CORPORATE LADDER

CORPORATE LADDER

Kelli Kowalczyk, RD, LDN, was recently promoted to director of dietary services. The former food service manager earned her undergraduate degree in nutrition and dietetics from Marywood University, Scranton, and is a member of the American Dietetic Association and the Northeast Dietetic Association.

KINGSTON COMMONS

Gary Malia, NHA, of Hanover Township, has been hired as administrator of the nursing and rehabilitation center operated by AGE of Pennsylvania, LLC. Malia holds a bachelor of science degree in accounting and a master’s degree in finance from Wilkes University and has more than 20 years of long-term care experience.

Robin Palkovic, RN, of Forty Fort, has joined the staff as director of nursing. Palkovic has extensive experience in long-term care, home health, and critical care nursing. She is a graduate of Lycoming Community College.

TOBYHANNA ARMY DEPOT

Christine Ackerman, of Sugarloaf, has been named chief of the Secure Communication Branch, Communications Systems Directorate at the depot. She supervises 36 people who provide worldwide support to Department of Defense agencies, federal organizations and NATO allies. Employees repair, modify and upgrade equipment, cryptographic items, ancillary devices and demilitarize obsolete equipment. The 1979 graduate of West Hazleton High School began her career at Tobyhanna in 1989. She holds an associate’s degree in applied science from Luzerne County Community College.

THE BEN FRANKLIN TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS OF NE PA

James Peters, of Clarks Summit, has been named to the board of directors at the center which links Pennsylvania companies with universities, funding and other resources. He will also chair Ben Franklin’s Pocono Northeast Regional Advisory Board. Peters is a partner with Geisinger Ventures and chief executive officer of MedMining, one of Geisinger Ventures’ portfolio companies that he founded. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Lehigh University, and completed continuing professional education in Healthcare Strategy at the Harvard School of Public Health. Further, he earned an MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

HONORS & AWARDS

George Shadie, CLU, of Drums, has been named a member of the 2008 Premier President’s Council of New York Life Insurance Company. Members of the council are the top 50 leading performers of the company’s salesforce of more than 11,000 licensed agents. Shadie joined New York Life in 1989. He is a Chartered Life Underwriter and a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table.

Tobyhanna Army Depot was recently awarded the 2008 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing by the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University. The depot and other members of the Army Materiel Command were recognized for their implementation of Lean and Six Sigma principles during an awards ceremony at the Pentagon.

The Tunkhannock Business and Professional Association received a first place regional award of excellence in the 2008 International Best Brochure Competition for its promotional brochure, “Come Home to Tunkhannock.” The Tunkhannock entry was among a list of 63 finalists from a field of nearly 19,000 brochures.

The Law Offices of Gillespie, Miscavige, Ferdinand & Baranko, Hazleton, was the recent recipient of the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce “Downtown Pride” award. The award, presented for the month of September recognizes local businesses that set an example of pride in conducting a business in downtown Hazleton.

Dr. Jane Elmes-Crahall, of Larksville, recently received the Wilkes University Alumni Mentoring Award for the 2007-2008 academic year. The award is given to a faculty member who has been nominated by an alumnus and who has submitted a personal statement on philosophy of mentoring.

Editor’s Note: The Times Leader publishes announcements of business promotions, hirings and other noteworthy events on Sundays. Photographs may be included as space allows. Submit an announcement to Corporate Ladder by e-mail to tlbusiness@timesleader.com; by mail to 15 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711; or by fax to 829-5537. Photos in jpeg format may be attached to emails.