Leadership Northeast
Olszewski Conrad, Leadership Northeast (SUBMITTED)
Hoyes, Leadership Northeast (SUBMITTED)
Neher, Leadership Northeast (SUBMITTED)
The organization welcomed three community leaders to its 2026/2027 board of directors: Rachel Olszewski Conrad, Johnyne Hoyes and Robert Neher.
Olszewski Conrad is the principal of Fear Less Publicity and the communications and marketing manager for the PA Harness Horsemen’s Association. Outside of her multiple day jobs, she enjoys serving the NEPA community. A graduate of both the Leadership Northeast Core (2012) and Amplify (2023) programs, she works with organizations such as the Wyoming Valley YMCA and the Osterhout Library, and has volunteered tirelessly for Leadership Northeast in many capacities, including serving as the Virtual Auction committee chair for five years.
Olszewski Conrad holds an M.S. in organizational development from Penn State University and a B.A. in communications with a double minor in English and political science from the University of Dayton.
Hoyes serves as director of marketing at Comcast, where she leads strategic marketing initiatives that drive brand growth, customer engagement and business performance. With more than 17 years at Comcast and nearly three decades in telecommunications and marketing, she brings deep expertise spanning product marketing, operations, sales strategy and multichannel campaign execution.
A graduate of Leadership Northeast’s Core Class of 2023, Hoyes has experienced firsthand the organization’s impact in cultivating informed, engaged leaders.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Misericordia University and an associate degree in applied science in hotel and restaurant management from Luzerne County Community College. She resides in Dallas.
Neher is a business executive and trusted adviser with nearly three decades of leadership experience in banking, business strategy and organizational growth. After beginning his career with Luzerne Bank in 1998, he advanced through a variety of leadership positions before serving as president and chief executive officer.
Today, as principal of Fieldcraft Advisory LLC, he works with privately held businesses to drive strategic growth, improve operations and pursue acquisition opportunities.
A 2008 graduate of Leadership Northeast’s Core Program, Neher has remained committed to serving the community through leadership and board service with organizations including the Luzerne Foundation, Scouting America, North Branch Land Trust and now Leadership Northeast.
Conrad, Hoyes and Neher join the following individuals on the Leadership Northeast board of directors: Phillip Amend, H.R. Solutions by OneSource; John Augustine III, Penn’s Northeast; Robert Belza, Wilkes University; Eric Bleiler, CPA, Eric J. Bleiler, CPA & Co. LLC; Christie Bonnice, CLU ChFC RICP, State Farm; Jim Brogna, Allied Services; Donald Brominski, UGI Utilities Inc., chairman; Rebecca Brominski, community volunteer; Chris Caleb, Benco Dental; Kieran Casey, Esq., Rosenn Jenkins & Greenwald LLP; Gerard Champi, Peoples Security Bank; Bob Chepalonis, Martz Trailways; Cassandra Coleman, America250PA; Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce; Jack Jones, First Keystone Community Bank; Jackie Kendzor, Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Co.; Stacey Kile, Geisinger; Dan Kimbrough, Park Multimedia; Dan Landesberg, Geisinger, vice chairman; James Martin, Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame; Terri Morgan, M&T Bank; David Pedri, Esq., the Luzerne Foundation; Brian Stahl, Esq., NorthPoint Development; Jennifer Stull, Esq., PNC Private Bank; Rachel Wiernusz, Community Bank NA; Carl Witkowski III, Presidio Insurance; Melissa Wolf, CPA, Baker Tilly US, LLP, treasurer; and Jess Yurek, Diamond Trail Realty.
Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance
Paranich, NEPA Alliance (SUBMITTED)
Morgan, NEPA Alliance (SUBMITTED)
The agency announced the hiring of Michael Paranich as the information technology manager.
In his new role, Paranich will oversee and enhance the agency’s technology infrastructure, ensuring the reliability, security and scalability of the organization’s network, telecommunications systems and office technology. He will lead NEPA’s cybersecurity strategy, including threat prevention and incident response, while providing exceptional technical support to staff and implementing technology solutions that strengthen the organization’s operations and long-term success.
Paranich earned a Bachelor of Science in information technology from Southern New Hampshire University. He resides in Dunmore.
The agency also announced the promotion of Bob Morgan to government procurement program manager.
Morgan will be responsible for providing technical assistance to clients and informational assistance to businesses regarding government contracting opportunities. In addition to helping these companies with their expansion and/or entry into contracting with federal, state and local governments, he will be leading the administration of the APEX program.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from King’s College. He resides in Mountain Top.
The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike
Drapek, United Way (SUBMITTED)
Kolsovsky, United Way (SUBMITTED)
The organization announced that retired United Way President and CEO Gary Drapek and retired banking executive Deb Kolsovsky will serve as co-chairs of the organization’s 2026 Community Campaign.
Together, Drapek and Kolsovsky will lead this year’s fundraising efforts, working alongside volunteers, businesses, community partners and donors to support programs that improve lives throughout Lackawanna, Wayne and Pike counties. The annual campaign funds local initiatives focused on education, financial stability, health and basic needs, helping thousands of individuals and families across the region each year.
Drapek brings more than three decades of United Way leadership and nonprofit experience to the campaign. After first joining the organization in 1987, he served in executive leadership before becoming president and CEO in 2002, a role he held until his retirement in 2025. Throughout his career, he earned national recognition for excellence in communications and nonprofit leadership while helping strengthen United Way’s impact throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.
Kolsovsky recently retired following a distinguished 35-year career with PNC Bank, where she served as executive vice president and managing director of institutional asset management for the Northeast Region. Kolsovsky currently serves as chair of the United Way board of directors and has held leadership positions with numerous regional organizations, including the Wright Center for Community Health, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and Johnson College.
The 2026 Community Campaign will launch this fall and will bring together businesses, organizations, volunteers and individual donors in support of local programs that address the community’s most pressing needs.