Chamber Spotlight

Kirsten Haas speaks to Dr. Jim Smith, Development Director and Steve Myers, Director of Social Enterprise of the Hope Rescue Mission. The Mission has been going strong for 125 years and can serve from 150 - 200 men per night. Kirsten speaks to Jim and Steve about the progress and future opportunities for The Hope Rescue Mission, including a 2 million dollar renovation and beginning a women's ministry.

James Sarro, Project Architect with Muhlenberg Greene Architects. Jim talks to Kirsten about a specific project in downtown Reading and how they needed to take a turn of the century building and restore it to a modern, usable state while maintaining the historical character of the building. Significant improvements for Downtown Reading!

Kirsten Hass, Director of Member Services, interviews one of the GRCA's very own. Meet Derek Harris, Data and Research Specialist for GRCA. How does a Political Science Major end up at GRCA as a Data and Research Specialist? Find out the answer to that and also how Derek's job is critical to investors and/or companies that are looking to grow or move here to Berks County!

Kirsten Haas, Director of Member Services, interviews another one of GRCA's shining stars! Shanon served for four years in the Navy, worked in Management in the baking industry and now is working for GRCA. Listen to her journey here on this latest episode of Chamber Spotlight!

Kirsten Haas, Director of Member Services speaks to Mary Jean Noon, Vice President and Principal Relationship Manager and Alyssa Conahan, Assistant Vice President and Relationship Manager, Wells Fargo. Kirsten asks the question - "What do you think is Wells Fargo's role in Berks County?" Mary Jean answers that question - "It's about making Berks County a better place to live." Find out how Wells Fargo contributes to making Berks County a better place to live in this episode of Chamber Spotlight!

Kirsten Haas, Director of Member Services, speaks to Brennan Reichenbach, Principal, D&B Elite Construction Group, about his company's work become part of transforming people's lives!

Are members using their membership to the fullest? They do when Missy's in charge! Kirsten Haas speaks to Missy Hassler, Member Specialist for GRCA about her responsibilities around taking care of their members. Missy also has a birthday on St. Patrick's day so Kirsten ends the interview with a fun rapid round of all things St. Patrick's Day! A fun interview with a great team member of GRCA!

Kirsten Haas speaks to Lizette Epps, CEO, and Founder of Breadth of Hope, a career navigation and coaching firm about how she is passionate about helping people make their way to success. Lizette shares the challenges and successes of starting a new business but believes that as long as you maintain your confidence all will work out! Sharing her story to help you with yours. Another great Chamber Spotlight!

Did you know that every two seconds someone needs blood? Qiana Cressman, Director of Membership, for Miller-Keystone Blood Center, speaks to Kirsten Haas about what it takes to be the sole provider to 22 hospitals in our community. Miller-Keystone Blood Centers rely on 450 donors daily to meet hospital demands. This is their Chamber Spotlight.

Kirsten Haas - Director of Membership, talks to Jason about the challenges of growing a market and building a brand from scratch. Jason's advise - put character first, the rest will happen.

Changing the face of animal welfare. Karen Marsdale talks to Lindsay and Lauren about the mission of Humane PA and how they are providing education and resources to help break down the reasons most pets are brought to shelter.

Karen Marsdale speaks to Peggy Kershner, Co-Executive Director Berks Connections Pretrial Services. Did you know that there are 10,000 individuals in county or state parole supervision? We help these individuals to have second chances and provide productive opportunities for them to succeed. Re-entry work with an emphasis on workforce development is where a majority of our resources are spent. Life Improvement Business is what we do! (thank you to Eric Savage for the permission to use your tag line!).

"Learning and listening to our customers are the keys to success!" - Sarah Hunter-Lascoskie, Director of Communications and Marketing, GRCA. Karen Marsdale talks to GRCA's Sarah about her journey with GRCA. Sarah talks about how important it is to keep the recipe of communication clean and simple - if you know your audience and listen to your audience - then trust the process!

Kirsten Haas, Director Of Membership Services, speaks to Andy Bachert, GM of Raser Industries. The conversation revolves around the question - How can we share our trade and devices in order to be successful in the County? It's more about collaboration and sharing not keeping trade secrets anymore! Encouraging Berks County to reach out to network and do business together!

Kirsten Haas, Director Of Membership Services, takes over the hosting chair this week and interviews Deb Heffner, Director of Business Outreach for the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. Deb shares her journey with Kirsten and makes it very clear that the work she does, and the work she has done in the past is all about helping the community. Deb also talks about Building Berks, the GRCA's new signature events!

Ed Hipp’s journey into the food industry began modestly in 1965 when he started working in a Philadelphia meat-processing plant. After 6 years of learning the complexities of the industry, he decided to venture out on his own and opened a supermarket in 1971. Meeting with several years of marginal success, he then decided to parlay his growing knowledge of the food business into developing his own products. He shares his journey and passion with Karen in this wonderful story of perseverance and success!

Kryn speaks to Karen about the importance of creating a diverse setting for employees to foster innovation and how they strive to break down the perceptions around mental health continually. A significant interview brought to you by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance!

Randy talks to Karen about the progress of the last two years, the focus on the six strategic themes and the 2019 Total Berks Economic Development Initiative. GRCA is building collaboration and connections all through Berks County!

Ensuring that businesses have all they need to thrive and grow! Karen Marsdale talks to Mark Dolinski about his role in helping GRCA grow your business by growing your talent. It's all about transforming your people to be the best they can be!

"Learning starts with the first conversation." - Abigail Mirarchi. Abigal talks to Karen about how her company dives deep to understand the needs to their customers. Abigail encourages all of us to start the conversation about workplace learning!