Author: Jaimie Confer

DANVILLE, Pa. – Geisinger has tapped Chris Beck, an experienced government affairs leader at the state, federal and health system level, to serve as the organization’s vice president of government relations.

“Chris brings a deep understanding of how things work in the halls of government, but equally as important, he has an extensive background with health systems in Pennsylvania,” said Amy Brayford, Geisinger’s executive vice president and chief of staff. “Chris is an excellent choice to be our eyes and ears in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C., working to advocate on behalf of Geisinger and our patients for the unique challenges Geisinger faces as a healthcare leader serving rural and urban communities throughout central and northeastern Pennsylvania.”

Beck joins Geisinger from DeBrunner & Associates, a Harrisburg firm where he spent the last 5 years as director of state government relations. There, he served as liaison with the Pennsylvania General Assembly and key administration officials for numerous healthcare clients, including hospitals and health systems. He also led legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts for the Safety-Net Association of Pennsylvania (SNAP) while at DeBrunner, including for Medicaid reimbursement, preserving the hospital Quality Care Assessment and improving the regulatory climate for hospitals.

After starting his career as an aide to U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, Beck moved into government affairs roles with The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), Penn Medicine and Vertex Pharmaceuticals before returning to Penn Medicine in 2017 to serve as its director of public affairs for more than 3 years.

“Working at health systems allowed me to see firsthand what exceptional healthcare can mean for people’s lives,” said Beck. “But it also opened my eyes to the legislative hurdles that impact how effectively and efficiently health systems can provide that care. It’s my mission to do everything I can, to lean into relationships I’ve spent years developing and cultivating, to ensure the state and federal governments are strong allies for Geisinger as we bring great care to the communities we serve.”

In his new role, based in Harrisburg, Beck will collaborate with Geisinger’s leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure legislative and regulatory priorities and community benefit activities are aligned with the organization’s strategic vision and goals. That will include analyzing legislative and regulatory proposals, and developing new policy frameworks for emerging issues.

Beck has a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Drexel University.

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.

News release

Oct. 7, 2025

CONTACT:

Chris Murphy

cmurphy4@geisinger.edu

One of the best parts of CBICC membership is seeing how much variety and talent exists in our local business community. Each new member brings something different to the table, whether it’s supporting families, helping businesses grow, or adding a new flavor to Centre County.

Here’s a look at the newest businesses joining the Chamber:

Ridgeline Business Solutions: Ridgeline is a CPA-led advisory firm that works with nonprofits, outdoor trades, and MEP and home services across Central and Western Pennsylvania. With more than 15 years of experience, they focus on keeping operations simple, efficient, and sustainable while supporting the people and organizations at the heart of our communities. Learn more at Ridgeline Business Solutions.

Berkshire Systems Group: Berkshire Systems Group is a family-owned systems integration company that has been serving Eastern and Central Pennsylvania for more than 35 years. From fire alarms and security to communication systems, their team provides trusted life safety solutions for businesses, schools, government offices, and organizations of every size. As an independent company, Berkshire has the flexibility to work with the best manufacturers in the industry, creating solutions that are tailored to each client’s unique needs. Learn more at Berkshire Systems Group.

Grazing Happy Valley: Grazing Happy Valley turns gatherings into something special with charcuterie catering that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Based in State College, they create custom grazing tables and boards for weddings, celebrations, and events of all kinds, using only the freshest local ingredients. Along with large-scale grazing tables, they also offer hands-on charcuterie workshops and “create-your-own” table setups that bring an interactive touch to team-building events, showers, and parties. Learn more at Grazing Happy Valley.

Spherion Staffing: Spherion has been connecting people and businesses across Pennsylvania since 1992, when Don Ruggery Sr. opened the first local office in Altoona. Their mission is simple: help people find jobs that fit their skills and goals, and help employers build strong, reliable teams. With flexible staffing solutions across nearly every industry, Spherion focuses on creating the right match for both candidates and companies. Learn more at Spherion Staffing.

Care Options for Kids: Care Options for Kids offers therapy services that help children grow and families feel supported. Their team meets kids where they are — at home, in school, or in the community — and focuses on everything from hitting milestones to handling more complex needs. At the heart of it, they’re about giving families peace of mind and making sure kids have the chance to thrive. Learn more at Care Options for Kids.

D&Z Renovations: D&Z Renovations helps families across Centre County make their homes more comfortable and functional. From kitchens and bathrooms to basements, living rooms, and flooring, their team handles projects of all sizes with reliable service and close attention to detail. Whether it’s a full remodel or smaller handyman work, D&Z’s goal is to create spaces that feel right for the people who live in them. Learn more at D&Z Renovations.

Please join us in welcoming these new members to the CBICC community. We’re excited to have them with us and look forward to the impact they’ll make in Centre County. If you’re not yet a member and want to connect with businesses, grow your network, and help strengthen our region, now’s a great time to join. Learn more about becoming a CBICC member here.