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Who We Are
Director & Staff
Bill took over the reigns as PDC Executive Director on May 1, 2000, ushering in an exciting period of renewal for the organization. Prior to joining PDC, Bill served for two and a half years as executive director of the Rahway Center Partnership, a New Jersey special improvement district. He also served as Chairman of the Rahway Historic Preservation Commission.
From 1979 to 1997, Bill worked on redevelopment efforts in western Pennsylvania, including time with the Redevelopment Authority of Alleghany County and the County Departments of Planning and Economic Development. His roles during those 17 years included Commercial Revitalization Coordinator, enterprise Zone Coordinator and Senior Planner. He was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the “Waterfront” project that stretches across the communities of West Homestead, Homestead and Munhall. Bill holds a bachelor's and master's degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Pittsburgh.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Geoff Brace, Eastern Regional Coordinator
Geoff is PDC's Eastern Regional Coordinator. His responsibilities include providing technical assistance, education, and outreach to Eastern Pennsylvania's core communities.
Prior to joining PDC, Geoff worked for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce as the regional Main Street Coordinator. He has also served as West Chester's Elm Street Manager, where he spearheaded the visioning and strategic planning activities of the East End Neighborhood Association. In 2004, Geoff worked for Representative Robert Freeman during the enactment and implementation of the Commonwealth's Elm Street legislation.
Geoff holds a master's in Public Policy from Lehigh University and a Bachelor's in Government and Economics from Ursinus College. He has completed PDC's Elm Street Academy and Main Street Institute. Currently, Geoff is a Pennsylvania Political Fellow with the Center for Progressive Leadership. In 2008, Geoff will begin the National Main Street Center's National Main Street Manager Certification.
Geoff lives in Allentown and serves on the Board of Directors of the Old Allentown Preservation Association. Geoff also serves on the Church Council of St. John's UCC in Laurys Station and is an elected delegate to the UCC's General Synod. In his spare time, Geoff enjoys singing in various choral groups, cooking, and rooting for the Eagles and the Phillies.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Elizabeth Davis, Membership Development Coordinator
Elizabeth has a bachelor of science in Hospitality from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, which she continues to put to use here at PDC. Her previous professional experience includes managing several family-style restaurants, customer service in the pharmacy industry, managing women’s specialty stores, and magazine publishing.
Julie’s responsibilities include providing technical assistance to local communities for a wide range of economic development and planning services, and providing staff support on program development.
Julie joined PDC in January 2005 as an intern and became the Special Projects Coordinator in March 2005. Julie has a master's degree in Community and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History and Anthropology, all from Temple University. Her previous non-profit experience includes volunteering with WITF, Central Pennsylvania's public television and radio station, Mulberry Arts Studio in Lancaster, and the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Stephanie joined Pennsylvania Downtown Center in January 2008 as the Internship Program Coordinator, a newly created position within the organization. Her primary responsibilities include assisting the community partners, recruiting and supporting program interns, and working with the Steering Committee to help the program grow and thrive.
Prior to joining PDC, Stephanie worked for the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges and the Pennsylvania Dental Association. While at the Pennsylvania Dental Association, Stephanie managed a statewide public relations campaign, which received numerous national and state awards under her direction.
Stephanie earned her master's in Public Administration from the Pennsylvania State University, Harrisburg campus and her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife and Fisheries Science from the Pennsylvania State University, University Park campus.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Kristen Janowski joined PDC in March 2005. She spent many years in cultural resource management conducting historic architecture and archaeology surveys throughout the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, New England, and the deep South. She has a Master of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Central Connecticut State University.
Her background in historic architecture led her to PDC to conduct a statewide survey of historic theaters for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC). Kristen's other duties include technical report writing, editing, and assisting with special projects.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Norah Johnson, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
Norah’s responsibilities include overseeing and marketing events organized by or affiliated with PDC, engaging in outreach and communications activities with the aim of increasing PDC’s general visibility throughout the Commonwealth, maintaining content on PDC's Website, and implementing a strategic communications and marketing plan on behalf of the organization.
Prior to her employment with PDC, Norah worked for the Office of former Governor Mark S. Schweiker, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and for the press office of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.
Though a native of Central Pennsylvania, Norah received her bachelor of arts in Political Science and English from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA, and has completed coursework towards her master’s at Emerson College, in Boston.
Norah brings with her a variety of experience in writing and communications and has contributed to the planning of events such as the Governor’s Awards for the Arts, the Commonwealth’s Tourism Day celebration, and Friends of Midtown’s arts initiatives, including 62 Artists Do Lunch, the Seven Lively Artists and More Paint Midtown, and the Cheap Date music series.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Eddy Kaplaniak, Elm Street Demonstration Project ManagerA native of Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Eddy has a bachelor's in Business from the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown and a master's of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia. Eddy has over a decade of real estate experience, which includes working for a Washington, DC-based real estate investment trust and for Discovery Communication, Inc. While with the latter, Eddy served on a five-member team charged with developing and relocating the company's world headquarters. Eddy previously served as a member of Arlington County, Virginia's Neighborhood Conservation Advisory Committee.
As part of PDC's team, Eddy's primary responsibility is to head the Elm Street Demonstration Project, which aims to develop and test new techniques for building viable urban neighborhoods. In his free time, he dedicates time to fixing up his older home, and playing with his young son and daughter. To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Rebecca started with PDC in August 2005 as the business manager, a newly created position within the organization. Some of Rebecca's responsibilities include managing PDC's accounting functions, as well as overseeing PDC's purchasing and its many day-to-day operations.
Rebecca has a bachelor of science in Accounting with a minor in Business Administration from King's College in Wilkes-Barre, PA. She came to PDC with over 15 years of accounting experience, half of which has been with small, nonprofit organizations.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Bethany Weiss, Support Services Specialist
Bethany comes to Pennsylvania Downtown Center with an extensive background of administrative and customer service experience. Generally, she is the first person to greet visitors, and the first to whom you will speak when you call us. Bethany’s primary responsibilities involve assisting PDC staff and members with a variety of tasks, and to keep things running smoothly around our office.
Bethany originally hails from the suburban Philadelphia/Southeastern PA area. She holds a bachelor’s in Political Science from West Chester University. Bethany previously worked for private corporations and public institutions in the Central Pennsylvania area, and has experience in administrative and educational positions in Long Island and New York City.
Outside of the office, Bethany enjoys spending time with her family at their cabin on the Delaware River, boating with friends on the Susquehanna River, or relaxing at home with her husband and two cats.
To Contact, CLICK HERE.
Board of Directors
PDC's Board of Directors is comprised of 19 individuals elected by PDC's membership body. Members of the board include downtown managers, as well as a variety of individuals possessing an interest in or experience with downtown and neighborhood revitalization. In addition, there is a Board of Advisors that provides critical insight and guidance to the Board of Direactors.
Board Chair:
- Cynthia Philo, Old City Special Services District, Philadelphia
Vice Chairman:
- Charles Pollock, Bucknell University
Treasurer:
PDC Corporate Secretary:
Immediate Past Chair:
- James E. White, City of Johnstown
Members of the Board:
- Vera Anderson, Citizens Bank
- Kim Barnes, Northern Tier Regional Planning
- Beth Wood Bergman, Elizabethtown Main Street
- Jane Conover, YWCA of York
- Mindy Higgins Crawford, Preservation PA
- Christian Conroy, PA Small Business Development Center
- Barry Denk, Center for Rural Pennsylvania
- Tim Gilmour, Wilkes University
- Dan Holland, Pittsburgh Young Preservationists
- Dale Lauricella, Ridgway Heritage Council
- Eric Menzer, Wagman Construction
- Larry Segal, Impact PA Strategies, LLC
- Mathilda Sheptak, Pocono Mountains Vacation Bureau
- Andy Toy, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Philadelphia
Ex Officio
- Representative David G. Argall, PA General Assembley (R), Tamaqua
- Representative Robert L. Freeman, PA General Assembly (D), Easton
Committees
Active board committees, with the participation of members from around the Commonwealth include: Finance, Legislative, Governance, and the Conference. Comments on the PDC board structure? Interested in serving on a committee? Click Here!
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