Chamber Celebrates the Dedication of Burke Drive and Goodrich Way Local leaders, community members, and honored guests gathered on Friday to celebrate the official dedication of Burke Drive and Goodrich Way—two roadways that now mark the entrances to the newly developed Archbald Business Park to honor of Austin J. Burke and Virginia Goodrich. Burke served as the president of The Chamber from 1975 to 2013. During his tenure, The Chamber and its development arms were recognized nationally for their sustained responses to a wide range of community needs. Chamber affiliates, Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE) and Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO) reclaimed thousands of acres of mine-scarred land for productive reuse as industrial, office, and technology parks—including Valley View Business Park. In addition, LIFE and SLIBCO financed and constructed more than 350 buildings that continue to employ thousands in Scranton and throughout Lackawanna County. “The Valley View Business Park was developed to create job opportunities for our neighbors and for the region. These projects always require sustained efforts among many partners. I’m grateful to have been a part of this splendid undertaking. I’m also humbled and delighted that the Chamber and Archbald Borough are honoring Virginia Goodrich and me for the parts we played,” shared Austin J. Burke. Goodrich, former executive secretary to the president of The Chamber from 1965 to 2023, spent nearly 60 years assisting the region’s economic and business growth. Her devotion to community development was evident in her work at The Chamber and in the organizations in which she volunteered. “I am truly honored to be recognized by The Chamber and [Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company] SLIBCO with the designation of Goodrich Way. My sincere thanks to the officers and board of directors of SLIBCO for this very personal and meaningful tribute,” expressed Virginia Goodrich. A ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the formal unveiling of the newly dedicated roads, commemorating Burke and Goodrich’s leadership, service, and enduring impact in attracting, sustaining, and growing jobs and community investment throughout Lackawanna County. “The dedication of Burke Drive and Goodrich Way marks a significant milestone for our community and stands as a testament to the lasting impact of two leaders who shaped the future of our business landscape,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “These roadways now serve as enduring tributes to their contributions to the continued growth and success of the economy in northeastern Pennsylvania.” The Chamber, along with its business development division and program, the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), and The Scranton Plan, extends its gratitude to all who attended and helped make this day a memorable tribute to two individuals whose influence will be felt for generations to come. View the Photo Album online.
Chamber Celebrates the Retirement of Virginia “Ginger” Goodrich The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces that Virginia “Ginger” Goodrich of Scranton will retire on December 31, 2023, after 58 years of employment with the organization. A retirement celebration in her honor will be held at the Scranton Country Club. Goodrich, the longest-tenured employee in the organization’s history, joined the Chamber’s staff in 1965 as a secretary in the industrial development department. After a series of promotions, she has held the position of executive secretary to the president since 1979. In addition, she has served as board secretary for the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), a Chamber affiliate organization, since 1994. “To say that Ginger is an icon of this organization is an understatement,” said Robert Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. ”She has played integral roles in support of the most important initiatives in Chamber history—and by extension, some of the most impactful projects in northeastern Pennsylvania history!” The salutatorian of the class of 1964 at Dickson City High School, Goodrich continued her education at Lackawanna Junior College. In 1965, she graduated with honors and a diploma in the Executive Secretarial Course. An avid learner, Goodrich completed the United States Chamber of Commerce Institute for Organization Management certificate program for Chamber of Commerce Management in 1995 and the 12-week Dale Carnegie program in 2000. “Little did I know when Hoyle Seeley, President of Lackawanna Junior College, sent me to interview at the Chamber of Commerce that it would become my “home” for over 58 years,” Goodrich said. “I will certainly miss it, but new experiences await.” A lifelong supporter of the Girl Scouts, Goodrich served as a troop leader for 30 years. She has also held committee and board positions with Girl Scouts in the Heart of Pennsylvania and its predecessor, Girl Scouts Scranton Pocono Council. Goodrich served on the Board of the Anthracite Heritage Museum Associates for several years. She also volunteered for the Holiday Express at the Steamtown National Historic Site from 2001–2014. Named “Volunteer of the Year” in 2013 for her work at the Anthracite Heritage Museum and Scranton Iron Furnaces, Goodrich received numerous awards from the Girl Scouts, including “Woman of Distinction” in 2001. She was featured in the Scranton Times-Tribune for “Northeast Woman” in 1992 and again in 2021, and she received a Certificate of Recognition—the Roseann Smith Alperin Award in 2008. Goodrich is a member of the Dickson City Primitive Methodist Church and has volunteered her time for its adult Sunday school classes since 2002. She was also a member of the church’s Ladies Aid Society and has served as a member of the church’s board of trustees and the assistant Sunday school superintendent. In honor of her contributions to the Girl Scouts and Camp Archbald, a tribute gift will be made in Goodrich’s honor to support revitalization efforts at Camp Archbald.
