ARTICLE
In this column, I've been pretty clear about what I feel is the obvious impact of for-profit business on the Lehigh Valley and our entire nation. Locally, so many Valley leaders of large and small companies not only create profitable enterprises, but they support their employees and their communities as well. Businesses contribute to many nonprofit organizations and step up when needed to support our stadiums, arenas, community events and more. The message they are sending is, "This Valley has been good to me and I want to return the favor." Sharing their money and time makes our community a better place for ALL of us. I will say though, the recent departure of some key nonprofit leaders has me thinking about how important nonprofits, and the people behind them, are to our future, too. I think of Rick Anderson of St. Luke’s University Health Network and Brian Nester of Lehigh Valley Health Network, serving tens of thousands of patients and employees every day. It's off the charts! Or the good work John Nespoli and his team at Sacred Heart Hospital provide to residents in downtown Allentown. Keeping that hospital vibrant isn't easy, and it takes a very bright, dedicated leadership. How about Kassie Hilgert and the crew at ArtsQuest, who not only pack the streets of Bethlehem during nationally recognized Musikfest, but also attract and entertain thousands year round at the SteelStacks campus? The impact of our colleges and universities is almost immeasurable. While educating our future leaders, they also employ so many of our neighbors and add greatly to the Valley’s arts and culture. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our community and economic development organizations. The Don Cunninghams (Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp.) and Miriam Huertas (Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce) of the world fight every day to keep our inner cites and communities alive and prosperous. I've talked about business leaders serving as an integral part of our success. But I've failed to mention some serious giants who run or have built great organizations that serve so many people in need. Those include Alan Jennings at Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, recently retired Frank Frey, who regionalized our YMCA/YWCAs, and Nancy Dischinat, who helps train and retrain our workforce as executive director of the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board. As for departing nonprofit leaders, Tamara Dolan at the Allentown Parking Authority held the often-unpopular role of enforcing parking regulations, but she also took the visionary risk to build parking garages that helped facilitate commercial development in downtown Allentown. I'll miss Carmen Twillie Ambar and the great work she did at Cedar Crest College. She was an incredible supporter of the annual Women's Summit, drawing over 500 women leaders to each event. I'm also sorry to see Charles Everett leave Lehigh Valley International Airport, even though it is for a fantastic opportunity elsewhere. Charles not only worked as diligently as anyone I know to make the airport a better place, but he also was colossal in our growing minority community. Charles focused on coalescing African-American college presidents, business owners and young professionals to make sure they feel a part of this Lehigh Valley and play key roles in our future. So here's to the nonprofit leaders — a sector of over 1,000 entities in the Lehigh Valley that pour $4 billion dollars into this local economy and assist those of our community in need. They employ over 10 percent of the Valley’s workforce. Many individually employ thousands, have budgets in the millions and create good will in the billions. The business community salutes you for your vision, your tenacity, and your love and passion for your neighbors. Keep fighting the fight. We'll be a better place for it! Tony Iannelli is president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at tonyi@lehighvalleychamber.org.