2018 Board officers and committee chairs
Dr. Kent C. Trachte -Chair
Mike Pawlik - Vice Chair
Robert Glunk - Secretary
Michael Kraft - Treasurer
Don Shade, Chair, Funds Distribution Committee
Dan Farr - Chair, Marketing/Communications Committee
Maurice and Mary Jo Bower - Co-Chairs, Campaign Cabinet Committee
Dr. William Martin, Chair, Personnel Committee
2018 board of directors
Edward Blair, Kellogg Company
Brian J. Bluth, Chair Funds Distribution/Citizen’s Review, McCormick Law Firm
Mary Jo Bower, Community Volunteer
Mary Jo retired in 2013 after 27 years of service to the Kellogg Company in Muncy, Pa. At the time of her retirement, she was an Operations Manager, but she served in many different positions during her career.
She has helped serve the Lycoming County United Way while working at Kellogg’s as a Loan Executive, in-house campaign activity and on the Distribution Committee. Upon retirement I was asked to join the board.
Mary Jo graduated from WAHS in 1977 and has taken many additional classes during her employment. She has been married to her husband, Maurice, for 38 years and they have two adult children, Wesley and Matthew. Other than spending time with her family, especially her grandchild, she loves to go fishing and antiquing.
Deborah Duffy, Lycoming-Clinton Joinder Board
Deb recently retired as the Administrator for Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Services in Lycoming and Clinton Counties, serving in that position for nearly 20 years. She also held the position of HealthChoices Administrator since 2007. HealthChoices is the behavioral health (mental health and substance abuse services) managed care program for medical assistance recipients in Lycoming and Clinton Counties, serving nearly 30,000 participants. Prior to those positions, she worked in program development and planning for MH/ID and Children & Youth Services. She also served as the Foster Care Coordinator and Child Abuse Caseworker for Lycoming Children & Youth Services and developed faith based senior citizens groups for Catholic Social Services.
Deb was the President of the Pennsylvania State Association for Mental Health and Intellectual Disability Administrators from 2015 to 2017. She was a member of the Executive Committee, including Vice President and Treasurer, and also chaired the Mental Health Committee.
She is a graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, PA, with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and also did some graduate work at Marywood University.
Deb has lived in the Williamsport area since 1979. She is a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and sang in the choir. She has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. She and her husband Chuck also share his two children and 4 grandchildren.
Daniel J. Farr, Chair Marketing & Communications, Backyard Broadcasting Company
Dan is the President and CEO of Backyard Broadcasting PA, LLC. His career in radio began in 1982 as a radio account executive in Utica, N.Y. He continued his radio career in management positions in New Jersey, New York, and Alabama, before relocating to Williamsport in 1995 and starting Sabre Communication along with his partner Paul Rothfuss. In 2002 Sabre was bought Barry Drake and Dan was asked to stay on board as VP / GM. In 2014 Dan purchased the Williamsport PA radio Group and its 6 radio stations and created Backyard Broadcasting Pa, LLC.
Dan has been involved with LCUW since 1995 through an annual employee fund drive because he believes that “those that have should help those that don’t.” United Way, he said, is the best way he can think of to help get those funds into the hands of those who need them. Dan became a board member after being approached by former board president, Mary Wolf in 2014, and Chairman of the Marketing Committee for the past three years. He also formed a coalition of media companies to disseminate the message of United Way.
Dan has been a part of numerous boards and committees including Williamsport Chamber of Commerce, Williamsport YMCA, Williamsport Rotary and Rotary Balloon Fest and the 9-11 Memorial Coalition Motorcycle Ride, Dan and his wife Mary have two adult children and reside in the Montoursville.
Robert J. Glunk, Campaign Chair, Muncy Bank & Trust Company
Frank D. Guardini, President, Riverview Bank
Frank is a Relationship Manager and Vice President of Riverview Bank. He is based out of Riverview Bank Regional Office in Williamsport. Frank has 15 years of overall banking experience. Frank is a graduate of Lycoming College and is an active volunteer in the community, including K’s for Cancer and Muncy Little League. He is Chairman of Lycoming County United Way. Frank resides in Muncy with his wife, Rebecca, and their two sons.
Tammy Gunsallus, Muncy Bank & Trust Company
With over 33 years banking experience Tammy started her banking career at a local Lycoming County community bank. During her career Tammy has been involved in business development, retail lending, loan administration, branch administration, training, investment services and commercial services. Currently she is the Senior Vice President/Chief Retail Officer at The Muncy Bank and Trust Company.
A lifelong resident of Lycoming County, Tammy is a graduate of Jersey Shore Area High School, the Pennsylvania Banker’s Association’s School (PBA) of Banking, the PBA Advanced School of Banking and the PBA Commercial Lending School.
Active in the local community, Gunsallus is a member of the Board of the Jersey Shore Chamber, Treasurer for the Jersey Shore Library Endowment, Board Member of the Love Center Food Pantry in Jersey Shore while also serving as the Treasurer of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. She is the Past President of the Jersey Shore YMCA and Past Chairman of the Jersey Shore Chamber of Commerce. She was named a 2016 Women of Excellence Nominee by the YWCA of Northcentral PA and a past Board Member of the YWCA.
Tammy has volunteered for the Lycoming County United Way on various committees and is a current member of the Board of Directors.
Tammy and her husband Rob live in the Jersey Shore area and have a daughter and three grandchildren.
Allen Kiessling, Merrill Lynch/Bank of America
Allen is the Resident Director and Senior Financial Advisor with Merrill Lynch/Bank of America and is a graduate of Susquehanna University’s Sigmund Weis School of Business. After college, Allen accepted a position with Merrill Lynch in Hopewell, New Jersey campus prior to beginning his own practice in Pittsburgh, PA. A native of the Williamsport area, Allen returned to Williamsport in June, 2008 and joined the Merrill lynch office. Allen is a holder of the Chartered Retirement Planning CounselorSM(CRPC®) designation and utilizes the Merrill Lynch Wealth Management Process in developing customized wealth plans for all of the families he works with. Allen focuses on working with business owners, executives and retirees on retirement planning as well as institutional clients focused on long-term investment success. He and his wife Ashley reside in Williamsport with their three children Ava, Aiden and Addy.
Allen has been actively involved in various leadership capacities with the Lycoming County United Way since 2008. Along with his involvement with the United Way, Allen is a board member of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Past-President of the Board of Trustees of Lycoming Centre Presbyterian Church, Chairman of the Robert L. Shangraw Memorial Golf Outing, along with many other volunteer panels and fundraisers. In addition, Allen is a 2010 graduate of Leadership Lycoming.
Michael Kraft, Treasurer, Lycoming Engines
Michael has been the senior vice president and general manager at Lycoming Engines since August 2009. He has also served as Lycoming’s Vice President of Research, Development and Engineering. Before joining Lycoming Engines, Michael held various positions in engineering and general management at Andritz, GE Power Systems, and GE Aircraft Engines. Michael earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aeronautics and astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. Michael has been a consistent United Way donor since he began working in 1988 and has been a supporter of Lycoming County United Way since he moved here in 1997. He resides in Fairfield Township with his wife, Lori, and two children, Aleksandr and Tatyana.
Dr. William J. Martin, Chair Personnel & Past President, Pennsylvania College of Technology
Bill received a bachelor’s degree in biology and a teaching certificate in secondary education from Lycoming College in 1968. He taught biology, chemistry and physics to vocational-education students at Williamsport Area High School and was active in curriculum development. He served on a number of school and district committees, as well as advisor for three years to the class of 1976. Bill earned a master’s degree in 1973 from Penn State University, studying science and secondary education while teaching, and also studied for one year at Bloomsburg University. In 1975, Bill enrolled in the PhD program at Penn State and earned a doctorate in 1980 in educational administration. He advanced through several careers, including principal at Williamsport Area High School, before moving on to Williamsport Area Community College (now Pennsylvania College of Technology) as Director of Secondary Education, Dean of Student Services, Vice President for Student Affairs, Vice President for College Services, and Senior Vice President, from which he semi-retired in 2011. He retains that title today and continues work at Penn College on a part-time basis. Bill served as vice chair of the campaign from 2011 to 2013, chair from 2013-2014, and president from 2014-2016. Bill is an active scuba diver and holds the rank of Master Scuba Diver Trainer. His love of that sport has taken him to any number of tropical destinations. He is an avid reader, gardener, exercise advocate, sports enthusiast, and frequent traveler.
Edward Pawlak, The Hartman Group
Ed Pawlak currently sits on the Lycoming County United Way Board serving on the steering committee and Chair of the Panel III Citizen’s Review Board Since 2014.
Ed is an Account Executive at The Hartman Agency, Inc. since 2008 and focuses on commercial lines insurance consulting with local businesses on their property and casualty needs. He was previously employed as a Medicaid Service Coordinator for People, Inc., Western New York’s leading non-profit human services agency.
Ed earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University at Buffalo in 2004 and his Masters of Business Administration degree from Bloomsburg University in 2007.
In addition to his service on the LCUW Board, Ed also serves on the Hope Enterprises Board of Directors. Ed was a graduate of the Leadership Lycoming Class of 2010. Post-graduation, Ed served on the Leadership Lycoming Operating Committee from 2010-2013, wherein he also served on the Leadership Lycoming Selection Committee and Curriculum Committee for 1 term respectively.
Ed and his wife, Erin, have three young daughters and currently live in Old Lycoming Township, within Lycoming County. Ed enjoys spending time with his family and the outdoors.
Michael D. Pawlik, Secretary, East Lycoming School District
Michael Pawlik loves public education and looks forward to “going to school” every day. He starting attending school 46 years ago, and still hasn’t left. He is currently the Superintendent of the East Lycoming School District and of the Lyco Career and Technical Center, and is blessed to be able to spend his day among 1600 inspiring young people.
Believing that it takes a community to raise a child, Mike serves on the Lycoming County United Way Board of Directors, the Board of Directors of Project Bald Eagle, which empowers the community to battle the opioid epidemic, the Williamsport Chamber of Commerce, and is the Executive Director and founder of the East Lycoming Education Foundation.
Mike lives on a farm with his supportive wife and two incredible daughters. During down time, Mike enjoys woodworking.
Virgil Probasco, Community Volunteer
Virgil has been active in the United Way since the mid-1960’s. He has been a strong supporter of the Lycoming County United Way since his arrival in the community in the mid-1990’s. In addition to his Board service he has been a member of the Campaign Cabinet and Allocation Committees. He served as Campaign Vice Chair in 2010 and as Campaign Chair in 2011 and again in 2012 when he lead the largest campaign achievement in LCUW history, $1,612,215. He was the first individual since 1946-47 to serve as campaign chair for two consecutive years. He has been honored by the U.S. Marine Corps for his service to our country and community, recipient of the Judah Award of the local Israel Bonds and recognized as a Person of the Year Finalist by the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. He remains active with Our Lady of Lourdes. Church and Prison Ministry. Retired from Wirerope, he and wife Elaine reside in Trout Run.
Alyssa Rogers, Larson Design Group
Alyssa is the Recruiting Coordinator at Larson Design Group. Her involvement with the United Way began upon becoming LDG’s in-house campaign manager in 2014. She was asked to join the Board of Directors in 2016. Alyssa is a graduate of Lycoming College and an active community member, including Leadership Lycoming and various nonprofit fundraising events. Alyssa is the Junior Varsity/Varsity Assistant Basketball Coach for the Lady Indians at Muncy High School. She enjoys horseback riding, spending time outdoors with friends and family, being a sports enthusiast and traveling.
Kenneth Sawyer, Jr., Community Volunteer
Ken Sawyer retired from announcing on the radio in 2013. Ken spent over 43 years on the air as a disc jockey, newscaster, talk show host, interviewer, play by play sportscaster and operations manager. For 35 years he was the voice of Williamsport High School football and basketball. Ken was the radio voice of the Lycoming College football team for 20 years. Ken continues to broadcast the Little League Baseball World Series each year. His first series was 1971. For several years Ken broadcast minor league baseball.
Serving the community was a big part of Ken’s on air work. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Lycoming County United Way and the South Williamsport Area School District Education Foundation. Previously he served on the boards of the Lycoming County Chapter of the American Red Cross and North Central Sight Services. Ken has chaired the Lycoming County United Way annual campaign and a capital campaign for North Central Sight Services.
Ken has been honored with the Douglas Dickey Award by Lycoming County United Way, the Ray Keyes Sports Award by the Lycoming County Brotherhood Alliance, the Rose Harer Lehman Award by the Friends of the James V Brown Library, the Roy Morgan Award by the Pennsylvania Associated Press Broadcasters Association and was honored to be placed in the initial class of the Williamsport Sports Walk. Ken was inducted into the West Branch Valley Sports Hall of Fame.
Ken is a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam in 1968-69. He annually is the parade announcer for the Lycoming County Veterans Day Parade.
Ken and Merlyn have been married over 50 years and are the proud parents of three children and seven grandchildren who all live in Lycoming County.
Donald Shade, Community Volunteer
Don Shade returned to LCUW Board in April 2017 after previously serving from 2007 to 2013. Since 2007 he has been involved in the funds distribution process as the Chair of an allocation panel and a member of the Funds Distribution Steering Committee. In addition, he currently serves as Chair of the Community Building panel and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board.
Don received the LCUW Valiant Volunteer award in December 2015. In December 2016, he was named to the Board of Directors of United Way of Pennsylvania (UWP) and serves on the UWP Public Policy Committee.
Don retired in November 2014 following a 36-year career in higher education. From 1978 to 2000 he worked at Williamsport Area Community College/Pennsylvania College of Technology, serving as Director of Financial Aid for 18 years. During those years he was a member of the PA Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (PASFAA), serving as a two-year college sector representative, Vice President, and Chair of the Finance Committee.
In 2000, Don accepted a position as Regional Director for Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA), serving 14 counties in Northcentral Pennsylvania. In this capacity, he worked primarily with high schools, middle schools, and community agencies conducting outreach activities in the areas of career exploration, financial literacy, and higher education awareness, access, and financing.
Don has coached at various levels of youth soccer over the past 30 years. He and his wife Joan have two adult children and three granddaughters. They reside in South Williamsport, Lycoming County.
Brian Tevlin, Citizens and Northern Bank
- Dr. Kent C. Trachte, Vice President, Lycoming College
Kent Trachte, Ph.D., was named Lycoming College’s 15th president on Nov. 19, 2012, by Lycoming’s board of trustees and officially began his duties on July 1, 2013. A native of De Pere, Wis., Pres. Trachte earned a bachelor’s in government from Dartmouth College in 1973, a master’s in international relations from the University of Kentucky in 1975 and a Ph.D. in political science from Binghamton University in 1981. Dr. Trachte worked for a quarter-century at Franklin and Marshall College before taking office at Lycoming College. He began at F&M in 1988 as dean of freshmen before being named associate vice president and dean of freshmen in 1991. He was promoted to dean of the College in 2003. Prior to his tenure at F&M, he taught political science at Gettysburg College, Long Island University and Clark University. Dr. Trachte is the Vice President at Lycoming County United Way. Trachte’s family includes his wife, Sharon Trachte, Ph.D., who recently retired as an associate professor of French at Elizabethtown College after 26 years of service. She taught introductory and intermediate level grammar/culture, advanced reading of authentic texts, contemporary French society and introduction to French literature. She earned a Ph.D. in French literature from Binghamton University. Their son, Kenyon, and his wife, Lucille, live in New York, where he practices law.
Jacqueline R. Travelpiece, Susquehanna Health
Katrina A. Wilkins, Sullivan County Advisory Board Chair
Katrina currently is the 2nd deputy treasurer for Sullivan County and is the Sullivan County Open Records Officer. Prior experiences include working as an abstractor for an attorney completing property title work for the oil and gas industry. She worked for Cargill, Wyalusing for 14 years with various titles with the last 4 years as the purchasing analyst. Katrina currently serves as the chairperson for the Sullivan County Advisory Committee for the Lycoming County United Way and serves on the Lycoming County United Way board of directors.
In addition to the United Way, Katrina has been a community volunteer for many years primarily working with children and students including teaching Sunday school, 10+ years with youth soccer registrations, coaching and refereeing. Thirteen plus years spent volunteering with the Sullivan County High School athletic booster club, seven of those 13 as chairperson and four as auditor. In 2006 she became part of an organizing team to create the Sullivan County Recreational Association serving as secretary for several years.
Each year Katrina volunteers with the Pennsylvania Bow Hunters’ Festival, and is a member and secretary of the Sullivan County Council of Republican Women. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Eagles Mere Country Club and has been appointed to the Sullivan County Human Services Advisory Board.
Katrina, with husband Drew, lives in Dushore, Sullivan County and has two adult children.