Welcoming the newest faces on Main Street and Elm Street!
Kasey Blesh
Lock Haven, Inc.
As a resident of Lock Haven since 2008, Kasey Blesh was eager to take on the role as Downtown Manager for Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. in September of 2017. After graduating in 2012 from Lock Haven University, Kasey worked in Recreation Management for a short time before going back to work for her Alma Mater, working in fundraising and Alumni Relations. Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. is best known for the implementation of the Hometown Hero Banner Program, and as Downtown Manager, Kasey is pleased to continue its legacy to honor local veterans and first responders. Kasey is looking forward to continuing the support of local businesses through the organization of Small Business Saturday events, and with the creation of a new mobile app for Downtown Lock Haven, launching soon. When she isn’t floating around town or in the office, Kasey can be found hiking on the beautiful trails in Clinton County, or relaxing with her Boxer-St. Bernard Mix, Yeti.
Tempest Carter
The Enterprise Center
(West Philadelphia)
Strong, creative, and diverse small businesses are the lifeblood of any city. Tempest Carter has spent both her professional and personal lives helping communities gain access to resources that would empower them to design vibrant and equitable neighborhoods. She was born and raised in Philadelphia and received her B.A. in Economics from Temple University. After serving in the United States Peace Corps (Panama 2012-2014), she returned to Philadelphia and began working in community economic development. While working for a large CDC in North Philadelphia, she created partnerships between traditional stakeholders and artists to create opportunities for community building and economic development. Her work has taken her from the rural farms of Panama, during her time in the Peace Corps, to the diverse streets of North Philadelphia. She now works for The Enterprise Center in West Philadelphia, where she is currently working with The Bushfire Theater, The Urban Art Gallery, and African Arts Cultural Forum (ACAF) to ensure that the 52nd St. Commercial Corridor becomes a cultural destination for not only Philadelphia but for the Nation.
Silas Chamberlin
Downtown Inc (York)Silas Chamberlin has been CEO of Downtown Inc since October 2016. In this role, he oversees the umbrella organization for Main Street York and the City of York’s Business Improvement District Authority. Downtown Inc’s six-person staff focuses on promoting investment in York’s 26-square block central business district, which is home to the Appell Center for the Performing Arts, Peoples Bank Park, and more than 100 retail, dining, and cultural establishments.
Prior to joining Downtown Inc, Silas served as Executive Director of the Schuylkill River National Heritage Area, an economic development and heritage tourism promotion organization covering five counties of southeastern Pennsylvania, and as a Regional Advisor for the PA Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, where he managed a portion of a $40 million grant program for a 14-county region of eastern Pennsylvania.
Silas holds a PhD in environmental history from Lehigh University and recently published his first book, "On the Trail: A History of American Hiking," with Yale University Press. His research and policy work has received awards from the Association of Environmental Studies & Sciences, the American Society for Environmental History, and American Trails, among others.
Rebecca Dressler
Danville Business Alliance
Rebecca Dressler joined the Danville Business Alliance (DBA) as the Executive Director and Main Street Manager in July 2018. Prior to that, she spent a combined 16 years in private and public sectors in marketing, business development and financial planning. In her current role, she has oversight for all aspects of strategic planning, administration, grant programs, fundraising, event planning, marketing and community outreach.
In addition to her position with the DBA, she also serves on the boards and committees of several community and economic development organizations in the mid-Susquehanna Valley, including the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau, the Columbia-Montour Chamber of Commerce County Task Force, the Danville Arts Council, Geisinger Health System Advisory Council, and the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Rebecca earned her bachelor of arts degree in Communications at The Pennsylvania State University. She lives in Danville, Pennsylvania, with her husband and three children. When she is not working, she reads, gardens, takes photos and spends time with family and friends.
Jordan Futrick
Hollidaysburg Community Partnership
Jordan Futrick is a recent Pennsylvania State University graduate, where she received her degree in Communications. While in school, Jordan developed a passion for videography, economic development and sustainability.
Before receiving the position as Hollidaysburg Main Street Manager, Jordan interned at the Blair County Planning Commission where she created video content for the county to promote healthy living. She also was an AmeriCorps intern at the Blair County Conservation district where she continued to make video content to promote the county’s growing interest in Urban Agriculture.
Jordan is excited to see where this position as Main Street Manager takes her and how she can help to continue to growth within the community of Hollidaysburg.
Nancy Scarlato &
Philip Green
Ardmore Initiative
The Chair of the Ardmore Initiative (AI) Board of Directors, Joe Petrucci, announced the hiring of two key leadership positions within the organization – Nancy Scarlato as Interim Executive Director and Philip Green as Main Street Manager. “Nancy has worked closely with Marie to ensure a smooth transition and is poised to carry out the important work of our recently completed strategic plan,” said Petrucci.
Scarlato is very familiar with the Ardmore Initiative having served on the Board of Directors for over 12 years, most recently on the Executive Committee as Secretary, Vice Chair and Chair. She also brings several years of non-profit management experience to AI, including multi-year leadership roles with the Junior League of Philadelphia and the YMCA.
Joining Scarlato is Philip Green, who is filling the recently created position of Main Street Manager. Green recently served as the Corridor Manager for Philadelphia’s North 5th Street Commercial Corridor, overseeing all aspects of corridor revitalization, program administration, and community events. Specifically, his experience with writing and securing grants, along with much-needed capital, helped several businesses in the Olney section of Philadelphia transform their facades and welcome additional foot traffic to their space.
Dave Schell
Main Street Mount Joy
Dave Schell recently closed his web design business to become Executive Director of Main Street Mount Joy. While running his own business for the past 20 years, he provided business consulting advice to nearly 600 clients in 8 countries and over 40 states.
He has a BS in Biochemistry and has worked as an Analytical Chemist and Environmental Specialist. He has written several articles and two books on environmental compliance. He led a previous employer to become the world’s first environmentally friendly foundry.
He lives in Mount Joy, where he enjoys wood working, wood turning and writing articles for magazines on wood and turning projects. He is excited to lead Main Street Mount Joy and create new, innovative events and provide support to the business community.
Rob Schmidt
Downtown State College Improvement DistrictRob Schmidt was recently appointed as Executive Director for the Downtown State College Improvement District (DID), bringing with him decades of business marketing, advertising, and leadership experience, both in and out of State College.
“Rob’s years of management in the media industry will serve him and us well in this role. He understands the challenges in the current business climate. He understands what it takes to be an effective collaborator both as a volunteer and as a leader. Mostly he understands this community. We are extremely excited to have him with our organization.” says Sharon Herlocher, Chairman of the Board.
Schmidt had previously served as Publisher of Town & Gown Magazine and the Centre County Gazette Newspaper for the nine years after an accomplished management career in the broadcast industry. Schmidt graduated from State College High School and has a degree in Journalism from Penn State.
“After 35 years in the media business, I was ready to do something different.” Schmidt says. “I live downtown and I love the community. I look forward to working with all of our stakeholders to make downtown a vibrant, unique place to live, work, and experience great dining, shopping and entertainment.”