Dime Bank
Melissa Bowling, Dime Bank (SUBMITTED)Melissa Bowling, Dime Bank (SUBMITTED)

Melissa Bowling has been promoted to senior vice president, chief operating officer.

Bowling’s career at the bank is a testament to growth, dedication and leadership developed from the ground up, bank officials said. Beginning her career with the bank in October 2008 as head teller at the Honesdale branch, Bowling steadily rose through the ranks, earning successive promotions that culminate in her appointment as chief operating officer.

Throughout her tenure, Bowling advanced to assistant branch manager and later branch manager of the downtown Hawley branch. In October 2016, she was promoted to retail operations officer, taking on responsibility for overseeing the efficient and effective operation of all branch offices while serving as a liaison between retail branches and other departments.

Bowling most recently served as vice president, retail operations manager, playing a key role in driving operational consistency, supporting branch performance and enhancing the overall customer experience across the organization.

As chief operating officer, Bowling will focus on operational excellence, cross-department collaboration and supporting the bank’s mission of delivering exceptional service throughout the branch network in Wayne, Pike and Lackawanna counties.

eXp Realty
Kathy Casarin, eXp Realty (SUBMITTED)Kathy Casarin, eXp Realty (SUBMITTED)

Kathy Casarin, a real estate agent serving the Scranton area, has been named one of 2025’s top agents according to a year-end ranking by Clever Real Estate, a fast-growing real estate technology company. Casarin is currently with the Elite of eXp, Christine Ives Polizzi Team.

Clever Real Estate’s Top Agent distinction highlights real estate professionals who demonstrate exceptional performance, strong client satisfaction and a proven ability to deliver results in competitive local markets.

Agents are selected based on a combination of reputation, experience and performance indicators.

In addition, she has been featured on the cover of SUCCESS Magazine’s Power Agent Edition, a nationally syndicated real estate publication spotlighting top-performing agents across the country.

The cover story showcases Casarin’s ability to merge elevated branding with disciplined execution — demonstrating how clarity, consistency and professional standards translate into measurable results for clients.

She has served multiple terms as president of the Abington B2B Referral Group, where she led sustainable growth initiatives, expanded membership and established a leadership cabinet that strengthened both professional collaboration and charitable impact.

Marywood University
Andrea Novak, Marywood University (SUBMITTED)Andrea Novak, Marywood University (SUBMITTED)

Andrea Novak, M.A., CCC-SLP, has been named the recipient of the 2025 National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) Advisor Honors Award for Continued Commitment, a national recognition presented annually to one chapter adviser who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and service to students over a period of more than five years.

Novak has served as the university’s NSSLHA chapter adviser for approximately 25 years, far exceeding the five-year minimum required for consideration, and is known for her hands-on mentorship and unwavering presence in student-led initiatives.

The Continued Commitment Award recognizes advisers who provide consistent and meaningful support to their NSSLHA chapters while promoting student leadership, engagement and professional development. Recipients also exemplify NSSLHA’s core values, including philanthropy, community service, advocacy, career awareness and leadership.

Beyond her role as an adviser, Novak is the chairperson of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and is recognized for fostering an environment where students feel encouraged to grow as leaders and future professionals.