Recognizing Longevity, Excellence and Impact,  Citizen of the Year, Rising Star Young  Professionals and Service Above Self Scholarship Honorees

The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce has inducted our 2023 Business Hall of Fame Class, to be recognized during the organization’s 2nd annual signature spring awards program.

This year’s honorees include history-making selections, including the first bank, the first specialized medical practice, and the first human services non-profit to join the prestigious ranks of the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame award recognizes a commitment to professional excellence as well as an impact on commerce of the Bedford County region for at least a quarter-century.  The award has been presented by the Chamber since 1998, with the signature spring celebration added to the business community calendar in 2022.

The 2023 Induction Class includes:  Altoona First Savings Bank, B.C. Stone, Cessna Communications, Pennwood Ophthalmic Associates, and Your Safe Haven.  Here are their stories:

 

 

 

 

 

Katie Fink Honored as 2023 Citizen of the Year by Rotary Clubs of Bedford and Bedford Elks Lodge

The Rotary Clubs of Bedford and the Bedford Elks Clubs presented their 2023 Citizen of the Year Award to Kathryn (Katie) Fink during the Spring Awards Program March 10th.

Fink is the Executive Director of the United Way of Bedford County, where she has launched programs like the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and provided administrative support for Shop with a Cop and the Women United initiatives, building on the traditional programs and missions of the non-profit organization.

But beyond her “day-job”, Katie lends her time, talent and leadership skills to many other organizations throughout the Bedford County region. She holds significant volunteer positions with the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Ambassador Committee, Downtown Bedford Inc., Bedford Business & Professional Women, EABBA, Bloody Run Float Committee, the Everett Area Fund, and Leadership Bedford County Advisory Committee, among others. Fink is a past present of the Bedford Sunrise Rotary Club and a Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. She is also a 2018 graduate of Leadership Bedford County and an active member of her church.

The Citizen of the Year award is given to a Bedford Countian who exhibits the qualities of the sponsoring clubs’ mottos: Rotary’s Service Above Self and Elks Care, Elks Share. Fink’s nominator, Koren Woy Smith wrote:

“Katie jumps in where help is needed and puts in countless hours to help this community. When she says community, she means Bedford County, not just Bedford or Saxton or any one particular area; she wraps her arms around all areas.”

Katie resides in Hopewell with her husband, Bill. They have four grown daughters, the third generation inspired to participate in service.

“I just had two wonderful parents who instilled in all of us to give back to the community,” Katie explained. “It started growing up in Greene County with a free cheese give-away when the coal mines closed. We’ve always encouraged our girls to do that, too. You can’t say you want your county and community to be better if you’re not willing to pitch in and help, and there’s a great feeling you get from helping others.”

2023 Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Rising Star Honorees

The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce also honored two young professionals with the organization’s 2nd annual “Rising Star” Awards, recognizing professionals under the age of 40 who are exhibiting excellence in their business, industry and community.  The 2023 honorees are Haley Feaster and Greg Hauck.

Haley Feaster is a founder and co- owner of LIFeSTYLE Next Door, Cibo Divino Imports, & Wild Brewing Company.  With a passion for animals, she is among the founders of a local organization actively working to create a dog-friendly community and county. She is a member of the Bedford County Planning Commission board and Bedford County Endowments advisory board, where she serves as a voice for her generation.  She has also been an avid advocate for Bedford County in working to connect entrepreneurs to Opportunities within the community. Haley is a graduate of North Carolina State University; she resides in Bedford with her 2 rescues.

Greg Hauck is the controller for Bedford Reinforced Plastics after starting his career as manager of the organization’s blackberry farm. He oversees many facets of the multi-million dollar corporate, including the new Reinforced Logistics division. He is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a Business Management degree. Greg is also a graduate of the Chamber Foundation’s Leadership Bedford County program and serves on the board of directors of the United Way of Bedford County. Greg resides in Bedford with his wife, Kelsey.

Sunrise Rotary Presents “Service Above Self” Scholarships to Denae Mobus of Everett and Tussey Mountain’s Jayven Ritchey

The Bedford Sunrise Rotary Club presented two scholarships to Bedford County high school seniors who are making a difference in the communities while excelling in the classroom.

Denae Mobus holds several leadership positions within Everett High School and participates in many clubs, organizations and athletic teams.  Her community service includes planning a dance a thon and fundraiser for those in need and in support of autism awareness.

Jayven Ritchey is a scholar-athlete at Tussey Mountain High School, who signed a letter of intent to play football at Lebanon Valley College on the same day as the Chamber awards program.  His community service includes his role as a junior firefighter with the Saxton Volunteer Fire Department, and planning an executing a youth football camp in honor of his late grandfather.

Both Denae and Jayven are gradautes of Youth Leaderhship Bedford County.