Chamber Spotlight

Kirsten talks to Audrey Krupiak, Digital Marketing Coordinator for GRCA. Just because we are home doesn’t mean we can’t introduce you to our staff and members! Excuse the Zoom but we want you to meet Audrey Krupiak!

Kendra Cook, the Curator at the Boyertown Museum of History joins GRCA’s Director of Membership, Kristen Haas to talk about the mission and goals from Boyertown’s Museum of History! They have loads of amazing vehicles built in Pennsylvania to show and teach the history of Pennsylvania and Berks County! If you want to see the history of vehicles and learn about them too, come to the Boyertown's Museum of History, you’ll see dozens and dozens of retro vehicles!

Sara Frassinelli, Director of Marketing at Spherion joins Kirsten Haas, Director of Membership of GRCA to talk about Spherion Staffing and how they work alongside their clients to find the right place for you! Spherion loves to give back to the community and they recently donated 10K to a charity to celebrate their 10th anniversary! Sara is very passionate about her work and loves to give back to the Berks County area!

Kirsten Haas of the Director of Membership at Greater Reading Chamber Alliance sits down with Caroline Krick, Vice President of Operations at the Vision Resource Center of Berks. They discuss how the company was created and what they provide for the Berks County residents.

Kirsten Haas of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance sits down with her colleague Leah Fassnacht, Director of Communications and Marketing. They discuss what her role entails with the GRCA and how she came to Berks County from Northeast Ohio.

Kirsten Haas, Director of Membership Services of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance sits down with David Coyne, a Principal of Liberty Environmental, Inc. They discuss what Liberty Environmental is and what their objectives are.

Kirsten Haas, Director of Membership Services of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance sits down with Mark Mohn, President of the Reading-Berks Association of REALTORS®. They discuss what the role of a realtor really is, and what the association does with the Berks County area and what the future may bring in 2020.

Kirsten Haas, Director of Membership Services of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance sits down with Berks County Community Foundation President, Kevin Murphy. They discuss his role, what the Community Foundation does, and how it impacts the Berks County area.

Jeremy Zaborowski, Deputy Director at Berks County Industrial Development Authority, talks to Kirsten about the mission of Berks County IDA. Jeremy also shares why he loves Berks County and also states that by doing the work that he does he is giving back to the State that raised him!

David Farrar, General Manager of Reading Royals, Santander Arena and Santander Performing Arts Center, and Dakota Procyk, Assistant General Manager, Reading Royals talk to Kirsten about the experience the audience will receive by attending the games and what it's like to work for a local sports team that is all about community!!

What is the sole motivator that drives her passion? Kirsten asks Pam Shupp, Executive Vice President, and COO at Greater Reading Chamber Alliance, about her journey, her love of Berks County and also what drives her to work as hard as she does on behalf of this fantastic county.

What is the secret to Muhlenberg-Green Architects staying power? Kirsten Haas speaks to John Hill, Project Architect, Project Manager and Principal in Charge at Muhlenberg-Greene Architect about this and also why they were nominated for a Building Berks Awards! It's an interview about Community Impact!

Challenges, crisis, changing needs and support services - Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge's Amber Didden, V.P. of Strategic Initiatives and Rosemarie Sullivan-Sandman, Advancement Officer, talk to Kirsten Haas about the changes that Pennsylvania Adult and Teen Challenge have implemented in order to meet the ever-growing crises and needs of people dealing with addiction.

What drew Colleen Calcagni towards the business of counseling? Kirsten has a conversation with Colleen Calcagni, Reading Counseling Service, about the courage it took to create the center, the commitment it takes to create a positive work environment and the challenges she has faced in starting this business!

Meet Hank Stenson, Store Manager, Martin's Flooring. Martin's Flooring sells window treatments too? Yes they do! It's not just product that is diversified but it is their services too! Listen as Kirsten talks to Hank about windows, floors and cleaning too!

Deb believes she has the best job in the world! Deb Heffner is GRCA's Business Outreach Director, and in this episode, Deb gives an update about the 2019 Building Berks Awards! Awards will be presented to projects nominated in categories such as: Agriculture, Education, Entertainment/Tourism, Green, Health-Related, Historic Preservation, Housing, Manufacturing, Mixed-Use, Non-Profit, Office, Restaurant+Bar, and Retail. Celebrating the great development and construction in Berks County!

Landon Bernheiser has been with Greater Reading Chamber Alliance for a little over one year. In his role of Director of #RealEstate and Special Projects, he gets to support what he calls his destiny - the "land" business. Find out what makes Landon tick in this episode of #ChamberSpotlight!

Michele Linder, Community Outreach Coordinator at Precision Health Care, speaks to Kirsten Haas about giving care the way it needs to be given. Heart open, motivating and engaging are the fundamentals needed for excellence of care to be given. Listen to Michele describe this culture in this episode of Chamber Spotlight.

Are there similarities between Business and Family Law? What is it about Berks County that promotes family businesses? Kirsten Haas has a conversation with Nikolas Capitano, Esquire, about these issues and more in this episode of Chamber Spotlight!

Kirsten Haas speaks to Dr. Jim Smith, Development Director and Steve Myers, Director of Social Enterprise of the Hope Rescue Mission. The Mission has been going strong for 125 years and can serve from 150 - 200 men per night. Kirsten speaks to Jim and Steve about the progress and future opportunities for The Hope Rescue Mission, including a 2 million dollar renovation and beginning a women's ministry.

James Sarro, Project Architect with Muhlenberg Greene Architects. Jim talks to Kirsten about a specific project in downtown Reading and how they needed to take a turn of the century building and restore it to a modern, usable state while maintaining the historical character of the building. Significant improvements for Downtown Reading!

Kirsten Hass, Director of Member Services, interviews one of the GRCA's very own. Meet Derek Harris, Data and Research Specialist for GRCA. How does a Political Science Major end up at GRCA as a Data and Research Specialist? Find out the answer to that and also how Derek's job is critical to investors and/or companies that are looking to grow or move here to Berks County!

Kirsten Haas, Director of Member Services, interviews another one of GRCA's
shining stars! Shanon served for four years in the Navy, worked in
Management in the baking industry and now is working for GRCA. Listen to
her journey here on this latest episode of Chamber Spotlight!

Kirsten Haas, Director of Member Services speaks to Mary Jean Noon, Vice President and Principal Relationship Manager and Alyssa Conahan, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo. Kirsten asks the question - "What do you think is Wells Fargo's role in Berks County?" Mary Jean answers that question - "It's about making Berks County a better place to live." Find out how Wells Fargo contributes to making Berks County a better place to live in this episode of Chamber Spotlight!

Are members using their membership to the fullest? They do when Missy's in charge! Kirsten Haas speaks to Missy Hassler, Member Specialist for GRCA about her responsibilities around taking care of their members. Missy also has a birthday on St. Patrick's day so Kirsten ends the interview with a fun rapid round of all things St. Patrick's Day! A fun interview with a great team member of GRCA!

Kirsten Haas speaks to Lizette Epps, CEO, and Founder of Breadth of Hope, a career navigation and coaching firm about how she is passionate about helping people make their way to success. Lizette shares the challenges and successes of starting a new business but believes that as long as you maintain your confidence all will work out! Sharing her story to help you with yours. Another great Chamber Spotlight!

Did you know that every two seconds someone needs blood? Qiana Cressman, Director of Membership, for Miller-Keystone Blood Center, speaks to Kirsten Haas about what it takes to be the sole provider to 22 hospitals in our community. Miller-Keystone Blood Centers rely on 450 donors daily to meet hospital demands. This is their Chamber Spotlight.

Kirsten Haas - Director of Membership, talks to Jason about the challenges of growing a market and building a brand from scratch. Jason's advise - put character first, the rest will happen.

Changing the face of animal welfare. Karen Marsdale talks to Lindsay and Lauren about the mission of Humane PA and how they are providing education and resources to help break down the reasons most pets are brought to shelter.

Karen Marsdale speaks to Peggy Kershner, Co-Executive Director Berks Connections Pretrial Services. Did you know that there are 10,000 individuals in county or state parole supervision? We help these individuals to have second chances and provide productive opportunities for them to succeed. Re-entry work with an emphasis on workforce development is where a majority of our resources are spent. Life Improvement Business is what we do! (thank you to Eric Savage for the permission to use your tag line!).

"Learning and listening to our customers are the keys to success!" - Sarah Hunter-Lascoskie, Director of Communications and Marketing, GRCA. Karen Marsdale talks to GRCA's Sarah about her journey with GRCA. Sarah talks about how important it is to keep the recipe of communication clean and simple - if you know your audience and listen to your audience - then trust the process!

Kirsten Haas, Director Of Membership Services, speaks to Andy Bachert, GM of Raser Industries. The conversation revolves around the question - How can we share our trade and devices in order to be successful in the County? It's more about collaboration and sharing not keeping trade secrets anymore! Encouraging Berks County to reach out to network and do business together!

Kirsten Haas, Director Of Membership Services, takes over the hosting chair this week and interviews Deb Heffner, Director of Business Outreach for the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. Deb shares her journey with Kirsten and makes it very clear that the work she does, and the work she has done in the past is all about helping the community. Deb also talks about Building Berks, the GRCA's new signature events!

Ed Hipp’s journey into the food industry began modestly in 1965 when he started working in a Philadelphia meat-processing plant. After 6 years of learning the complexities of the industry, he decided to venture out on his own and opened a supermarket in 1971. Meeting with several years of marginal success, he then decided to parlay his growing knowledge of the food business into developing his own products. He shares his journey and passion with Karen in this wonderful story of perseverance and success!

Kryn speaks to Karen about the importance of creating a diverse setting for employees to foster innovation and how they strive to break down the perceptions around mental health continually. A significant interview brought to you by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance!

Randy talks to Karen about the progress of the last two years, the focus on the six strategic themes and the 2019 Total Berks Economic Development Initiative. GRCA is building collaboration and connections all through Berks County!

Ensuring that businesses have all they need to thrive and grow! Karen Marsdale talks to Mark Dolinski about his role in helping GRCA grow your business by growing your talent. It's all about transforming your people to be the best they can be!

"Learning starts with the first conversation." - Abigail Mirarchi. Abigal talks to Karen about how her company dives deep to understand the needs to their customers. Abigail encourages all of us to start the conversation about workplace learning!

Tom Wentling, Owner of Advanced Screeners of America, employment and tenant screening, talks to Karen about how companies today can customize their screening needs based on what is best for their company. One process of screening does not fit all companies. It's all about minimizing risk!

Kirsten talks about her background, her experience and her journey that lead her to her new position of Director of Member Services for GRCA!

Ginelle speaks to Karen Marsdale about the opportunities for employment and second chances that Abraxas Academy provides to people looking for work. Ginelle also talks about the company's culture which is a magnet for talent attraction!

Bringing all of our assets together! One vision and common ground moving forward. Feeling the pride of where we live! These are the topics of conversation that Aaron Gantz discusses with Karen Marsdale - it's all about great opportunities!

Workforce Development and Business English instruction programs are the topics of conversation in today's episode. Ryan Breisch talks to Karen Marsdale about how the Literacy Council of Reading-Berks is keeping up with the changing workforce in order to help people be successful!

Reading Dermatology and Elegance Derma Spa - Growing to meet the needs of our community! Amy Hendrix speaks to Karen about the exciting new happenings her business has experienced as they grow to meet the community needs.

Junior League Celebrates the 95th Anniversary! Karen Marsdale, speaks to Alyssa Conahan, Special Events Committee Co-Chair about the Junior League of Reading's 95th anniversary and their continued work around women building better communities!

Ellen Albright discusses K-12 programs to prep students for a direction upon graduation, local companies’ workforce needs, as well as talent retainment and attraction.

Stephanie Schreiber discusses the start of Appeeling Fruit, joining the business from another field and the importance of company culture.

Sudha Allitt discusses healing through yoga, how she and her husband ended up in Berks and the importance of connecting with the community.