CAN DO, Inc., Greater Hazleton’s economic development organization, celebrated another year during its 56th annual dinner held June 12 at Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites, Hazleton.
During last month’s annual meeting, the organization’s board of directors elected officers and at-large board members.
CAN DO officers approved for 2012-2013 include: Edgar L. Dessen, M.D., chairman emeritus; Llewellyn F. Dryfoos III, chairman of the board of directors; Daniel C. Jorgensen, vice chairman; Dr. John Madden, vice chairman; Patrick J. Ward, vice chairman; W. Kevin O’Donnell, president; David M. McCarthy, secretary; James Edwards, CPA, treasurer; Joseph F. Lettiere, vice president of sales and marketing; Nancy R. Stasko, assistant secretary; and Patricia Gendler, CPA, assistant secretary.
Those elected to the CAN DO Board of Directors as at-large members were: George Andrews; Charles Burkhardt; Tim Cole; Anthony J. Dixon, Esq.; Llewellyn F. Dryfoos III; James Edwards; Peter J. Fagan, Esq.; Lisa Finkelstein; Tim Genetti; William E. Genetti; Frank George; Martha M. Herron; Daniel Jorgensen; Elaine Judd; Jane Kanyock; Jeff Kovalick; John Madden, Ph.D.; Terry Malloy; Paul Malone; David M. McCarthy; Rick Morelli; Ken Okrepkie; Jerry Panisak; Jan Pasdon; Lonnie Polli; John E. Schwear Jr.; Robert Sensky, Esq.; Alexander Sloot; Arthur A. Tarone; Carla Hill Thaller; Matthew Turowski, Esq.; Patrick Ward and Joseph Zeller.
CAN DO’s board of directors also consists of members of organizations who have been involved with CAN DO since its very beginning. Educational and municipal representatives, along with students, also serve on the board as non-voting members. The board is made up of nearly 100 volunteers.
The evening was marked by a video presentation by Precision Design that featured the highlights of CAN DO’s last three years under John Spevak’s leadership as chairman.
“The past three years have been difficult ones for economic development, not only here in Greater Hazleton, but throughout Pennsylvania, our country, and in fact, most of the world,” O’Donnell said in the video. “Some of our greatest accomplishments during John Spevak’s tenure didn’t involve bricks and mortar but instead are centered around CAN DO’s ability to adapt to current times and remain a strong organization poised for growth as economic conditions improve and industry again begins investing in expansions.”
Spevak said, “I’m extremely proud of our community leaders who volunteer their time to serve on our board and help guide us in the many operational aspects of economic development. Many of them have spent countless hours over the past three years meeting and planning with staff to improve, and make our operations more efficient in preparation for the next wave of projects. Our recent successes can be seen in some of the new programs we’ve implemented to assist job creators – not only in our parks – but throughout the region.”
Recognitions made during the dinner were as follows: outgoing vice chairman, David McCarthy; outgoing secretary, Llewellyn Dryfoos III; treasurer, the late Bob Judd; outgoing committee chairmen, Charles Burkhardt, George Andrews and Jim Edwards; honorary board members, George J. Hayden Sr., John Sacco, Martin Cohn, William Flood, Eugene Gallagher and Robert Miorelli; 2012 Chairman’s Award, Charles Burkhardt; and CAN DO 2012 Partner of the Year Award, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce.
During the dinner, O’Donnell, Spevak and Charles Burkhardt, Community Relations Committee chairman and Student Action Committee adviser, recognized the graduating students of the CAN DO Student Action Committee, which is involved in developing and planning events such as CAN DO Community Christmas and “Operation: CAN DO.”
“These students contribute their time and talents to several noteworthy projects that would not be possible without their assistance,” Burkhardt said. “Through Student Action Committee activities, students learn the importance of volunteering and how to work as a team in support of a common goal.”
Student Action Committee graduates are Matt Caccese, George Gera, Adam Hauze, Katelyn Mantz and Yanira Paulino.
Sponsors for the 56th Annual Dinner were: Biros Septic and Drain Cleaning; Dryfoos Insurance and Grange Mutual Insurance; Alfred Benesch and URDC; Arc Electric; Greater Hazleton Health Alliance; Joyce Insurance Group; Karchner Logistics; M&J Excavation; Mericle Commercial Real Estate; Miners Bank; Pennsy Supply; PPL Utilities; Susquehanna Bank; Rosenn Jenkins and Greenwald; The Railroad Associates Corporation; Borton-Lawson and the Northeast PA Manufacturers and Employers Association.