Gennifer Biggs sets herself apart through excellence in her work and dedication to the community. She currently serves as an account executive for Tungsten Creative Group, Inc. and has had previous experience as an adjunct lecturer for Gannon University and Mercyhurst College; as the director of public relations and publications for Mercyhurst College; and as an editor, reporter, and writer for establishments both in Erie and in Illinois. Biggs’ involvement in the community has ranged from serving on the original CelebrateErie Steering Committee and the board of Family Services, to acting as president of the Erie County Big Brother/Big Sister advisory committee and serving on the United Way’s Week of Thanks committee. Additionally, she has been an active member of Young Erie Professionals and Erie Ambassadors.
Mary Bula has set an amazing example of achieving life-work balance as a successful professional and single mother. She recently took on the position of executive director of the Growth Partnership for the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. Previously, as the director of government sales and marketing for the Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT (eBizITPA), Bula assisted governmental entities across PA and beyond to use Internet-based competitive bidding to streamline purchasing processes and save tax dollars. In the community, Bula serves on the Erie Area Convention and Visitors Bureau board, as a member of the executive committee and government relations committee. She is also a member of Young Erie Professionals and has volunteered her time as a mentor in the yep! Mentorship Program since 2005.
Amanda Burlingham’s creativity and talent have positively impacted many organizations throughout the Erie area. Currently, Burlingham handles national marketing campaigns, designs print and Web materials, and educates staff regarding media and public relations as national brand manager for The Ophelia Project®. As a freelancer writer and editor, Burlingham’s service to professional organizations and the community goes far beyond her day job. Her community involvement has included work with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, the Alzheimer’s Association, March of Dimes, the Red Hat Society, Erie Ambassadors, Young Erie Professionals and more. She is also one of the original founders of the Generation-E Leadership Awards.
Leslie Guelcher exemplifies leadership not only through her professional accomplishments, but also in her everyday actions. As the director of marketing and technology for Knowledge to Solutions (K2S), Guelcher strives to motivate others to support community efforts. Organizations who have benefited from her ability to spread the word and motivate include Gannondale, the Sisters of Mercy, Mercyhurst Preparatory School, the Technology Council of Northwestern Pa., Early Connections, American Cancer Society, Brookside Fire Department, March of Dimes, Gifts for Kids, the Community Blood Bank, and others. Guelcher was instrumental in founding the Florence and Walter Guelcher Scholarship that is available to Gannon University engineering students who are Erie natives intending to remain in Erie after graduation.
Amy Cuzzola-Kern is a big picture person who cares about the long-term future of the city of Erie. She has served in several leadership roles throughout Erie, both in paid and volunteer positions, and strives to bring ideas to reality by combining the right people with the right resources. Currently, Cuzzola-Kern serves as vice president of programs for the Erie Community Foundation. She has also served as the director of development for YWCA, a grant writer at Housing and Neighborhood Development Services Inc., and a teacher at both the college level and for the Hispanic American Council of Erie. Her additional board affiliations have included Mercy Center for Women, Human Development of Erie, and Erie DAWN. As a 1996 graduate of Leadership Erie, Cuzzola-Kern continues to exercise her talents as a community leader.
Jane Horetsky’s determination and drive for excellence has fueled marketing initiatives for small business owners throughout Northwestern Pennsylvania. Through her employment with the Gannon University Small Business Development Center, Horetsky’s success is summarized with her work in developing a marketing assistance program for small business owners - but her service to the community does not end there. She is also an active member of the Erie Advertising Club, a facilitator and coordinator for the ATHENAPowerLink program, and a member of the Erie Area Safe Kids Coalition (where she initiated a car seat safety certification program). Horetsky has received national awards for Make A Difference Day, the Erie Advertising Club, and the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) for several marketing campaigns.
Knowledge is power.
Lucas McConnell works to empower Erie through growth and application of scientific knowledge. As president and founder of Renewergy Corporation, an affiliate member of the Regional Science Consortium at the Tom Ridge Environmental Center, McConnell is bringing into practice new sources of energy. Under his leadership, Renewergy has received the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and has contracted with the Erie Waste Water Treatment Plant to construct a bioreactor to cultivate high oil content algae. McConnell also serves on a volunteer basis as president of the Penn State Cooperative Extension Erie County Master Gardeners, chair of the Erie County Environmental Coalition, board member of the Whole Foods Co-op, and an advisory board member for the Americorps Vista Program in Erie County.
Although
Jennifer Mailey is not native to Erie, she has more than made Erie her home by striving to make a difference in every endeavor she takes on within the community. As one of the founding members of Young Erie Professionals, Mailey managed media relations and oversaw the creation of many promotional materials when the organization was just budding. She was a Golden Quill Investigative Journalism finalist and an Associated Press Producers Award recipient in 2002 when she served as the news assignment manager/senior producer for KDKA -TV CBS in Pittsburgh. Today, Mailey calls on her previous experience in broadcast journalism to manage public relations as the director of public affairs and marketing communications for Gannon University, and also serves as special assistant to the president.
Trevor Murnock brings music to the Erie community through talent, teaching, and leadership. He is currently the director of music, visual and performing arts at Cathedral Preparatory School, and he recently played a monumental role in organizing and developing the Erie All-City Marching Band, which combined bands from all Erie area schools into one group. Murnock specializes in urban education and arts management, and uses his abilities through freelance work and volunteer efforts that have benefited organizations such as the Erie Chamber Orchestra, Erie Opera Theatre, Allegheny and Mercyhurst Colleges, Bemus Bay Pops, Erie Playhouse, Messiah Lutheran Church, and many others. Murnock is also an active supporter of the International Institute of Erie, Amnesty International, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Greater Erie Youth Symphony, and Young Artists Debut Orchestra.
Amy R. Price has impacted the Erie community in numerous capacities as a results-oriented worker and volunteer who brings strategic vision and competence to projects with which she is involved. As vice president of operations for the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, Price is responsible for oversight of all organizational operations. Outside of the office, she has taken her talent for organization into the community by developing and implementing both the Erie Ambassadors program and the Workforce of Choice Initiative. She also serves as the secretary for Junior Achievement of NWPA, fundraising chair for Hooked on Books, member of the host committee for the 2007 Heart Ball (American Heart Association), and a mentor in the yep! Mentorship Program.
Compassion, work ethic and determination make
Nick Scott Jr. a leader as vice president of Scott Enterprises and an active citizen of Erie. Scott is a member of the board of directors and the board of trustees for the Hamot Health Foundation, and he serves on the Penn State Behrend Council of Fellows Executive Board. He is a member of the Community Funds Drives Committee, Leadership Erie and serves as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and the City Mission. Scott has led the new “We Promise to Care” campaign for Scott Enterprises, which emphasizes key parts of the company’s mission statement, and acts as an outreach program supporting numerous charities within the community. He recently donated 200 Splash Lagoon passes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and is working closely with the Big Brother, Big Sisters organization on a corporate partnership. Scott also recently led an effort to underwrite the tuition for a local high school student who is a standout soccer athlete.
Through love for the arts and for Erie,
Rebecca Styn dedicates herself to the growth of the City. She has consistently been involved in the community through her work on many boards; she serves as vice president of special events for the Erie Art Museum, entertainment committee member for the Erie Club, communications chair for the Erie Advertising Club, and she is past president of the Greater Erie Youth Symphony Orchestra. Styn has previously volunteered her time for mARTi Gras at the Erie Art Museum, the Annual Celebrity Roast for the Erie Youth Symphony Orchestra, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Villa In Bloom Annual Auction, Villa Auction, and LECOM’s Annual Auction. In the workplace, she currently applies her talents as the marketing director for Medical Associates of Erie.
