Commerce Quarterly Fall 2015

Greater Reading Chamber

COMMERCE QUARTERLY

FEATURES:

8 Cover Stor y

Ellen Albright, Editor

201 Penn St., Suite 501, Reading, PA 19601 greaterreadingchamber.org • 610.376.6766

Revitalization of Reading

DEPARTMENTS:

Business & Community Advocacy 23 PA Voter Registration 26 Partnering for Manuracturing Competitiveness

In Your Community 33 #MFGDAYBERKS

The opinions expressed in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.

As the business voice of Greater Reading, the Chamber leads the business community, as the economic driver, to a vibrant community.

Your Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry…

» Partners with all other economic

development organizations in creating an environment for growth.

» Enables all businesses to take deliberate and

decided action on issues affecting their welfare.

» Helps small business thrive and educational programs/alliances.

» Prepares tomorrow’s workforce with our involvement in education partnerships.

» Operates as a model business and pursues best practices.

» Maintains a five-star rating as one of the best chambers in Pennsylvania.

» Reflects our multicultural community at large.

©2015 All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced electronically or in print without the expressed written permission of the publisher.

Commerce Quarterly Magazine is published quarterly by Hoffmann Publishing Group, Reading, PA HoffmannPublishing.com • 610.685.0914

Berks Outdoors Go Bronze Level

Industry Trends 13 Generation Y At-A-Glance:

38

Making Way for Millenials

Poems & Manufacturing: Preserving History While Honoring Seniors

14

Creating a Culture to Attract Top Millenial Talent

IN EVERY ISSUE:

16

Addressing the Needs of a Rapidly Changing Workforce with a Focus on Manufacturing

6

Letter From the President

24 Fall 2015

entrepreneurs strive.

» Develops employees through training and

34

19 Trending Now

20 Effective Leadership

30 Family Business Matters

Credit Card Fraud: EMV Compliance & Shift of Liability as of October 1st

Judy Henry, Michael Leifer & Johanny Cepeda

29 Entrepreneur’s Corner

Back to Supervisory School

Nick Bentley, President, American Polarizers, Inc.

31 Volunteer Spotlight

Berks FBA: Helping Family Businesses Resolve Their Unique Issues

40 Small Biz Thrives

Greater Reading Manufacturer of Innovative Solar Dishes Partners with Local Suppliers & Resources

Pat Langiotti, Creative Management Concepts

39 The Chamber Chew

Berks Does Barbecue

42 Member News 47 Upcoming Events

On the Cover: Alan Shuman (L), President, Shuman Development Company, and Craig Poole (R), General Manager, Doubletree by Hilton, standing on Penn Street, in downtown Reading, in front of their respective properties.

For Advertising Opportunities: call 610.685.0914 Ext. 1 Read Commerce Quarterly Magazine Online at GreaterReadingChamber.org

Photo Left: Contemporaries in the urban food scene, restauranteurs Judy Henry, Michael Leifer and Johanny Cepada, enjoying a food moment on the Penn Street bridge.

See our center spread, page 24, to read more.

Cover, center spread & select additional photos provided by: Dave Zerbe Studio of Photography.

letter from the president Board of Directors 2015/16 CHAIRMAN: Bob Firely, Partner, Herbein & Company VICE CHAIRMAN Peter Rye, President, Brentwood Industries TREASURER Brian Levan, President, Levan Machine & Truck Equipment IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR Scott L. Gruber, President & CEO, Tompkins Vist Bank LEGAL COUNSEL Tim Dietrich, Esq., Barley Snyder DIRECTORS Peter Barbey, President/CEO, Reading Eagle Karen Baxter, Manager, External Affairs, Met-Ed First Energy Nick Bentley, President, American Polarizers Gregg Bogia, President, Bogia Engineering Dave Capitano, Regional Managing Partner, Baker Tilley Maryann Egolf, General Manager, FM Brown Tim Koenig, Assistant VP, EH&D Lisa Lavender, COO, Berks Fire Water Emmett Lien, President, Edge Insights Carl Marks, COO, DSS Don Mikes, Senior VP, Penske Pete Molinaro, President, Adhesion Biomedical Rick Patterson, Vice President/General Manager, Alcon Craig Poole, GM, Doubletree Hotel David Roche, President, Roche Electric Dave Roland, Regional President, BB&T Mark Schlott, Executive VP of Operations/COO, RM Palmer Stayce Schlouch, Schlouch Incorporated Alan Shuman, President, Shuman Development Bruce Smith, President Central Region, National Penn Bank Justin Spannuth, COO, Unique Pretzel Bakery Sara Stump, Director, Sales & Marketing, Suburban Testing Labs

The Gateway

T

he Chamber’s headquarters are in the Gateway Building at 2nd and Penn Street in downtown Reading. We sit at the primary entry to our City. We have a vested interest on so many levels in the success of our downtown. And we are pleased to report that some very good things are indeed happening in downtown Reading that are good not just for the downtown, but for the entire region.

The cover story discusses the challenges our downtown faces, but also the efforts underway to improve the building and physical infrastructure as well as efforts to revitalize the activity levels downtown.

Our members have told us they consider a vibrant downtown to be essential in the attraction and retention of talent to the region.

October is Manufacturing Month, so we thought it appropriate to highlight the importance of manufacturing in our community. Manufacturing employment has been the gateway to a sustainable living for thousands of families in our community’s history, and continues to be so today.

We hope you enjoy reading about what is happening in the region through Commerce Quarterly and welcome your input on future articles and companies to cover. The Chamber strives to be your gateway to being in the know on where our region is going and how, as a member of the Chamber, you are helping to transform our region for the better.

Thank you for taking the time to read Commerce Quarterly.

Onward and Upward!

Ellen T. Horan Ellen T. Horan, President, CEO Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Lauren Tobiasen, Area President Central PA, Wells Fargo Scott Vaughn, President, The Standard Group

6 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

P.S. Not only do we strive to keep you aware of what is happening in our community, we also offer an opportunity to strengthen your global perspective. Join us November 2nd at 5:00 p.m. to learn about our cultural awareness excursion to Thailand and Hong Kong in March 2016. (See details on page 42).

GreaterReadingChamber.org

7

cover story

of Reading Karen L. Miller

B

eautiful geography, irreplaceable architecture, great restaurants, impressive arts and entertainment, and a melting pot of people who blur cultural lines and celebrate our diversity.

There also are decaying buildings, unsuitable retail and numerous vacancies.

OK, it’s not paradise and it’s certainly not your grandma’s Reading.

But it is a living, breathing 21st century city, where hundreds of millions of dollars and countless hours have been spent on its long revitalization ride.

Are we there yet? No. However, some think we’re getting closer.

“Downtown is in much better shape than it was when I started 14 years ago,” said Adam Mukerji, executive director of Reading Redevelopment Authority, pointing to IMAX Theatre, Santander Arena, GoggleWorks Center for the Arts and its neighboring apartments.

Working closely with retailer and mentor Albert R. Boscov, the two have executed projects of $180 million to $200 million in public and private money, Mukerji said.

The most recent project is the $63 million Doubletree By Hilton Reading Hotel, nearing completion at 701 Penn St., funded by Our City Reading, private investors, grants and state funding.

“Boscov has the ability to attract private capKevin K. Murphy, president of Berks ital,” said Mukerji, adding the city is fortunate County Community Foundation, has studied to have him for a benefactor. “He absolutely cities with similar characteristics to Reading—a tells Reading’s story better than anyone else.” level of abandonment, millinery past, certain amount of crime—that were reborn.

Mukerji’s role, in part, is to administer funding and mar“You have to drive people back in,” Murphy ket projects. In that role, he said. “It’s the same strategy as the Main Street faces a few Reading challeng- program. It’s all focused on rebuilding the es: the public school system, core to attract people to the entertainment blight, and the perception and dining, then you attract office workers of crime and cleanliness. “If who don’t have to drive for amenities and we have a great public school, we’ll attract amenities bring people back downtown.” young people because we have affordable housing,” Mukerji said.

Murphy hopes to lead with events the foundation has If Mukerji woke up to a perfect Reading, funded: Downtown Alive he would “like all historic buildings to look concerts; the farmers’ market; as they did in their heyday, a city clean and the Fire and Ice Festival last vibrant with lots of eateries with eclectic winter; and Arts on Penn. menus, very good public schools, young families with well-paying jobs…Reading as To that end, the foundaa destination. tion has awarded a total of $434,963 in revitalization grants since August 2014. Since “I’d like to see college students spend more 1994, it has distributed more than $40 million time downtown, more sports bars. We already in grants and scholarships, with one of its have fantastic natural features like Thun Trail, main focuses being city revitalization, the walking trails, farmers’ markets. I’d make foundation said. downtown buildings have great retail shopping and the second floors would be apartments The event strategy—to use entertainment instead of vacant spaces.” He would also like to attract a heavy mix of dining and bar to see a Reading Railroad museum at Sixth crowds—allows entrepreneurs to participate and Spring streets, a Reading Railroad trolley with little capital investment. “What happens with a caboose going to interesting points, over time is an entrepreneur sees that empty and a railroad-themed restaurant somewhere. space near a concert and thinks, I could rent that,” Murphy said. “Based on concert success As for the Schuylkill River, Mukerji said, (strategies) in other cities, if it doesn’t succeed “Our waterfront is still quite open. We’ve in Reading, it would defy success.” never taken advantage of our ethnic diversity.

Create festivals. Put up tents. People will Murphy disputed the idea that people come and get a taste of the city.” won’t come downtown. photo by: Ron Saari Photography & Video

8 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

GreaterReadingChamber.org

“That is demonstratively not true,” Murphy said. “The data doesn’t show that. When there is something to come downtown for, they will. The Trans-Siberian Orchestra sold out two concerts last winter, 15,000 tickets total. We will come down. Reading Royals packs them in. When nothing’s going on, they don’t come down.”

His ideal Reading: “Penn Street from Santander Arena to the Schuylkill River with more vibrant retail and dining, all the empty office space back filled with legitimate, unsubsidized market rate housing being developed to attract younger people who have not yet created their nest, and empty nesters.

Employment, home values and household income would begin to grow and have a ripple effect outward.”

Charles Broad, executive director of the Reading Downtown Improvement District, said the agency’s marketing efforts for events have increased in the past two years to about $800,000.

When he was hired in 2008, DID was responsible for Safe, Clean and Green, Midday Cafes and the Reading Holiday Parade. Now it produces the Fire and Ice Festival and Downtown Alive concert series.

“We approach the revitalization of Reading, not from a bricks-and-mortar point of view, but by creating a proper environment for investors to want to invest money,” Broad said. “Certainly businesses will follow the people coming downtown.”

In Broad’s opinion, the problem with the efforts to revitalize is that no one is in charge.

“We could be that coordinating body,” said Broad, about the effort and then pointing out a list of economic-development groups published in the Reading Eagle, he added: “A lot of the entities—and there are about 30 of them—are not city entities. I don’t want to besmirch anybody. But we get up every day and focus solely on downtown Reading.”

Broad said there has been a lot of positive energy of late and some fragmentation among groups is taking care of itself. “I think we

are at a tipping point; we are at the edge of something really great,” Broad said. “If we keep working together and keep the naysayers out of our minds, we’ll do this. I think we can make even better strides.”

is a comprehensive plan to connect all these dots in a consolidated effort.” Kautter was instrumental in the development of the West Reading Corridor Streetscape Enhancement Project, completed in 2004.

For the future, Broad said: “I would like The architect favors tighter planning with to see downtown Reading’s architecture go projects not so far apart as GoggleWorks and back to the way it was a few decades ago, to Santander Arena. He cited impactful planning the grand architecture.” He would like to see around Allentown’s PPL Center, which has more restaurants, bars, stands and concerts to “life around the hockey arena whether it is encourage people going to Miller Center for open or not.” the Arts, Santander Arena and GoggleWorks to have dinner or a drink and stay longer.

“Our arena was built where the Astor Theatre He thinks that would go a long way toward was, things are spread out and singular, instead ending the perception of crime. of coalesced for critical mass,” Kautter said.

“When there is no hockey, there is nothing “We struggle fighting that perception every going on.” day,” Broad said. “I’d like to see a better mix of commerce. I don’t want to be jealous of Because Allentown and Lancaster have West Reading, but they have a mix of all done well with projects, Kautter thinks local types of commerce. West Reading has an groups are growing impatient, and that’s why intimate feel because it has only one lane of it’s being talked about so much now. traffic, where Reading has a big open space on Penn, which is beneficial for festivals, but can What makes this an optimistic situation feel cavernous. We have great diversity now, is, if those cities can, he can’t imagine why food from just about any ethnic background, Reading can’t. but I’d like more. The other thing we need is tenants for the living spaces above the “We need to get all the organizations and first-floor storefronts, which gives a built-in businesses to coalesce around a singular vision set of people living here.” and follow through, not just for Reading, but West Reading, Wyomissing and Shillington.

Michael J. Kautter, pres- What Reading has, that Allentown and ident of Kautter & Kelley Lancaster don’t, is a spectacular riverfront Architects, Wyomissing, and spectacular views from small mountains.” who is working on the 400 block of Penn Street, said Peter Rye, president of Brentwood Industries, he sees two things: “One, with Reading plastics plants and Spring Ridge the enormous population offices, said: “We have a problem attracting of Hispanics changing Reading to meet its talent to our city and our company; my needs by creating taquerias and bodegas and interest in helping the city is self-serving isn’t necessarily looking for the redevelopment because I want to attract future employees. being talked about, and the other, a white We are definitely one of their better options.”

Anglo perspective that insinuates redeveloping for a higher standard of living in an area that at Rye is vice chairman of the Greater Reading one time had seen a higher standard of living.” Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and chairman of Reading’s City Revitalization and At the heart of any redevelopment is young Improvement Zone committee, which hopes professional retention. the city would be selected for a state incentives program of the same name. Participants would “Too much is made of the borders of pick 130 acres to promote growth, keeping Reading,” Kautter said. “If we redevelop West most of the taxes to reinvest. Gov. Tom Wolf Reading, and young people stay there, they is reviewing the program’s overall performance. will spill across the riverfront. What’s needed Continued on page 10 9

cover story continued…

“There is not enough investment in properties.

Someone such as real estate developer The city has a repetitive cycle of inconsistent Alan W. Shuman would be a good partner, and insufficient tax base, poor leadership and Rye said, because he brings private money. lack of development and financial resources.”

“I’d like about 10 Alan Shumans,” Rye said.

and St. Joseph Health and Penn State University, which he hopes will result in a similar synergy as the James Street Improvement District developed by Lancaster General Hospital and Franklin & Marshall College.

The leadership piece is particularly troubling “There is a need for a leader among leaders,” to Rye, adding there are many economic-development agencies—government, private Rye said. “We’re not going to get that from foundations and nonprofits—that don’t government. It needs to come from the private have their missions aligned for a common sector. This is an overwhelmingly generous purpose; everybody’s operating on their turf population, the county overall. There are high levels of givers here. Off the charts. Not just and in leadership vacuums. money, but in enthusiasm and commitment.

Rye explains why he ended up buying in If we could get a common mission into a plan Spring Ridge: “I went so far as to entertain where we all follow and execute it.” a conversation for downtown, but no agency Shuman’s ventures include office buildings, was ready for that conversation. There seems to be a lot of focus on those fantasies of getting retail and apartments. The real estate devel“My dream would be to a big employer to replace Dana (Corp., closed oper through Shuman Development Group have a city that mirrors in 2000). The parking authority seems to invested $90 million in projects in the past Lancaster. There’s a renewed interest in urban exist to create revenue for the city and not for 21 years. He was developing Big Mill Outlet living, walking to work and shopping, par- making it attractive for businesses to move apartments, 702 N. Eighth St., when it was burned by arson in 2014, and is currently in ticularly for young people. Now is the time there. Parking is a critical issue.” the process of developing it again. for small cities to get it together to become Rye is encouraged by the alliances between appealing for them. That demand exists, but Reading Health System and Alvernia University, Reading has not prepared itself for it.

Rye also loves Lancaster and Bethlehem, saying: “In Bethlehem, there’s a beautiful jewelry store where I bought a ring for my wife, and there’s a jewelry store in downtown Lancaster where my daughter got her ring.

You can go back to those stores, and they’re still there. But those sorts of things are lost here. The decline is almost complete. Everything I knew when I was growing up here is lost. That never happened in Lancaster or Bethlehem.

10 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

GreaterReadingChamber.org

He owns buildings on two corners of Fifth and Washington streets: Abraham Lincoln Hotel and M&T Building, on the northwest and southwest corners, respectively. The Abe has been operating at a 30 percent occupancy rate; however, he said, M&T Building is 100 percent occupied. Shuman also has three plans for the U.S. Post Office building on the southeast corner of the same intersection, but he added, “The Post Office takes forever to decide anything.” Shuman owns several other projects as well.

His disenchantment with the way things are run in Reading runs deep.

“I’d like to see a pro-business administration; we’ve never had one since I started.” He said he wants a level playing field in the office market so he can offer tenants the same deals they get in Wyomissing. He feels handicapped after he figures in parking and commuter fees. “The city and the authorities are taking a chunk of the square footage,” said Shuman, who noted some fees were intended to be short-term, but have been renewed yearly.

“If you bring businesses back into the city, you bring the day crowd back in.” Shuman believes the day crowd should be prioritized over the event strategy. “Downtown Reading has the best entertainment in the whole county,” said Shuman, ticking off a few sites, “but you can’t have a vibrant downtown with just entertainment, you need the day crowd.”

a big entertainment facility. We have no destination. No Dutch Wonderland here. I’d like to see a train museum for the Reading Railroad to include a shop to restore cars and train excursions.”

Unbeknown to each other, Mukerji, Shuman and Crystal A. Seitz, president of the Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau, all would like a Reading Railroad museum to honor the fabled railroad that put Reading on the map and on the Monopoly board.

“We saw it as the smart thing to do and a way to fuel the renaissance of downtown Reading because every event brings money back into the community,” Kline said. “We’re a local company paying for these ventures and we’re following the visitors bureau study about more festivals and more bicycle events.

It will take years and years to grow organically and tell the community what we are doing.”

Kline looks to Branson, Mo., which started as a fishing spot with nothing to do at night.

The entertainment grew. For the future, Kline foresees Penn Corridor from Wyomissing to Lindbergh Viaduct with cycling, attractions, shows and wonderful meals. He loves the growing folkloric and Latino culture.

“It has been my contention “You see the passion and energy start to and my real-life experience grow around these,” Seitz said. that we have been way above our weight class locally in actors, musicians, artists, if In that vein, the first Reading 120 Pro we could harness that,” Kline said. “We are Cycling Race was held in early September 2015, not a big, empty industrial complex; we are and organizers of a salsa dance competition an amazing community.” decided to have their event the same day because of the expected race turnout, Seitz When ReDesign Reading’s Executive said. “How do we group things to attach to Director Brian Kelly arrived in 2013, he each other?” asked Seitz. “Lots of things are said: “Most of the power holders were basically creating a whirlwind. We have niche markets saying there was no hope for revitalization around GoggleWorks, Pro Cycling, arts and because nobody lives in downtown Reading. culture. We need to work to build around that.” Who is nobody? Ninety-thousand people live here. There were all kinds of assumptions Through these attachments, Seitz hopes being made. When things start to decline, retail will follow. “I’d love to see Penn Street people want to get out. When people have boutiques and retail, such as Gap, Old Navy energy and passion, you can change the and Williams-Sonoma,” said Seitz, suggesting conversation from nothing happening to it two-hour free street parking and bus trolleys. looks like things are happening.”

Seitz brings a $60,000 tourism study from 2014 to the table that economic promoters rely upon for direction, including Pretzel City Productions LLC and ReDesign Reading. The study’s main recommendations: Emphasize the abundance of arts and culture and outdoor recreation.

Shuman also cited Hong Thanh Restaurant, Sixth and Court streets, leaving the city in 2012 for Spring Township, and another restaurant closing in part because of parking.

“The city needs to re-assess the impact of parking fees and tickets as it relates to the Pretzel City Productions LLC’s springboard day and lunchtime crowds,” Shuman said. came from the same study.

“We need nice office structures, competent management and reasonable and comparable Dave Kline, an executive at Reading Eagle rents to bring a day crowd.” Shuman believes Company, formed the division, with President more businesses bring more employees who Peter D. Barbey, last winter to promote bring more daytime spending to other busi- entertainment. The company has spent tens nesses downtown. of thousands of dollars on the project.

When asked about the future, Shuman has plans: “My vision is for a 34-story office tower—taller than any other building—it would make a statement. I’d like to see

across multicultural and activity platforms to benefit its employees and customers, and the community, he said.

For 25 years, the Reading Eagle had done similar projects, mostly through its Radio Station WEEU, but now it’s created Pretzel City Productions to develop and manage events

Kelly emphasized the low-budget ways ReDesign Reading has become involved, by placing art in vacant storefronts and painting dumpsters, changing negative space. He seized on the burgeoning bicycle-loving population with a pop-up shop, the Reading Bike Hub, and a short-term lease now extended to more than a year.

ReDesign Reading also had an idea to bring more people into downtown Reading by Continued on page 12 11

cover story continued…

offering The People Chronicles, a lower entry “It deserves a visit; it’s not just a Reading lease space in the former Stichter Hardware Railroad piece on the Monopoly board,” Kelly Building, 505 Penn St. That move has brought said. He’s not of the mentality to imagine more than 400 people into downtown Reading a redesigned Reading of his thinking. “An to participate in video programs. engaged citizenry co-creates the type of community it wants to have,” Kelly said.

“It’s not measured in dollars; it’s measured in “My dream is that a lot of people are excited people coming from the county to downtown, to wake up to Reading because there’s a lot and the majority having a good experience,” here they care about.” said Kelly, who estimated his agency has contributed a few thousand Craig Poole, general manager of Doubletree dollars to revitalization, but by Hilton Reading Hotel, has seen more than more in relationships. physical change on Penn Street. The hotel, expected to open in December, had three He c i t e d Re De s i g n weddings booked before the fixtures were Reading’s involvement in the hung. “That’s unheard of,” farmers’ market’s move to Poole said.

5th and Penn Streets. “More people with limited income have greater access “About six or eight months to fresh food and farmers’ markets are events, ago, everything you heard and you run into people,” Kelly said. “Our was negative about downvendors are instructing people on the food.” town. Now everything on social media is positive. The Dovetailing with the visitors bureau study, catalyst has been the hotel,” beams Poole.

ReDesign Reading supported the Reading “There are a lot of things going on, I can’t really 120 bike race as a way to introduce Reading talk about it. They are ‘not-for-sures,’ but to more national and international visitors. (potential businesses) are down here looking.”

SO WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? We are seeing a catalyst for change and it’s coming from many fronts.

The Doubletree By Hilton Reading Hotel will bring jobs downtown, and visitors who will be attending local, regional and national trade shows, conventions and events. We’re seeing new community events and activities designed to draw residents and visitors in hopes they will come early or stay late to visit local restaurants and retailers.

But we need to do more. We need to support our community economic, residential and commercial development efforts. As you’ve read above, there are many people who are passionate about downtown Reading. Perhaps you’ll find your passion in one of the many opportunities available. Join us as we hope to see you downtown. We welcome your thoughts and ideas…info@greaterreadingchamber.com.

Photo courtesy of the Doubletree by Hilton Reading Hotel

12 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

In preparation for the hotel’s opening, Poole has been spending a significant amount of time talking to businesses owners, city and county residents and visitors on the streets in and around downtown Reading. He has also been encouraging these business owners to continue improving by collaborating with their neighbors and taking pride in their storefronts. “I know the downtown better than most people because I’m on the street all day. I see the turnaround. I see the smiles, the happiness quotient.”

Poole’s dream is as eclectic as the city itself. “I want a Colombian coffeehouse; a good soul-food restaurant; a great Latino restaurant; somebody selling haberdashery; waiter service for outdoor dining; outdoor seating at the hotel; people looking good, walking across the street to Santander Arena with change in their eyes, fire in their belly.

And music, a jazz club, country western or American music playing somewhere.”

GREATER READING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EFFORTS: • Provide leadership on the Main Street Board • Co-lead Ride to Prosperity­—a collaboration of 8 leading local organizations with a mission to work together around the important work of building a more prosperous and successful Greater Reading and Berks County • Provides a home for SCORE in downtown office to encourage entrepreneurship • Organizing an Ethnic Food Trail • Working with Reading School District on Career Pathways Programming • Initiated Mujer de Mujer, a Latina Program to empower leadership and cultivate relationships • Provided funding support for the Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Destination Analysis • Sponsor of the following initiatives: Fire and Ice Festival, Reading 120, Mid-Day Café, GoggleWorks Arts Festival • In 2015, raised over $80,000 for wireless cameras to assist the Reading Police Department in solving crime

industry trends

GreaterReadingChamber.org

GENERATION AT-A-GLANCE: Making Way

for Millennials

Millennials, the generation born between 1980 and the mid-2000s, are the largest generation in the U.S. According to the Census Bureau, they represented one-third of the population in 2013.

They are also certain to play a major role in the economy and the workforce for decades to come.

WE MIGHT JUST BE WORKING IN THEIR WORLD SOMEDAY With such a prominent demographic, understanding Millennials both from an employment standpoint and a marketing standpoint will be vital to every business’ success.

Attracting talent, and keeping them, will be a challenge for most businesses. Understanding the dynamics of what makes Millennials tick may just give you the upper hand in your business. Many potential solutions will be inexpensive, yet can make a large difference. What can you consider today to make the most of this changing landscape?

Millennials approach work and careers much differently than prior generations. With their sheer numbers, businesses will have to rethink the conventional wisdom about how human resource departments function.

EARN THEIR TRUST Millennials have a slightly different view of the world, and of who is looking out for their long-term interests. They seem to have a distrust in corporate America which is a hurdle that takes time

to overcome. As you know, trust is earned, usually with upfront and open communication. Making sure your policies and corporate communications are completely transparent is a good start. Many times this is easier said than done, but should be a major priority when hiring their workforce.

What makes them different, and what can you do to attract them?

TECHNOLOGY Millennials were brought up in a technological world that allowed them to work when and where they wanted. Their smartphones are used for everything from their primary communication device, to banking, and to their photo album. Having a robust and simple technological working environment will be as basic a necessity as the office phone. Not only will they demand high technological standards of their employers, they will force the IT departments to constantly improve, which may be a huge organizational benefit.

FLEXIBILITY Millennials also want to work differently. To a majority of them, flexibility and paid time off might be

more important than pure salary. Has your company ever granted time off for successfully completing a project, or for working overtime? To many Millennials, they would prefer to have more vacation days, rather than being paid for working extra hours.

MENTORING Another interesting aspect is that this is a group of people who wants to learn. Again, they may be willing to accept a lower salary with the understanding they will receive professional guidance to improve their skill sets. Providing a mentor program to help the young people grow is an area that wouldn’t cost a lot of money, yet could provide a benefit to attract talent. For those of you who had the good fortune to have had a professional mentor, you would probably agree that the benefits were priceless.

ONGOING CAREER IMPROVEMENT Along the same lines, companies will have to provide Millennials with the ability to train and improve themselves. This may range from tuition reimbursement, to on-thejob training and development.

WANT TO BE HEARD Millennials spend significant time, energy, and money investing in their human capital, especially education. They are eager to apply this knowledge for your company’s benefit.

They are looking for the opportunity to make a difference, and the respect to have management listen to their ideas. Open communication will go a long way toward making this a reality.

UPWARD MOBILITY Opportunity is probably the most important aspect of employee retention. Whether you are a small business looking for a successor, or large business looking for the next wave of management, Millennials want to know there is some potential for advancement in the future. They’re willing to pay the price, including education and professional development. In return, they just want some certainty that their success will be rewarded both in title and salary.

Businesses that are willing to adapt to their needs will be rewarded.

Hiring and retaining top talent will always be a challenge. If you are willing to think outside the box, and be flexible, you may be able to afford more talent than you think.

Citation: 15 ECONOMIC FACTS ABOUT MILLENNIALS, The Council of Economic Advisers, October 2014 About the Author: Paul Marrella, J.D., CFP®, CLTC, is a wealth manager at Marrella Financial Group LLC, noted public speaker and author of What Now? The Widow’s Guide to Financial Independence.

13

industry trends

Katie Carpenter, TRIOSE

The program is run by a team of employees who are not only dedicated to getting on the path of living a healthy lifestyle, but are also committed to helping their peers do the same. We also have the support of the CEO, Carl “CJ” Joyner, who attends our wellness events and meetings. Having the support of the executive team shows our employees that TRIOSE is serious about this program.

We don’t just talk the talk, we walk the walk (sometimes literally!).

M

illennials are looking for more than just a paycheck. Of course they’re still in need of an income, but they’re also looking for a well-rounded benefits program and cultural fit to suit their lifestyle. At TRIOSE, we strive to offer the best-overall package possible, because we couldn’t be the number one fastest-growing company in the Greater Reading area two years in a row without recruiting the top talent in the region!

laugh in our office. Family is always first at TRIOSE. We’re family-owned and the importance of supporting your family when they need you is one of our core values. Our casual dress code is also a plus for most millennials, and for the staff at-large. Most days around the office, you’ll see a lot of us in jeans. The relaxed dress code allows our team to be comfortable and confident, resulting in higher productivity.

Our program offers a free on-site “lunch and learn” once per month. The wellness team provides a variety of topics important not only to millennials, but to our entire staff makeup. Some of the most popular offerings so far have included stress management tips, “Make a Salad Monday,” and a potluck with unique, healthy dishes. Finishing out 2015, we will enjoy a financial planning and budget-building seminar, a blood drive, cancer awareness activities, and a “Maintain Don’t Gain” Challenge to wrap up the year.

Our wellness program also strives to make TRIOSE’s physical office environment a healthy one. One of the most recent developments to come out of the wellness program is TRIOSE’s “tobacco free” policy.

One significant way we promote the impor- The policy prohibits the use of any type of Attracting millennials has a lot to do with tance of leading an overall healthy lifestyle is tobacco product within the TRIOSE facilities, the culture an organization creates. TRIOSE through our wellness program. Established including e-cigarettes. We hope that this actively pursues creating an atmosphere that in 2014, the TRIOSE Wellness Program and will discourage our team from starting or is fun, flexible, family-first, casual, and well- Committee has already made a great impact continuing to use tobacco. ness-oriented—all attributes that we’ve found on our culture. We believe that being “well” In addition to the wellness program, to be particularly exciting for the incoming isn’t just about the food you eat or going to the TRIOSE offers a comprehensive benefits gym, but it’s about being healthy in all aspects generation of our workforce. Openness is package with offerings that draw millenniof life: physically, mentally, and emotionally. highly valuable—we remind staff often that we als to us including competitive healthcare The program has been designed to align with want to hear their ideas, and encourage staff to take their ideas up the chain of command. our everyday business practices, which leads benefits, 401K and profit sharing, as well The TRIOSE team works hard, but we play to consistently attracting millennials and as a generous paid-time-off policy. Going beyond benefits, we’ve found that millennials hard too. We take our work seriously but we engaging our team. are constantly looking for ways to improve never take ourselves too seriously! We love to 14 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

GreaterReadingChamber.org

their professional abilities to evolve and learn.

We pride ourselves in offering numerous professional development opportunities including leadership training at different tiers. One group currently attending these sessions are present managers, while a second group are individuals whom managers have identified as up-and-coming leaders. This gives potential stars the ability to hone-in on the skills they already have and continue to develop the skills they need to take leadership positions in the future.

social events throughout the year that are enjoyable for all generations alike. These events include an annual summer family picnic, a costume contest and pot luck, a bowling competition, and a semi-formal Year End Party held at Stokesay Castle.

To attract millennials and keep them engaged, we strive to do four things at TRIOSE every day. We recognize their needs to have a

competitive salary, a well-rounded benefits package, and opportunities to give back to their community. We build communication bridges between the millennial generation and our more experienced workforce, including our baby-boomer and Gen X teammates. We promote the necessity of having a work-life balance, and most importantly—we provide millennials a chance to learn and grow in their career!

Growth and career advancement opportunities are always a possibility here, which is part of the reason we offer leadership training. We promote internally as much as possible, and enjoy providing people with the prospect of moving up through different positions and levels as they gain experience.

We support new supervisors and managers by offering mentoring and coaching opportunities, both from fellow teammates and outside business consultants and partners.

Flexibility in schedules, the ability to work remotely, and travel are among the other perks of growing within TRIOSE. The Give 5 Program may be one of TRIOSE’s most unique features. This employee-run committee hosts community advancement events at the office and throughout the Wyomissing area. The committee coordinates events to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, TRIOSE’s national charity of choice. All TRIOSE employees have 4 hours per month of paid time that they can use to volunteer at the organization of their choice. We believe in helping people every day, whether it’s by saving hospitals money through our services or through our employees’ contribution of time and talent to a special cause.

Now what do we do to retain the millennials once we bring them into the TRIOSE family?

The answer is simple: we practice what we preach. All of the recruitment components of our programs, benefits, opportunities and culture are also used to retain employees.

We recognize that communication among employees and team members and especially across the generations is imperative to TRIOSE’s success as a company. To foster comradery and communication, and simply to have a little fun, TRIOSE hosts multiple 15

industry trends

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORKFORCE

with a Focus on Manufacturing Dan Fogarty, Berks County Workforce Development Board

I

n the Summer of 2014, I returned from Pittsburgh with my family to Berks County to accept the position as the Director, Workforce Development—Berks County Workforce Development Board. I succeeded Ed McCann in this role following his well-earned retirement from leading the County’s workforce development programs for over 40 years. Unlike Ed, my prior professional career was not in the public sector, but rather as a Human Resources professional working for four excellent private sector Pennsylvania employers, including Carpenter Technology from 1996–2009. My perspective on our changing workforce has been shaped by this experience. Our reality is that advanced manufacturing companies in Berks and throughout the state have great career opportunities, but too few applicants with the necessary preparation to take advantage of these opportunities.

16 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

Along with the Chamber, Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) and other economic development partners, the Berks County Workforce Development Board (WDB) has been a committed sponsor of Berks County’s Ride to Prosperity project to develop a comprehensive vision and strategic plan(s) to address barriers to economic growth, including the need to “expand local aggressive efforts to train workers for key industries such as manufacturing.”

In early 2015, our Board conducted a detailed analysis of twenty local industry sectors to better understand current workforce needs and establish priorities.

This review led to the identification of two high priority sectors for our Berks County workforce: Manufacturing and Healthcare.

GreaterReadingChamber.org

Manufacturing has since been defined as our singular “Priority A— Driver Industry” based on the following factors: • Largest sector by employment: 30,203 (18% of local employment).

• Berks County ranked 4th of the 150 largest U.S. metropolitan areas for job quality largely due to this “driver sector” (2014 Labor Market 150 Index).

• 519 establishments (including 2 of 3 largest employers— East Penn Manufacturing and Carpenter Technology Corp.).

• Average annual earnings = $55,000 (+ 33% in benefits/other compensation).

• Largest sector by annual economic output = $3.4 Billion (23% of Berks GDP).

• Multiplier effect supports many jobs in other sectors/supply chain.

• Continued productivity growth will drive increased economic output with relatively flat manufacturing job growth (i.e. Berks will be successful if we retain 30,000 manufacturing industry jobs through 2025).

• Demographic/Replacement crisis! 54% of manufacturing workers are age 45 or older—need approximately 6,000-8,000 new entrants by 2025.

• Current and future skills-shortages for technical occupations, particularly precision machining and industrial maintenance/mechatronics technicians.

The WDB clearly understands that a failure to quickly and substantially address the talent pipeline and skills-shortages in the manufacturing sector will lead to reduced business investment and lower economic output with a significant negative impact on local economic prosperity.

Fortunately, unlike much of the rest of the state and nation, Berks County has had the foresight to maintain a strong training and education infrastructure to meet the needs of local employers. Reading Area Community College’s Schmidt Training and Technology Center is widely regarded as the finest manufacturing training center in Pennsylvania. In addition, while many regions have allowed advanced manufacturing programs at their high school Career and Technology Centers (CTCs) to weaken and decline, both Reading-Muhlenberg CTC and Berks CTC have continued to invest in high quality advanced manufacturing technology, curriculum and instruction.

Even further, with consistent support from our local manufacturing employers, our CTCs have built strong pathways to post-secondary education and training opportunities at RACC and beyond with our world-class Technical Academy Model. Employers are now seeing the benefits of this integrated approach as each year more Berks County high school students are choosing to pursue this affordable path to college and career success in advanced manufacturing. Now the challenge is to turn this trickle into a stream of talent!

Continued on page 18 17

industry trends continued…

Support for CTCs/RACC Schmidt Technology Center— Technical Academy Model O Statewide best practice O Selective honors program for CTC students O Outstanding infrastructure already in place, no additional facilities required O 20 high school CTC seniors will be taking technical courses at RACC in 2015-16 O Tremendous employer interest/demand, including internships O Up to 27 credits available towards AAS upon high school graduation

While the Technical Academy Model points to a long-term solution to the critical skills-shortage faced by Berks County manufacturers, it does little to help fill their current needs for skilled talent. Since 2007, the Berks County Workforce Development Board has sponsored a Manufacturing Industry Partnership (IP) which has grown to over 40 local employers who come together to address common training needs. Through this cooperative venture, over 1,000 Berks County employees have completed high-quality advanced manufacturing and leadership training paid for by their employer and subsidized

by more than $700,000 in state training grants awarded to the IP. In February 2015, the IP convened a “Grow Your Own Talent” workgroup led by six local manufacturing employers who are working closely with RACC to expand their world-class technical training offerings to include updated, in-demand programs such as precision machining training for incumbent workers. This work group is also working with both local CTCs to upgrade and expand their adult precision machining course offerings.

Currently, the IP is launching a “Fill the Talent Pipeline” work group to develop new strategies to address the pipeline issue noted above and served as a key partner in planning for Berks County’s first Manufacturing Day event planned for October 3, 2015.

We have also convened a collaborative group led by the Chamber and Workforce Development Board to facilitate a special roundtable with manufacturers, public officials and educators to further explore the challenges and opportunities we are faced with. The partnership is planning to schedule a special Manufacturing Workforce Issues Forum championed by Representative Mackenzie with representatives from the PA Department of Education, as well as the PA Department of Labor and Industry. As details become available, please look to the Chamber website for further information.

Many Berks County residents mistakenly believe that our manufacturing best years are behind us, but we have found nothing could be further from the truth! Our world-class manufacturing companies are continuously developing new and innovative products that are shipped to customers around the globe. They continue to invest in new technology and 21st Century process improvement strategies.

Our current highly-skilled workforce allows us to compete successfully worldwide and generate wealth for our local economy. Our challenge is to make sure that we properly prepare our young adults that will soon enter the workforce to take advantage of what this exciting sector has to offer—right here in Berks County!

The Berks County Workforce Development Board is comprised of unpaid members of the local community and appointed by Berks County Commissioners. By federal law and state policy, representatives of the local business community must constitute a majority of the Board’s membership. In Berks County, these members are nominated by the Chamber. Local labor organizations, community-based organizations, economic and community development entities, and educational institutions are also represented on the Board. The Board’s purpose is to support the development and maintenance of a skilled and competitive workforce in alignment with the broader economic development efforts to attract, retain and grow business in Berks County.

18 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

trending now

EMV Compliance & Shift of Liability as of October 1st Expert Advice from Donald R. Geiter, Esquire, Barley Snyder

A

s of October 1, 2015, all major credit card companies in the United States (including, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express) will impose a liability shift for counterfeit presentation of payment cards.

Presently, card issuers (including, banks, credit unions and other financial institutions) generally accept all liability for counterfeit payment card transactions, including those transactions where the payment card is presented by the holder (known as “card present” transactions). But on October 1, 2015, the liability for counterfeit, “card present” transactions generally shifts to the party (either the issuer or the merchant) that does not support modern “chip” technologies, including EMV “chip” cards (“EMV”stands for EuroPay, MasterCard and Visa). So, for example, if a merchant accepts a payment with a “chip” card and processes the transaction using a magnetic-only card reader, the merchant will be responsible for replacing the funds from fraud losses, not the card issuer.

stolen from a magnetic card, the data can be copied and replicated onto one or more “cloned cards” and used to make purchases or withdraw cash. By comparison, “chip” cards generate a unique encrypted code for each transaction, making it virtually impossible to replicate and, therefore, much more secure than magnetic cards when read by a “chip” technology processing device.

The downside of “chip” technology and EMV compliance is cost.

“Chip” cards are more expensive for issuers to manufacture. In addition, financial institutions may also need to upgrade their automated teller machines and merchants must upgrade to “chip” technology equipment and reader systems to accept in-store card payments that are protected with “chip” technology. Merchants must decide whether avoiding exposure to fraud liability is worth the difficulty and expense of the chip reader upgrade. Their decision may depend upon their unique risk of exposure to card fraud.

Overall, there is no doubt that the switch to “chip” technology This deadline appears to be the “carrot on a stick” needed by card will go much further in preventing payment card fraud than the issuers to entice businesses to adopt the more-secure, modern “chip” current, magnetic technology allows. However, since on-line transtechnologies. Annual costs of payment card fraud in the United States actions (frequently referred to as “card not present” transactions) alone are estimated at $8.6 billion per year, and industry experts are not directly affected by “chip” technology, it is anticipated that believe that figure will rise to at least $10 billion by the end of 2015. fraudsters will re-focus their time and efforts toward on-line fraud However, despite the availability of “chip” technology for several and merchants may wish to take additional security precautions for years, the Small Business Administration estimates that as of this higher value and/or higher risk on-line transactions. past January 1, 2015, only 3% of all payment cards in the United States contained “chip” technology. It is expected that as a result of For more information about EMV compliance and liability, you may this liability shift and other contributing factors, the percentage of reach Don Geiter, of the law firm of Barley Snyder, at (717) 399-4154. payment cards containing “chip” technology will jump to closer to 40% by year end.

Most new cards will be enabled with both “chip” and magnetic strip technology to facilitate the transition phase. And the liability shift does not change the liability for online purchases, “card present” transactions conducted using lost or stolen cards, or “card present” transactions conducted using cards that only offer magnetic strips.

Issuers will continue to be liable for payment fraud that occurs with these types of transactions. Furthermore, gas stations have an additional two-year period (until October 1, 2017) to convert their automated fuel dispensers, before their liability on counterfeit cards is shifted.

The push for “chip” technology is because it is far better than the existing, magnetic technology in preventing fraud. Magnetic cards store “static” data (information that does not change). So, if data is 19

effective leadership

Back to

) y r o s i v r e (Sup ol Scho

Danielle Antos, Greater Reading Chamber

I

recently read a SmartBrief.com blog regarding the skills gap for new Managers and Leaders.

We hear so much about the skills gap in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) fields, but the same shortage exists with future managers and supervisors for most any industry. The same underlying theme remains throughout—growing the future leaders of an organization should be top priority for management.

Excerpt from SmartBrief.com blog: In this volatile and ever-changing environment, new managers matter. They’re on the front lines with your workforce, your customers, your competitors, and your markets. They have tremendous potential, and some of them will become your organization’s future executives. It’s easy to simply rely on your new managers to take care of the management basics—assigning workloads, supervising others, approving vacation requests, managing budgets, and conducting performance reviews—but there is another role that they can, and should, step into: the role of leader.

New managers—with their enthusiasm, energy, and fresh ideas—can be positioned to become effective as leaders if they’re properly developed from the beginning.

Forward-looking executives are recognizing that developing new leaders is vital in order to keep up with the pace of change in the business world, and to address the leadership skills gap emerging as boomers retire. Simply put, having new leaders manage teams without first having them develop a leadership mindset is a missed opportunity for your organization, and could hinder your growth over time.

Many companies in Berks have looked to the Chamber for help in developing their current employees for future leadership roles. We recognize the needs of our members and strive to answer their call for relevant training programs. YES—the Chamber offers Supervisory Training! Our Supervisory Training Modules teach the leadership and communication skills 20 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

needed by all supervisors and managers to help their companies achieve their goals and create a motivating and satisfying work environment.

The Chamber is pleased to announce that the curriculum for the Supervisory Training Modules has been re-vamped to improve the flow and enhance the materials to make sure your employees are getting the most out of their training experience.

The NEW Module I—Principles of Supervision launches on September 30.

Once enrolled, employees will embark on a journey of developing skills they don’t currently practice or refining the skills they already have. Previously, our three module series were stand-alone; meaning that students could take the courses in any order. Our new series will be sequential learning, so we recommend that all students take the modules in order. We will offer the existing Modules II and III through spring 2016 allowing currently-enrolled students to finish up the classes they need to gain their certificate.

See chart for scheduled roll out. By the spring of 2016, new curriculum for all the modules will be in place and the transition will be complete. As an added benefit to the program, pre and post evaluations will also help gauge the student’s progress throughout the modules—making results measurable for students and their managers.

GreaterReadingChamber.org

Order of Classes & Introduction of Updated Module Fall 2015

Winter 2015

Updated Module 1 in place; Continue with current Module 2 and 3

Spring 2016

Updated Modules 1 and 2 in place; Continue with current Module 3

Updated Modules 1, 2 and 3 in place

Module I: Principles of Supervision 1

Supervisor’s Role in Management

Supervisor’s Role in Management

Supervisor’s Role in Management

2

EEO and the Law

EEO and the Law

EEO and the Law

3

Understanding Yourself & Others (DISC)

Understanding Yourself & Others (DISC)

Understanding Yourself & Others (DISC)

4

Communication & Listening

Communication & Listening

Communication & Listening

5

Understanding Groups & Developing Teams

Understanding Groups & Developing Teams

Understanding Groups & Developing Teams

6

Emotional Intelligence, Part 1

Emotional Intelligence, Part 1

Emotional Intelligence, Part 1

7

Emotional Intelligence, Part 2

Emotional Intelligence, Part 2

Emotional Intelligence, Part 2

8

Managing a Diverse Workplace

Managing a Diverse Workplace

Managing a Diverse Workplace

Module II: Managing Performance, Developing Employees and disciplining Effectively 1

Communications

Motivating and Recognizing Employees

Motivating and Recognizing Employees

2

Listening

Developing and Coaching Others

Developing and Coaching Others

3

Emotional Intelligence

Delegating Effectively

Delegating Effectively

4

Delegating

Creating Performance Standards and Documenting Performance

Creating Performance Standards and Documenting Performance

5

Improving & Maintaining Performance

Giving Effective Feedback

Giving Effective Feedback

6

Improving Work Habits

Following Up Effectively & Effective Disciplinary Action

Following Up Effectively & Effective Disciplinary Action

7

Understanding Groups & Developing Teams

8

Handling Complaints

Module III: Leveraging Skills for Organizational Success 1

Understanding Yourself and Others (DISC)

Understanding Yourself and Others (DISC)

Conducting Performance Reviews

2

What’s Wrong With You? Conflict Management

What’s Wrong With You? Conflict Management

What’s Wrong With You? Conflict Management

3

Managing Relationships & Valuing Differences (Diversity)

Managing Relationships & Valuing Differences (Diversity)

Problem Solving & Decision Making

4

Communicating With Difficult People

Communicating With Difficult People

Business Communication for the 21st Century

Comprehensive curriculum will focus on the following topics: FRAMEWORK—You are now “they”

SITUATIONAL

 Supervisor’s role in management—include appreciation for differences in style, maturity and ethnicity. Realize your role allows you to build, grow and improve you and your reports; competency and proficiency.

 Understanding groups & developing teams including communication and listening. Relate and identify unique abilities of individuals in order to build high performing work teams.

FOUNDATIONAL

 Motivating and recognizing employees –differentiate, distinguish and recognize individual employee strengths and express accordingly.

 Creating performance standards, documenting performance, goal & priority setting—job and career, including use of the workday system. Apply both strategic and tactical planning to guide and measure results.

 Developing and coaching others—practice and demonstrate desired behaviors, guide employees to think tactically, strategically and make informed decisions.

REINFORCEMENT

 Giving effective feedback—appraise and measure for competency and proficiency.  Following-up effectively & effective disciplinary action. Question and formulate actions plans for improvement including problem solving and decision making strategies.

LEGAL

 EEO and the Law—in coordination with Carpenter HR and Legal, utilize actual case studies for discussion.

Continued on page 22 21

effective leadership continued…

The following companies have participated in the Chamber’s Supervisory Training Modules: Adelphia Seafood Affinity Bank of Pennsylvania Amity Industries Apex Fabrication & Design, Inc. Appeeling Fruit, Inc. Bally Ribbon Mills Berks Encore Berks Packing Company, Inc. Berkshire Health Partners Berkshire Systems Group, Inc. Berk-Tek, A Nexans Company Bimbo Bakeries USA Brenntag Northeast, Inc. Brentwood Industries, Inc. Campbell Fittings, Inc. Can Corporation of America, Inc. Carpenter Technology Corporation City of Reading

Clover Farms Dairy Company Custom Processing Services, Inc. DWS Technologies, LLC East Coast Erosion Blankets East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc. Eastern Technologies, Inc. EnerSys Fleetwood Fixtures G & T Industries GAF GAI-Tronics Corporation GenOn Energy Giorgio Foods, Inc. Greater Berks Food Bank Grosfillex North America Herbein + Company, Inc. IWCO Direct

Kohl Building Products Lentz Milling Levan Machine & Truck Equipment Materion Corporation Met-Ed, A FirstEnergy Company Miller-Keystone Blood Center Misco Products Corporation Offset Impressions, Inc. Peirce Welding & Fabricating Phillips-Van Heusen Corporation R.M. Palmer Company Reading Alloys, Inc. Reading Dermatology Associates Reading Housing Authority Remcon Plastics, Inc. Rentokil/JC Ehrlich Rolling Rock Building Stone, Inc.

Saint Joseph Villa SGL Carbon, LLC Suburban Water Testing Labs, Inc. Summit Steel & Manufacturing Sun Rich Fresh Foods, Inc. Sweet Street Desserts, Inc. Sylvin Technologies, Inc. The Rose Corporation TIMET Tom Sturgis Pretzels, Inc. Tray-Pak Corporation UGI Valtech Corporation Vossloh Track Material, Inc. Weaver Industries, Inc. Wilson School District Yuasa Battery, Inc.

Testimonials from our current students: “I have been working to develop our team. Mostly, I have been encouraging employees to come up with solutions on their own with involvement, but using their suggestions or ideas.”

“This course has helped me to work more confidently and instill more motivation to my group.”

“I find myself being more “leading” personally and to my team.”

“I have gained so much valuable knowledge through the course.

I look at almost everything differently. I have better insight on who I am and what I need to do to be a stronger leader.”

22 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

business & community advocacy

GreaterReadingChamber.org

EVERY VOTE COUNTS: 2015 MUNICIPAL ELECTION

Everyone has heard the saying, “if you don’t vote, you can’t complain.” There are several reasons people do not vote: time constraints, lack of interest, voting obstacles, and most commonly, people do not believe their vote counts. In a time when voter participation is significantly low, races are being decided by smaller margins and it is harder to argue that your vote does not matter.

SAVE THE DATE: November 3, 2015 Municipal Election—Polls open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

ARE YOU REGISTERED?

October 5 is the last day to register to vote for the 2015 Municipal Election in PA. Registering to vote is a quick and easy process. PA recently implemented on-line registration at: https://www.pavoterservices.state.pa.us/Pages/VoterRegistrationApplication.aspx

DO YOU NEED AN ABSENTEE BALLOT?

In order to vote by absentee ballot in Pennsylvania you must be traveling on Election Day or be physically unable to cast your vote at the polls. If either of these situations apply to you, you need to complete the Absentee Ballot Application. The last day to apply for an absentee ballot is October 27. The last day for County Board of Elections to receive absentee ballots is October 30 (5:00 p.m.)

EVERY VOTE COUNTS. MAKE AN INFORMED VOTE ON NOVEMBER 3, 2015!

Coming prepared on Election Day will help you save time and make informed decisions about the candidates. Keep in mind, if you have questions about voting, ask the poll workers or Judge of Elections.

For more information about Berks County races, visit: www.

GreaterReadingVoice.com and select 2015 Berks Municipal Elections Candidates to learn more about the County Commissioner and City of Reading Mayor candidates. You can also go to the Berks County Election Services website at: http://www.co.berks. pa.us/elections/.

23

Fall 2015 24 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

Tracy Hoffmann, Hoffmann Publishing

See What's Cookin' Downtown

GreaterReadingChamber.org

25

business & community advocacy Top Priority Issues Impacting Manufacturing ✓ Strengthened Workforce Development

✓ Tax Competitiveness

Partnering for MANUFACTURING COMPETITIVENESS Gail Landis, Greater Reading Chamber

✓ Affordable & Reliable Energy To get connected and be engaged in these and other pro-manufacturing business issues and opportunities visit:

GreaterReadingVoice.com - or -

PaManufacturers.org

GreaterReadingVoice.com Get Connected • Identifies the Chamber’s pro-business priorities • Provides information on your elected officials & candidates • Monitors key local, state and federal relevant news and topics • Enables you to contact officials on important issues & votes Speaking as one voice, Chamber members have the power to strengthen the prosperity of the business community. Speaking up and making your thoughts known to public officials is vital to our political process. Regardless if you are a large corporation, small business or start-up, you are focused on business matters and the time to deal with political issues is limited.

26 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

The Alliance between the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the PA Manufacturers’ Association

T

he merger of the Manufacturing Association of Berks County with the Berks County Chamber of Commerce in 2005 set the stage for an evolving business advocacy and community leadership role. The Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry has gone on to continue its relationship with the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association (PMA), recognized for its consistency, integrity, and leadership in the representation of manufacturing and business interests in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Chamber is also associated with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The PMA and the Chamber partner to promote efforts to build a more competitive and prosperous Pennsylvania and assist companies in meeting the growing challenges of a global economy, seek a more highly skilled workforce, and address onerous

regulatory and tax burdens. To this end the Chamber works with PMA and NAM to advocate for policies and programs that will grow manufacturing here in our region and the Commonwealth. “We’re grateful to have such an excellent working relationship with the Greater Reading Chamber,” said David N. Taylor, President of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association (PMA). “Through our legislative alliance, PMA, the Greater Reading Chamber, and the other regional and local manufacturing associations work together on the issues affecting our sector by sharing intelligence, reaching out to state policymakers, and making sure the manufacturing sector is being heard clearly in one voice. Ellen Horan and Gail Landis are outstanding leaders who make the Chamber one of our best partners in building a more competitive business climate for Pennsylvania.”

GreaterReadingChamber.org

Both organizations agree the future of Berks County and Pennsylvania is our business.

What Sets Manufacturing Apart in Today’s Economy?

• In the most recent data, manufacturers contributed $2.09 trillion to the economy.

This figure has steadily risen since 2009 when manufacturers contributed $1.73 trillion. The sector accounts for 12.0 percent of GDP.¹ For every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, another $1.37 is added to the economy, the highest multiplier effect of any economic sector.²

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• Manufacturing supports an estimated 17.6 million jobs in the United States— about one in six private-sector jobs.

More than 12 million Americans (or 9 percent of the workforce) are employed directly in manufacturing.³

 Municipal Waste  Medical Waste  Hazardous Waste  Recyclables

• In 2013, the average manufacturing worker in the United States earned $77,506 annually, including pay and benefits. The average worker in all industries earned $62,546.⁴ • Manufacturers in the United States are the most productive in the world, far surpassing the worker productivity of any other major manufacturing economy, leading to higher wages and living standards.⁵

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• Manufacturers in the United States perform more than three-quarters of all private-sector R&D in the nation, driving more innovation than any other sector.⁶

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• Taken alone, manufacturing in the United States would be the ninth-largest economy in the world.

REFERENCES: 1. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Industry Economic Accounts (2014).

2. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Industry Input-Output Tables (2013).

3. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014), with estimate of total employment supported by manufacturing calculated by NAM using data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (2013, 2014).

4. Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Economic Accounts by Industry (2013).

5. NAM calculations based on data from the United Nations, Bureau of Labor Statistics and the International Labour Organization.

6. Bureau of Economic Analysis, National Economic Accounts by Industry (2013).

7. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Industry Economic Accounts (2014) and International Monetary Fund (2013).

www.edgeinsights.com

PA Facts:

Manufacturers help to drive Pennsylvania’s Manufacturers in Pennsylvania account economy, with $36.59 billion in manufacfor 12.0 percent of the total output in the tured goods exports in 2014. That same year, state, employing 9.72 percent of the work- $18.49 billion in exports was with our free force. Total output from manufacturing was trade agreement (FTA) partners. This helps $77.37 billion in 2013. In addition, there create jobs in the state, and 19.00 percent were 565,200 manufacturing employees in of its employment stemmed from exports Pennsylvania in 2014, with an average annual in 2011. Small businesses comprised 89.10 compensation of $69,023 in 2013. percent of all exporters in Pennsylvania.

SOURCES: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau.

SOURCES: International Trade Administration, U.S. Census Bureau.

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28 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

entrepreneur’s corner

GreaterReadingChamber.org

Responses Compiled by Ellen Albright, Greater Reading Chamber

The Greater Reading Chamber celebrates the role of entrepreneurs in our community each and every day. We work with these business owners to provide suggestions, deliver solutions and expand their networks. But behind each of these businesses lies an untold story of perseverance, passion, and most importantly—the leadership responsible for creating vibrancy and innovation in our region. Manufacturing plays a large role in the makeup of Greater Reading, and American Polarizers is no stranger to the scene! Read the conversation below between Commerce Quarterly and Nick Bentley – President, American Polarizers, Inc.

CQ: What does your business manufacture?

NB: We manufacture polarized optical filters and films, sunglass displays, and aircraft cabin windows.

American Polarizers employs 20 people and is located at 141 S. 7th St., Reading PA.

CQ: Provide an example of how your product is used in everyday life.

NB: We make the polarizers used in devices that check for skin cancer.

CQ: What assets of Berks County allow your company to be successful here?

NB: The low cost of living and resources available to our company are a great asset. We are very happy being in Berks County and Downtown Reading.

CQ: How long has American Polarizers been in business?

NB: 50 years!

CQ: As a small business owner, how do you maintain a work-life balance?

NB: Nine months ago I had unexpected open heart surgery and that really brought the importance of work-life balance into focus for me. I make more time to step away for lunch, to be home for dinner, and to spend even more time with my wife, daughter, family and friends.

CQ: Speaking of spending time with family, do you have other family members working in the business?

NB: My sister, Victoria Bentley, is co-owner of the company and plays an active role in the day-to-day business.

CQ: What is your biggest challenge as a small business, and what resources in Berks have you utilized to overcome this issue?

NB: My biggest challenge is building a management team that will reflect my values, but also grow beyond me. To that end, the Greater Reading Chamber through their Work of Leaders program, Ben Franklin Technology Partners, Bonnie Sussman at Focused LLC, Judie Thompson at Myndsight Consulting Group, and many others that I consider to be mentors and advisors are helping me with this.

CQ: What sets you apart from your competitors?

NB: We differentiate ourselves with our broad knowledge about the polarized products that we manufacture. Our long-term experience serves as a great resource for companies around the world when they are designing new products or have technical issues that they need to resolve. We are best known for our high quality optics and our ability to customize parts to meet our clients’ needs.

CQ: What is one thing every small business owner should do daily?

NB: Step away from their desk, and get some “fresh air” to clear one’s head. It really helps with overall productivity.

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family business matters

Berks FBA:

Helping Family Businesses Resolve Their Unique Issues Danielle Antos, Greater Reading Chamber

Ross and Howard Kramer, son-father team, discuss their strategies of success at the 2015 Spring Symposium.

S

ince its inception in the spring of 2014, the Berks Family Business Alliance continues to serve Berks County family businesses. These businesses vary in size and industry type—from manufacturing and service to retail. Statistics show that approximately 75% of businesses in the US are family-owned and operated—and Berks County is no exception!

We are pleased that Berks FBA has experienced strong growth in our programming and member attendance at events. Exciting events are coming in 2015–16, offering family businesses the opportunity to find resources to help them solve unique issues and addressing the challenges of working with family, while running a successful enterprise.

There are many opportunities for family business owners and employees to learn how to handle challenging situations, share common obstacles and connect with other family businesses.

Berks FBA will kick-off the program year with our signature Fall Forum. We know your time is valuable, so this morning program

30 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

Attendees play a fun round of Family Feud at Compleat Baldwin Brass Center for an “All in the Family” Gathering.

will consist of a panel discussion of local family business leaders that are progressive, successful and have been in Berks County for more than two generations. The panelists will discuss high-level topics and the audience will engage in lively discussion with the panelists, while enjoying breakfast and connecting with others.

A full slate of “Educating the Family” Workshops will be held throughout the year. Topics include “Creating Law & Order in a Family Business,” “Is Equal the Same as Fair?” “Defining Compensation and Leadership

Criteria,” “How Can I Hold Family Members Accountable When They Know They Can’t be Fired?” “Wearing Many Hats: Difference Between Shareholder/Owner Role and the Day-to-Day Managerial Role,” “Succession Planning,” and “Financials for the Non-Financial.” These lowcost workshops are facilitated by experts in the field and focus on topics that you may deal with on a regular basis.

Berks FBA will partner with Alvernia University’s Lecture Series to present “The One Page Strategic Plan.” This program will focus on how driving growth and profitability involves engaging everyone in the organization—from senior executives to frontline employees. Developed by Verne Harnish, this plan has helped simplify strategic planning, making it a dynamic document, and allowing for clear understanding and accountability to be achieved in an organization. Attendees will learn how to use this dynamic document to help organizations move in sync and create profitable growth.

The FBA Peer Discussion Groups are going strong and continue to tackle common problems for group members. These groups are a great way to gather with peers, share common problems and experiences, and to learn how to deal with unique family business situations. Only one participant per group from each industry segment is allowed to avoid competitive concerns. And to promote camaraderie and trust, enrollment is designed for a nominated individual (not meant for a company to send different people at different times). Facilitated by industry experts with many years of serving family businesses, these groups meet approximately 8–10 times per year and are exclusive to Chamber members.

Several “All in the Family” Gatherings are also planned for the coming year. These gatherings are hosted by a local family-owned business and offer the chance to learn more about the company and make connections with other family-owned businesses while enjoying light refreshments. These events are free and exclusive to Berks FBA members.

The Spring Symposium will feature a regionally recognized family business executive who will share the story of their family enterprise, secrets to their success and how they overcame obstacles faced over the years.

Previous speakers included Phil Clemens,

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Chairman and CEO of the Clemens Family Corporation—which includes Hatfield Meats; Chris Martin, Chairman and CEO of the world-renowned C.F. Martin and Company; and Ross and Howard Kramer, son and father team of the fast-paced technology company Listrak.

For more information about Berks Family Business Alliance, please contact Danielle Antos, Program Coordinator at dantos@greaterreadingchamber.org.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT BERKS FAMILY BUSINESS ALLIANCE is graciously sponsored by the following:

Compiled by: Ellen Albright, Greater Reading Chamber

• Primary Sponsor — National Penn • Major Sponsors — Kozloff-Stoudt Attorneys, Reinsel Kuntz Lesher LLP and William Fox Munroe • Program Sponsor — Mosteller & Associates • Family Champion Sponsor — R.M. Palmer Company

Pat Langiotti, PMC Founder and President, Creative Management Concepts

Role with the Chamber: Chairwoman, Family Business Alliance Council

Pat moved to Reading, PA and started her small business consulting company, Creative Management Concepts, in 1982 when she married her husband, Ed Langiotti. She had never lived north of the Mason-Dixon Line and didn’t know a soul in town—naturally, she reached out to the Chamber. Invited to join the Chamber’s Small Business Committee at that time, she got to know many small business owners. Those relationships, which have grown over the years, are still going strong. The Chamber has also had the pleasure of having Pat serve two terms on the Chamber Board and also as Board Chair. She currently serves as the Family Business Alliance (FBA) Chairwoman, and we continue to enjoy her leadership and creativity. Based upon her personal experience, Pat is quoted sharing, “There’s probably not a stronger supporter or bigger advocate of the benefits of Chamber membership in Berks County!” So what does Pat do when she’s not busy supporting Chamber programming? She plays bridge, golf, and most recently—pickleball!

Likening it to Chamber membership (there she goes advocating again!), she says it’s a great way to have fun and meet people.

We thank Pat for her ongoing support and most recently for her help in developing the Berks Family Business Alliance to support our local family businesses!

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in your community

GreaterReadingChamber.org

I

n 2012 the Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) launched Careers in 2 Years (CI2Y). This campaign is designed to target middle and high school aged students and their parents to consider career and technology school as a viable option for their future. This year, GREP launched Careers in 2 Years 2.0 targeting returning veterans and underemployed/unemployed individuals to promote retraining or additional training for a technical career.

The focus for both targeted groups is to qualify more individuals for high-paying manufacturing jobs immediately available in Berks County and throughout all of Pennsylvania.

The Careers in 2 Years campaign focuses on high priority occupations in Berks County, and these careers include applied manufacturing, information technology, mechatronics engineering technology, drafting and machining.

Through its Careers in 2 Years initiative Greater Reading Economic Partnership (GREP) participated in Manufacturing Day, a nationwide event, by hosting Berks Manufacturing Day on Saturday, October 3, 2015.

Berks Manufacturing Day was a two part event open to families and individuals of all ages. Local companies and training facilities set-up displays at the Reading Area Community College—Schmidt Training and Technology Center (RACC STTC) where participants were able to learn about current and future job opportunities. Five Greater Reading manufacturing facilities opened their doors for behind-the-scenes tours. These companies were:

• • • • •

American Crane Brentwood Industries Cambridge-Lee Industries LLC East Penn Manufacturing Remcon Plastics

Stay tuned for Berks Manufacturing Day in 2016. For more information, please visit careersin2years.com/berks or call the Greater Reading Economic Partnership offices at (610) 376.4237 and ask for Deb Heffner.

33

in your community

Berks Outdoors

34 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

GreaterReadingChamber.org

Ellen Albright, Greater Reading Chamber

N

early 336,000 people (that’s 82% of the Berks County population!) participate in some form of outdoor activity, whether it be hiking, biking, trail running or other.

Furthermore, local trails have been ranked #1 as “most important” in satisfying household recreational needs, according to Berks Nature, formerly named Berks Conservancy. This summer, the Schuylkill River Trail was named Best Urban Trail in America by USA Today, spanning over 60 miles of trails along the Schuylkill River, passing through the very heart of Greater Reading! And most recently, the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) announced the Greater Reading Trails System as an official Bronze Level Ride Center™, recognizing the IMBA’s Model Trail designation as a largescale mountain bike facility that offers something for every rider.

Like many positive things that happen in Greater Reading, the IMBA designation could not have been completed without the collaboration of like-minded organizations. The project was spearheaded by the Greater Reading Trails Partnership, led by Berks Nature in partnership with Berks Area Mountain Biking Association (BAMBA), Greater Reading Convention and Visitors Bureau (GRCVB), the County of Berks, the City of Reading, the Pagoda Pacers, Schuylkill River Heritage Area, ReDesign Reading, Reading Health System and Pennsylvania’s Department of Conservation and National Resources.

While the Bronze Level Ride Center™ designation is probably one of the most remarkable accomplishments to date for the group, the Partnership was created seven years ago to tackle a list of nearly 90 projects to implement that will result in easily accessible, well-marked recreational opportunities to connect numerous trails and natural resources in Greater Reading. “This designation is so important for our community. The trail system contributes greatly to the quality of life we all enjoy here—our local trail systems are the envy of many other communities. Awareness of these trails, and increased use can only boost our local economy greatly,” shared Kim Murphy, president of Berks Nature.

Continued on page 36 35

in your community continued…

of all levels to take advantage of the trails, commenting, “The designation takes outdoor adventure to a whole new level for Greater Reading. We have already created an outdoor adventure page that we showcase the Bronze Level Ride Center™ on. We have partnered with Berks Nature and BAMBA to create a downloadable ride brochure with interactive trail maps for riders too. Additionally, Reading is the only designated ride center in the northeast; well within a day’s drive of millions of people. This will definitely create a boost to our tourism industry.”

A ride center can earn certification only after a member of the IMBA team conducts an on-site visit to evaluate the location of the trail system, ensuring it meets IMBA criteria including proximity to local bike shops, restaurants, accommodations, and craft beer bars—all of which Greater Reading Trails System passed with flying colors! BAMBA director and experienced mountain biker, Fred Moreadith noted that the IMBA representative stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Wyomissing, and once he parked his car in the lot, he didn’t have to use it again until he left due to the nature of our urban trail accessibility. “People can stay here and access all five major trail systems via the Schuylkill River Trail—making us very unique,” added Moreadith.

With an average BAMBA membership age of 40, Fred Moreadith considers mountain biking to be the “new golf for forty-something’s.” Moreadith elaborated, “You can ride in all weather—the trails are sustainable and built on terrain that is drainable, so as long as you have gear and the willingness to get wet—you can ride in a full blown rainstorm.” And as folks catch on to the craze, they are spending more on quality gear that will last them longer—positively impacting the local bike shops that have seen a significant shift in sales from an average $1,500 bike to bikes costing up to $6,000.

As Fred puts it, “People don’t expect the economic impacts of the bikers coming to town, but they’re spending on bikes and parts, eating at restaurants, staying the weekend at hotels, and enjoying craft beers at local establishments like Canal Street, West Reading Tavern and Mike’s Tavern, all of which have touted a positive upswing of bikers passing through since BAMBA’s inception. Hotels are even creating mountain biking packages to create experiences for visitors.”

Coincidentally, as Reading put itself on the map with the IMBA designation, The Reading 120 staked its claim as the greatest single-day road race in all of North, South, and Central America—to be held right here on the roads of Berks County and Downtown Reading. John Eustice, racing cyclist, promoter, and TV analyst, is the brainchild behind The Reading 120, and is the founder of Sparta Cycling, an organization dedicated to providing world-class cycling events to communities at reasonable and sustainable costs. Eustice worked with many public and private entities over the course of 8 months to turn around an event that would typically require over a year to plan.

Prior to the 2015 Bronze Level Ride Centers being announced, there were only 28 ride centers in the entire world. To date, there Taking place on September 12, The Reading 120 welcomed road are 37 total with 29 of them located in the US, now including cyclists from all over the world into our community for a 120-mile Reading, PA—truly putting us on the map for outdoor enthusiasts “Classic of the Americas,” including a 75-mile loop around the County, globally. The Greater Reading Trail System consists of more than and concluding with five 9 mile laps through Reading, including 5 125 miles of trails in 5 major preserves—ranging in difficulty from climbs up Mt. Penn.

Crystal Seitz commented, “The Reading 120 beginner-friendly to some of the most technical, rock-strewn trails gave exceptional national and international attention to the biking anywhere. Crystal Seitz, GRCVB president, feels confident that the recent designation will increase tourism and encourage riders scene in Greater Reading in addition to serving as a showcase for 36 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

GreaterReadingChamber.org

our amazing urban/rural settings. Although the Reading 120 is road cycling, there is a cross-over that will happen naturally for those who enjoy mountain biking.” And cross-over it did, as fans (and non-fans) of cycling and mountain biking spilled onto their front lawns across Berks County and into the streets of West Reading, across Penn Street Bridge, and into Downtown Reading to feel the gust of the peloton flash by!

As the Berks County community continues to embrace biking and the outdoors into its culture, we look forward to a strengthened economy through outdoor tourism, more trail options and openair experiences, in addition to a packed schedule of exciting events and races utilizing our trails and beautiful landscapes. This fall we encourage you to get outdoors and hit the trails—visit a local bike shop for paper maps, or check out the Berks Nature website (berksnature.org) for trailheads, maps, and more!

37

in your community

Poems & Manufacturing PRESERVING HISTORY WHILE HONORING SENIORS

L

ast autumn, Jennifer Hetrick began a poetry project called the Labors of our Fingertips: Poems from Manufacturing History in Berks County after glimpsing the value of this new idea through her journalism work. Jennifer recognized our area is rich with stories to preserve as history in poem-form through the memories of senior residents across Berks County who worked with textiles, metal fabrications, food production, and more.

The project will last three years and involves publishing three books, with 25 poems in each. Publishing is funded in part by a grant from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts. The first volume is now available. The next year of the project will require another 25 seniors to interview, and an additional 25 will be needed for the final year of the project, totaling 75 stories in poem-form, when all is said and done. If you know of any seniors who worked in manufacturing in Berks County many decades ago, please feel free to reach out to Jennifer to make recommendations at thelaborsofourfingertips@ yahoo.com. The project would not be possible without the support of local retirement homes and through the gentle nudging of those who are loved ones of the poem-sources she’s interviewed.

38 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

(left) In the past, Willie Kramer mixed and matched paint colors at Garden State Tanning in Fleetwood. (right) Today, Willie Kramer resides in South Heidelberg Township. He worked for several decades of his life in the leather industry in Berks County, and has contributed to the poetry project by sharing his experiences.

RESOURCES: Blog – http://thelaborsofourfingertips.blogspot.com Facebook – search for “the labors of our fingertips: poems”

the chamber chew

GreaterReadingChamber.org

Zach Brown, Berks County Eats Blog www.berkscountyeats.com

T

he food industry is all about trends, and for the past five years, we’ve witnessed a seismic shift from fast food to slow cooking. Barbecue has become big business, and the evidence is right here in Berks County. Two new barbecue restaurants opened in Greater Reading in 2015, adding to an already impressive list.

THESE BERKS COUNTY RESTAURANTS ARE DOING BARBECUE AS GOOD AS ANY SOUTHERN KITCHEN: Mission BBQ, Wyomissing

Stampede Smokin’ BBQ, Morgantown

Open since March, Mission BBQ is the newest addition to the Berks County barbecue scene. The restaurant’s famous ribs—sold by the bone or by the rack—are just part of the Mission BBQ story. Its dedication to the US military and first responders is just as important. Every day at noon, Mission BBQ honors America by playing The Star Spangled Banner.

When the lunchtime rush hits, it’s not uncommon to see a long line forming in front of the Stampede Smokin’ BBQ trailer in Morgantown.

They have all of your barbecue favorites, but if you’re looking for something a little different, try the “O-Boy” sandwich: sausage, brisket, BBQ sauce, pickles, slaw, horsey sauce and jalapenos.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, Wyomissing

HillBilly BBQ, Douglassville

Dickey’s Barbecue is another relative newcomer to Greater Reading.

Its Wyomissing location, the chain’s 11th in Pennsylvania, opened in January. Dickey’s offers quick service for its smoked meats like pulled pork, honey ham and Polish sausage. Best of all, every meal comes with a free cone of soft-serve ice cream.

Another barbecue trailer with a permanent home, HillBilly BBQ is parked along Route 422 near Douglassville. Of course there are favorites like ribs and chicken, but HillBilly BBQ is doing something no other area barbecue restaurant is doing: breakfast. And there’s nothing quite like HillBilly’s “Whole Hog” breakfast sandwich: two eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage and pulled pork.

Muddy’s Smokehouse BBQ, Oley

K’Town Pub, Kutztown

In 2011, Muddy’s ushered in Berks County’s barbecue boom when it opened its trailer along Route 12. The trailer is gone, but Muddy’s is still serving top-notch southern barbecue from its Oley Township location.

The recently renovated K’Town Pub is known for its craft beer selection, but the downtown Kutztown spot is also serving real smoked barbecue, including pulled pork and brisket tacos.

Templin’s Soggie Bottom Grille, Food Truck

Austin’s Restaurant and Bar, Spring Township

Templin’s Soggie Bottom Grille started roving through Berks County in 2013 and has quickly become a local favorite, winning People’s Choice honors at this year’s PA BBQ Fest. Among Templin’s specialties are unique offerings like smoked meatballs, franks and beans, and pig wings. When the food truck is not out at local fairs and festivals, you can find it parked along Route 10 in Robeson Township.

Baby back ribs are a barbecue staple, and Austin’s Restaurant does them as well as any barbecue joint in Berks County. For those who just can’t get enough of them, be sure to stop in on Monday nights for the weekly all-you-can-eat special.

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small biz thrives GREATER READING MANUFACTURER OF

Innovative Solar Dishes PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SUPPLIERS & RESOURCES Laura Eppler, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania

compare favorably with fossil fuels without relying on government subsidies.

The solar dish is easy to install, operate, and maintain in a wide variety of applications and terrains, and can be aligned much faster than competing dishes. The product can be used for space or process heating, HVAC, or electricity generation. It will be sold to industrial, institutional, and utility customers.

CEWA Technologies’ new solar dish produces energy at a price “CEWA’s solar dish will dramatically accelthat competes with fossil fuels without government subsidies. erate the use of solar power throughout the

EWA Technologies’ solar dishes have the potential to be a game-changer in cost-effective renewable energy,” said Connie R. Faylor, Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/ NEP) Regional Manager, Greater Reading/ Berks and Schuylkill. “CEWA’s work has engaged partners from throughout the region, and its success will benefit Greater Reading in many ways.”

40 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

United States and the world,” said J. Paul Eisenhuth, Chief Executive Officer of CEWA Technologies. “Our proprietary technology allows solar energy to be cost-competitive with other energy options without government support.”

CEWA Technologies, Inc., Wyomissing, designs and manufactures point concentrator solar dishes. By using existing materials in new ways and employing a unique design, CEWA received four investments from CEWA’s solar collector can provide energy the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of with far greater efficiency than existing solar Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Alternative applications. The solar dish represents a techEnergy Development Program in 2010 nological breakthrough because it provides through 2013, provided by the Pennsylvania thermal or electrical energy at prices that Department of Community and Economic are less than existing technologies, and that

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Development. The company received another Ben Franklin investment through the U.S. Department of Energy in 2011. CEWA launched in Ben Franklin TechVentures®, the award-winning incubator/post-incubator owned and managed by BFTP/NEP, and has since relocated to Wyomissing.

CEWA identified business experts, technical resources, and key industry partners including Ben Franklin client Summit Steel & Manufacturing, Williams Metal Finishing, and the SSM Group, Reading, and the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Summit Steel manufactures CEWA’s solar dishes, Williams polishes the petals and secondary mirrors for the assembly, and the SSM Group provides engineering services to augment CEWA’s staff. The Greater Reading Chamber provided key contacts to assist CEWA in becoming ready to export its dishes.

CEWA’s electric unit installed at Summit Steel will contribute to the company’s power needs.

“Summit Steel & Manufacturing has worked closely with CEWA for the past 18 months, helping to refine the manufacturing process related to the dish and its supporting parts,” said Gary Romig, President of Summit Steel.

“This work has created several new jobs at Summit Steel in machining, laser cutting, welding, and assembly. We are excited for the potential of this product and we expect it will have a profound impact on Summit Steel & Manufacturing for many years to come.”

Additional financial investments were provided by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Metropolitan Edison Company/ Pennsylvania Electric Company Sustainable Energy Fund, administered by the Berks County Community Foundation. Most recently, Serv Internacional of Mexico City invested in CEWA to assist the company in the final development of its products for commercialization and to distribute its dishes throughout Mexico and Central America.

CEWA’s staff of engineers has grown as the product has been brought to market.

The company is preparing to demonstrate its revolutionary dishes on the campus of Penn State Berks. Installation was facilitated with the support of Allied Building Corporation, Albarell Electric, and H.T. Lyons. The product is now commercially available.

“This is an outstanding example of cooperation among companies, economic and community development organizations, higher education, and government to grow local firms that address international market needs,” said CEWA CEO Eisenhuth. “These partnerships will allow CEWA to pioneer an energy technology that will create highly paid, sustainable jobs right here in Berks County.”

“The four CEWA Technologies solar collectors being installed on our campus will offer students and faculty the chance to have real-life As the company was getting started, experience in cutting-edge renewable energy Lehigh University Professor Dr. Sudhakar technology,” said Dr. Paul Esqueda, Senior Neti received two grants that supported Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Penn research on the solar dish construction and State Berks. “These solar concentrator dishes its reflective surface that must perform despite are revolutionary, capable of delivering 33.5 exposure to the elements. These grants were kW of thermal power and 14 kW of electricity. FOR MORE INFORMATION: provided under Lehigh’s Energy Research The solar thermal dish will generate hot water Contact Connie R. Faylor, Regional Manager at Seed and Commercialization Grant programs for the greenhouse on campus. We sincerely Greater Reading/Berks & Schuylkill—Ben Franklin

by Pennsylvania’s Ben Franklin Technology thank Ben Franklin Technology Partners for Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, cfaylor@nep.benfranklin.org or 610.390.7116.

Development Authority. this opportunity.”

41

member news: new members JUNE – AUGUST 2015 ALEBRIJE MEXICAN RESTAURANT (5TH STREET HWY) Reading, PA Restaurants Contact: Juan Carlos de la Mora ALEBRIJE MEXICAN RESTAURANT (PERKIOMEN AVE) Reading, PA Restaurants Contact: Juan Carlos de la Mora ALEBRIJE MEXICAN RESTAURANT (WYOMISSING) Wyomissing, PA Restaurants Contact: Juan Carlos de la Mora ALL ABOUT YOU, LLC Reading, PA Consultants – Counseling/Training Contact: Adrean Turner ARCPOINT LABS OF READING, PA Blandon, PA Occupational Medicine Contact: Annmarie Dallao AXIOM IT SOLUTIONS, LLC Reading, PA Consultants – Computers & Software Contact: Joseph Eisenhower BERKSHIRE CPAS LLC Wyomissing, PA Accountants Contact: Gail Hauseman BLIND HARTMAN’S TAVERN Reading, PA Restaurants Contact: Richard Heffner CANTEEN BERKS COUNTY Spring City, PA Food Products – Snacks Contact: Cheryl West CHRIS SAYLOR, M.S.L. Wernersville, PA Warehousing & Distribution Contact: Chris Saylor

COMFORT KEEPERS West Lawn, PA Home Health Care Services & Supplies Contact: Dave Kendall

JOSEPH EDWARD ENTERPRISES LLC Mohnton, PA Distributors Contact: Joseph Dufner

COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS LEHIGH VALLEY Allentown, PA Non-profit Organizations Contact: Judy Belaires

KARL ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP Shillington, PA Environmental Services Contact: Theresa Hadfield

DP CONSTRUCTION ENTERPRISES, LLC Reading, PA Construction Contact: Cinthya Dianderas EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS – BERKS COUNTY Wyomissing, PA Employment Services Contact: Dan Brumbach FACTORING FUNDS Wyomissing, PA Contact: Brent Ervin FAIRFIELD INN & SUITES BY MARRIOTT Wyomissing, PA Hotels Contact: Vanessa Sheidy FOLINO ESTATE Blandon, PA Restaurants Contact: Andrea Folino GOODFELLAS GRANITE, LLC Bernville, PA Home Improvements Contact: Tony Daskus INOVA PAYROLL, INC. Lancaster, PA Payroll Services Contact: Steve Swanson INSPIRITEC, INC. Wyomissing, PA Non–profit Organizations Contact: Bill O’Donnell JEWELRY IN CANDLES Reading, PA Direct Sales Contact: Shawna Lint

42 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

KENNETH M. KITAY & ASSOCIATES Reading, PA Legal Services Contact: Yesenia Justiniano LAW OFFICES OF SCOTT G. HOH Reading, PA Attorneys Contact: Scott Hoh LEBANON FAMILY HEALTH SERVICES Lebanon, PA Contact: Holly Dolan LONDON’S BURGER DBA WAYBACK BURGERS Wyomissing, PA Restaurants Contact: Mark London MARY KAY COSMETICS Reading, PA Skincare Services Contact: Joelle Nwoke MOSELEM SPRINGS GOLF CLUB Fleetwood, PA Golf Courses – Private Contact: Dave Meas NATURAL HOPE CENTER West Lawn, PA Consultants – Health Promotion Contact: Karen O’Connor PINE FORGE ACADEMY Pine Forge, PA Schools – Private Contact: Dinah Jordan RE/MAX OF READING – E. JOHN ROACH Wyomissing, PA Real Estate – Commercial & Industrial Contact: E. John Roach

READING MUHLENBERG CAREER & TECHNOLOGY CENTER Reading, PA Schools – Career, Technical & Trade Contact: Gerald Witmer RELEVANT SPORTS COMPLEX Temple, PA Sports Complex Contact: William Wilson RIDGEWOOD WINERY Birdsboro, PA Wineries & Vineyards Contact: Tracy Smith SALON EVELEILA Shillington, PA Beauty Salons Contact: Mindy Burgess SPRINT BY IMOBILE Reading, PA Retail Contact: Robert Pollard STEARCLEAR Sinking Spring, PA Transportation Contact: Robb Walters SWEETHEARTS BRIDAL & FORMALWEAR Sinking Spring, PA Bridal Salon Contact: Elizabeth Kemp THE CROSSROADS GROUP, LLC Hamburg, PA Consultants – Engineers Contact: Jeremiah Hoagland THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF READING, INC. Wyomissing, PA Non-profit Organizations Contact: Marisa Hunsicker WHITTEMORE & HAIGH ENGINEERING, INC. Mount Joy, PA Engineers Contact: Bruce Haigh

member news: anniversaries

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JUNE – AUGUST 2015 1 YEAR Azzur, LLC  Batteries Plus Bulbs  Catalyst Outdoor Advertising  Children’s Alopecia Project  Custom Composites  DaBrian Marketing Group, LLC  Delaware Valley Contractors, Inc.  Edward McCann  Elevation Burger – Wyomissing  Empire Services  Flex Membrane International Corp.  Friends of the Daniel Boone Homestead  Fundamental Connections  Garratt-Callahan Company Giant Food Stores  Giant Food Stores #6050  Giant Food Stores #6251  Giant Food Stores #6273  Giant Food Stores #6289  Giant Food Stores #6422  Giant Food Stores #6446  Gunn-Mowery, LLC  Harding-Yost Insurance Associates Inc.  Integrity Services & Solutions, LLC  Ira G. Mohler & Son, Inc.  Keystone Specific Chiropractic Center  LEO Design Gallery  Martin’s Flooring Inc.  Massage Envy Spa  nimmbull  Quandel Construction Group, Inc.  RICE CPA  Schultz Technology Solutions  Signarama  SSM Group, Inc.  The Duct Doctor  The Graham Company 

5 YEARs 1-800-GOT-JUNK? A.W. Golden FasTrack Complete Car Care & Auto Sales  Customers Bank  Macnificent Pages/Route 422 Business Advisor  McGlinn Conference Center  Rhoads Energy Corporation 

15 YEARs

35 Years

CBL Custom Apparel  GMI First, Inc.  Leadership Berks – Alvernia University, School of Graduate & Adult Education  Mary’s Shelter  Reading Anesthesia Associates, Ltd.  SCORE

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20 YEARs Barley Snyder LLP Office of Vocational Rehabilitation  Offset Impressions – A Grafika Company  Phoebe Berks Village & Health Care Center  Reading Family Dental Center  Reading Technologies, Inc.  Real Estate Investors Association of Berks County  Sealstrip Corporation  St. Joseph Quality Medical Laboratory  Stackhouse Bensinger, Inc.  Unique Technologies, Inc.  VA Productions, Inc.  YMCA of Reading & Berks County

Alltemp Enterprise, Inc. Andrew Hess, Inc.  B&G Glass  Beacon Container Corporation  Bollman Hat Company  Leisawitz Heller  Petro Home Heating & Air Conditioning  Reading Rentals, Inc.  Reese  Visions Federal Credit Union  Willow Glen Park 

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25 YEARs Berks E.N.T. Surgical Associates, Inc.  Berks Technical Institute, Inc.  Hoffmann Publishing Group  Rabenold Koestel Goodman and Denaro  Reading Public Library  RPA Engineering  South Heidelberg Township  Township of Perry  Weik Investment Services, Inc.  Windsor Township

40 Years

Berks Packing Company, Inc. Charles Evans Cemetery Company  Greater Reading Merchandiser  Miller-Keystone Blood Center  PENN STATE HEALTH St. Joseph  Windstream Communications  

45 Years  

Reading Elevator Service, Inc. Reading Fightin Phils

50 Years 

The Inn at Reading

55 Years  

AEM Architects, Inc. Kuhn Funeral Home



90 Years 

Savor Street Foods

95 Years  

Bimbo Bakeries USA Penn Pride, Inc.



30 YEARs Drug Plastics & Glass Company, Inc.  Reading Symphony Orchestra Association  Reitech Corporation  Roland Stock, LLC  Tweed-Weber, Inc. 

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member news: newsmakers agent according to data in the 2015 RealTrends 500 Survey. RE/MAX Of Reading averaged 22 transaction sides per sales associate.

Real estate publication RealTrends released its annual report of the top real estate brokers in the United States. In the report, RealTrends ranked area Realtor® Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Homesale Realty as a leader in 11 separate categories. Berkshire Hathaway Homesale was ranked as the #12 Realtor based on the Company’s delivery of mortgages, settlement services, home warranties, and property/casualty insurance.

RealTrends also ranked Berkshire Hathaway Homesale as the 2nd most successful Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices brokerage in the United States based on transactions.

RE/MAX Of Reading, one of the largest and most successful real estate brokerages in Berks County, is among the 50 U.S. brokerages with the most transaction sides per

Hollenbach Construction, Inc. received an award for achieving a $15 million milestone with VP Buildings.

Brendan Knarr, District Sales Manager at VP Buildings, delivered the news and the plaque to Hollenbach’s headquarters in Boyertown, PA. Kuntz Lesher Capital LLC (KLC), an independent investment advisory firm located in Lancaster, has been recognized again by CNBC as one of the nation’s ‘Top 100 Fee-Only Wealth Management Firms.’ A wholly-owned subsidiary of Reinsel Kuntz Lesher LLP, KLC is the only Central Pennsylvania firm included in the ‘Top 100,’ coming in at number 73.

Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc. (‘SCFF’), a human services organization founded in 1993, has become the nation’s first not-for-

profit corporation to sponsor an employee stock ownership program (‘C3SOP’). The C3SOP [patent pending] is an adaptation of the familiar ESOP retirement plans currently sponsored by more than 10,000 American corporations.

Dr. Glenn S. Corbin, President of Wyomissing Optometric Center, has been awarded the 2015 Pennsylvania Optometric Association ‘OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR’ as well as the Berks County ‘OPTOMETRIST OF THE YEAR.’ The Pennsylvania Optometric Association ‘Optometrist of the Year’ Award recognizes a member of the Pennsylvania Optometric Association who, through years of dedicated service to optometry and the public, merits recognition from the optometrists of the state of Pennsylvania.

Benchmark Construction was recently recognized with the prestigious Platinum Level Safety award through the 2015 National Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP) program. This award recognizes contractors who develop a quality safety program and to gain recognition for their outstanding efforts. Out of the 56 companies who received the STEP award in 2015, Benchmark was one of two general contractors who earned the Platinum level award.

The Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (BFTP/NEP) Board of Directors has approved the investment of $542,400 in support of regional economic development. BFTP/NEP’s goal is to help lead northeastern Pennsylvania to a better economic future by building partnerships that develop and apply technology for competitive advantage.

Since beginning operation, BFTP/NEP has helped to create 16,600 new jobs for Pennsylvania workers and to retain 22,958 existing jobs, to start 470 new companies, and to develop 1,356 new 44 COMMERCE QUARTERLY FALL 2015

products and processes. Since 2007, BFTP/NEP clients have generated more than $1.357 billion in follow-on funding. Ben Franklin announced early-stage company investments that are provided to clients in the form of loans, including Berks County’s own East Penn Manufacturing Company and Giorgio Foods, Inc. Commuter Services of Pennsylvania honored five local employers for their designation as ‘Best Workplaces for Commuters,’ including two employers from Berks County— PetSmart Distribution Center and Fleetwood Fixtures. Commuter Services recognizes their strides at implementing green commuter programs for their employees. Other companies being honored include County of Dauphin (Dauphin), Bayer Healthcare (Lebanon), and United Natural Foods, Inc. (York).

Reading Dermatology Associates, located in West Lawn, is now the exclusive provider of Superficial Radiation Therapy (SRT) in Greater Berks County. SRT provides a safe, effective alternative to surgery for non-melanoma skin cancer patients.

SRT is a low-energy radiotherapy that penetrates only a short distance below the skin providing a highly effective, painless and cosmetically attractive alternative to surgery.

Imperial Contracting Group, LLV won three awards from the Parade of Homes 2015 including Best Specialty Room-Remodel, Best Outdoor LivingRemodel and Best of Show-Remodel.

Translogistics, Inc. is proud to announce that they have been featured in the CIO Review Magazine’s 20 Most Promising Logistics Tech Solutions Providers.

Rhoads Energy is pleased to announce that is has been named to the Central Penn Business Journal’s annual list of the Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Central Pennsylvania.

The International Mountain Biking Association (IMBA) has announced the Greater Reading Trails System (GRTS) as an official Bronze Level Ride Center™.

GreaterReadingChamber.org

Reinsel Kuntz Lesher LLP (RKL), Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, today announced that G. Scott Myers, CPA, CSEP, is among the Central Penn Business Journal’s 2015 ‘Forty Under 40’ honorees, selected for his professional excellence, leadership skills and community service.

Way Back Burger celebrated a summer ribbon cutting at their new location in Wyomissing.

Commuter Services of Pennsylvania, in partnership with the National

Center for Transit Research (NCTR), has designated five local employers as ‘Best Workplaces for Commuters’ for 2015. Special congrats to Chamber member Fleetwood Fixtures for being one of the five selected companies!

Liquid Interactive secured a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for the fastestgrowing private companies in America.

Liquid has earned the position of 3,032 out of 5,000 privately held, for profit, and independent companies across the United States with 115% growth.

National Penn in a cash and stock transaction for total consideration valued at approximately $1.8 billion.

This acquisition will significantly expand BB&T’s footprint in the MidAtlantic region and improve its deposit market share to #4 in Pennsylvania.

Between 2013 and 2016, over 240 automotive brands are being redesigned or reintroduced using advanced materials and technology making this new generation of vehicles both lighter and safer. Assured Performance Collision Care, a non-

profit consumer advocacy organization, is working with automakers to assist consumers in this critical process by certifying body shops that maintain the right tools, equipment, training, and facility modification necessary to repair the participating automaker brand vehicles back to the manufacturers’ specifications. Glass & Sons Collision, a local business, is now part of the exclusive advanced capable repair network of Certified Collision Care Provider™.

OppShop, a service of Opportunity House that provides gently used treasures, celebrated a ribbon cutting in late July.

BB&T Corporation and National Penn Bancshares, Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement under which BB&T will acquire 45

upcoming events OCT 1

Women2Women Annual Kick Off with Jennifer Weiner

OCT 20

Crowne Plaza Reading 1741 Papermill Rd. Reading, PA 19610

OCT 6

FBA “All in the Family” Gathering Ridgewood Winery 2039 Philadelphia Ave. Birdsboro, PA 19508

OCT 20

Chamber’s Center for Business Excellence 49 Commerce Dr. Wyomissing, PA 19610

Business at Breakfast: Cuba Opens its Doors Inn at Reading 1040 N. Park Rd. Wyomissing, PA 19610

OCT 21

(Morning Sessions)

4:00 pm –6:00 pm

OCT 21

5:00 pm –7:00 pm

De Mujer a Mujer– Estableciendo Conexiones The Abraham Lincoln A Historic Hotel of America 100 N 5th St. Hwy. Reading, PA 19601

11:30 am –1:00 pm

NOV 4

W2W P2D Launch Event: STEM Panel Discussion Crowne Plaza Reading 1741 Papermill Rd. Wyomissing, PA 19610 5:00 pm –8:00 pm

OCT 15

Advanced Microsoft Access Training Shearer Technical Computer Consultants 727 Penn Ave. West Reading, PA 19611 8:00 am –10:00 am

(Morning Sessions)

4:00 pm –6:00 pm

(Evening Sessions)

Networking at Night: Reading School District Amanda Stout Elementary School 321 S. 10th St. Reading, PA 19602

NOV 18

NOV 6

HR Conference 2015 Crowne Plaza Reading 1741 Papermill Rd. Wyomissing, PA 19610 8:00 am –2:00 pm

The Abraham Lincoln A Historic Hotel of America 100 N 5th St. Hwy. Reading, PA 19601

W2W Growth2Go: Become a Connector, Not a Collector Part II

NOV 19

Inn at Reading 1040 N. Park Rd. Wyomissing, PA 19610 11:30 am –1:30 pm

DEC 10

8:00 am –10:00 am

DEC 10

Berkshire Country Club 1637 Bernville Rd. Reading, PA 19601

DEC 11

Advanced Microsoft Excel Training Shearer Technical Computer Consultants 727 Penn Ave. West Reading, PA 19611 8:00 am –10:00 am

The Abraham Lincoln A Historic Hotel of America 100 N 5th St. Hwy. Reading, PA 19601

Issues Forum Series:

Secretary, Department of Environmental Protection

Crowne Plaza Reading 1741 Papermill Rd. Wyomissing, PA 19610

5:00 pm –8:00 pm

NOV 25

De Mujer a Mujer – Establaciendo Conexiones

5:30 pm –7:30 pm

7:45 am –9:30 pm

NOV 18

FBA Educating the Family Workshop: Defining Compensation & Leadership Criteria Chamber’s Center for Business Excellence 49 Commerce Dr. Wyomissing, PA 19610

Stokesay Castle 141 Stokesay Castle Ln. Reading, PA 19606

Rising Star Reception 2015

Stokesay Castle 141 Stokesay Castle Ln. Reading, PA

W2W Women2Know: DEC Janine Quigley, CJM, Warden 9 — Berks County Prison

Reading Country Club 5311 Perkiomen Ave. Reading PA 19606

FBA Fall Forum

Wells Fargo Economic Forecast Breakfast 2015

7:30 am –9:30 am

Power Networking Lunch

11:30 am –1:00 pm

parking available behind school

5:00 pm –7:00 pm

DEC 2

11:30 am –1:00 pm

7:45 am –9:00 am

NOV 5

De Mujer a Mujer– Estableciendo Conexiones

The Highlands at Wyomissing 2000 Cambridge Ave. Wyomissing, PA 19610

Business at Breakfast: Education Excellence Kutztown University Reading Country Club 5311 Perkiomen Ave. Reading, PA 19606

5:30 pm –7:30 pm

OCT 14

NOV 17

Power Networking Lunch The Abraham Lincoln A Historic Hotel of America 100 N 5th St. Hwy. Reading, PA 19601

4:00 pm –6:00 pm

(Evening Sessions)

5:30 pm –7:30 pm

(Evening Sessions)

201 Washington St. Reading, PA 19601

OCT 8

Shearer Technical Computer Consultants 727 Penn Ave. West Reading, PA 19611 8:00 am –10:00 am

Networking at Night: GoggleWorks Center for the Arts Free parking is available and accessible through 2nd, 3rd or Walnut Streets.

Intermediate Microsoft Excel Training

NOV 12

Shearer Technical Computer Consultants 727 Penn Ave. West Reading, PA 19611 8:00 am –10:00 am

Business & Education Symposium The Berkshire Country Club 1637 Bernville Rd. Reading, PA 19601

Advanced Microsoft Excel Training

(Morning Sessions)

7:15 am –10:00 am

4:00 pm –6:00 pm

7:45 am –9:00 am

OCT 8

NOV 12

8:00 am –10:00 am

(Evening Sessions)

NOV 25

4:30 pm –6:30 pm

Advanced Microsoft Power Point Shearer Technical Computer Consultants 727 Penn Ave. West Reading, PA 19611

W2W P2D: Enhancing Effectiveness with Diverse Communities Chamber’s Center for Business Excellence 49 Commerce Dr. Wyomissing, PA 19610

(Morning Sessions)

8:00 am –10:00 am

OCT 7

NOV 11

5:30 pm –7:30 pm

5:00 pm –8:00 pm

FBA Educating the Family Workshop: Creating Law & Order in a Family Business

GreaterReadingChamber.org

11:30 am –1:00 pm

DEC 16

Power Networking Lunch Holiday Inn Morgantown 6170 Morgantown Rd. Morgantown, PA 19543 11:30 am –1:00 pm

(Morning Sessions)

4:00 pm –6:00 pm

(Evening Sessions)

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