February 2026 Connections

GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

FEBRUARY 2026

Saturday, February 21 at Wind Creek Bethlehem!

This years beneficiary is:

See Pg. 4 for more information.

The Chamber Foundation is celebrating 40 Years!

Please text to give $40!

Text MAINST40 to 44-321 or scan the QR code to donate!

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 1

CHAMBER STAFF DIRECTORY President & CEO Tony Iannelli.................................610-739-1513 President & Chief Executive Officer tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org Assistant to the President, Chamber Foundation, Nonprofit & Business Partners Council & HR Lorie Reinert.................................610-739-1597 Executive Director, Chamber Foundation and Nonprofit & Business Partners Council Liaison lorier@lehighvalleychamber.org Shelley Maley .............................610-663-0585 HR Manager shelleym@lehighvalleychamber.org Member Relations, Marketing & Sales Frank Facchiano..........................610-739-1515 Chief Operations Officer, EVP, Member Relations frankf@lehighvalleychamber.org Gina Martens................................610-739-1511 Senior VP, Member Relations ginam@lehighvalleychamber.org Alison Pickel.................................610-739-1512 Senior VP, Member Relations, Veterans & Military Council alisonp@lehighvalleychamber.org Paige Nicholas ...........................610-737-0565 VP, Major Events & Small Business Council Liaison paigen@lehighvalleychamber.org Ellie Andino...................................610-739-1000 Director, Communications & Design elliea@lehighvalleychamber.org Bailey Muhl...................................610-349-9776 Member Relations Manager baileym@lehighvalleychamber.org Joseph Groves..............................610-349-8226 Chamber Health Marketplace benefits@thechamberhealthmarketplace.com Public Policy/External Affairs & Business Matters Denise Maiatico..........................610-730-4002 Vice President, Public Policy & External Affairs denisem@lehighvalleychamber.org Isabelle Jabbour..........................610-810-6412 Manager, Government & External Affairs isabellej@lehighvalleychamber.org Diversity Councils African American Business Leaders Council, Hispanic Chamber, LGBTQ Business Council, Women’s Business Council, Young Professionals Council Danielle Joseph...........................484-226-0128 Executive VP, Diversity Councils daniellej@lehighvalleychamber.org Brittany Keal.................................610-295-9824 Vice President, Diversity Councils brittanyk@lehighvalleychamber.org Hannah Stott................................484-668-0390 Manager, Diversity Councils hannahs@lehighvalleychamber.org Sabrina Olivo..............................484-547-8970 Manager, Diversity Councils sabrinao@lehighvalleychamber.org Chambers of Commerce Allentown Area Chamber & Downtown Allentown Business Alliance Brittney Ciardi ............................484-828-9765 Senior VP, Allentown Initiatives brittneyc@lehighvalleychamber.org Emily Brosky ...............................484-226-6323 Manager, Allentown Initiatives emilyb@lehighvalleychamber.org Liz Martin .....................................484-553-6834 Allentown Chamber Associate lizm@lehighvalleychamber.org Bethlehem Chamber & Downtown Bethlehem Association Tammy Wendling.......................610-739-1775 Senior VP, Bethlehem Initiatives tammyw@lehighvalleychamber.org Ty Versocki....................................610-739-3385 Manager, Downtown Bethlehem Association tyv@lehighvalleychamber.org

Evelyn Caron.................................610-810-7841 Assistant Manager, Downtown Bethlehem Association evelync@lehighvalleychamber.org Easton Area & Warren County Astrid Pena....................................484-264-6630 Manager, Easton Area Chamber & Warren County Council astridp@lehighvalleychamber.org Affiliated Chambers (East Penn, Emmaus Main Street Partners, Hellertown-Lower Saucon, Greater Northern Lehigh, Southern Lehigh, Western Lehigh, Whitehall, Nazareth Area, Greater Northampton Area) Jessica O’Donnell-Gower.......610-573-4010 Executive VP, Chambers of Commerce jessicao@lehighvalleychamber.org Caitlin Hamlin-Myers...............610-739-1520 AVP, Affiliated Chambers, Easton & Warren County Initiatives caitlinh@lehighvalleychamber.org Hayden Rinde ............................484-828-9777 AVP, Affiliated Chambers (EMSP, EPCC, SLCC, WACC & WLCC) haydenr@lehighvalleychamber.org Chloe Krempasky .....................610-739-1273 Manager, Affiliated Chambers (EMSP, EPCC, SLCC, WACC & WLCC) chloek@lehighvalleychamber.org Northern Tier (Carbon County and Pocono Area) Kylie Adams-Weiss ..................484-548-4090 SVP, Carbon Chamber & Economic Development kyliea@lehighvalleychamber.org Jared Soto .................................. 484-274-2080 Economic Development Specialist, CCEDC jsoto@carboncountychamber.org Emily Sewilo.................................484-943-9669 Program Coordinator, CCEDC esewilo@carboncountychamber.org Sarah Wallace...............................484-547-8551 Director, Pocono Chamber sarahw@lehighvalleychamber.org Sierra LeFurgy..............................610-295-9047 Assistant Manager, Pocono Chamber sierral@lehighvalleychamber.org Lindsey Dedics.............................484-280-3024 Coordinator, Pocono Chamber lindseyd@lehighvalleychamber.org Accounting & Billing Department Dawn Werkheiser.......................610-751-4980 Chief Financial Officer dawnw@lehighvalleychamber.org Tina Marte.....................................610-739-5422 VP, Finance & Quality Processes tinam@lehighvalleychamber.org Rose Caras.....................................610-739-1612 Finance & Database Manager rosec@lehighvalleychamber.org

CHAMBER BOARD OF GOVERNORS Laurie Hackett, Air Products Chair, The Chamber

Leading With Heart: The Power of Passionate Volunteers February is the month of love—and They create momentum. They turn while hearts and chocolates get most ideas into action. And in doing so, they of the attention, there’s another kind make our Chamber stronger, smarter, of love we see every single day at our and more connected.

Chamber: the kind that shows up early, stays late, raises a hand, and says, So here’s my February invitation to you: “How can I help?” I’m talking about our Chamber and community volunteers! · Take a look at our Chamber calendar.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce simply would not be what · Pick one event… or five. it is without the passion and enthusiasm our volunteers bring to everything · Join us when and where it works for they do. Whether it’s planning events, you. welcoming new members, mentoring young professionals, supporting small You don’t need to do everything…we businesses, or serving on committees just invite you to do something! Come and councils, our volunteers show up— to a networking event or sit in on a comconsistently, generously, and with sin- mittee meeting. Attend a program and cerity! Because of them, we are proud start a conversation because you never to be recognized as one of the Top 10 know where one Chamber connection Chambers in the country. That doesn’t can lead. In this season of love and pashappen by accident. It happens because sion, let’s celebrate the people who give people care deeply about the Greater their hearts to this organization—and Lehigh Valley community and choose to let’s welcome even more of you into the invest their time and talent in it. What experience! Because when we show up inspires me most is that our volunteers together, we don’t just grow businesses. don’t just participate—they belong.

They network. They build relationships. We grow community.

22nd SEASON! TUNE in Monday Nights at 7:30!

ONLY ON

Board of Governors Executive Committee Chair, Laurie Hackett, Air Products Tony Iannelli, The Chamber, President & CEO Vice Chair, Bret Ludlow, Liquid Treasurer, Donna LoStocco, First Commonwealth FCU Secretary, Marilyn Kelly-Cavotta, PA Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Counsel, Buddy Lesavoy, Lesavoy Butz & Seitz LLC Imm. Past Chair, Tom Groves, Equinox Paul Anthony, IBEW 375 Krista Berardelli, Agentis Plumbing Michael Butz, Alvin H. Butz, Inc. Luis Campos, City of Easton Lou Fromm, Fromm John Hayes, New Tripoli Bank Murtaza Jaffer, EBC Printing & Signs Kristin Keenan, Keenan-Nagle Advertising Andrew Lawler, Barry Isett & Associates Mary Lisicky, Morgan Stanley Sarah Finney-Miller, NAI Summit Tom Stoudt, LV International Airport

Proud suit sponsor of Business Matters

Designer/Editor/Layout/Sales: Ellie Andino, Communications Director, The Chamber • Articles: Chambers, Councils, Staff & Various Contributors • Printer: TN Printing

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Monday, February 2

Tuesday, February 17

11:30am-1pm - Behind the Cloud: Data Centers, Infrastructure, and Community Impact Webinar (Free Event)

11am-1pm - The Preventative Path: Health, Wellness & Wisdom presented by the Women's Business Council

Wednesday, February 4

Wednesday, February 18

5-7pm - Pride Bingo presented by the Allentown Chamber and LGBTQ Business Council Thursday, February 5

5-7pm - Fireside February Mixer at Woodstone Country Club Thursday, February 19

4-5pm - Maximize Your Membership A Member Benefits Review (Free Event)

7:30am-12:15pm - 2026 Leadership Summit presented by the Young Professionals Council

5-7pm - Networking at Bethlehem Barrel & Drafthouse (Free Event)

5-7pm - Happy Hour at Holy Ghost Distillery

Friday, February 6

6-8pm - Black History Month Celebration presented by the African American Business Leaders Council Saturday, February 7

12-4pm - Emmaus Soup Crawl Monday, February 9

5:30-7:30pm - Galentine's Day presented by the Women's Business Council Wednesday, February 11

5-7pm - Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening of Caring Hearts Clothing Closet & more (Free Event) Thursday, February 12

5:30-7:30pm - Whitehall Area Chamber Valentine's Speed Networking Mixer (Free Event)

Saturday, February 21

6-10pm - The Chamber Snow Ball Sunday, February 22 - Saturday, February 28

East Penn Restaurant Week Tuesday, February 24

6-7:30pm - Business & Community Roundtable with the hellertown and Lower Saucon Managers (Free Event) Wednesday, February 25

11am - 7:30pm - Indoor Simulator Golf Tournament Playing Pebble Beach at Art of Flight Bethlehem

Thursday, February 26

4-6pm - The State of Lehigh County Address - Josh Siegel (Free Event) 5-7pm - Eat Well Do Good Mixer at Slate Quarry Hotel Monday, March 2

10-11am - Paradise Dogs (Formerly Pott's Nazareth) Rebranding Ribbon Cutting Event (Free Event) Thursday, March 5

11am-1pm - International Women's Day presented by the African American Business Leaders Council, Hispanic Chamber, and Women's Business Council Tuesday, March 10

7:30-9:30am - 2026 Southern Lehigh Municipal Update Sunday, March 15

2-5pm - Lucky Bucks Bingo presented

by Emmaus Main Street Partners and the Emmaus Historical Society Thursday, March 19

7-9am - 2026 Easton "State of the City" & Breakfast with Mayor Sal Panto 8-10am - Veterans & Military March Council Meeting (Free Event) 5-7pm - Happy Hour at Thorpe's 903

Sunday, February 15

2-4pm - Strike Out For Scholarships at Hampton Lanes

If you are interested in serving on The Chamber Board of Governors, please email your bio to lorier@lehighvalleychamber.org by Feb. 28.

please note: all dates, times, and locations are subject to change. please refer to our online events calendar for the most up-to-date schedule!

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 3

UNVEILING NEW BEGINNINGS! Recent Ribbon Cuttings & Celebrations!

Velvet Tails - Luxury Pet Services 39-41 Belvidere Street, Unit 1, Nazareth PA 18064

The Little Gym of Trexlertown 6900 Hamilton Boulevard, Suite 29, Trexlertown PA 18087

Barley Creek Taproom Saucon 2880 Center Valley Parkway, Suite 640, Center Valley PA 18034

Spice Route 845 Linden St, Allentown PA 18101

Celebrating a grand opening or anniversary?

Contact Paige Nicholas at paigen@lehighvalleychamber.org

BBB Fitness and Wellness 2453 Plaza Court, Bath PA 18104

Marcy's Hamburgers 77 North 4th Street, Easton PA 18042

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The Chamber

A Night of Elegance & Impact SATURDAY, FEBRUARY

21

AT 6:00 PM

Wind Creek Bethlehem

Auction to Benefit: Community Action Lehigh Valley - Second Harvest Food Bank of Lehigh Valley and Northeast PA

INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING OR ATTENDING? EMAIL PAIGE AT PAIGEN@LEHIGHVALLEYCHAMBER.ORG

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 5

Thank you to our Snow Ball Sponsors!

PREMIER SPONSOR

*Sponsors as of *1/22/26*

ENTERTAINMENT SPONSOR

PLATINUM SNOWFLAKE SPONSORS

GOLD SNOWFLAKE SPONSORS

SILVER SNOWFLAKE SPONSORS

BELLE OF THE BALL SPONSORS

BRONZE SNOWFLAKE SPONSOR

EVENT PARTNERS

PHOTOGRAPHY SPONSOR

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Services Include:

Call us for your free roof inspection today!

908-319-5952 537 Sumner Court, Allentown PA 18102 www.nh-roofing.com

Complete Roof Replacements Roof Asset Management (Single- or MultiSite Owners) Inspections & Preventative Maintenance Emergency and Scheduled Repair Services Roof Restoration

NEW!

Roof Audits Quality Assurance Inspections Materials Testing Infrared Surveys Rooftop Snow Removal

Roof Coating Division We now offer a dedicated roof-coating division, specializing in: Silicone Coatings

Elastomeric Coatings

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Our coating systems are available with warranties of up to 30 years, providing long-term protection and extended roof life!

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 7

THANK YOU AGAIN TO OUR SPONSORS! PREMIER

PRESENTING

PLATINUM

PRODUCTION PARTNER

GOLD

SILVER

BRONZE

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Associations

Banquet, Meeting & Event Venues

Allentown West Rotary Club Western Lehigh County Herb Klotz Allentown, PA 18106 610-739-2812 www.allentownwestrotary.org

The Phoenix Kaitlyn Egan 515 West Mauch Chunk Street Nazareth, PA 18064 610-759-7509 www.thephoenix515.com

Lehigh Valley Builders Association Stacy Nimas 1524 Linden Street Allentown, PA 18102 610-432-4101 www.lvba.org

Business Consultants, Developers & Incubators

Automobile Parts, Repairs, Services & Detailing

Alex Foreign Motors Anthony Feliciano 523 Ontario Street Bethlehem, PA 18015 610-868-1941 www.alexforeignmotors.com Deerfoot Auto Parts Lauren Nagy 6600 Sullivan Trail Wind Gap, PA 18091 610-863-7676 www.deerfootautoparts.com Bakeries & Supplies

The Sound Shoppe Joel Plourde 6214 PA-873 Slatington, PA 18080 484-721-8438 www.mysoundshoppe.com Balloons, Party Rentals & Supplies

Confetti Affairs Abbey Burroughs 444 Cedarville Road Easton, PA 18042 484-802-1530 www.confettiaffairs.godaddysites.com Banks, Credit Union & Loans

PS Bank Holly DiLeo 76 Church Street Wyalusing PA 18853 570-746-1011 www.psbanking.com

Fusion Force Pamela Robinson New Tripoli, PA 18066 443-545-4565 Candle Manufacturers

Marguerite Rose Organics Pamela Robinson New Tripoli, PA 18066 443-545-4565 Construction Management & General Contractors

Traditions of America Jay Goldberg 1235 Westlakes Drive, Suite 300 Berwyn, PA 19312 215-732-9600 www.traditionsofamerica.com Consultants

Advanced Code Consultants John Decusatis P.O. Box 159 Conyngham, PA 18219 267-283-1663 www.advancedcodeusa.com Counseling and Therapy

Hearthfire Psychology Kaitlyn Stahl 961 Marcon Boulevard, Suite 300 Allentown, PA 18109 610-621-5163 www.hearthfirepsychology.com Valley Outlooks LLC Stephanie Kapustic 2204 Walbert Avenue Allentown, PA 18104 484-245-4282 www.valleyoutlookscounseling.com Environmental Products & Services

Synergy Environmental, Inc. Hazem Hijazi 155 Railroad Plaza Royersford, PA 19468 484-369-2036 www.synergyenvinc.com

Fencing

Anchor Fence Company, Inc. David Koch 906 South 4th Street Allentown, PA 18103 610-797-2900 www.anchorfenceinc.com Financial Services

Edward Jones - Meghan Casey Meghan Casey 547 Milford Warren Glen Road Milford, NJ 08848 908-995-4186 www.edwardjones.com/ meghan-casey Evans Wealth Strategies Nicole Wescoe 1134 Pennsylvania Avenue Emmaus, PA 18049 610-421-8664 www.evanswealthstrategies.com Fitness, Gyms & Personal Training

Life Advance Fitness Vincient Wimberly 436 State Avenue Emmaus, PA 18049 484-273-2156 www.lifeadvancefitness.com Florists

Beautiful Floral LLC Shirley Pargas 270 Delaware Avenue Palmerton, PA 18071 484-464-5321 Golf Course & Country Clubs

Serenite Danica Hartenfels 503 Camelback Road Tannersville, PA 18372 570-799-9494 www.serenitemembersclub.com Gymnastics Instruction

The Little Gym of Trexlertown Matthew Pitz 6900 Hamilton Boulevard, Suite 29 Trexlertown, PA 18087 610-440-3228 www.thelittlegym.com/pennsylvania-trexlertown

Health & Wellness Products and Services

Balance and Bloom Melissa Smith 45 East Saint Elmo Street Nazareth, PA 18064 610-360-7669 www.balanceandbloom.life BeBalanced Abbie Lin Muto 5940 Hamilton Boulevard Suite C Allentown, PA 18106 610-477-2636 Holistic Care, Integrative Healing Modalities

Susan's Sacred Space Susan Sklodowsky 1708 Washington Boulevard, Suite 103 Easton, PA 18042 484-903-1730 www.susanssacredspace.com Hotels, Lodging, Bed & Breakfasts

The View Inn & Suites Denise Haflich 3191 Highfield Drive Bethlehem, PA 18020 484-635-1968 www.viewinns.com Human Resource Services & Organizations

Holy City HR Dan Foglia 214 Mountain Park Road Allentown, PA 18103 732-877-9364 www. holyhr.com Insurance

AssuredPartners of NEPA Michael Clemente 1130 Highway 315 Wilkes Barre, PA 18702 570-819-2000 www.assuredpartners.com Internet Services

Kinetic Internet Maria Kammetler Bethlehem, PA 18020 610-751-2723 www.gokinetic.com

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 9

Jewelers

Northampton Coin & Jewelry Sarah Schaffer 1918 Center Street Northampton, PA 18067 610-262-0759 www.northamptonjewelry.com The Gemeral Store Ted Chiaparas 216 West Broad Street Bethlehem, PA 18018 484-641-3229 www.thegemeralstore.com Land Development & Brokers

The Charles Chrin Companies Gregory Chrin 400 South Greenwood Avenue Easton, PA 18042 610-253-9665 www.chrin.org Medical Imaging

Medical Imaging of Lehigh Valley Lisa Ficarro 1255 South Cedar Crest Boulevard Suite 2500 Allentown, PA 18103 610-402-8759 www.milv.us Museum

Antoine Dutot Museum and Gallery Terrance Fagan P.O. Box 484 Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 570-476-4240 www.dutotmuseum.org Pharmacies & Pharmaceuticals

Hartzell's Pharmacy Vincent Hartzell 300 American Street Catasauqua, PA 18032 484-240-6421 www.hartzells.com Real Estate Agents, Brokers and Other Services

K. Hovnanian at Sunny Slope Crossings June Branagan 6881 Smith Court Bethlehem, PA 18017 856-392-9197 www.khov.com/sunnyslope

Real Estate Holdings & Property Management

iBuyLehigh Ryan Hadeed 1702 W Allen Street, Suite 1583 Allentown, PA 18104 484-549-0019 www.ibuylehigh.com Restaurants, Bars & Cafes

Barley Creek Taproom Saucon Stephanie Rath 2880 Center Valley Parkway Suite 640 Center Valley, PA 18034 610-674-1957 www.barleycreek.com/taproomsaucon Menchie's Jeffrey Cabrera 353 South Cedar Crest Boulevard Allentown, PA 18103 610-841-1900. www.menchies.com My Place Pizza Restaurant Ernesto Rangel 270 East Northampton Street Bath, PA 18014 610-837-8884 www.myplacebath.com NYC Indian Grill Jermaine Chase 538 Main Street Stroudsburg, PA 18360 570-534-0787 www.nycindiangrill.com Security Systems

Contral Security Corporation Susan Alexo 174 State Road 94, Suite 2 Blairstown, NJ 07825 www.contralsecurity.com Social Services

Crime Victims Council of the Lehigh Valley Emily Grigonis 2132 South 12th Street Suite 101 Allentown, PA 18103 610-437-6610 www.cvclv.org Equi-librium, Inc. Jessie Shappell 524 Fehr Road Nazareth, PA 18064 610-365-2266 www.equi-librium.org

Sports Teams & Facilities

BSR Mustangs Pro Cycling Ethan Hendricks 104 Main Street East Greenville, PA 18041 267-680-9017 www.teambsr.racing Team Building

Escape.exe - Escape Room Mark Trusz 3844 Linden Street Bethlehem, PA 18020 610-419-0633 www.escapeexe.com Title Companies

Imagine Abstract, LLC Jennifer Uriarte 5000 West Tilghman Street Suite 248 Allentown, PA 18104 610-351-2189 www.imagineabstract.com Trucking

Edward Yesik Trucking Edward Yesik 6374 Opossum Lane Slatington, PA 18080 610-767-6239 www.edwardyesiktruckinginc.com Web Design, Consulting & Hosting

Psybir Nick Cibelli Macungie, PA 18062 484-635-4072 www.psybir.com Wineries, Vineyards, and Tasting Rooms

Unwine Vineyards LLC Joel Ritter 309 East 3rd Street Bethlehem, PA 18015 267-246-7018 www.unwinevineyards.com

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ALLENTOWN AREA

E D I R P

BINGO NIGHT! $20 INCLUDES BINGO BOOKLET FOR SPONSORSHIP OR PRIZE DONATION: BRITTANYK@LEHIGHVALLEYCHAMBER.ORG

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 4, 2026 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM 1812 PIANO LOUNGE, ALLENTOWN Join the Allentown Chamber of Commerce and LGBTQ Business Council for an evening of fun connections, prizes & more!

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 11

AMBASSADORS & SMALL BUSINESS COUNCILS SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL Aaron Coleman, Platinum Star Cleaning` Small Business Council Board Member

Why the SBC Business Summit Matters More Than Ever The Small Business Council’s annual Business Summit has become one of the most valuable learning environments for entrepreneurs and executives in the Lehigh Valley—and I say that from experience. I first attended the Summit at DeSales University as a ticket holder and small business owner hungry for growth. What I found was far more than a conference. Being in a room with both emerging startups and established industry leaders created an energy that was equal parts inspiration and execution. I walked away each year with practical insights—real “golden nuggets”—that I immediately applied to my business. Today, as a board member of the Small Business Council, I now see the Summit from behind the scenes. I’m proud to be part of a team that is intentional about curating content that meets business owners where they are—and where they’re headed. This year’s focus reflects that reality: staying competitive through smarter systems, stronger lead-

ership, and the responsible use of technology, including AI. These aren’t future concepts—they’re today’s necessities.

One highlight I’m especially grateful for is helping recommend this year’s keynote speaker, Libby DeLucian, bestselling author of 1 Layer Deep and founder of multiple seven-figure companies.

Her work has been instrumental in my own company’s growth, and I’m excited for the Lehigh Valley to experience her clarity, honesty, and practical approach to scaling without burnout.

If you’re serious about growing your business, strengthening your leadership, and connecting with the region’s most driven professionals, this Summit is for you. I encourage you to review the flyer included in this issue, secure your ticket early, and invest one day in gaining tools and insights that can move your business forward for years to come.

Presented by:

SCAN TO REGISTER TODAY!

Save the Date!

2026 LEHIGH VALLEY BUSINESS SUMMIT THEME: TRANSFORM YOUR BUSINESS WITH PRACTICAL AI

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2026 DeSales University | 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM (2755 Station Ave, Center Valley, PA 18034)

JOIN THE SMALL BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR A MORNING OF NETWORKING, BREAKFAST, AND COLLABORATIVE LEARNING. LEARN FROM EXPERTS HOW AI CAN BOOST YOUR BUSINESS, SPARK INNOVATION, AND GIVE YOU A COMPETITIVE EDGE— TODAY! DON’T JUST LEARN ABOUT AI—EXPERIENCE IT IN ACTION AND LEAVE WITH TOOLS YOU CAN APPLY IMMEDIATELY TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS!

Contact Paige Nicholas at paigen@lehighvalleychamber.org for sponsorship opportunities!

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PUBLIC POLICY HEALTHCARE COMMITTEE Nick Maxell, Gallagher Chair, Healthcare Committee

February is American Heart Month!

It’s not just about Valentine’s Day!! It’s about raising awareness for your heart health. Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for Americans, but the good news is that many cases are preventable with the right knowledge and habits. This month, I want to highlight a few common myths about heart health and set the record straight.

Myth 1: Heart disease only affects older people. Fact: While age is a factor, other risk factors like obesity, high blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes are increasingly common among younger populations. A heart-healthy lifestyle is essential for people of all ages. Starting early can make a big difference!

Myth 2: You can’t reverse heart damage. Fact: While some damage may be permanent, adopting healthy habits can significantly improve your heart health.

Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and quitting smoking can lower blood pres-

sure, reduce cholesterol, and enhance overall cardiovascular function.

Myth 3: I don’t have symptoms, so I’m fine. Fact: Heart disease is often called the “silent killer” because it can develop without noticeable symptoms. Regular check-ups and monitoring key metrics like blood pressure and cholesterol are critical for early detection and prevention.

Myth 4: Only men need to worry about heart disease. Fact: Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Women may experience different symptoms, such as nausea or jaw pain, making awareness and regular check-ups vital for everyone.

Knowledge is the first step to prevention. Let’s take proactive steps toward better heart health, not just this month, but all year long!

TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE Heather Heeter, Urban Engineers Chair, Transportation Committee

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has begun rolling out a major modernization of its toll collection system with the implementation of Open Road Tolling (ORT). Under ORT, overhead gantries replace traditional toll booths and electronically collect tolls through E-ZPass or Toll By Plate, allowing drivers to maintain highway speeds without stopping. As many motorists have already noticed, traditional toll plazas—such as those at the Lehigh Valley Interchange—have been removed.

All remaining toll plazas are scheduled for removal as ORT expands across the system through 2027 and beyond.

One of the most significant changes under ORT is how tolls are calculated.

The Turnpike has transitioned from a weight-based, entry-to-exit tolling system to a standardized distance-based structure that uses a base per-mile rate plus a per-segment (gantry) fee. For a typical two-axle passenger vehicle us-

ing E-ZPass, the rate as of January 4, 2026 is $0.073 per mile plus $1.13 per gantry passed. Toll By Plate customers pay approximately double those rates, at $0.146 per mile and $2.26 per gantry, reflecting the higher administrative costs of billing by mail.

Drivers can expect a safer and more efficient travel experience due to reduced congestion and the elimination of stopping at toll plazas. At the same time, the Commission anticipates significant long-term operational savings. Officials also view ORT as a catalyst for future interchange expansion and economic development in communities connected to the Turnpike.

Overall, ORT is designed to simplify tolling, improve predictability, and reduce congestion and vehicle emissions while maintaining fair and consistent rates across the network.

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 13

LEADERSHIP

SUMMIT DEVELOPING THE NEXT GEN

FEBRUARY 19, 2026

7:30 AM - 12:15 PM | DESALES UNIVERSITY Through dynamic speakers, interactive breakout sessions, and an inspiring panel, the annual Leadership Summit empowers tomorrow’s leaders!

Breakout Session: “Networking in Action” Anne Baum, Vision Accomplished, LLC

Breakout Session: “Your Career Toolkit” Danielle Adams-Wiltshire, QueenSuite, LLC

Leadership Panel: “Lessons from Today’s Trailblazers” Kristin Keenan, Keenan-Nagle Advertising Judge Brian J. Panella, Northampton County Court of Common Pleas David Robertson, Shift4 & Joshway Zaleeae Sierra, Allentown School District Moderated by: Brynnlee Pavlovich, DeSales University

Keynote Speaker:

Veronica Gonzalez CEO, Valley Health Partners

Ticket Includes Breakfast, Professional Development &

Complimentary Headshots!

Member: $69 | Future Member: $109 brittanyk@lehighvalleychamber.org

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OUR SUPER POWER ...

Turning YOUR Vision into Reality!

CUSTOM, QUALITY PRINTING

Sign Up & Stay Ahead: Fresh Chamber News Delivered to Your Inbox!

We print:

Newspapers • Books • Magazines Mailings Business Cards • Posters • Banners •

AND so much MORE!

Use your phone camera to scan this QR code!

CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR NEXT PRINTING PROJECT. 594 Blakeslee Blvd. Dr. West Lehighton, PA 18235 Phone: 800.443.0377 - Ext. 3104 E-mail: mgriffith@tnonline.com

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 15

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BETHLEHEM AREA

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 17

EASTON AREA & WARREN COUNTY

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DIVERSITY COUNCILS

2026

DEi

SUMMIT Educate. Connect. Inspire.

April 1st, 2026 | 7:30 AM - 12:30 AM DeSales University, University Center

Join the Chamber’s DEI Collaborative for a morning of professional development! Kick-off with the Health Equity Panel moderated by Corinne Goodwin, Eastern PA Trans Equity Project, and featuring Dr. Valerie Arkoosh, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Followed by engaging breakout sessions, an interactive general session, and more opportunities for dialogue, reflection, and action planning to strengthen DEI efforts.

$85 | Member | $160 | Future Member | Sponsorship: brittanyk@lehighvalleychamber.org

Chamber Seen!

BURNOUT TO BALANCE: Tools for Thriving in 2026

Season of Connections!

Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce | 19

DIVERSITY COUNCILS

SCAN THE QR CODE OR RSVP TO HANNAHS@LEHIGHVALLEYCHAMBER.ORG

TRUSTED HEALTH CARE PARTNER

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

WOMEN’S DAY THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 2026 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM EST RENAISSANCE RENAISSANCE ALLENTOWN ALLENTOWN HOTEL HOTEL 12 North 7th Street, Allentown, PA 18101

$50 PANELIST ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON! Scan the QR code to register or contact daniellej@lehighvalleychamber.org for more information TRUSTED HEALTH CARE PARTNER

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DIVERSITY COUNCILS

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AFFILIATED CHAMBERS

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GREATER NORTHERN LEHIGH, WESTERN LEHIGH & EAST PENN CHAMBER

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EMMAUS MAIN STREET PARTNERS EMMAUS MAIN STREET PARTNERS Mandy Suro, Seven Generations Charter School Chair, Emmaus Main Street Partners

The Emmaus Main Street Partners affiliated chapter continues to bring energy, creativity, and connection to downtown Emmaus through events that celebrate local businesses, community spirit, and small-town charm.

The holiday season wrapped up with our Old Fashioned Christmas event, as our streets were filled with excitement, local businesses, dancers, Santa, and more. The community came together for this cherished celebration, including our traditional tree lighting, making the evening a joyful reminder of the power of community and the magic of supporting local during the holidays.

Looking ahead to February 7, food lovers are invited to take part in the Emmaus Soup Crawl, a fan-favorite event where participants stroll through downtown sampling delicious soups from local businesses. It’s the perfect way to warm up, explore Main Street, and

support all that Emmaus has to offer.

Be sure to also mark your calendars for March 15 and get ready for an afternoon of fun at Lucky Bucks Bingo. This lively event promises excitement, prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the community.

No update would be complete without a nod to Emma the Mule, Emmaus’s cheerful mascot. Emma can often be spotted at local events, spreading smiles and town spirit while promoting all things Emmaus. Be sure to follow Emma the Mule on Instagram (@emmathemule) for the latest sightings, upcoming events, and initiatives celebrating and promoting the town of Emmaus.

With a strong lineup of events and a commitment to community, Emmaus Main Street Partners continues to make downtown Emmaus a destination worth celebrating, season after season.

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WHITEHALL AREA CHAMBER

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SOUTHERN LEHIGH CHAMBER & HELLERTOWN-LOWER SAUCON CHAMBER

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NAZARETH AREA CHAMBER & GREATER NORTHAMPTON AREA CHAMBER NAZARETH AREA CHAMBER Rebecca Miklas, Miklas Realty Chair, Nazareth Area Chamber

2025 was an incredible year for the Nazareth Area Chamber of Commerce, and it has truly been an honor to serve as Nazareth Chair. I’m grateful for the energy, commitment, and community spirit our members, partners, and volunteers brought to everything we did this year.

Together, we hosted events that supported local businesses while bringing people together in meaningful ways.

Restaurant Week highlighted the amazing culinary talent across our region and encouraged residents to dine local.

Shop Small Saturdays reminded us just how important small businesses are to the heart of our community. Martin on Main filled our streets with music, art, and excitement, and Fall Festival was a great celebration of community during the most beautiful time of year.

Claus Comes to the Circle, then created a Hallmark movie worthy kickoff to the holiday season for families throughout Nazareth.

None of this would have been possible without our business owners, sponsors, volunteers, attendees, and community partners. Your support, participation, and enthusiasm continue to move our mission forward and make a real impact across the region.

Looking ahead to 2026, the momentum we’ve built has me excited for what’s to come. I’m grateful to continue working alongside such a dedicated community as we support our businesses, grow engagement, and keep Nazareth thriving.

Thank you for a fantastic year. Here’s to 2026!

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BOOST YOUR BUSINESS IN THE CHAMBER’s

2026 Membership Directory What’s Included?

Premium Exposure - Your full color ad featured in the printed directory & hyperlinked to your website on The Chamber’s digital directory Digital Visibility - Your scrolling logo on the homepage of The Chamber’s website, directly linked to your site Extra Recognition - A spot in our Connections Magazine showcasing all advertisers & social media recognition Email Spotlight - Featured in a Chamber-wide email announcing the book release with your logo front and center

Don’t miss out!

2026 Cover coming soon!

Scan here for more information and pricing!

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CARBON CHAMBER

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POCONO CHAMBER

The Chamber is thrilled to launch season 2 of our video podcast, Backyard Business! Join host Tony Iannelli as he brings community and business leaders into his own backyard for dynamic, unfiltered conversations about their passions, projects and the stories that drive them.

It’s insightful, it’s engaging - it’s business like you’ve never seen before!

Sponsorships are available!

Email Ellie at elliea@lehighvalleychamber.org for more information.

Scan here to watch the latest episodes!

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Capital Blue Cross Employs Medical Professionals: What They Do and Why It Matters Dr. Jeremy Wigginton started his career caring for patients in rural Louisiana and Mississippi. He loved making a difference in people’s health, but he wanted to do more. So Dr. Wigginton left full-time practice for a job in the health insurance industry.

“It's about being able to make an impact on a larger scale,” said Dr. Wigginton, who’s the Chief Medical Officer at Capital Blue Cross. “I have a passion for helping people find high quality and affordable healthcare.

When you’re a physician in practice, you can only impact those people who you see in clinic. By moving to the insurance industry, I can have a potential impact on hundreds of thousands of people.”

Dr. Wigginton is one of many healthcare professionals at Capital Blue Cross – from doctors to nurses to pharmacists – who use their training to help members access affordable, quality care.

How Capital’s medical professionals advocate for your health Capital’s medical professionals make an impact in many ways, including: · Supporting the best treatment options: Capital’s medical professionals work with your doctor to help ensure the care you receive from your own doctor is safe, effective, and aligned with your unique health needs. By working together, they can review treatment plans with your healthcare provider to prioritize your well-being and help avoid unnecessary or potentially harmful procedures. · Promoting high-quality care: Capital’s professionals develop and implement programs that seek to help support your healthcare provider to provide safe and effective care. · Keeping medications affordable: Capital’s staff of pharmacists help determine which medications prescribed by your doctor are the most affordable, such as generics versus brand-name drugs, and help avoid wasteful spending on drugs. · Helping make care more affordable: By having medical pro

fessionals on staff, Capital strives to make sure you receive high-quality care at a fair cost. By thoughtfully reviewing care plans and working with providers, we can better manage healthcare costs and keep your outof-pocket costs more predictable and manageable. · Encouraging healthy habits that last: Capital’s health coaches, care managers, and dietitians provide personalized support to help you make meaningful lifestyle changes – like eating better, staying active, and managing chronic conditions. These small steps can lead to a better quality of life today and help prevent more serious health issues down the road.

What medical professionals do at insurance companies While Capital’s team of medical professionals doesn’t provide handson care, they work to address how medically necessary treatments, procedures, and medications are covered – focusing on both quality and affordability. These experienced clinicians also help design programs and services that help members proactively improve their health and remove barriers to care, making it easier for members to get the help they need. A key part of their role is understanding which treatments are the most effective and safest, based upon clinical research and best practices. When care is unnecessary or ineffective, it can cost you valuable time and money. That’s why Capital Blue Cross is committed to help ensure you receive care that truly makes a difference. Its current staff includes about a dozen doctors and pharmacists as well as nearly 150 nurses who are licensed and credentialed by the state in which they reside.

Visit the THINK website to meet some of the medical professionals at Capital Blue Cross.

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Member News Service Electric Cable TV & Communications proudly celebrated a remarkable milestone on December 10, 2025, honoring two longtime employees - Jeff Kelly and Joe Macus - for more than 50 years of dedicated service to the company. The celebration was held at the Historic Hotel Bethlehem, a valued partner and cherished landmark in the community.

The arrival of a new baby is an exciting time. While part of the excitement for many is choosing a name, others may feel pressure to make the right choice since it has impact on their identity and journey throughout life. Parents often choose a name that reflects family traditions, cultural backgrounds or religious beliefs, or honors loved ones. Often, choosing a name is influenced by popular culture – sports figures, movie stars or musicians play a part in the decision. Or, some parents simply pick a name just because they really like it!

To get a pulse on parents’ preferences, Jefferson Health tracked the 2025 most popular names among the thousands of babies born across the system which includes 10 hospitals that deliver babies. At Jefferson Health, the most popular name for girls is Sophia, chosen by 60 parents, with the name Emma coming in second place, chosen by 53 parents, and Isabella right behind with 52. For boys, Noah came in first place as the most popular boy name with 103 babies given the name, followed by 91 named Liam. Noah is also the most popular boy name nationally.

Trans-Bridge Lines is pleased to announce a limited-time special reduced One-Way Adult Fare offer on select routes and select stops between Pennsylvania and New York, reinforcing the company’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for its passengers.

Unity Bank proudly announced that its annual Classic Car Show, held Sunday, October 26th at the bank’s corporate headquarters in Clinton, New Jersey, raised a record-breaking $9,000 in support of Family Promise of Hunterdon County and Family Promise of Warren County.

JOSHWAY, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping young people with the tools they need to thrive in today’s complex digital world, is leading the conversation around youth digital literacy through new programming and community partnerships. The launch of this programming follows JOSHWAY’s qualification as an Educational Improvement Organization (EIO), which means the nonprofit is eligible to receive PA Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program (EITC) contributions for its digital knowledge programming, including the Digital Diet Workshop, JOSHWAY Lab Experiences and its Podcast Network.

Marta Countess, President of Countess Communications, has been named a 2026 Eastern Pennsylvania Heart Ball Heart of Gold Award recipient.

The Heart of Gold Award recognizes individuals who demonstrate outstanding leadership, advocacy, and commitment to the American Heart Association’s mission. A longtime volunteer, Marta has supported the organization through board service with the Amer-

ican Heart Association Lehigh Valley-Berks and by producing its annual survivor video, two of which have earned Emmy Award nominations.

Unity Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: UNTY), the parent company of Unity Bank, has been named to Piper Sandler’s Sm-All Stars Class of 2025, a prestigious designation recognizing the top-performing small-cap banks and thrifts in the nation.

The KingSpry Law Firm in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is proud to announce attorneys Brian J. Taylor and Taisha K. Tolliver Duran have been elevated to partners with the firm as of January 1, 2026.

Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts (Charter Arts) has welcomed Robert Young to its leadership team as Director of Development. In this role, Young will advance the school’s mission and support the Charter Arts Foundation by building strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including staff, students, families, alumni, and community partners. He will also foster cross-collaboration to strengthen engagement and philanthropic support. Young brings extensive leadership experience in the nonprofit and advancement sectors, with deep expertise in development strategy and organizational growth. His work is grounded in DEIB principles and is both human-centered and equity-driven.

25 Years of Time Well Invested: Keystone Financial Management is marking its 25th anniversary with the launch of a refreshed brand identity and a dual website experience designed to serve both clients and independent financial advisors more clearly and effectively. The refresh reflects the firm’s evolution within a changing financial landscape, along with a leadership transition focused on the next generation, while remaining grounded in the values that have defined Keystone since its founding: trust, clarity, and longterm partnership.

Multiple St. Luke’s University Health Network (SLUHN) hospitals have been named to the Top Hospital list announced today by Leapfrog Group, an independent nonprofit hospital safety watchdog. Of the 12 hospitals in Pennsylvania to earn the prestigious Top Hospital designation from Leapfrog, five are St. Luke’s facilities, the only local hospitals to earn the distinction. St. Luke’s Warren (NJ) Campus was one of only seven New Jersey hospitals to make the list. Only 156 hospitals nationwide made the list.

Lehigh Valley-based marketing and video production agencies, Social T Marketing & PR and ASR Media, announced they have merged to form Turnstone Creative, LLC (Turnstone), effective January 1, 2026. The merger brings together two mission-driven organizations to create a full-service communications and marketing agency grounded in strong client relationships, disciplined execution, and long-term impact. As of January 1, 2026, both ASR Media and Social T Marketing & PR have ceased independent operations.

New Tripoli Bank has donated $100,000 to the Northwestern Lehigh Educational Foundation in order to support approved educational needs in the Northwestern Lehigh School District. These funds, which were supported by the Pennsylvania Educational Improvement Tax Credit program, will help the Foundation award grants for science, technology, engineering, arts, and math programs at schools throughout the Northwestern Lehigh School District.

The Bank has been a proud supporter of NWLEF for over a decade, helping to fund modern teaching tools and classroom enhancements that empower Northwestern Lehigh students.

St. Luke’s University Health Network has been selected as the only health care system in the Lehigh Valley, and one of just a few nationwide, to take part in a major clinical trial studying a new shoulder replacement design called the INHANCE™ Shoulder System

by DePuy Synthes.

Barry Isett & Associates (Isett) announces a strategic expansion of its service offerings, unveiling a comprehensive suite of Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) services that support projects from design through completion. Formerly known as the Construction Materials Testing (CMT) Department, the newly named CQA Department now delivers an enhanced menu of services, delivering clients with greater confidence and peace of mind. While the department’s name has evolved, Isett’s commitment to construction materials testing remains steadfast; these essential services are now part of a broader, more robust offering.

St. Luke’s University Health Network is pleased to announce that its newly created St. Luke’s College of Health Sciences has begun accepting applications for its inaugural class, which will begin in May 2026.

Northampton Community College (NCC) hosted the SkillsUSA Welding Fabrication Competition at its Bethlehem campus on January 13. The competition, hosted at the College for the first time this year, is one of 62 contests in a variety of career and technical fields. Contests run the gamut from culinary and cosmetology to automotive and welding, and they are created and judged by industry professionals.

American Bank Incorporated (OTCID: AMBK), the parent company of American Bank, today announced earnings for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2025. Net income for the quarter was $3,686,000 or $0.58 per diluted share, an increase of $483,000 or 15.1% from $3,203,000 or $0.51 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2024. The increase in net income for the quarter was primarily attributable to increases in net interest income and non-interest income, partially offset by increases in the provision for credit losses and non-interest expense.

Submit your press releases to Ellie Andino at elliea@lehighvalleychamber.org to be featured in this section!

Please note: submission does not guarantee placement.

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