North Branch Land Trust
Butkiewicz, North Branch Land Trust (SUBMITTED)
The nonprofit conservation organization announced the appointment of Joe Butkiewicz as interim executive director. This leadership transition follows the retirement of Ellen Ferretti, executive director, and reflects the organization’s commitment to continuity, stability and mission-driven progress.
Butkiewicz has been a valued staff member of the organization, bringing years of experience in community engagement. A Kingston native, he graduated from the former Bishop O’Reilly High School, Luzerne County Community College and New York University. Over a 40-year career in journalism, Butkiewicz held various roles, including executive editor at the Times Leader, and spent a decade as managing editor of The Times-Tribune in Scranton.
An active community member, he has served on numerous local boards, currently including the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts and the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor. Additionally, he serves on the Land Committee for the North Branch Land Trust.
During this interim period, Butkiewicz will oversee daily operations, support staff and volunteers, and collaborate closely with the board of directors as the organization begins the process of identifying permanent leadership.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust
Meck, Peoples Security Bank (SUBMITTED)
McLaughlin, Peoples Security Bank (SUBMITTED)
The bank announced two additions to its retail banking leadership team with the appointment of Leslie Meck as vice president, regional branch sales and administration manager for the Southern Region, and Jared J. McLaughlin as assistant vice president, area manager for the Lehigh Valley.
In her new role, Meck is responsible for leading branch offices throughout the Southern Region, with a focus on driving sales performance, operational excellence, regulatory compliance and an exceptional client experience. She will also provide leadership and coaching to branch teams while supporting relationship growth and employee development.
Meck joined the bank in May 2025 as senior cash management sales officer. She brings more than 30 years of community banking experience, having held executive leadership positions overseeing retail banking, marketing, cash management, business development, mortgage operations and customer experience. Prior to joining the bank, she served as chief retail and chief experience officer at Centric Bank.
Throughout her career, Meck has been committed to developing banking professionals and promoting financial literacy for both youth and adults. She previously served on the Pennsylvania Bankers School of Banking Advisory Committee and as a director of the Pennsylvania Bankers School of Banking. She currently serves on the board of directors and finance committee for the Salvation Army of the Capital Region and previously served in leadership roles with United Way of the Capital Region.
A resident of Harrisburg, Meck attended Westmoreland County Community College.
McLaughlin, in his new role with the bank, will oversee the bank’s three Lehigh Valley branch locations and is responsible for growing retail deposits while fostering a strong sales culture and maintaining the high level of customer service clients expect.
McLaughlin brings 26 years of banking experience in the Lehigh Valley. Prior to joining the bank, he served as financial center manager for Mid Penn Bank in Allentown. He is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Banking and resides in Bethlehem.
The Wright Center
Pavlowski, Wright Center (SUBMITTED)
Poliak, Wright Center (SUBMITTED)
A dentist who completed an internship at the Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley is returning to the community health center to care for patients.
A graduate of the Dunmore School District, Emily Pavlowski was awarded a National Health Service Corps Scholarship while pursuing her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. While there, she served as a dental ambassador and mentored students through the school’s Women in Dentistry and Healthcare Leadership programs. At graduation, she received the American Academy of Implant Dentistry Award.
In August 2018, she completed a summer internship at the Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley’s dental clinic. She is returning to serve the region where she grew up and says she looks forward to giving back to the community that shaped her and fulfilling her National Health Service Corps service commitment by serving in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
Pavlowski will offer a wide variety of dental services for children and adults, including routine exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, fillings, extractions, restorations, dentures and other procedures. The community health center accepts most dental insurances, including Delta Dental, Guardian, United Concordia and Medical Assistance (Medicaid).
An experienced pediatrician with ties to the region has returned to the Wright Center for Community Health to serve as a pediatrician and physician faculty member.
Dr. Nina Poliak is accepting appointments at the Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, for pediatric well visits, same-day sick appointments, routine vaccinations, newborn care, back-to-school/daycare physicals, sports and camp physicals, asthma management, mental health screenings and more.
After earning her medical degree from Charité medical school, Europe’s largest university hospital, Poliak trained at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, as a postdoctoral research fellow, where she also earned her Master of Public Health in epidemiology and international health. She completed her internship and residency at Baylor College of Medicine’s Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston and trained at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. From 2014-16, Poliak worked as a pediatric faculty member and attending physician at the Wright Center.
For more than 20 years, Poliak has specialized in pediatric care at clinics across Northeast and Southeast Pennsylvania, most recently at Holy Redeemer Hospital’s pediatric urgent care in Meadowbrook.
At the Wright Center, Poliak will serve as a pediatric physician faculty member, working closely with medical residents and medical students in the clinic, developing curriculum and mentoring trainees.