The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber Celebrated Eight Community Organizations and Seven Community Leaders at their 2021 Annual Dinner

The Chamber Annual Dinner, presented by Mohegan Sun Pocono, is the premier Chamber event of the year. Throughout the evening, we feature highlights of what’s new at the Chamber and in our area along with outstanding networking and marketing opportunities. During the Annual Dinner, the Chamber also recognizes the amazing businesses and individuals striving to move our region forward and to create impactful change.

This year, the Annual Dinner was held on Thursday, November 18^th at Mohegan Sun Pocono, as well as virtually. All attending celebrated the theme of “Honoring Our Past & Trailblazing Our Future.”

Meet the 2021 Award Recipients!

Diversity Champion Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and presented to NEPA’s 1st Black Owned Business Expo

This award is presented to an honoree that demonstrates support for diversity within their workforce through company goals and efforts to recruit, retain, and nurture a culturally diverse workforce or community.

Charitable Organization of the Year, sponsored by Sordoni Construction Services, Inc., and presented to Fork Over Love 

This award recognizes and honors local nonprofits that have improved the welfare of the Greater Wyoming Valley community.

Connect Icon Award, sponsored by Wilkes-Barre Connect, and presented to Studio BE

This award is presented to an organization that has gone through the Wilkes-Barre Connect program and has shown immense growth and development in our region and beyond, and continues to impact and give back to our Greater Wyoming Valley community.

Emerging Business of the Year Award, sponsored by PNC Bank, and presented to Building Blocks Learning Center

This annual award for excellence in business is given to an organization with a history of successful business, leadership, marketing, customer satisfaction, and community involvement, and is a growing business in the Greater Wyoming Valley.

Legacy Business of the Year Award, sponsored by Erwine Home Health and Hospice, Inc., and presented to AssuredPartners of NEPA

This annual award for excellence in business is given to an organization with a history of successful business, leadership, marketing, customer satisfaction, and community involvement and is a legacy business in the Greater Wyoming Valley.

Pride of Place Awards, sponsored by Geisinger, and presented to the Charlotte L. Casterline, M.D. YMCA Early Learning Center, Residence Inn by Marriott Wilkes-Barre Arena, and Street Art Society of NEPA

2021 Pride of Place Awards recognize and honor businesses, industries, and organizations that have improved the physical environment of the Greater Wyoming Valley area.

 

 

“Honoring Our Past & Trailblazing Our Future” Lifetime Recognition Honorees, sponsored by Community Bank, N.A.

These awards were introduced in 2021 to recognize individuals who have made a lasting contribution to our region through their years of leadership, inspiration, and positive influence in the business community and to our community at large. The 2021 honorees include John Aciukewicz, from CASA of Luzerne County; Charles Barber, from the Luzerne Foundation; Wico van Genderen, from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Paul Lumia & Barbara Romanansky, from North Branch Land Trust; Mike Murray, from the Times Leader Media Group; and Steven J. Scheinman, MD, from Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine.

 

 

At Thursday’s event, a special “Honoring Our Past & Trailblazing Our Future” ceremony was held to celebrate these honorees, as well as their incoming leaders, representing the transfer and unlocking of organizational leadership. Each of the honorees listed above passed over a key plaque to their incoming leaders, who included Mary Kay Pivovarnik, the Executive Director of CASA of Luzerne County; David Pedri, President & CEO of The Luzerne Foundation; Lindsay Griffin, Incoming President & CEO of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber; Kerry Miscavage, Publisher of the Times Leader Media Group; and, Dr. Janet Townsend, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Family Medicine at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, to accept on behalf of Dr. Julie Byerley, the Incoming President and Dean of Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer. Additionally, Ellen Ferretti, Executive Director of North Branch Land Trust, who could not be in attendance on stage that night, was also recognized for her leadership.

 

 

The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber team would like to thank everyone who joined them for the event, including their sponsors, attendees, award recipients, and community members. Their team is thankful and excited to build the future of their Chamber with this community.

 

And, don’t forget to check back here at DiscoverNEPA every month for The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber’s Member Meet & Greet blog series. We’ll be sharing unique stories and introducing NEPA to the Chamber’s many amazing small business and nonprofit members.

 

Featured Image (Top) Courtesy of Park Multimedia