Board certified in internal medicine, Dr. Dodge has cared for patients in the greater Scranton area for more than 30 years. He attended The University of Scranton for his undergraduate work and earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine through the Scranton-Temple Residency Program. “The opportunity to partner with Geisinger will help us continue to provide the friendly, high-quality personalized care that we’re known for while aligning with a nationally known system with a similar reputation for caring, excellence and quality,” Dr. Dodge said.
