JUNE 2015

Your
invited!
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2015
Sponsored by:
www.scrantonchamber.com

Whats going on at the Chamber

JUNE

255,964 SF
Attached Parking
Garage

Member Welcome

Make Your Membership Count

Learn how the Chamber can help you

Attend a breakfast or lunch presentation

Availble for
Lease or Sale
KIZ Approved
Downtown Scranton

Wednesday,
June 17, 2015

119 Wyoming Avenue

5:00pm - 8:00pm

MetroTech Center, Scranton, PA

Genetti Manor
1505 Main Street
Dickson City, PA

36,400 SF office
space available
On-site parking
Downtown Scranton

C O M M I T T I N G TO O U R C O M M U N I T Y

Business Incubator
Suites available
KIZ approved

Celebration of Leadership

201 Lackawanna Avenue

Thursday, June 25, 2015 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Hilton Scranton & Conference Center

Scranton Enterprise Center, Scranton, PA

45,249 SF
Parking for 220+
Incubator suites
30,000 SF Anchor
Tenant space
Tax free through
12/31/2020

Chamber day at the

WATERPARK
Friday, June 26, 2015

KIZ approved

12:00pm, Wednesday May 20, 2015

JUNE 5 JUNE 17 JUNE 25 JUNE 26

222 Mulberry Street

P.O. Box 431
Scranton, PA 18501

50 Alberigi Drive

TekRidge Center, Jessup, Pa

570-342-7711

scrantonplan.com

1 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

Front Cover: Governor Tom Wolf. Photo courtesy of Michael Japhy Creative
*All other photos courtesy of those featured unless otherwise noted.

Chamber

Happenings
Former Chamber president

Austin Burke

receives plaque
honoring his years of
service at the Chamber!

One year anniversary

celebration and
card exchange at

Electric City Kia

Mayor Courtright
presents his State of City
address at the Chamber

2 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

www.scrantonchamber.com 2

DESIGN-A-CARD.ORG
50 Alberigi Drive, Suite 100
Jessup, PA 18434
www.designacard.org
Member since 2015
Co-founded by serial entrepreneurs
James OLeary, current president of
the National Youth Council of Ireland,
and Drew Breuninger whose successful
ventures range from apparel to liveentertainment, Design-a-Card.org was
started to provide schools with a no-cost,
fun, and easy way to fundraise. We spoke
to Drew about his exciting new venture.
Tell us a little bit about your
professional background?

I attended Babson, a college near Boston,

and focused on finance. I started a
clothing company during my sophomore
year and sold it in the spring of my senior
year. After graduation, I dove into the
finance field and ended up not enjoying
the work and the long hours nearly
as much as I enjoyed running my own
business. I realized I would enjoy working
as an entrepreneur more. I developed
a live-entertainment crowdfunding
platform, which I still own.
Late last year, a family friend James
OLeary reached out to me about a
project he was operating in Ireland similar
to what Design-a-Card.org is now. After
a few conversations and a trip to Ireland,
we partnered to bring the concept to the
American market. We worked out many of
the problems the project had in Ireland,
but were still facing the headache of
running a start-up in America.
What element sets your business apart
from others in the fundraising industry?

What sets us apart is that we have so

many different facets to our platform.
3 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

With Design-a-Card.org, schools can

obviously raise funds for their school, but
we also offer scholarship contests for all
participating schools as well as provide
special holiday packs for sale on our site
that benefit local charitable organizations.
We maintain a great focus on the children
and the arts.
Art is important, especially to children,
because it helps students express
themselves and allows them to open up
and be more creative. Design-a-Card.org
provides a great opportunity for children
to be artistic, especially when schools get
such little funding for art programs.
Can you describe Design-a-Card.orgs
process from approaching schools to
distributing the cards?

Once a school registers with us, we

receive a list of students enrolled at the
school. We send the school our custom
canvases preprinted with a barcode
specific to each student along with the
students name, grade and school. The
students receive their respective canvas
and draw whatever they want on it. The
canvases are then sent back to us and
scanned into our proprietary system.
Next, we print out a sample card for each
student and send the samples back to the
school. Regardless of whether or not any
cards are ordered, the students get to
keep their sample cards. Usually seventyfive percent of students order the cards,
and the school has the ability to establish
their own selling price in order to utilize
our platform as a fundraiser.

Where do you see Design-a-Card.org

in 5 years?

We absolutely expect to greatly expand

the Design-a-Card.org business.
Currently, most local schools in
Northeastern Pennsylvania have signed
up with us. We already have many other
schools throughout the state registered
as well as schools outside of Pennsylvania.
The business expansion is happening
faster than we anticipated. By the end
of May, we exceeded the total business
that the Design-a-Card in Ireland has. In
five years, we plan on being a national
fundraising resource.
How has the Chambers business
incubator program at the TekRidge
Center helped your business?

Being located at the TekRidge center is

fantastic and has a lot of perks. There are
many networking opportunities, we get
to meet other people who are in other
start-up companies, and we also get to
share resources and technology. We also
have countless networking and marketing
programs afforded to us by The Chamber.
Each month, The Chamber highlights
a member business that is making
its mark in our community. To apply
for the Small Business Spotlight
award visit scrantonchamber.com.
The Small Business Spotlight award is
sponsored by:

On April 24th, Governor Wolf met with businesses

who are part of the Chambers business incubator
program at the TekRidge Center in Jessup. He
discussed workforce development and rebuilding
the middle class.

To rebuild the middle class, we need new

ideas to create jobs that pay and policies
that support our manufacturing and
new growth industries, Governor Wolf
said. Coming from the private sector, I
know we must make new investments in
21st century manufacturing and refocus
our economic development dollars and
strategies. The status-quo is no longer
acceptable. The commonwealth can help
set the table for robust private sector
growth to create and retain good jobs
while strengthening the middle class.

4 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

Photography by Japhy Creative

Powered by Lackawanna County is a joint economic development initiative

led by The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Lackawanna County
designed to make it easier to access services to help grow your business,
right here in Lackawanna County.
Lackawanna County is home to a host of business development organizations
that provide a wide array of support services to help budding and growing
businesses. This initiative seeks to strengthen the communications and
interconnectedness between and among those entities; Establish a gateway
to such resources for those looking to start or expand a business, and show
that Lackawanna County is one of the best places to start, expand or relocate
a business.
This site introduces you to a range of business development tools including:
loan programs, tax incentives, business plan support, educational resources,
venture capital, technical support, networking opportunities and more.

Get started now at

poweredbylackawanna.org

5 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

COMMITTING
TO O U R
COMMUNITY
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
5:00pm - 8:00pm

Genetti Manor
1505 Main Street Dickson City, PA

Featuring Keynote Address by

David Abrams

Chairman and Owner, Keemotion

Co-Managing Owner, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

David Abrams is an entrepreneur,

executive and the Co-Managing
Owner of the AAA-Affiliate of the
New York Yankees, the Scranton/
Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. David is also
the Chairman and majority owner of
Keemotion, a sports production and
content management company that
uses patented technology for the
autonomous production of sporting
events.

New York. From 2004 through 2007,

he founded and was the Head of
the Specialty Finance Investment
business which included investing
in NPL portfolios and distressed
assets. From 1996 through 2004,
David was a founding member and
Co-Head the Global Distressed Sales
and Trading Group at Credit Suisse
(and its predecessor Donaldson,
Lufkin & Jenrette, Inc.). David began
his career in 1989 as an analyst in
the Investment Banking Division
of Bear, Stearns & Co. and then as
an associate/vice president at the
Argosy Group, a boutique corporate
restructuring firm.

education for disadvantaged Israeli

children to improve their quality
of life; The Winchester Project, a
London based community center
providing after school programs
for children and services for their
families; Right to Play, a global
organization which uses sport
and play to help improve the lives
of children in some of the most
disadvantaged areas in the world;
Community Security Trust which
provides security, training and advice
against anti-Semitism in Britain; and
the Kristen Ann Car Fund, which
provides funding for the treatment
of sarcoma and support to families
whose lives are affected by cancer.
David graduated cum laude with a
BS in Economics from the University
of Pennsylvanias Wharton School of
Business in 1989.

C O M M I T T I N G TO O U R C O M M U N I T Y

David is a retired partner from Apollo

Management, a firm he joined in
2007. While at Apollo, he founded
and was the Managing Partner of the
Apollo European Principal Finance
Funds (Apollo EPF). Apollo EPF is a
leading European distressed debt
fund with more than 4 billion of
assets under management from
leading institutional investors
globally, primarily raised by Mr.
Abrams. From 1996 through 2007,
David was a Managing Director in
the Leveraged Finance Group of
Credit Suisse, based in London and

David is currently a member of the

Board of Directors of Norwegian
Cruise Lines, the 3rd largest operator
of cruise ships in the world and a
member of the Board of Trustees of
the American School of London.
David and his family are involved
in a wide range of charitable
organizations including: The Youth
Renewal Fund, which provides

David is a dual United States and

United Kingdom citizen.

Business Attire $100 per ticket Tables of 10 available

Reservations can be made online at scrantonchamber.com

6 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

TOMORROWS

LEADERS

TODAY

Youth Leadership
Class of 2015
Graduates
The Leadership Lackawanna
teen program, Tomorrows
Leaders Today, met on
Thursday, May 21, 2015
at Lackawanna College in
Scranton, for their Graduation
Recognition Ceremony.

Front Row, left to right:

Lindsay Jones- Lakeland Jr./Sr. High School
Mollie Salitsky - Carbondale Area Jr./Sr. High School
Alexandra Mosomillo - Western Wayne High School
Jillian Weston - Western Wayne High School
Vanessa Grzyboski - Riverside Jr./Sr. High School
Maren Lindemuth - Dunmore High School
Emily Sheehan - Dunmore High School
Nina Mucciolo - Holy Cross High School
Savannah M. Lloyd - Riverside Jr./Sr. High School
Quinn Hemphill - Scranton High School
Olivia Klein - Holy Cross High School
Morgann A. Williams - Riverside Jr./Sr. High School

Leadership Lackawannas
seven-month Tomorrows
Leaders Today program
develops the leadership,
interpersonal and managerial
skills of high school juniors and
provides real-world experiences
in the areas of philanthropy, nonprofit organizations and community
service.
In addition to the skills learned and
topics explored, the opportunities
and challenges of northeastern
Pennsylvania were discussed
as participants networked with
community leaders and other high
school students.Sessions were held
one full weekday each month.

Leadership Lackawannas
Tomorrows Leaders Today
Program accepts applications from
juniors who attend high school
in Lackawanna County or in the
Lackawanna Trail and Western
Wayne school districts.

Second Row:
Amanda Kinback - Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School
Wynn Phillips - Lackawanna Trail Jr./Sr. High School
Raeva Mulloth - Abington Heights High School
Kristen Davis - Scranton Preparatory School
Emily B. Jonsson - Scranton Preparatory School
Kathryn Bound - Old Forge High School
Douglas Gerichten - Valley View High School
Kyle Thorpe - Western Wayne High School
Daniel Sallurday - West Scranton High School
Matthew Kelly - North Pocono High School
Samuel Egan - West Scranton High School

Leadership Lackawanna is
northeastern Pennsylvanias
premier leadership development
organization. Its three programs
Core, Executive, and Tomorrows
Leaders Today enhance
the skills and knowledge of
emerging citizens and advanced
professionals, enabling them to
better serve in their organization
and communities.
Established in 1982 under
the guidance of The Greater
Scranton Chamber of Commerce,
Leadership Lackawanna has
graduated more than 1,900
community leaders. To learn more,
go to www.leadershiplackawanna.
com or call (570)342-7711.

Back row standing:

Jacob Ostrowski - North Pocono High School
Kailey Gearhart - Abington Heights High School
Cody R. Calabro - Carbondale Area Jr./Sr. High School
Allison Aronica - Dunmore High School
James Lipko - Scranton Preparatory School
John Roberts - Old Forge High School
Brian A. Martin - West Scranton High School
Kevin McConlogue, Jr. - Scranton High School
Ethan Himka - Summit Christian Academy

Absent from photo: Clare Sebastianelli - Valley View High School & Zachary Spangenberg - Abington Heights High School
7 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

JUNE
June 2 6:00 - 7:30 PM

THE ENCHANTED WORLD OF

DRAGON FLIES AND DAMSELFLIES

Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center

Naturalist Rick Koval has found and verified over 115

species in our region. Join Rick on a hike through
the fields and around the marsh in search of these
fascinating creatures. Participants will learn how
to identify dragonflies and damselflies and about
the important role these ancient insects have in our
ecosystems. Get an up-close opportunity to observe
their amazing colors and patterns! Please wear sturdy
shoes and dress for the weather. Geared to all ages.
$5 per person. Pre-registration is required.
For more information or to register,
contact Lackawanna College Environmental Education
Center at 570-842-1506.

June 19 - 21 7:30 PM

CABARET

Scranton Cultural Center

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple

and its New York-based resident theatre company REV
Theatre Company will present the musical comedy
Cabaret. Recently revived on Broadway, the show is
packed with familiar musical numbers, riotous jokes
and poignant drama. A truly immersive experience will
be creative, just like the original Donmar Warehouse
production in London and Broadway revival at Studio
54. Shopland Hall will be reinvented into a 1930s
Berlin nightclub, with the audience seated at tables
amidst all of the action. Come to the Cabaret and leave
your troubles behind.

June 25 5:30 PM

LEADERSHIP LACKAWANNAS
CELEBRATION OF LEADERSHIP 2015
Hilton Scranton & Conference Center

This event pays tribute to the leadership of our area

and highlight achievements from the past year.
It also honors theLeadership Lackawanna Core
Program Class of 2015, our 33rd graduating class.

8 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

Chamber Member Events

16

19

25

29

June 8 9:00 AM

7TH ANNUAL TCMC GOLF CLASSIC

Glenmaura National Golf Club

The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) will

host its annual golf tournament at Glenmaura
National Golf Club in Moosic. All proceeds will
benefit the TCMC student scholarship fund.

June 16 5:30 PM

JEWISH FAMILY SERVICE OF NEPA

100TH ANNUAL MEETING
The Colonnade

Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania

(JFS) has been there as a local human service
organization serving both the Jewish and the
broader community for 100 years, helping people
with real needs who need real support. In 1915
concerned leaders in our community organized
to coordinate the relief activities of all service
organizations in existence in the Jewish community
at the time and established an organization whose
mission was of a philanthropic and charitable
purpose. Today hundreds of people turn to JFS every
year to achieve well-being, health and stability.
Join us as we celebrate the first 100 years of Jewish
Family Service and be a part of the beginning of the
next 100 years. There is an $18 cover for the event,
with light fare and cash bar.

June 29 - July 3 9:00 AM

A CLOSER LOOK DAY CAMP

SESSION 1
Lackawanna College
Environmental Education Center

For ages 5 and 6. This discovery based camp

nurtures childrens curiosity, wonder and creativity.
Using the natural world as a catalyst for growth and
development, children will develop connections
to Earth by engaging in first hand experiences
with plants and animals. Session 1 is scheduled
from 9 am to noon June 29 to July 3. Session 2 is
scheduled from 9 am to noon July 6 to July 10.
Session 3 is scheduled from 1 pm to 4 pm July 6
to July 10. Camp is $70 per camper. Registration is
required and space is limited.

MemberNews
Announcements

First National Community Bank (FNCB), locally based for over 100 years, recently recognized 17
employees with 10 or more years of service during a luncheon at Glenmaura Country Club, Moosic.
These seventeen individuals have a combined 260 years of dedicated service to FNCB and
the northeastern Pennsylvania community, said Donald Ryan, Senior Vice President, Human
Resources Officer. We are honored to recognize their accomplishment and their role in making
FNCB simply a better bank.
The following employees were honored at the event:
25 years of service:
Joseph Castrogiovanni
(Commercial Lending)
Christine Dench (Retail Banking).
20 years of service:
John Brudnicki (Facilities)
Lisa Kinney (Retail Lending)
Christopher Kunz (Technology Services)

9 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

15 years of service:
Katie Burrell (Credit)
Jennifer Grullon (Retail Administration),
Leigh Ann Nelson (Retail Banking),
Maribeth Nihen (Indirect Lending),
Rosemarie Stanziale (Retail Banking)
Theresa Verdon (Finance)

10 years of service:
Jeff Cosmark (Mortgage Processing)
Marybeth Demko (Commercial Lending)
Deborah Diehl (Mortgage Processing)
Shayna Shramko (Retail Banking)
Dorothy Smith (Finance)
Colleen Sweeney (Retail Banking)

Tobyhanna Army (TYAD)

Depot plans to conduct an
Industry Day to both small
and large business. The
event will take place at the
Tobyhanna Army Depot
June 9 - 10 2015. Attendees
will receive briefings on
TYADs capabilities, Public to
Private Partnering, upcoming
contracting opportunities
and TYADs small business
contracting goals.

Ttohank
You
our sponsors
Electric City Kia for Sponsoring
a Business Card Exchange
The Radisson Lackawanna Station
for Sponsoring the Womens
Network Luncheon
Summit University for sponsoring
Leadership Lackawanna Core
Program Session 10.
Prudential, Peoples Security Bank
and Trust, Maximus Foundation,
Allied Services, M&T Bank,
Chamberlin and Reinheimer
Insurers, Fortis Institute, Quadrant
EPP, for sponsoring Leadership
Lackawannas Celebration of
Leadership

Welcome
new members
Allied Glass Industries, Inc.
Coordinated Health
Cummings Insurance Agency
DogWatch of the
Endless Mountains
Equilibrium Yoga &
Wellness Center
The Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHV) will
hold a kickoff event to celebrate the beginning of the Bike Scranton program
on Friday, May 15, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. The event will be held at the Lackawanna
Heritage Valley offices at 213 South 7th Avenue in Scranton PA 18505.
10 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce

Advertorial

11 The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce