Tower Health
Tower Health executive and educator Dr. Wei Du was awarded the prestigious Paul J. Fink Leadership Award from the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Society and was also named as a Lehigh Valley Business ICON Honoree.
The Paul J. Fink Leadership Award is presented to a Philadelphia Chapter member who demonstrates psychiatric leadership through education, research, community engagement, and advocacy for all mental health consumers.
The Lehigh Valley Business ICON Award recognizes Greater Lehigh Valley business leaders over the age of 60 who have left an indelible mark on their fields and whose integrity, vision, and selfless service have lifted up the community.
At Tower Health, Du serves as senior vice president, academic affairs, chief academic officer, designated institutional official, and medical director for behavioral health services. He also serves as a professor and Academic Chair of Psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine.
Reading & Northern Railroad
Reading & Northern Railroad has announced the promotions of two employees — Jennifer Frederickson and Meg Pursel.
Jennifer Frederickson, who started her Reading & Northern career in 2018 as a mascot at the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway, has been promoted to Director of passenger Marketing, Retail, and Community Development. Frederickson creates all the eye-catching flyers, banners, rack cards, and numerous other promotional materials that help bring riders to our railroad. She also coordinates advertising campaigns with various media outlets; most notably with the Times News, whose readers voted the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway the number one tourist attraction in the region.
Frederickson also manages the Black Diamond Company Store, which returned after a years-long absence in 2023. The store now has a fully functional online platform as well as a physical location at our Nesquehoning Campus. Frederickson works with her fellow passenger department managers to continuously expand the selection of railroad-related merchandise available both online and in person.
Meg Pursel was hired in January 2020 as a part-time receptionist. She has since been promoted to AVP-Passenger Special Projects, OCS, and Special Excursions. During her time as a receptionist, she was still running her family business of over 30 years; managing the advertising, sales, financing, ordering, and restoration of horse trailers with elite living quarters.
In a conversation with Therman Madeira, Pursel inquired about the restoration of passenger cars. Together with Madeira’s and Matt Fisher’s supervision they created and developed the Paint Department with full-time employees and a restoration shop to call their own. As Paint Department manager, Pursel’s duties included overseeing the maintenance and restoration of new and existing private cars, the passenger fleet, and painting of the locomotives.
Her experience in customer relations proved valuable in managing the Office Car Special excursions and private trips. Madeira has retired but continues to advise Pursel on special projects, which covers anything from painting buildings throughout our railroad properties to developing plans for various projects here and in Nebraska at Moon Lake Ranch.
Both Pursel and Frederickson work closely with directors Jeff Knadler, Josh Cascarella, and Tim Wright; along with Paint Department manager Zach Frye, to ensure that all of the railroad’s scenic passenger operations are run smoothly.
Helping Harvest
Helping Harvest has announced the recent election of Robert Firely to its board of directors. Firely is a respected community leader with a strong background in financial management and public service. He has more than 35 years of financial services experience, previously serving as a senior vice president of Murphy McCormack Capital Advisors in Lewisburg, and chief financial officer and chief administrative officer of Triose Inc., in Wyomissing. Prior to joining Triose, Bob was a partner at Herbein + Co. in Wyomissing.
Firely is a certified public accountant and certified global management accountant and is active in community and civic activities. He previously served as president of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, chairman of the board of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on several community and civic boards, including the United Way of Berks County, the Berks County Industrial Development Authority, and Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center.
Firely has built a distinguished career, advising both private and nonprofit organizations on strategic financial planning. His deep-rooted commitment to community development aligns with Helping Harvest’s vision of ensuring access to nutritious food for all members of the community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bob to the Helping Harvest family,” said Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest. “His financial acumen and dedication to our community make him an excellent addition to our board as we continue our efforts to provide food assistance and reduce hunger across our region.”
Firely is a graduate of Penn State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University Park campus.
Barley Snyder
Barley Snyder has announced the hiring of attorney Kimberly A. Kipnis, who recently joined the firm’s York office.
Kipnis brings significant experience to the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. She comes to Barley Snyder from a small law firm in York where she focused her litigation practice in a variety of areas including insurance defense and civil litigation.
Prior to moving to private practice, Kipnis served as senior deputy prosecutor for the York County District Attorney’s Office where she managed one of the office’s general trial teams. In this role, she gained extensive litigation experience handling numerous jury trials that resulted in convictions for the Commonwealth. Kipnis began her legal career working as a law clerk for the Honorable Joseph C. Adams in the York County Court of Common Pleas.
Kipnis received her undergraduate degree from Pennsylvania State University majoring in political science with a minor in sociology and world literature. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law.
Barley Snyder Partner Justin A. Tomevi, based in the firm’s York office, said Kipnis’ dedication to client success and litigation background will “strengthen our capabilities and enhance our team dynamic.”
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Source: Berkshire mont