by Katie Tyson
Welcoming the newest faces on Main Street and Elm Street!
Sam Thrush
Downtown Chambersburg, Inc. (DCI)
Sam joined the Chamber staff in mid-July as president of Downtown Chambersburg, Inc. (DCI) and has spent the past five years serving on DCI’s Board of Directors as well as volunteering at events and participating on committees. He formerly served Franklin County as a Planner III and has over seven years of experience in land use planning and community development. Sam recently graduated from Leadership Franklin County Community and in 2018 achieved the premier planning certification from the American Institute of Certified Planning.
Prior to serving Franklin County, Sam worked for Bradford County, Pa. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a degree in Geography-Land Use and a certificate in Geographic Information Systems. Originally a native of the Chambersburg area, he was happy to return to the area in October 2012. Prior to graduating from Chambersburg Area Senior High School, Sam earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.
In addition to serving with DCI, Sam has spent time volunteering with the Borough of Chambersburg, Franklin County Cyclists, North Square Farmers Market, United Way's Stream Cleanups and Healthy Franklin County. In 2016, Sam received the Greater Chambersburg Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year Award for his outstanding service in the community.
Ellen Ruby
Lewisburg Downtown Partnership
Ellen Ruby started with the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership in 2012 handling the bookkeeping. In 2014 she accepted the position of Special Projects Manager under the original director of the organization. In August, 2018 Ellen became the Executive Director of the LDP. In this new role with the LDP, she is leading the charge to develop Lewisburg as a cultural and economic magnet for the region.
Ellen brings deep experience in logistics, transportation, accounting and business operations to the organization. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA. Ellen grew up in Selinsgrove, worked in the Philadelphia area, and after several years of corporate experience returned to the Susquehanna River Valley where she and her husband have raised three sons.
Will Prince
Washington Business District Authority
William (Will) Prince is the new Main Street Manager with the Washington Business District Authority as of late June 2018. He leads initiatives for business development, event management, collaborative promotions, and overall revitalization efforts in Downtown Washington, PA. William also plans to complete his Master of Preservation Studies at Tulane University (New Orleans) in December 2018. He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he received a Bachelors of Arts in Humanities and a Certificate in Historic Preservation. He has completed two years of national service with the Student Conservation Association and AmeriCorps VISTA. During his career, William managed and expanded the country's first Trail Town Program connecting outdoor recreation and regional community revitalization. He also served on the board of the Young Preservationists Association of Pittsburgh, including as Chair, and continues to volunteer in his hometown with the Elizabeth Area Development Corporation as President. William also enjoys kayaking, traveling, and of course Zumba.