Chamber Connection

For nearly 100 years, the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for the business community. As we look to the future, we are energized by what’s ahead and guided by input from the business community. The Hanover Chamber is pleased to announce the new strategic plan that will help guide the organization over the next three years.

Created in partnership with our Board of Directors, members and staff, these bold plans build upon what has been working while introducing new ambitions aimed at developing talent in the community, strengthening the workforce, and fostering community pride. Grace Elsner (Organizational Development and Training) directed the task group, engaged the Board of Directors, and helped the staff organize the breadth of feedback received from surveys.

The plan includes seven major goals with corresponding objectives and action steps. The Hanover Chamber’s mission remains the same going forward: The Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce delivers value to its members and advances the interests of the business community. The vision of the organization has been tweaked to reflect the greater Hanover region: To create opportunities for communitywide prosperity and growth by being the catalyst for the advancement of community, economic and workforce development, business growth, and business advocacy in the greater Hanover region. When our economy is thriving, our community thrives, and that is our objective moving forward.

We thank the Board members, community and chamber members that provided feedback for us to develop the 2023 – 2025 strategic plan. We are grateful for your ongoing support and look forward to the next 100 years. For additional information about the plan, visit www.hanoverchamber.com.

Conewago Enterprises, Inc.

Cross Keys Village - The Brethren

Home Community

Riley Welding & Fabricating LLC

Community Leaders and Chamber Partners are members who have made significant investments in chamber programs throughout the year. These investments help the chamber to provide new opportunities and benefits for our members, while continuing to support workforce, community, and economic development. If you are interested in learning more about how your membership can make an impact, please contact Gary Laird at glaird@hanoverchamber.com.

Chair of the Board

Brandon J. Smith, AAMS, Edward Jones

Secretary/Treasurer

Ashley Hershey, BSSF CPAs

Vice Chairs

Jeremy Frey, Barley Snyder

Julia Groft, Manpower

Cynthia Simpson, Utz Quality Foods

Lesley Zinn, UPMC

Past Chair

Mike Kelly, Traditions Bank

Board of Directors

Dr. Jay Burkhart, South Western School District

Jon Harris, M&T Bank

Nikki Hoffman, Stambaugh-Ness

Liz Johnides, The Markets at Hanover

Jess Kelley, Campbell's Snacks

Kristin Leese, WellSpan

Drew Little, Conewago Valley School District

Rebecca Prehoda, Member's 1st FCU

Dr. Susan Seiple, Hanover Public Schools

Jody Shaffer, YWCA Hanover

Loni Smith, Hanover Auto Team

Chamber Staff

Gary Laird, President glaird@hanoverchamber.com

Elizabeth Csuri, Administrative Manager ecsuri@hanoverchamber.com

Sarah Messer, Director of Operations smesser@hanoverchamber.com

Katie Bream, Marketing and Public Relations Manager kbream@hanoverchamber.com

Chamber Connection is a monthly publication of the Hanover Area Chamber of Commerce. For deadline information, please contact the office at office@hanoverchamber.com.

On Friday May 5th, the Chamber had the pleasure of hosting Ryan Gleason, Senior Manager of the U.S. Chamber Great Lakes Region. Gleason was the keynote speaker for the 2nd quarter Legislative Roundtable where he addressed key initiatives, including immigration, regulatory reform, permitting reform, the debt ceiling and infrastructure.

Gleason spent the remainder of the day with Chamber staff touring the Utz Cheeseball Factory and then paying a visit to Hanover High School to tour the diversified occupation facilities and to discuss workforce initiatives between local school districts and Hanover employers.

Gary Laird, Chamber President stated, “The Hanover Chamber was pleased to host Ryan for the day and showcase the Hanover business community. The

Chamber has maintained a long-standing relationship with the U.S. Chamber and works closely with them on government affairs, advocacy and workforce development. The Chambers workforce model, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs are patterned after the U.S Chamber’s Talent Pipeline Management model.”

Gleason offered these kind words to the Chamber staff after his visit to Hanover: "Thank you all for your welcoming arms in Hanover last week! I appreciated the opportunity to speak with your members and elected officials, tour of Utz Brands, tacos on Cinco de Mayo (of all days), and tour of Hanover High School. It is great that you all can connect the government, business, and education community."

- Ashley Hershey,CPA/CITP, MBA. Senior Manager, Brown Schultz SHeridan & Fritz CPAs, Secretary/ Treasurer of the Hanover Chamber Board of Directors

On Friday, August 11, 2023, YWCA Hanover will be hosting Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®: The International Men’s March To Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence. During this event, we ask men to literally walk one mile in women’s high-heeled shoes!

Why is this type of event important? It gets the community to talk about something that’s really difficult to talk about: gender relations and men’s sexual violence against women. While it is still an evening of fun, the purpose of Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® is to raise awareness about the dire effects of sexual and domestic assault in our community and raise lifesaving funds to support all victims and their families.

How does your participation help victims of domestic violence? All funds raised from your participation will help to provide free and confidential services for those who are impacted by Domestic Violence.

Registration for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes® will open June 14th and is required to participate in the event . The mile-long walk will begin at 6pm and will start at Winebrenner’s Motor Sports.

For full details and to see the gallery of photos from previous years, please visit www.YWCAHanover.org. You may also scan the QR Code located in the graphic below.

Questions? Call 717-637-2125 or e-mail Louis Mart at lmart@ywcahanover.org or Janise Bankard at jbankard@ ywcahanover.org. For information regarding becoming a sponsor, please e-mail Janise Bankard.