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Centre County economic development strategy

Month: June 2025

Keller Engineers hires new employees

Posted on by Jules Slater

Keller Engineers Hires Two New Employees

June 25, 2025, Hollidaysburg, PA – Keller Engineers, Inc., with locations in Hollidaysburg, State College, and Gettysburg, PA and Haddonfield, NJ is a full-service engineering firm providing client-focused civil and structural engineering, and surveying services.

Keller Engineers, Inc. is excited to welcome Abbey Lansberry and Claudia Barnes to our growing team!

Abbey will be working in the Transportation Division as a Highway Designer. She is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. While attending college, Abbey worked as a Transportation Intern where she had the opportunity to inspect paved parking lots at The Pennsylvania State University campuses, as well as conduct corrections to signing and pavement marking plans, traffic control plans, and roadway plan sets for state routes. She also worked as a Construction Intern for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in Patton.

Claudia has joined the Land Development Division as an Environmental Scientist. She is a recent graduate of Duquesne University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Conservation. In addition to her education, Claudia has experience conducting wetland delineations in Pennsylvania and Ohio, using flow meters, collecting water samples, and overseeing stream mitigation efforts. She is also a member of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and participated in the Evergreen Club and Girl Gains as a student at Duquesne.

Keller Engineers Hires Three Employees in Transportation and Survey

June 25, 2025, Hollidaysburg, PA – Keller Engineers, Inc., with locations in Hollidaysburg, State College, and Gettysburg, PA and Haddonfield, NJ is a full-service engineering firm providing client-focused civil and structural engineering, and surveying services.

Keller Engineers, Inc. is pleased to announce Rob Butler and Marc Kifer have joined the team!

John a.k.a. “Rob” Butler is one of the newest Construction Inspectors in Transportation. He has over 18 years of experience working in the construction industry. Most recently, he performed inspection work for the Maryland Department of Transportation. Rob completed the 12 TA-TCI Training Modules and is a certified ACI Concrete Field-Testing Technician – Grade I.

Marc Kifer has been hired as a Field Surveyor. He has over 30 years of surveying experience and is skilled in calculating land boundaries, setting controls and monuments, utilizing fundamental surveying equipment, and preparing plots, maps, grade sheets and reports. Marc holds an Associate Degree in Land Surveying from the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

Geisinger awarded funding to implement improved symptom monitoring for patients undergoing cancer treatment

Posted on by Jules Slater

DANVILLE, Pa. – Geisinger has been approved for funding by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to implement electronic monitoring of patients’ self-reported symptoms during cancer treatment. Patients being treated for cancer often have symptoms such as fatigue, pain and nausea. Managing these symptoms, which can stem from both the disease and its treatment, is a key component of high-quality cancer care and can enhance patients’ well-being, decrease visits to the hospital and improve treatment adherence.

Led by H. Lester Kirchner, Ph.D. and Christian Adonizio, M.D., this project will implement Epic’s Electronic Symptom Management (eSyM) module for Geisinger patients receiving systemic chemotherapy, oral chemotherapy and radiation therapy. The work is based on findings from a PCORI-funded patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness (CCE) study demonstrating improved symptom control, physical function, health-related quality of life and overall survival among patients who completed electronic patient-reported outcome surveys, as compared with those who received usual care.

Dr. Kirchner is professor and chair of the Department of Population Health Sciences in Geisinger’s Research Institute. He and Keith Boell, D.O., Geisinger’s chief quality officer, are project leads for Geisinger’s Health Systems Implementation Initiative (HSII) participation. Dr. Adonizio is a medical oncologist/hematologist, professor of medicine Geisinger College of Health Sciences, and the associate fellowship director for Geisinger’s Cancer Institute.

Geisinger was selected to participate in the HSII through a PCORI opportunity recruiting healthcare institutions to promote evidence-based practice based on findings generated from PCORI-funded patient-centered CCE. HSII aims to reduce the estimated 17-year gap between evidence publication and clinical application. This initiative recognizes that health systems’ practical experience and real-world insights are crucial for sustainable, large-scale implementation of practice-changing findings in clinical care.

The funding award has been approved pending completion of PCORI’s business and programmatic review and issuance of a formal award contract.

About Geisinger

Geisinger is among the nation’s leading providers of value-based care, serving 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Founded in 1915 by philanthropist Abigail Geisinger, the nonprofit system generates more than $8 billion in annual revenues across 163 care sites — including 10 hospital campuses — and Geisinger Health Plan, with more than half a million members in commercial and government plans. Geisinger College of Health Sciences educates more than 5,000 medical professionals annually and is conducting more than 1,400 clinical research studies. With more than 27,000 employees, including 1,800 employed physicians and 5,200 registered nurses, Geisinger is among Pennsylvania’s largest employers, having an estimated economic impact of $16.8 billion on the state’s economy. In 2024, Geisinger joined Risant Health, a nonprofit charitable organization created to expand and accelerate value-based care across the country. Learn more at geisinger.org or follow on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Think Bigger: How Systems Thinking Gives Small Business Owners a Smarter Edge

Posted on by Jules Slater
  • If you’re constantly putting out fires in your business, you might be treating symptoms instead of fixing systems.
  • Systems thinking helps you connect the dots across hiring, sales, customer service, and operations.
  • It’s not theory. It’s a practical mindset that builds efficiency, resilience, and smarter decision-making.
  • Small business owners who think in systems avoid waste, anticipate problems, and lead with greater clarity.

604 Words ~ 3 min. read

Ever fix a leaky pipe only to find another bursts a few days later? Running a business without systems thinking is like that. Every fix creates new problems because nothing in your business operates in isolation. Everything is connected.

That is why systems thinking matters. Once used primarily by scientists and large corporations, it is now a strategic advantage for small business owners who want to stop reacting and start leading with clarity and purpose.

What Is Systems Thinking?

Systems thinking is a problem-solving approach that looks at the full picture, not just individual components. It focuses on how different functions, teams, and processes interact, and how those relationships create patterns over time.

For example, if sales are falling, it is easy to blame the sales team. But a systems thinker goes deeper. Is marketing reaching the right audience? Are order delays impacting customer experience? Are internal goals misaligned?

This mindset addresses root causes rather than surface issues. It gives leaders insight that leads to sustainable improvements.

A Real-World Win

Consider a local bakery that saw repeat business begin to dip. The owner initially considered staff retraining but instead decided to map the entire customer journey. She discovered supply chain delays were increasing wait times during peak hours, which frustrated customers. By adjusting vendor relationships and revising inventory practices, she sped up service and brought customers back.

This is systems thinking in action.

Why Small Businesses Need It

Smaller businesses operate with tighter resources and greater exposure to risk. One decision can impact multiple areas at once. That is why systems thinking helps owners lead more effectively. It provides structure for understanding cause and effect throughout the business.

Here’s how it supports growth:

  • Efficiency: Uncover root issues in operations rather than solving isolated problems.
  • Smarter decisions: Detect recurring patterns and fix their source, not just the outcome.
  • Foresight: Recognize how changes in one area will impact the entire organization.

How to Get Started

You do not need a formal system or software to begin. Use these simple steps:

  1. Sketch your system. Create a visual map of how departments, people, tools, and customers interact.
  2. Identify feedback loops. Look for areas where problems tend to repeat or compound.
  3. Ask deeper questions. Move from “What went wrong?” to “What in our structure caused this result?”
  4. Review regularly. Set time aside monthly to assess how recent changes are impacting other parts of the business.

Free tools like Lucidchart or Miro can help you visualize your system. For more advanced insights, explore Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review.

The Bottom Line

Systems thinking gives small business leaders the perspective needed to lead with confidence, not just react to chaos. It connects the dots between actions and outcomes, so you can fix what really matters. The most effective business owners think in systems. They see how each decision shapes the whole. That is what helps them grow stronger, faster, and more sustainably.

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The Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County is a private non-profit organization that aims to support the growth and development of local businesses and our regional economy. We strive to create content that not only educates but also fosters a sense of connection and collaboration among our readers. Join us as we explore topics such as economic development, networking opportunities, upcoming events, and success stories from our vibrant community. Our resources provide insights, advice, and news that are relevant to business owners, entrepreneurs, and community members alike. The Chamber has been granted license to publish this content provided by Chamber Today, a service of ChamberThink Strategies LLC. 

 

Gum Appointed to Two Statewide Banking Policy Committees

Posted on by Jules Slater

REEDSVILLE, PA – June 16, 2025 – Kish Bank has announced that Jeffrey Gum, Vice President and Managing Director of Kish Benefits Consulting, a division of Kish Bank, has been appointed to the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s (PA Bankers’) Government Relations Policy Committee. The committee is responsible for PA Bankers’ overall state public policy advocacy program and determines the association’s policy positions and priorities on pending or proposed state legislation and regulations.

Gum has also been appointed to Chair the PA Bankers’ Insurance Services Advisory Committee. As part of the government relations advocacy function of the association, the advisory committee reviews and recommends policy positions on state legislation and regulations on behalf of member banks to the Government Relations Policy Committee.

Gum will serve in the above capacities until December 1, 2026, coinciding with the legislative session.

Gum has over 45 years of experience in the insurance and financial services industry. He joined Kish Bank in 2017 with its acquisition of Benefit Management Group, Inc., founded by Gum in 1991. As head of Kish Benefits Consulting, Kish’s employee benefits consulting division, Gum works closely with business clients to provide benefit advisory and brokerage services, including healthcare and benefits plan design, regulatory compliance, cost containment solutions, employee communication and education, and wellness planning.

Gum is a member of SHRM, NABIP, PA-NABIP, and PBA, and holds active Insurance Licenses to practice in the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio.

About Kish Bank

Kish Bank is a $1.8 billion regional community bank that operates 20 offices and financial centers serving Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, and Juniata counties, and northeastern Ohio. Other business units of Kish Bank include Kish Insurance, Kish Financial Solutions, Kish Benefits Consulting, and Kish Travel.Kish Bank is a subsidiary of Kish Bancorp, Inc., trading under the OTCQX stock ticker symbol of KISB. Kish Bank is an Equal Opportunity Lender and Member FDIC. For more information, please visit MyKish.com.

About PA Bankers Association

PA Bankers has been bringing banks and bankers together for more than 125 years to learn, grow, serve and engage with their peers, communities and lawmakers. The association has built a strong reputation as a leading advocate for pro-banking policies at the state and federal levels, as well as the delivery of quality education, products and services for banks of all sizes and their employees. Follow the Pennsylvania Bankers Association on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Five Steps to help someone at risk for suicide

Posted on by Jules Slater

(June 16, 2025, DuBois, Pennsylvania) – Suicide occurs everywhere – in large cities, suburban communities and rural areas. One in five adults experience mental illness, and suicide is the second leading cause of death among people ages 10 to 34.

You may not know it, but someone close to you may be struggling with mental health, including thoughts of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text the Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline at 988. The 988 Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The 988 Lifeline recommends these five steps to help someone in a mental health crisis.

Step 1: Ask and Listen

Be direct. Ask a person if they have thoughts of suicide. When you ask if someone is considering suicide, you are telling them that you are open to talking in a nonjudgmental and supportive way. It can be as simple as asking, “Are you thinking about suicide?” or “How can I help?”

“Research shows that asking at-risk individuals does not increase suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts,” said Kevin R. Patterson, MD, System Wide Medical Director for Behavioral Health for Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Rather, evidence shows that acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation.”

It is important to talk openly and be willing to listen and accept the feelings the person expresses. Take their answers seriously. Listen to their reasons for being in pain as well as reasons they want to continue to stay alive, and avoid trying to impose your own reasons.

Do not promise to keep their thoughts of suicide a secret either. Seeking support is important, and lying to them can rupture your relationship.

Step 2: Be There

Helping an at-risk person feel less isolated and more connected to others has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.

You can be there in person, on the phone or any other way that shows you are support. Be sure to follow through with your actions, too. Do not commit to anything you are unable to do.

If you are not able to be there for the person, help them brainstorm who else might be able to be present. Listening is again key. Find out who they believe will be the most effective resource, not who you think is best.

Step 3: Help Them Stay Safe

After you have established an open and direct conversation, you can determine the severity of the danger. Do they know how or when they would kill themselves? Do they have a detailed plan? Have they already done something before talking with you? Do they have access to their planned method?

“The more steps they have in place, the more at risk they are,” said Dr. Patterson. “If they have immediate access to a firearm, prescription drugs or another method, it may be necessary to call for emergency help or drive them to an emergency department.”

Step 4: Help Them Connect and Develop a Plan

Connecting a person at risk for suicide with ongoing support, such as the 988 Lifeline, can help give them a safety net for moments when they are in a crisis. You can also help them identify resources in their community, such as a mental health professional or a support group.

As you help them connect, you can also help them develop a safety plan. What should they do if they experience a crisis? Do they have the 988 Lifeline saved in their contacts? What family or friends can they call?

Step 5: Follow Up

After helping them connect with support and resources in the moment of crisis, be sure to follow up in the hours, days and weeks after to see how they are doing. This will help them continue to feel connected to others and show them that they have people who care about them. It is also a good time to check if they have found the help of a mental health professional or if they need additional help in connecting with a qualified provider.

If you or a loved one is at risk of harm, professional mental health guidance can help. Penn Highlands Behavioral Health staff is trained to not only help the person at risk of suicide but also the family and friends. Penn Highlands Healthcare offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient behavioral and mental health services at locations throughout Pennsylvania. To learn more, please visit www.phhealthcare.org/bhs.

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Penn Highlands Healthcare was officially formed in 2011, and is comprised of eight hospitals – Penn Highlands Brookville, Penn Highlands Clearfield, Penn Highlands Connellsville, Penn Highlands DuBois, Penn Highlands Elk, Penn Highlands Huntingdon, Penn Highlands Mon Valley, Penn Highlands Tyrone — that have served area communities for the past 100+ years. Penn Highlands State College, a new hospital, with a patient-centric design and atmosphere, is slated to open in 2024. The health system’s business continuum also includes a home care agency, long-term care facilities and residential senior living communities, as well as durable medical equipment companies and retail pharmacies.

Penn Highlands Healthcare has evolved into an organization with 6,651 workers in 150+ locations throughout 26 counties in Pennsylvania that include community medical buildings, outpatient facilities, surgery centers and physician practices. The facilities have a total of 1,498 inpatient, skilled nursing and personal care beds.  The system, which has 827 physicians and 405 advanced practice providers on staff, offers a wide range of care and treatments with specialty units for cancer, cardiovascular/thoracic, neurosurgery, pulmonology, neonatal and high-risk pregnancy patients. Being focused on what is important – patients and families – makes Penn Highlands Healthcare the best choice in the region.