{"id":304208,"date":"2026-10-11T05:06:10","date_gmt":"2026-10-11T05:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/304208\/"},"modified":"2026-10-11T05:06:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-11T05:06:10","slug":"people-on-the-move-october-11-2026-scranton-times-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/304208\/","title":{"rendered":"People on the Move, October 11, 2026 \u2013 Scranton Times-Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"

Comitz Law
\n\"Messinger,Messinger, Comitz Law (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

The law firm announced that attorney Myer S. Messinger has joined their legal team. Messinger will be providing legal counsel to clients throughout Northeast Pennsylvania, concentrating his practice in municipal and governmental law, complex civil litigation and personal injury matters. He will serve clients in the firm\u2019s Wilkes-Barre office as well as the firm\u2019s new location in Scranton.<\/p>\n

Messinger has substantial experience representing municipalities, school districts, zoning hearing boards, planning commissions and other public entities throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. He currently serves as solicitor for Sugarloaf Twp. and Pringle borough, solicitor to the Kingston Borough Zoning Hearing Board, and solicitor to the Newport Twp. Zoning Hearing Board and Planning Committee. He previously served as solicitor to the Wyoming Valley West School District.<\/p>\n

Prior to joining the firm, Messinger practiced for seven years with a prominent Northeast Pennsylvania law firm, where he handled a substantial caseload of personal injury and civil litigation matters.<\/p>\n

A native of Northeast Pennsylvania, Messinger earned his Bachelor of Science in humanities and science from the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. He received his Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law in Harrisburg in 2015. While attending law school, he clerked for a regional personal injury law firm and served as treasurer of the Environmental Law and Policy Society.<\/p>\n

Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen LLC
\n\"Kowalski,Kowalski, Distasio, Kowalski & Yelen LLC (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

Attorney Michael J. Kowalski, a founding member of the Wilkes-Barre law firm, has been named the 2027 Best Lawyers \u201cLawyer of the Year\u201d in Personal Injury Litigation \u2013 Plaintiffs.<\/p>\n

The recognition marks the second consecutive year that Kowalski has been selected as a Best Lawyers \u201cLawyer of the Year\u201d following his selection as the 2026 \u201cLawyer of the Year\u201d in Medical Malpractice Law \u2013 Plaintiffs.<\/p>\n

Kowalski\u2019s back-to-back recognition in two separate practice areas reflects the breadth of his experience representing individuals and families throughout Pennsylvania in complex personal injury and medical malpractice litigation.<\/p>\n

Kowalski has devoted his legal career to representing individuals and families who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries. His practice includes medical malpractice, personal injury, birth injuries, wrongful death, and automobile and truck accident litigation.<\/p>\n

Kowalski has previously received numerous professional honors for his work as a plaintiff\u2019s attorney, including repeated recognition by Best Lawyers and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers. In 2026, he was selected to the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list for the 18th consecutive year and was recognized for his work in both personal injury and medical malpractice.<\/p>\n

Fidelity Bank
\n\"Gatto,Gatto, Fidelity Bank (SUBMITTED)
\n\"Gower,Gower, Fidelity Bank (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

The bank announced that Eric Gatto has joined Fidelity Bank Wealth Management as a client portfolio manager.<\/p>\n

In his new role, Gatto will assist the investment research team in building and managing client portfolios while supporting the overall investment strategy for clients. He will also collaborate with client segment leaders across the Bank and Wealth Management division to help deliver personalized investment solutions and exceptional service to clients.<\/p>\n

Gatto resides in Jefferson Twp. and is a graduate of Holy Cross High School. He earned his degree from Penn State University, which he attended from 2014 to 2018.<\/p>\n

As client portfolio manager, Gatto will work closely with the Fidelity Bank Wealth Management team to support portfolio construction, investment research and strategic client initiatives designed to help individuals, families and businesses pursue their financial objectives.<\/p>\n

Ricky Gower has joined the bank as vice president, business development officer.<\/p>\n

In his role, Gower will focus on developing, cultivating and growing business and commercial banking relationships throughout the market. He will work closely with business clients to understand their unique financial needs and help them achieve both their short- and long-term goals. His responsibilities also include strengthening existing client relationships, generating new business opportunities and increasing the bank\u2019s visibility within the communities it serves.<\/p>\n

A resident of Slatington, Gower earned a Bachelor of Arts in business management and economics from Moravian University and is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School.<\/p>\n

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gower is actively involved in several community organizations. He serves as board secretary for the Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority, is a finance committee member for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority and serves as treasurer of the Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation.<\/p>\n

Honat Bancorp Inc.
\n\"Roba,Roba, Honat Bancorp (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

The parent company of the Honesdale National Bank announced the appointment of Jeffrey Roba to the board of directors, effective Aug. 26. The appointment comes as the bank continues to celebrate its 190th year in business.<\/p>\n

Roba, president of Roba Family Farms and Lakeland Orchard and Cidery, brings extensive experience in entrepreneurism, tourism and agriculture, and a demonstrated commitment to serving the communities of Northeast Pennsylvania. As a member of the board, he will help guide the strategic direction of the parent company and bank while supporting the organization\u2019s mission of providing exceptional financial services and strengthening the communities they serve.<\/p>\n

The appointment of Roba further strengthens the leadership and governance as the organization continues its commitment to serving customers, supporting local businesses and investing in the communities throughout the region.<\/p>\n

National Council of State Boards of Nursing
\n\"Petula,Petula, National Council of State Boards of Nursing (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

The council recently announced the induction of Sue Petula, Ph.D., MSN, RN, CNE-BC, into the International Center for Regulatory Scholarship. The induction ceremony was held in New Orleans and included regulatory professionals from around the world recognized for their regulatory leadership and scholarship. This followed her graduation from the Advanced Leadership Institution of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.<\/p>\n

Petula serves as an adviser to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. In addition, her background includes current work in healthcare regulation, clinical practice, nursing education and administration.<\/p>\n

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute
\n\"Munley,Munley, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

The Board of Ambassadors will honor retired Judge Thomas Munley as the 2026 Tribute to Courage Honoree at their upcoming Spirit of Hope Celebration set for Nov. 6 at Mohegan Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

Munley is a retired Judge of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas. Prior to his election, he spent more than 30 years as a practicing attorney in Northeast Pennsylvania. He is a proud veteran of the Army and served in Vietnam. A resident of Northeast Pennsylvania, Munley is a cancer survivor.<\/p>\n

The Spirit of Hope Celebration benefits the agency\u2019s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps individuals in Northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical and lung cancer screenings.<\/p>\n

For information about the Spirit of Hope Celebration, call the Cancer Institute at 570-904-8808 or visit www.spiritofhopecelebration.org.<\/p>\n

Wayne Bank
\n\"Mahon,Mahon, Wayne Bank (SUBMITTED)<\/p>\n

The bank announced the expansion of Executive Vice President and Market Executive Joseph \u201cJoe\u201d J. Mahon\u2019s leadership responsibilities to include the Greater Scranton market, in addition to the New York territories he currently oversees.<\/p>\n

As executive vice president and market executive, Mahon will continue leading commercial lending and deposit growth initiatives while working closely with customers, businesses and community organizations throughout his expanded market area. His responsibilities will include supporting the bank\u2019s strategic growth objectives and strengthening the bank\u2019s presence in Northeast Pennsylvania and New York.<\/p>\n

Mahon holds a Master of Business Administration from Binghamton University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University. He currently serves on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club of Binghamton and the Boys & Girls Clubs Foundation of Binghamton.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Comitz Law Messinger, Comitz Law (SUBMITTED) The law firm announced that attorney Myer S. Messinger has joined their…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":304209,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[60,201,182,803,28,178,180,179,1481],"class_list":["post-304208","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-scranton","tag-business","tag-lackawanna-county","tag-local-news","tag-luzerne-county","tag-pennsylvania","tag-scranton","tag-scranton-headlines","tag-scranton-news","tag-wayne-county"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304208","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=304208"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/304208\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/304209"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=304208"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=304208"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=304208"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}