Lizette Epps has been named the new board chairwoman of Tec Centro Berks which consists of nine diverse and influential leaders who aim to drive the mission and vision of the organization which provides community-based bilingual workforce development to serve those that are unemployed and underemployed.
Epps has dedicated her career to the fields of procurement, credit union development, and nonprofit management. She currently serves as executive director of financial services & internal operations at Alvernia University's O'Pake Institute. With her expertise and passion, she has made a significant impact in promoting financial empowerment and social change.
As a Certified Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), Epps has played a pivotal role in advancing the mission of credit unions and fostering financial inclusivity. Through her extensive knowledge and experience, she has worked to establish and strengthen credit unions in various communities, providing accessible and sustainable financial services to underserved populations. Epp's advocacy and dedication have empowered individuals and communities to overcome financial challenges and achieve economic stability.
In addition to her contributions in credit union development, Epps is a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) who excels in nonprofit management. Her strategic insights and expertise have helped numerous nonprofit organizations maximize their impact and create positive change.
Epps' 28-years of business expertise and dedication to historically underserved communities have made a significant impact on the lives of individuals and communities, as she continues to drive positive change across the region.
Chester County Economic Development Council
The Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) announces new leadership for AgConnect, which specializes in connecting farmers and agribusinesses with the resources, training and financing needed to grow their business in southeastern Pennsylvania. Jordan Peek has been named AgConnect Project Manager.
With more than a decade of experience in food management and workforce development at Aramark and Compass Group, two of the nation's leading food service companies, Peek brings a unique combination of skills to AgConnect and the businesses it serves at a critical time.
In her new position, Peek will collaborate with former AgConnect Project Director Jodi Gauker, who is overseeing CCEDC's implementation of Chester County's recently announced Agricultural Economic Strategic Plan.
One of Peek's major goals for AgConnect is to inspire workforce professionals to include agriculture in their hiring efforts by increasing awareness among hiring entities and workforce professionals of the array of career paths that fall under the "ag" umbrella. She'll lead AgConnect's partnership with PA CareerLink offices across several counties while supporting agricultural workers and youth career development experiences across industries including manufacturing. Peek is also managing Next Generation Farmer Loans, which connect first-time farmers to low-interest loan opportunities.
In Chester County, farmland generates more than $600 million in revenue annually. 1,730 farms operate in Chester County, most of which are family-owned businesses.
Austin Hardware & Supply Inc.
Austin Hardware & Supply Inc. has announced that Allen White has accepted the position of regional key account manager for the states of Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.
In his role, White will be responsible for sales and account growth in his southeastern territory for the company's full product line. He has more than 10 years of experience in a similar role with Fastenal.
White, who resides in Florida, served 3 1/2 years of active duty in the U.S. Army with one deployment to Iraq and the remainder of his enlisted seven years with the Florida National Guard.
Saxton & Stump
Saxton & Stump has welcomed Attorney Sonya Kivisto as the trucking and commercial transportation group continues to expand.
In 2022, Saxton & Stump brought on Marcello & Kivisto, a Cumberland County-based boutique firm specializing in trucking and transportation law and a firm co-founded by Kivisto. While she did not join the former firm's other co-founder, shareholder Doug Marcello, in the move to Saxton & Stump, she will now work out of the firm's Harrisburg office in transportation law, including litigation, regulatory, transactional, and licensing matters.
Kivisto has spent the last year as the litigation director for the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, overseeing all aspects of litigation for county and county-related entities. Prior to that, she worked at Marcello and Kivisto from 2005 to 2022.
Kivisto has held a board position with the Women in Trucking Foundation, a leadership position with the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, and is a former board member of the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County. She graduated cum laude from the Penn State Dickinson School of Law.
Barley Snyder
Attorney Nichole L. Eisenhart has recently joined Barley Snyder in the firm's Lebanon office.
With nearly 20 years of legal experience, Eisenhart brings a wealth of knowledge to the firm. She worked at the Lebanon County District Attorney's Office for 17 years, most recently serving as First Assistant District Attorney. Her time working in the public sector has provided her with a unique perspective of the law in addition to extensive trial experience. At Barley Snyder, Eisenhart will focus her practice on the areas of trusts & estates and litigation.
During her tenure at the District Attorney's Office, Eisenhart's leadership and legal acumen were highly regarded, receiving the 2016 Outstanding Prosecutor Award from the Pennsylvania Narcotic Officers' Association and the 2018 Award for Outstanding Trial Advocacy from the Department of Justice. She is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, and she obtained her bachelor's degree from the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
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