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Centre County economic development strategy

Month: September 2025

Leadership Centre County Names Denise Sullivan as Executive Director

Posted on by Jules Slater

Welcomes Newly Elected Board Officers and Celebrates Class of 2025

State College, PA (September 3, 2025)—Leadership Centre County has announced Denise Sullivan as its new executive director after serving as interim director that past year. The organization also installed new board officers, celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2025, and completed enrollment for the incoming Class of 2026.

Sullivan is founder and CEO of Sullivan Point Strategies and previously held executive, development and event production roles with Flyers Charities, the charitable arm of the Philadelphia Flyers, Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, Emily Whitehead Foundation, The Franklin Institute, and the Philadelphia 76ers. A 2022 graduate of Leadership Centre County graduate and 2019 Leadership Philadelphia Fellow, she is also a proud Penn State alumna and member of the Centre County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association.

“It is an absolute honor to serve as Executive Director of Leadership Centre County, “ Sullivan said.  “I look forward to working alongside our committed board of directors, our community partners and sponsors, and our alumni. The Class of 2025 is a shining example of what the program is meant to be, and I am thrilled to continue inspiring and nurturing the servant leaders making a difference throughout our community.”

Kendra Kielbasa, Leadership Centre County (2023) and Leadership Prince William (2010) alumna, has been named board president. Kielbasa also serves as retail and commercial business advocate for Downtown State College Improvement District.

“This is an exciting time for Leadership Centre County,” said Kielbasa. “Denise Sullivan is a proven leader who brings energy, vision and strategy. With her at the helm, we’re building on a strong foundation and moving forward with fresh momentum to develop future leaders who will shape the Centre Region.”

LEADERSHIP Board officers include:

  • President—Kendra Kielbasa (2023), retail and commercial business advocate, Downtown State College Improvement District
  • Immediate Past President—Tara Shaffer (2018), senior vice president, AmeriServ Financial
  • Vice President—Keri (Miller) Kenepp (2024), executive director, College Township Industrial Development Authority
  • Secretary—Danyell Bundy (2022), system fund development executive director, Penn Highlands Healthcare
  • Treasurer—Kate Tosto (2018), broker/co-owner, RE/MAX Centre Realty

The 2025 Community Leadership Program (CLP) class celebrated its graduation event June 11 along with alumni, friends, sponsors, and community partners who attended in record numbers. Class speaker Jenie Ellenberger provided a powerful recap about the personal and collective growth experienced by this year’s group, sharing poignant and fun moments from the year-long LEADERSHIP program rooted in active service learning.  

During the 10-month program, class members immerse themselves in an intensive exploration of current socio-economic issues, work collaboratively with organizations and volunteers, and engage in real-time community projects, all of which provide the foundation for a lifelong commitment to civic engagement. 

Leadership Centre County will welcome the Class of 2026 at a reception on September 10, 5–7 p.m., at Mountain View Country Club. All are welcome. Visit the Leadership Centre County website to register for the event.

Leadership Centre County was founded in 1991 as a 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to the development of qualified leaders within the community. A self-sustaining organization, it is one of hundreds of similar leadership development and community impact programs across the country. Since its founding, the program has graduated 1,167 class members from its flagship Community Leadership Program who now serve as volunteers, committee chairs, and board members of more than 600 Centre County organizations.

For more information about Leadership Centre County, how to volunteer, or donate, email us at executivedirector@leadershipcentrecounty.org.

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CTIDA Announces 2nd Round of Small Business Grant Program

Posted on by Jules Slater

COLLEGE TOWNSHIP, PA – August 29, 2025– The College Township Industrial Development Authority (CTIDA) is excited to announce the opening of applications for the Fall 2025 Small Business Grant Program, a reinvestment initiative designed to strengthen the small business community along the Gateway Corridor of East College Avenue.


With $25,000 in available funding, the program will provide grants of up to $5,000 (with a required 50/50 match) to eligible small businesses to support façade improvements, landscaping, signage, lighting, and other beautification projects that enhance the corridor’s visual appeal.


Earlier this year, the CTIDA awarded the first two grants through the program to Your Building Center and Bonfire Old Fashioned BBQ. Each business received $5,000 to make impactful enhancements to their properties, including façade upgrades, sidewalk improvements, and new digital signage. These projects mark the beginning of the CTIDA’s strategic investment in the Gateway Corridor and highlight the program’s potential to boost economic vibrancy, attract customers, and create a more welcoming entryway to the State College area.


“Our small business community is the foundation of the Gateway Corridor,” said Keri Kenepp, Executive Director of the CTIDA. “By investing in visible improvements like updated facades and signage, we’re not only helping businesses attract new customers but also strengthening the overall character and vitality of this important gateway into our region.”


Applications for the Fall 2025 grant cycle will open on Monday, September 1, 2025, and close on Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Applicants will be notified of awards on or after Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
To be eligible, businesses must be located in the Gateway Corridor of East College Avenue with street frontage. Priority will be given to locally owned, independently operated businesses, and collaborative projects between neighboring businesses will be looked upon favorably.


Applications are available both in paper form at the College Township Municipal Building (1481 E. College Avenue, Attn: Keri Kenepp) and digitally through the CTIDA website or the QR code provided on promotional materials.


For more information about the program, eligibility requirements, or to apply, please visit www.ctida.com or contact the CTIDA at admin@ctida.com or (814) 208-4124.

2025 Dr. Billie Willits Memorial Scholarship Awarded to Campbell Park

Posted on by Jules Slater
Skills of Central PA CEO Val Barner (left) presents Ross (right) with $4,000 toward her freshman year at PSU.
Skills of Central PA CEO Val Barner (left) presents Ross (right) with $4,000 toward her freshman year at PSU.

(State College, PA)  Campbell Park, a graduate of Central Mountain High School, was awarded the 2025 Dr. Billie Willits Memorial Scholarship from the Skills Foundation. Now a freshman at Penn State University – University Park, she received $4,000 toward her education from a scholarship fund to benefit the children of employees of Skills of Central PA. The annual presentation honors the memory of long-time Skills Board Member Dr. Billie Willits.

Park was eligible for the scholarship because her mother, Jillian Park, works as a Regional Director for Skills of Central PA in Clinton and Lycoming Counties. Jillian has worked for Skills for 13 years.  Campbell’s application and essay were selected by the scholarship committee of the Skills Foundation, all of whom determined her to be a deserving recipient.

The Dr. Billie S. Willits Memorial Scholarship is presented in honor and memory of Dr. Willits who was a member of the Skills of Central PA Board of Directors for 20 years, including two terms as board chair. Dr. Willits passed away in 2019 and has truly left a void. She was a dedicated supporter of the Skills mission as well as the Centre County communities.

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Three Central PA Business Leaders Appointed to Kish Bank Board

Posted on by Jules Slater

STATE COLLEGE, PA – August 22, 2025 – William P. Hayes, Executive Chairman of Kish Bank, has announced the appointment of three distinguished Central PA business leaders to the Kish Bank Board of Directors: Jim Foreman of Blair County, Michael Krentzman of Centre County, and John Pannizzo of Mifflin County.

In announcing the appointments, Hayes stated, “It is our pleasure to welcome Jim, Michael, and John, three highly respected local leaders, to our Board of Directors. Each of them embodies a deep commitment to the community and aligns closely with Kish’s mission of helping our region thrive, as we have for 125 years. We are confident they will be strong, engaged advocates for the communities we serve and valuable contributors to Kish’s continued success.”

Hayes added, “Our board members play a vital role in advancing Kish’s ability to serve our clients, communities, team members, and shareholders. As we continue to grow, we are intentional about ensuring our Board reflects both the geographic diversity of our footprint and the customer segments we serve.”

Jim Foreman is Partner and Director of ProCare Physical Therapy, a premier provider of physical and occupational therapy headquartered in Altoona, with nine locations across Central Pennsylvania. A lifelong resident of Blair County, Foreman serves on the board of Allegheny Broadband, Inc., which works to expand broadband access in rural Central PA. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Penn State University and resides in Duncansville with his wife.

Michael Krentzman, Co-President and Principal of Krentzman Metals Corp., brings over two decades of experience with Kish Bank, having served on its Centre County Regional Advisory Board. Krentzman Metals is a multi-generational leader in recycled materials processing and brokerage, with locations in Lewistown, Hollidaysburg, and Dubois. He serves on several regional economic development boards, including the SEDA-Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority, and is Pennsylvania Legislative Chair of the Recycled Materials Association. Krentzman earned his undergraduate degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and his Juris Doctorate in Commercial Law from Temple University. He lives in State College with his wife and two daughters.

John Pannizzo, a native of Mifflin County, is a well-known entrepreneur and community advocate. He is the founder and owner of Downtown OIP, a landmark restaurant in Lewistown, and has invested in other local ventures, including JP Edwards in Lewistown and Birch Hill Events in Burnham. A graduate of Penn State University, Pannizzo is a passionate supporter of Penn State and high school athletics, having co-led the successful fundraising campaign for the Mifflin County High School Stadium Project. He resides in Lewistown with his wife and three children.

About Kish Bank

Kish Bank is a $1.8 billion regional community bank that operates 19 locations, serving Centre, Mifflin, Huntingdon, Blair, and Juniata counties in Pennsylvania, as well as 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.

 

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