Avoca International Airport Announces New Service Breeze Airways, the U.S.’ only NLCC, or ‘Nice Low Cost Carrier,’ today announced new service from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport (AVP) to Orlando, FL, starting January 30, 2024. Fares on the new nonstop routes start from $59* one-way, if purchased by November 14, for travel by September 3, 2024. Along with the new routes, Breeze is also currently offering 35%** off roundtrip bookings using the code ‘BENICE’ which is applicable also on the new routes from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. From Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA to: Orlando, FL (Wednesdays and Saturdays, starting January 30, 2024, Nice from $59* one way). “This is great news that Breeze Airways will be serving Northeastern Pennsylvania with service to Orlando,” said Carl R. Beardsley, Jr., AVP Executive Director. “Orlando is one of our top destinations, and we are excited that Breeze will provide our area’s families and businesses with convenient, nonstop service to Orlando.” “Breeze’s focus is on connecting underserved markets, adding nonstops between cities without existing service,” said Breeze Airways’ President Tom Doxey. “As we introduce service from Wiles-Barre/Scranton, we’re proud to bring an affordable and convenient new travel option to Orlando.” Recognized by Travel + Leisure readers as one of the Top 5 Best U.S. Airlines for the second consecutive year, Breeze offers Guests both bundled and a la carte options known as Nice, Nicer and, on flights operated with the Airbus A220-300, Nicest. The Nicest bundle includes two checked bags, priority boarding and Breeze Ascent—the carrier’s premium inflight experience featuring 2×2 recliner-style seating and complimentary snacks and beverages, including alcohol. Breeze doesn’t charge change or cancellation fees up to 15 minutes prior to departure and offers other benefits such as free family seating and a la carte pricing. With seamless booking, no change or cancellation fees, up to 24-months of reusable flight credit and customized flight features delivered via a sleek and simple app, Breeze makes it easy to buy and easy to fly. Learn more about Breeze’s flight offerings via our site or the app.
NEPIRC Marketing Manager Appointed to National Steering Committee The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) announces that Chelsey Coslett, manager of marketing and stakeholder engagement, recently accepted an appointment to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST’s) Manufacturing Extension Partnership National Network’s (MEPNN’s) marketing steering committee. As a member of the MEPNN marketing steering committee, Coslett joins 10 other marketing professionals from across the nation. The committee is responsible for setting the overall direction of, and planning the activities for, the MEPNN marketing working group and community of practitioners as well as providing input on tactics for the MEPNN national awareness campaign. The steering committee also provides support, guidance and oversight to the marketing working group and identifies communication and branding priorities for the National Network, which consists of 51 MEP Centers working across 430 service locations with over 1,450 professionals. MEPNN marketing steering committee members are committed to upholding the values and objectives of the working group and actively participate, provide thoughtful input and focus on the best interests of the group and the National Network. “The MEP National Network marketing and branding effort strives not only to make sure that our nation’s small and mid-sized manufacturers know about the services available through Network affiliates but, of equal importance, create a more accurate public image and impression of manufacturing and raise awareness about the criticality of manufacturing to our nation and the value of industrial careers,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, NEPIRC president and CEO. “We’re delighted that Ms. Coslett was chosen, based upon her expertise and what she’s done for our organization, clients and region, to be a leader in moving the National Network’s marketing strategies forward.” NEPIRC looks forward to Coslett’s participation on the MEPNN marketing steering committee, as it further positions NEPIRC as a national player in the Network.
FNCB Bank Donated Four Scoreboards to Hanover Area School District FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce its latest project supporting the community with the donation of four scoreboards to the Hanover Area School District. The new scoreboards were recently installed at the high school gymnasium for basketball (2) as well as the softball and baseball fields. “We are thrilled to support the Hanover Area School District with the donation of these scoreboards to improve the sporting experience for students and fans alike,” said Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “The scoreboards represent our commitment to the students, teachers, and the entire Hanover Area community. We look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have.” The scoreboard donations represent part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. Through outreach programs, donations, and an employee volunteer network, FNCB is committed to helping the communities they serve.
The Foley Law Firm Recognized in Best Lawyers in America 2024 The Foley Law Firm, with offices in Scranton and Stroudsburg, has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® 2024 edition for selection among the Best Law Firms. The Foley Firm was lauded for multiple areas in the Best Law Firms rankings including for Plaintiffs’ Medical Malpractice, and Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation as well as Claimants Workers’ Compensation Law. The firm was also recognized for Insurance Litigation. Previously this year four of the Law Firm’s attorneys were honored as among the Best Lawyers in America® 2024. Firm founder Attorney Thomas Foley Jr., Attorney Kevin Foley, Attorney Michael Foley, and Attorney Thomas Foley III were all recognized for the prestigious honor.
Children’s Advocacy Center Announces Executive Director Honorable Judge Michael J. Barrasse, President of the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA Board of Directors has announced their selection of Meghan Lennox Gagorik as the Center’s new Executive Director. Meghan Gagorik most recently served as the Division Director for the American Heart Association, overseeing Northeast and Central Pennsylvania and the Pocono Region. In her over 18 years of community service, Meghan served in numerous volunteer leadership and community-focused professional roles. She has overseen both non-profit and private-sector teams with a focus on addressing and overcoming health disparities and individuals’ inequities in the community. Meghan holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services degree from Lackawanna College and a Master of Business Administration in Organizational Management from Eastern University. Judge Barrasse stated, “The Children’s Advocacy Center is delighted to welcome Meghan Gagorik as our new Executive Director. The Center’s Board completed an aggressive search and Meghan stood out, not only as an experienced candidate, but also as someone who is committed to protecting and nurturing children with compassion. Her dedication to advancing the mission of the CAC is truly impressive.” “I am honored to lead the important work and dedicated staff of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” related, Ms. Gagorik. “The Center’s work of protecting and healing children who have been subjected to abuse and neglect is critical in our community. Working closely with area law enforcement, prosecutors, case workers and other community partners to provide supportive care for children and families is the highest mission. CAC of NEPA does it best.” Among the various boards and committees, Meghan has served Coaches vs. Cancer, Geisinger Northeast Advisory Council, Geisinger Northeast Women’s Leadership Council, and the Spirit of Hope benefiting NRCI. She is a past chair of Relay for Life and the Coaches vs. Cancer Gala. Her board service includes The American Cancer Society, Leadership Lackawanna, and the Everhart Museum of Natural History. Meghan has received multiple awards for her work, including the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA’s Child Advocate of the Year Award, the Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award, Distinctive Women of Northeast PA, the Saddle of Hope Award, Top 25 Women in Business, and the Sam & Jane Cali Star Award.
Nick Bagdonis Promoted to Project Executive for Quandel Energy Solutions Quandel Energy Solutions, a leading provider of building solutions and energy savings services, is pleased to announce the promotion of Nick Bagdonis to the position of project executive. With 15 years in the industry, including extensive experience in maintenance and engineering management, Bagdonis joined Quandel Construction Group in 2022 as a senior project manager, quickly becoming an invaluable asset to the company. In his new role as project executive, Bagdonis will spearhead and coordinate all facets of energy-saving construction projects, demonstrating his proficiency in planning, scheduling, and budget management. His keen focus on delivering projects safely, on time, within budget, and exceeding customer expectations has earned him this well-deserved promotion. Quandel Energy Solutions recognizes Bagdonis as a results-driven leader with a proven track record of successfully completing projects to the satisfaction of clients. Rob Strickler, Vice President of Quandel Energy Solutions, commented, “Nick’s promotion to project executive is a testament to his ability to identify innovative solutions that enhance energy efficiency for our clients. His dedication to exceeding project owner expectations and leading our team toward continued success is unparalleled.” Bagdonis brings a wealth of knowledge to his role and possesses numerous industry certifications. He is an active participant in various industry and community organizations, showcasing his commitment to professional development and community engagement. “Quandel is proud to have Nick on our team, and we are confident that his expertise and leadership will drive our energy-saving construction projects to new heights,” continued Strickler. “We eagerly anticipate his success in this pivotal role and helping to drive the growth of this business unit.” Quandel Energy Solutions is enthusiastic about the promising future with Bagdonis in this elevated role, leading the team toward further accomplishments and innovations in the field of energy-saving construction projects.
Scranton Named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 Best Places to Retire U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in retirement rankings and consumer advice, has named Scranton as one of the 2024 Best Places to Retire. Scranton ranks 4th in the overall rankings. “It’s gratifying to have U.S. News confirm what we here in Scranton know – this is a welcoming, nurturing community with housing options that are more achievable than most other places,” said Mayor Paige G. Cognetti. “We’re honored to be named a ‘Best Place to Retire’ and will keep working hard to offer even more value to existing and new residents.” This year’s list evaluated the country’s 150 most populous metropolitan areas based on how well they meet Americans’ expectations for retirement, with measures including affordability, health care, desirability, and overall happiness. “The decision of where to spend your retirement years requires much consideration for many retirees,” says Beverly Harzog, personal finance expert at U.S. News. “The Best Places to Retire rankings provides support to retirees by highlighting places that most meet their wants and needs.” The six measures factored into this year’s rankings were weighted based on a public survey of individuals across the U.S. who are at or approaching retirement age (45 and older) to find out what matters most to people when they’re considering where to retire. Data sources include the U.S. Census Bureau, FEMA National Risk Index, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Sharecare and U.S. News’ Best Hospitals rankings. This year, affordability is most heavily weighted out of the six factors in the 2024 Best Places to Retire methodology, including happiness, health care quality, retiree taxes, desirability, and job market ratings.
Pennsylvania American Water Announces Disaster Relief Support The American Water Charitable Foundation (AWCF), a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company, and Pennsylvania American Water, today announced a $10,000 donation to the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support disaster relief to flood victims in Lackawanna County. Areas of the county were impacted by heavy rains and flooding in early September. “Pennsylvania American Water, in collaboration with the American Water Charitable Foundation, is pleased to support the families and communities impacted by the devastating flooding that occurred,” said Justin Ladner, president of Pennsylvania American Water and a board member of the American Water Charitable Foundation. “We understand how critical clean, safe drinking water is in our daily lives and in times of emergencies. We hope this contribution can provide some assistance and relief to the residents of these affected communities who are still recovering from flood damage.” “We are grateful for the support from Pennsylvania American Water,” stated Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO. “The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will aim to meet the greatest array of needs of the organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by flood events in Lackawanna County.” The Foundation’s Disaster Relief Grant Program is designed to increase the impact of American Water employee donations made in response to natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, fires and other extraordinary disaster events.
Johnson College to Hold Instant Decision Day for Veterans and Current U.S Military Service Members Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. virtually and inside Woolworth Hall on the Johnson College Scranton campus. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes an application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
NEPIRC Adds SafeLandUSA Certification to Expanded Safety Training Portfolio The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) announces that Brian Matyjevich, Lean enterprise consultant and authorized OSHA outreach trainer, recently obtained SafeLandUSA trainer certification from West Virginia University. SafeLandUSA training is an eight-hour course that meets the requirements of several regulations pertaining to safety standards applicable to the natural gas and Marcellus Shale industry, particularly API RP 75 and API RP T-1. SafeLandUSA training enables employees to recognize potential workplace hazards and follow the safety requirements of an industry with which they may have limited familiarity. Although SafeLandUSA was developed with the oil and gas industry in mind, many topics presented are applicable to other energy and manufacturing sectors. “I’m honored to offer training that will empower oil and gas workers to make safe decisions for their livelihood,” said Matyjevich. “The results of this training include creating a more efficient, sustainable and productive workforce that drives progress and shapes the future of energy,” he added. As NEPIRC continues its mission to support the manufacturing sector by providing exceptional consulting and training services, its SafeLandUSA offering adds another element to its comprehensive safety training portfolio. NEPIRC is confident that this development will contribute to a safer working environment for clients and their employees. NEPIRC offers OSHA 10 & 30, HAZWOPER, Forklift and 35 other safety courses along with a free confidential EHS Gemba walk.
