CCEDC Board of Directors & Staff

The backbone of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corporation are our Board of Directors and staff, who keep our organization strong and operating according to the bylaws of our organization. They are our leaders and decision makers, who are responsible for our tremendous growth over the years in both membership and in the programs and services we offer.

CCEDC Executive Board of Directors:

Patricia Handwerk
President/Chairwoman

The Harry Packer Mansion

Ronald Tirpak
Vice-President/Vice-Chair

Carbon Engineering

Patrick Reilly
Treasurer

Mauch Chunk Trust

Jared McEvoy
Secretary

The Equinox Agency

CCEDC Board of Directors:

Michael Harleman
Immediate Past President/Chair

First Northern Bank & Trust

Jane George

PPL

Marshall Walters

Architectural Polymers

Mark Sverchek

Spott-Sverchek Insurance Agency

Joe Russo

PenTeleData

Barbara Franzosa

Smith Partnership

Barbara Green

Blue Mountain Ski Area

Terrence J. Purcell

Lehigh Valley Health Network

Girvin Janicki

Walmart

Wayne Nothstein

Carbon County Board of Commissioners

John Nespoli

St. Luke’s Gnaden Huetten / Palmerton Campuses

CCEDC Staff

Marlyn Kissner, Executive Director/Executive Vice President, Northern Region

Marlyn Kissner is the Executive Vice President, Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Executive Director of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. She has been with the Chamber since September 2008.

Marlyn leads the strategic positioning and partnership efforts for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce to ensure local chamber empowerment, member retention and growth, leadership development and succession planning. Marlyn oversees the Chamber’s Northern Region.

Through the Chamber’s grass roots efforts, Marlyn works closely with volunteer leaders to support and strengthen communities and our local economy by implementing programs and networking opportunities for chamber businesses.

Marlyn holds a Master of Science Degree in Management from Rosemont College and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education from Kutztown University. She is a volunteer for the Carbon County Special Olympics, Franklin Township Fire Company, serves on the Lehigh Carbon Community College Career Development Advisory Committee and is a member of the Palmerton Women’s Concourse Club.

Vice President, Northern Region

Alice Wanamaker is the Assistant Vice President of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce, Northern Region serving as the Member Relations Director at the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. She has been with the Chamber since November 2014.

In her position, Alice manages the member benefits programs and member engagement. Additionally, she oversees the Future Leaders of Carbon County and the Women in Business Committees. She also assists with the Ambassadors and Tourism Committees as well as works with the Leadership Carbon program. Alice also manages the CCEDC communications including social media.

Alice graduated from Lehigh Carbon Community College with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice. She currently serves as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Palmerton Community Blood Drives with Miller Keystone Blood Center.

Kathy Henderson, Director of Economic Development

Kathy Henderson is the Director of Economic Development for the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. She has been with the Chamber since 2014.

In her position with the CCEDC, Kathy consults with and mentors business operators and owners to assist them in starting, growing or relocating their business in Carbon County. Kathy administrates state funded PIDA loans as well as two in-house low interest loan programs along with the Carbon County Industrial Development Authority. In addition, Kathy oversees the Business Education Partnership and collaborates with area businesses and schools.

A member of the PA Economic Development Association (PEDA), Kathy continues to grow and bring best practices back to the county. Kathy is the Vice-Chair for the NEPA Multimodal Transportation Organization. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Northeast PA Alliance, Carbon Training Center, Carbon/Luzurne/Schuylkill STEM Ecosystem, and Commuter Services of PA. Kathy is a member of the PEDA Professional Development Committee, and the Public Policy Committees for the PEDA and Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. She is also a Boy Scout of America committee chair.

Linda Rex, Administrative Assistant

Linda Rex is the Administrative Assistant for the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Corp. Linda has been with the organization since 2013.

In her position, Linda works directly with members and general public providing information, event assistance and program administration.

Linda is the Program Coordinator for Leadership Carbon and works directly with the students, instructors and various organizations involved in the program. Linda coordinates the “First Step” program for Carbon County through Wilkes University Small Business Development Center allowing business owners and future entrepreneurs to receive free business consulting at the CCEDC office.

Kiya Jenkins, Regional Coordinator

Kiya joined the CCEDC in February 2020 as Regional Coordinator. She previously volunteered with the organization as an ambassador and decorator for the 2019 Annual Awards Gala. In her current position, she is a staff liaison with the Future Leaders of Carbon County and Ambassadors committees as well as the Business Education Partnership. She also is involved in event planning and marketing. In addition to working with the CCEDC, Kiya is a Retail Manager and Production Specialist for Conjured Soap Boutique in Jim Thorpe. Kiya is a graduate of Jim Thorpe Area School District Class of 2019 and plans to attend further her education at the Lehigh Carbon Community College for Business Administration.