Pittston, Luzerne County, PA -
Penn's Northeast welcomed investors, partners, and regional leaders to its Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Annual Meeting, held at the River Grille in Plains, to celebrate another successful year of economic development and recognize the organization's accomplishments and leadership, including Northeastern Pennsylvania’s recognition as No. 6 in the nation for economic development by Site Selection Magazine.
The following Officers will serve during the FY 2026-2027 fiscal year:
- Chairman: Tommy Grimes, Calex ISCS
- Vice Chairman: Mike Narcavage, PPL Electric Utilities
- Secretary & Treasurer: Andy Reilly, Wyoming Valley Sanitary Authority
Committee leadership includes:
- Marketing Co-Chair: Kelly O'Brien, Luzerne County Community College
- Marketing Co-Chair: Ronda Beemer, Penntex Construction
- Finance Chair: John Carmody, Wayne Bank
- Personnel Chair: Phil Amend, HR by Onesource
- Nominating Chair: Bill Scranton, The Scranton Family Office
A special moment of the evening honored Kelly O'Brien for her outstanding leadership and dedication during her three-year tenure as Chairwoman of Penn's Northeast. In a symbolic "passing of the torch," O'Brien handed an actual ceremonial torch to incoming Chairman Tommy Grimes, representing the transition of leadership and the organization's continued commitment to advancing Northeastern Pennsylvania's economic future.
Keeping with the lighthearted spirit of the event, Grimes was also presented with a Chairman's Survival Kit, a humorous collection of essentials to help him navigate the year ahead as chairman, drawing laughs from attendees while celebrating the beginning of his term.
The celebration highlighted another year of strategic marketing, business recruitment, and regional collaboration that continues to position Northeastern Pennsylvania as one of the nation's premier locations for business investment and expansion.
Penn’s Northeast also shared highlights from its FY 2025-2026 Annual Report, including Northeastern Pennsylvania's recognition as the No. 6 Tier 2 metropolitan area in the nation for economic development by Site Selection magazine.
The report also highlighted continued growth in economic development projects and the organization's digital marketing efforts, including a 34% increase in website visitors, a 41% increase in Google Search impressions, and a 10% increase in Google Search clicks. These results expanded the region's visibility among site selectors, corporate decision-makers, and companies exploring locations for investment and growth.
The organization's NEPA News newsletter continued to perform exceptionally well, achieving above-average open and click-through rates, while social media efforts generated over 250,000 impressions across Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Other highlights included the launch of Penn's Northeast's Artificial Intelligence Guide, designed to help small businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations better understand and responsibly adopt emerging AI technologies. The guide offers practical resources and information to help organizations enhance efficiency, improve communication, and prepare for the future of work.
"Penn's Northeast continues to build on the strong partnerships that have made our region a nationally recognized destination for business investment," said Chairman Tommy Grimes. "The dedication of our investors, volunteers, and staff has helped strengthen our regional economy, and we look forward to continuing that momentum in the year ahead."
As Penn’s Northeast begins its new fiscal year, the organization remains committed to attracting new investment, supporting existing employers, strengthening the regional workforce, and promoting the many advantages that make Northeastern Pennsylvania an outstanding place to live, work, and do business.
