Damage Control, Inc., Names New Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officers As of January 1, 2025, Sarah Cain and Bruce Morgan of Damage Control, Inc. have taken on the roles of CEO and COO, respectively. Damage Control has been serving the Communities of Northeast PA in both Residential and Commercial losses since 1996, led by founder, President, and CEO Jeff Skrilow. Sarah Cain began her employment in 2007 in the role of Executive Assistant and since then has taken on all responsibilities in the Business Office, Accounts Payable, Human Resources, and contributing to the implementation of new policies and procedures. It became clear that with the present CEO, Skrilow, stepping down, Sarah was the perfect choice as his replacement. In January 2025, Sarah began her new role as CEO, working to ensure that the company she loves continues to grow and prosper. She believes that investing in Damage Control’s employees is essential to Damage Control’s success. Bruce Morgan began his career with Damage Control in 2014 as a Restoration Technician. He quickly showed strong leadership skills and was swiftly promoted to Team Leader in 2015. From there, he moved up the ladder to Field Supervisor in 2018 and finally to Project Manager in 2020. In January 2025, Bruce was once again promoted, this time to COO, and will continue to lead the Damage Control team with leadership, training, and guidance.
Crystal Window and Door Sponsors Queens College Artist-in-Residence Exhibit Founder and Chairman of Crystal Window & Door Systems, Thomas Chen, greeted guests at the opening reception for the newest art exhibit at Queens College on Tuesday, February 11. The solo exhibit, “Entombed in Static,” is the work of internationally acclaimed artist Leekyung Kang, whose engagement with the Queens College Artist-in-Residence program is sponsored by the Thomas Chen Family/Crystal Windows Endowment. Above Left: Founder of Crystal Windows Thomas Chen (right) welcomed guests recently at the opening reception for the solo exhibit of Artist-in-Residence Leekyung Kang (left) at Queens College. Above Right (l. to r.): Queens College Art Professor Sin-Ying Ho, Queens College President Frank Wu, Crystal Windows Founder Thomas Chen, and Artist-in Residence Leekyung Kang. In 2021, Thomas Chen and Crystal Windows established a $1.1 million endowment for Queens College to support contemporary Asian art at the 4-year college. To date, the endowment has awarded several scholarships for art students, sponsored exhibits of contemporary Asian art, and backed the Artist-in-Residence program. “I am so proud that the Chen Family/Crystal Windows Endowment is supporting these valuable Queens College art programs,” said Thomas Chen. “Today we are very pleased to recognize the talent of Leekyung Kang, one of the artists-in-residence this year, with her exciting new exhibit. She is quite an inspiration for students here at Queens College.” The opening reception, held Tuesday, February 11, 6:00-8:00 pm at Queens College Klapper Hall Art Gallery, was attended by faculty, students, and other guests. Artist Leekyung Kang spoke to the group about her work and experience teaching art classes for the students at Queens College. Ms. Kang has exhibited and held residencies in the United States in many locations, including Las Vegas, NV; Salt Lake City, UT; Providence, RI; and Cleveland, OH. She has also exhibited internationally in Seoul, South Korea; Doha, Qatar; and Beijing, China. Queens College is one of the premier institutions in the New York City University System (CUNY), offering nearly 80 undergraduate majors and over 100 graduate degrees and certifications. The public college serves over 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students and is highly ranked in terms of academics and value by several national college surveys such as Princeton Review and US News and World Report. Located at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard in the South Flushing neighborhood of Queens, the college sits on 84 landscaped acres with a park-like suburban feel.
Wayne Bank Promotes Kimberly Crellin to Vice President Jim Donnelly, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kimberly Crellin to Assistant Vice President and Hawley Community Office Manager. “Kimberly is well deserving of this promotion, and I am proud to announce her accomplishment. Her exceptional management skills and organizational abilities have helped streamline bank functions at our Hawley office,” said Mr. Donnelly. Crellin joined Wayne Bank in 2017 and has most recently served as a Branch Manager, where she was responsible for assisting customers and maintaining operational efficiency at the Bank’s Hawley branch. Crellin holds a certificate for General Banking through the American Bankers Association. She enjoys taking part in her community, serving as an active member of the Make a Wish Foundation since 2009. Crellin currently resides in Milford.
Waverly Community House Needs Your Feedback Your Voice Matters! Help Shape the Future of The Comm! At the Waverly Community House (the Comm), we’re dedicated to providing enriching educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities—but we know there’s always room to grow. Whether you’ve attended our events, participated in programs, used our facilities, or are simply interested in what we offer, we want to hear from you! As we plan for the future, we’re gathering feedback to ensure that we continue to serve our community in meaningful ways. With support from a StratSimple grant, we’ve partnered with Commonweal Consulting Group—led by nonprofit experts Michele and Leo McGowan—to guide us in shaping our next chapter. It takes about 10 minutes. All responses are confidential Your input helps shape future programs, events, and services Complete the survey by February 28, 2025, for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card! Take the survey by clicking this link: STRAT SIMPLE SURVEY
The Wright Center for Community Health Clinics Earn National Recognition Two of The Wright Center for Community Health’s clinics received commendations from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, 1145 Northern Blvd., and The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, achieved the NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home certificate of recognition. The award recognizes both locations’ commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services using the patient-centered medical home model. In addition to strengthening patient-clinician relationships and enhancing the management of chronic conditions, the patient-centered medical home model also increases staff satisfaction and reduces health care costs. The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., and The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., earned NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home certificates of recognition in September. The Mid Valley location first achieved this distinction in 2011, followed by Clarks Summit in 2014, and both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in 2021. All four health centers undergo an annual review to maintain compliance with NCQA’s rigorous standards. “Our continued certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home reaffirms to the communities we serve that our team-based care approach and advanced technology deliver timely, effective care,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “This model fosters strong partnerships between patients and clinicians, enabling more responsive and comprehensive health care. We’re honored to receive this recognition once again for our dedication and hard work.” The NCQA, based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1990 with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It seeks to improve health care quality through measurement, transparency, and accountability. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To learn more, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org.
PS Bank Donates to Neil Armstrong Elementary School PS Bank recently made a donation of $4,000 to Neil Armstrong Elementary School in Scranton. This contribution, made possible through the Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) program, will help fund instructional materials for early literacy programs, including materials used during before-school and after-school tutoring. The donation will support the school’s ongoing efforts to enrich student experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. Neil Armstrong has strong participation in before-school and after-school tutoring sessions, and the PS Bank donation will allow for teachers to have greater access to materials to enrich those programs. “We are so grateful for PS Bank’s generous donation,” said Jennifer Bradley, Principal of Neil Armstrong Elementary School. “This funding will make a huge impact on our ability to provide enhanced educational resources to our teachers who facilitate the before-school and after-school tutoring program.” The donation holds special significance for PS Bank, as the school is located in the heart of North Scranton where PS Bank is set to open a new branch this spring. PS Bank President & CEO Anthony Gabello,who attended Neil Armstrong Elementary School growing up, expressed deep pride in supporting the institution that shaped his early educational experience. “It’s a true honor to give back to the school that played such a pivotal role in my own education,” said Gabello. “Neil Armstrong Elementary School has always been a cornerstone of the North Scranton community. We’re proud to support their efforts and look forward to continuing to invest in the future of Scranton’s students.” PS Bank’s donation is part of the bank’s commitment to supporting educational opportunities in the community through the EITC program, which allows businesses to provide financial support to approved educational organizations while receiving a tax credit in return.
Allied Services Receives Donation from Peoples Security Bank & Trust Peoples Security Bank & Trust Donates $50,000 to Support Pediatric Rehabilitation at Allied Services Allied Services recently welcomed representatives from Peoples Security Bank & Trust (PSBT) to the John P. Moses, Esq. Pediatric Rehabilitation Center in Scranton to celebrate a generous $50,000 contribution through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP). This investment underscores PSBT’s commitment to enhancing pediatric rehabilitation services for children in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. standing front from left: Nancy Jeffers, Vice President, Senior Commercial Loan Officer, PSBT; Lynne Duncan, MS, CCC/SLP, Allied Services; Karen Kile, MS, OTR/L, Allied Services; Danielle Burrier, MS, CCC/SLP, Team Manager, Allied Services; back row from left: Joseph Ferriti, Executive Vice President, Northeast Market President, PSBT; Cathy Guzzi, PT, DPT, MS, Assistant Vice President of Rehab Therapies; Robert Cole, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer, and Director of Graduate Medical Education, Allied Services The donation, made possible through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development’s NAP Tax Credit Program, helps ensure that Allied Services can continue providing life-changing therapies and specialized care to more than 1,200 children annually. “We are deeply grateful for the continued generosity of Peoples Security Bank & Trust,” said Robert Cole, Ph.D., Senior Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer, and Director of Graduate Medical Education at Allied Services. “Community partnerships like this are essential in ensuring that children facing physical and developmental challenges receive the comprehensive care they need to reach their full potential. PSBT’s commitment to our pediatric rehabilitation programs is truly making a difference in the lives of local families.” For over 30 years, the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) has encouraged community participation and partnerships among nonprofits, businesses, and residents to benefit distressed areas and low-income populations. NAP tax credits provide an incentive for corporate partners to invest in nonprofit projects, helping to revitalize Pennsylvania communities and support vital services like pediatric rehabilitation at Allied Services. Allied Services extends its heartfelt appreciation to Peoples Security Bank & Trust for their generous $50,000 investment in the John P. Moses, Esq. Pediatric Rehabilitation Center. Their support directly impacts the lives of children in need of specialized rehabilitation, empowering them to thrive and achieve their goals.
Pennsylvania Treasury Launches New Employer Tax Credit Program The Pennsylvania Treasury is pleased to announce Pennsylvania’s New Employer Tax Credit for matching contributions to employee PA 529 and PA ABLE accounts. The new employer tax credit encourages Pennsylvania employers to contribute to their employees’ PA 529 and ABLE accounts. Beginning in January 2025, Pennsylvania employers will be eligible to claim a 25% state tax credit against the aggregate amount of all matching contributions to employee 529 and ABLE accounts of up to $500 per employee per tax year. For more information, contact Jolene Miraglia, Regional Program Manager, Pennsylvania Treasury at jmiraglia@patreasury.gov or visit patreasury.gov/consumer. PA 529 New Employer Tax PDF PA 529 College & Career Savings PDF
Geisinger Facilities Remain Open Due to Strike Geisinger facilities in Luzerne County remain open as SEIU nurses begin 5-day strike Registered nurses affiliated with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Pennsylvania started a 5-day strike at 7 a.m. Monday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre and Geisinger Healthplex CenterPoint after several weeks of negotiations between SEIU and Geisinger failed to produce a mutually agreeable labor contract. Despite any labor actions, those facilities remain open and staffed with experienced, licensed registered nurses. “We have activated a contingency plan that includes bringing in additional staff on a temporary basis so these critical health care resources in Luzerne County can operate business as usual to continue delivering high-quality care to everyone in need during the strike,” said Renee Blakiewicz, R.N., vice president and chief nursing officer for Geisinger’s northeast region. “In addition to nurses, other members of the clinical team, including physicians and advanced practice providers, will care for our patients as they always have. We are fully committed to ensuring continuity of care for our community during the strike.” Geisinger does not expect to postpone any procedures or elective surgeries during the strike. Geisinger values the compassionate work registered nurses do every day for the community and respects the rights of the SEIU-affiliated nurses to collectively bargain. “We have been negotiating in good faith, and a strike is the last thing we wanted to see happen,” said Brion Lieberman, chief human resources officer for Geisinger. “We want to compensate our nurses for their great work, while maintaining the ability to add clinical staff, improve our facilities and grow the services we offer this community. We have offered a starting salary of more than $85,000 per year for fulltime staff with yearly increases and comprehensive health benefits. We hope SEIU will return to the bargaining table so we can reach a mutually agreeable contract.”
GAIT Equine Assisted Service Hosts Workshop on Vagus Nerve Discover the Power of the Vagus Nerve in Humans & Horses Learn how to recognize, activate, and optimize vagal tone for your entire EAL team, facilitators, volunteers, participants, and equines! What You’ll Gain: Practical tools to enhance participant outcomes Strategies to support therapy horses’ well-being Integration of vagal tone principles into facilitative reasoning Earn 3 CEUs from PATH Intl. & receive a Certificate of Completion Presented by: Veritas Equine Assisted Learning Institute, LLC Hosted by: GAIT EAS, Milford, PA Date: February 26, 2025 Time: 10 AM – 1 PM (Registration opens at 9 AM) Cost: $75 per person Bring a Friend: $50 per person when you sign up together PATH Intl. Members: $65 individually or $50 each when signing up with a friend Reserve Your Spot Today! Call 570-409-1140 or email Info@gaittrc.org
