Wilkes-Barre Connect

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Ken Okrepkie, a Regional Manager of Ben Franklin Technology Partners Northeast Pennsylvania. We explore Ben Franklin Technology Partners' role in entrepreneurial, startup, and manufacturing investing in the region.   Ben Franklin Technology Partners has 4 locations across the state, Pittsburgh, Philly, Erie to H...

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Don Webster, Executive Director of tecBRIDGE, to talk about entrepreneurship and the powerful questions of“Why not us? Why not here? Why not now?” tecBRIDGE, best known for its long-running business plan competitions, also organizes innovation conferences, summer internships, and other initiatives to support hig...

Join us on this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast as host Dan Kimbrough sit with Kristin McCollum and Bill Andahazy of the Penn State Launchbox, part of the Invent Penn State program. While the Launchbox program can be found on many campuses, Bill and Kristin are primarily focused on the Hazleton Launchbox, where their focus is on lean start ups and customer discovery. They believe one o...

In this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast, we hear from Larry Newman, the founding Executive Director of the Diamond City Partnership (DCP), Wilkes-Barre’s nonprofit downtown management organization, where he plans and leads Downtown Wilkes-Barre’s revitalization.   A trained architect, Larry has always been fascinated by the “built environment”, specifically cities and towns. Eventually...

In this episode of the Wilkes-Barre connect podcast we welcome back Pittston city Mayor, Michael Lombardo. We discuss upcoming plans for the city including improved sewer lines, a 500 seat theatre, new housing and more ways Pittston is finding ways to stand out on its own in Northeast PA.  Mayor Lombardo also discusses the power of partnerships and focusing on getting the job done, not the politic...

In this live episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits with Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of PA 250. Coleman discusses the inception and mission of PA 250, established in 2018 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026. The initiative aims to engage all 67 Pennsylvania counties. Coleman highlights the Direct Effect Innovation Challenge, which has en...

Join host Dan Kimbrough for as he sits down with Shay Jones-Vitale, founder of Tri-Path Synergy and our next participant in the Luzerne County TechCelerator program, as she shares her experience with the TechCelerator program and how it helped her shape Tri-Path Synergy.   As a licensed Clinical Social Worker who is also a yoga and mindfulness practitioner. Shay was always interested in psychology...

Join host Dan Kimbrough for an inspiring conversation James Monahan, founder of BedRez and our next participant in the Luzerne County TechCelerator program, as he shares his powerful journey from addiction to recovery and entrepreneurship. Hear how James’s personal struggles navigating the rehab system led him to create BedRez, a groundbreaking platform designed to help individuals and families qu...

Join host Dan Kimbrough for a conversation with Dorothy Lane, Director of the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center. Dorothy joined the SBDC in 1999 and has served as training coordinator, business consultant, and now leads the Center, ensuring entrepreneurs and small businesses across five Northeastern Pennsylvania counties have the support they need to succeed.  In this episode, Do...

In this episode of The Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we speak with Angel Diaz Jr., founder of Vital Health Enterprises and participant in the Luzerne County TechCelerator program. A U.S. military veteran and healthcare innovator, Angel is developing a real-time, wearable monitoring solution designed to streamline patient intake and optimize clinical workflows. The Vital Band—his flagship device—co...

On this episode of The Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with TechCelerator participants Hunter Wesolowski and Nate Herman, the creators of Hunting Positivity—a social media and online positivity app designed to uplift and inspire. We explore their journey through the TechCelerator program, the vision behind Hunting Positivity, and their mission to Spread Meaning in a worl...

Our host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Marytere and Brenda, two interns from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, working through the Bonner program at Wilkes University.  We discuss their expierence as interns overall, but also with such a high profile organization like a chamber. Both Brenda and Marytere share their experiences from being the first college bound family member to overco...

In this episode, host Dan Kimbrough discusses the Luzerne Learns to Work program with Shanie Mohamed and Alex Piehl from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce. This innovative initiative aims to prepare high school students for successful careers in Northeast Pennsylvania. The program provides students with a blend of soft and technical skills training, as well as direct connections to lo...

In this episode, we sit down with Romilda Crocomo, the County Manager of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Romilda provides a fascinating inside look at the role of a county manager, overseeing the day-to-day operations of a large and diverse county with over 1,500 employees. Romilda shares her unique career path, from practicing law in the private sector to becoming a public servant dedicated to deli...

In this episode, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Mayor Lombardo the City of Pittston to discuss the city's revitalization efforts and community engagement. Mayor Lombardo shares the importance of effective communication, highlighting initiatives like a quarterly newspaper to keep residents informed.   Our conversation explores Pittston's historical context and the mayor's personal connection to...

In this episode of The Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Julie Sidoni from WVIA to discuss the critical importance of media literacy in today's information landscape. They explore the rapid changes in media consumption, the distinction between news and information, and the key differences between public and commercial media. Julie shares insights from WVIA's listening...

In this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Drew Popish, the Northeast Regional Director for Governor Josh Shapiro. They discuss Drew's journey into politics and the importance of youth engagement and diverse representation in advocacy. Drew shares how he initially had no plans to enter politics, but felt compelled to get involved to ensure his voice and...

In this episode of The Wilkes Barre Connect Podcast, host Dan Kimbrough sits down with Jake Kelley of Mx. Kelley Queer Education LLC to discuss identity, inclusivity and authentic diversity in the workplace. Jake emphasizes the importance of understanding identities beyond surface labels and acknowledging marginalized communities' experiences. They discuss the challenges of inclusivity in corporat...

On this episode of Wilkes-Barre Connect, we discuss the Young Professionals Council and its role in bringing together young leaders in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Former Chair Rachel Stark and current Chair Mollie Boyd share how the group provides opportunities for professional and personal growth while giving back through service. From conferences to fundraising events, learn how YPC fosters posit...

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, Jacqueline Escobar and our host Dan Kimbrough hold a discussion Connect Coference around barriers to Entrepreneurship and the challenges and opportunities for small business owners in our region. Business leaders like @ParkMultimedia's Dan Kimbrough share real stories of overcoming barriers like lack of funding and building community connections...

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast Zubeen Saeed and Susan Magnotta lead a discussion on workforce development and education in Northeast Pennsylvania. The conversation includes local professionals and covers career exploration, pathways to education, and opportunities to get students exposed to different careers at an early age.   Show Notes -  Junior Achievement is focusing on ca...

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we hear from Maryanne Velez from the United NEPA Alliance and Vivian Williams from the Scranton Area Community Foundation.  They discuss data on rising rents and the lack of affordable housing options. We also hear from college students and young professionals discussing concerns about remaining in the area after graduation. Solutions, such as c...

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we hear from Dave Pedri and Maggie Martinelli from the Luzerne Foundation and the Scranton Area Foundations, respectively. This conversation is a live panel discussion from the 2023 Wilkes-Barre Connect Conference. Maggie and Dave share how each foundation can work with individuals or nonprofits looking to do good in the community, but coming up...

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect Podcast, we sit with Kendra Vogue, chair of Luzerne County Council, and Max Conway, mayor of Dunmore Borough, and learn about how they got their start in politics and what barriers young professionals may face here in Northeast PA. Both encourage listeners to reach out to local leaders with their ideas and offer ways to get involved through various board...

On this episode of the Wilkes-Barre Connect podcast we sit down with Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti about the city of Scranton and their diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Mayor Cognetti discusses how she has worked to increase representation in city leadership and hiring through merit-based practices. She also walks through some of the challenges of implementing DEI initiatives in a politic...