The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominees for its 2022 EPIC Awards. The ceremony is to be held May 24. All nominations are asked to be submitted by Mar. 16.
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WILKES-BARRE — On Thursday, Oct. 6, the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce, alongside its regional chamber partners, will host the Young Professional Awards, presented by Coal Creative, with media partner Times Leader Media Group.
The event will take place at PNC Field at 5:30 p.m. — the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field are this year’s venue sponsor.
The Young Professionals Awards recognizes amazing rising stars helping to move our region forward. Every year, young professionals in our community are nominated for one of several award categories and the top three finalists in each category are recognized at a special awards ceremony, where the category winners are announced and awarded live.
Additionally, the Young Professional Development Award is also given to a company in our area that invests in developing and growing young talent in our region.
This year’s award categories and top three finalists include:
• Cultural Ambassador of the Year: sponsored by the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts and Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza:
– Josh Hamilton, Customer Implementation Specialist, Software & IT Solutions for Benco Dental.
– Jess Meoni, Web and Graphics Designer at The Honesdale National Bank.
– Dan Pittman, Owner and Artistic Director for Act Out Theatre Group.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Champion of the Year: sponsored by Janney Montgomery Scott:
– Erica Acosta, Director of Diversity Initiatives at Wilkes University.
– Jacob Kelley, Director of Workplace Culture for Community Action Association of Pennsylvania.
– Daryl Lewis, Managing Director/Owner of Diversity Angel LLC.
• Educator of the Year:
-Allison Ritsick, Director of Education and Programs & Regional Director for Building Blocks Learning Center.
– Chris Sedon, Computer Science Teacher at Abington Heights High School.
– Gabriella Tolerico, Elementary Music Teacher for the Carbondale Area School District.
• Hero of the Year: sponsored by Perfect Storm Renovations, LLC:
– Lloyd Burton, 911 Telecommunicator for Wyoming County.
– Chris Hallock, Scranton PD Training Sergeant.
– Kyle Shumosic, City of Pittston Police Chief.
• Intern of the Year: sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies:
– Frank Kocis III, Web & Design Intern at Coal Creative.
– Jillian Mirro, Communications Intern at Keystone Mission.
– Scott Stout, Associate Engineer at AZEK.
• Influencer of the Year: sponsored by UGI Utilities, Inc.:
– Anthony Bartoli, Claims Manager at AssuredPartners of NEPA.
– Shelby Monk, Marketing and Event Coordinator for the Diamond City Partnership.
– Maegan Zielinski, Chief Operating Officer at Grassroots Operating Development, LLC.
• Small Business Owner of the Year: sponsored by FNCB Bank:
– Eli Foss , Owner of Eli’s Towing and Recovery.
– Samantha Patterson, Owner of Motion Yoga and Integrative Wellness Studio.
– Paul Williams & Jerome Sulkoski, Co-Owners of Perfect Storm Renovations, LLC.
• STEAM Professional of the Year: sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities:
– Samantha Bucher, Content Director at Coal Creative.
– Gladysh Felix, Head of Scientific Thinking at DIFEX Consulting Engineers.
– Mateusz Wosik, Assistant Professor of Biology and Program Director of Clinical Laboratory Science at Misericordia University.
• Trailblazer of the Year: sponsored by MCR Productions:
– Jimel Calliste, President of the Wilkes-Barre NAACP.
– Emilia McCormick, Director of Operations of the United Sports Academy.
– Holly Yorkonis, Community Revitalization Coordinator for United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA.
• Voluntary Leader of the Year: sponsored by the United Way of Wyoming Valley and The Luzerne Foundation:
– Emily Courtois, Community Affairs Manager/Social Media Coordinator at Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services.
– Lindsey Riddell, Assistant Director of The Office of Mission, Ministry and Service at Misericordia University.
– Katrina Wallace, Premium Auditor for Berkshire Hathaway GUARD Insurance Companies.
• Young Professional Development Award: sponsored by UGI Utilities, Inc.:
– ConfiDANCE Studios.
– Posture Interactive, LTD.
– Lewith & Freeman Real Estate, Inc.
• Young Professional Women’s Leadership Award by Athena ® International: sponsored by Riggs Asset Management Co.:
– Cassandra Coleman, Executive Director of America250PA.
– Tara Siegel, Vice President of Marketing for Lewith & Freeman Real Estate, Inc.
– Nina Zanon, Executive Director at Wyoming Valley Children’s Association.
Tickets for this event are on sale now and can be purchased at — https://business.wyomingvalleychamber.org/chambercalendar.
For more information on the Professionals Awards, or to explore sponsorship and congratulatory opportunities, email — [email protected].
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.