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MILL HALL -- The Keystone Central Foundation is hosting its 4th Annual Alumni Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, May 22, at Central Mountain High School.
The following article is one in a series highlighting this year's inductees.
The honor recognizes outstanding graduates from the Keystone Central School District who have demonstrated exceptional achievements in their personal or professional careers and have made significant contributions to their communities.
To reserve tickets or a table, or to place a congratulatory ad, visit www.kcfoundation.com or call 570-660-1306.
Steven Lynn Getz
Class of 1971
Lock Haven High School
Steven Lynn Getz is a 1971 graduate of Lock Haven High School, having spent his grade school years in St. Clair Shores, Mich., a suburb of Detroit. His family moved back to the nearby village of Swissdale in the mid-1960s. He is a graduate of Lycoming College, and has spent his entire professional career practicing various versions of fine art, graphic design, marketing and product development.
His corporate experience began when he joined C.A. Reed, Inc., a major U.S. paper converter and tableware distributor. Starting out "on the boards" as a product designer, he was promoted to product manager and licensing director. This time period in business saw the licensing industry explode with success, allowing him the opportunity to focus on juvenile products totaling nearly $40 million in business for the company.
In his tenure as licensing manager, he had the opportunity to work on exciting design projects with some of the most innovative companies and creative people in the country: George Lucas, Jim Henson, Stan Lee, Paul "Pee Wee" Herman, Steven Spielberg, Hulk Hogan and Lisa Frank -- among others. His licensing efforts included contracting with companies such as Universal Studios, Marvel Comics, Mattel Toys, World Wrestling Federation, Disney, Paramount Pictures, the NFL, NASCAR, Sesame Street, Warner Brothers and many other leaders in the entertainment and licensing industry. He served as a member of the Licensing Industry Merchandising Association and was selected as a panelist for the Licensing symposium in New York City.
In the early 1990s he became a partner in two businesses: TRU-LEAF camouflage, a uniquely designed pattern perfected for the outdoor and hunting markets and If-the Idea Factory, a surface and product design, marketing and corporate identity company.
Many still recognize the TRU-LEAF pattern as the forerunner of most modern recreational camo patterns used on products today.
The Idea Factory ventured into various diverse projects from packaging, product design, catalogs, advertising and museum displays -- with clients such as Utz Snack foods and No Nonsense panty hose. The company continues to create artwork of all kinds at the Swissdale farm studio.
During the past decade, Steve directed his focus to community-based projects and organizations. He has served on the PA Wilds Advisory Board and the Downtown Lock Haven, Inc. board. He currently serves on the Clinton County Tourism Advisory Board, Summer Concert Series committee and is the current Clinton County Arts Council President. Under his presidency at the CCAC the non-profit has expanded their influence in educational and cultural programs throughout the county.
Since moving into The Station Gallery in 2012, the CCAC has held more than 150 major art exhibits, developed youth camps and adult workshops, student sponsorships and scholarship programs and created the LH JAMS Music and Art festival.
Over this time the CCAC and Station Gallery has been selected as the PA Wilds "Great Places," the Lock Haven University President's Medal and the Carl Bergdahl Economic Partnership award for promoting tourism.
In 2021, LH JAMS Music & Art festival was selected as the PA Wilds "Event of the Year." Under his leadership, the CCAC has developed a strong relationship with Commonwealth University, hosting exhibits for C.U. art majors and art faculty which included all three campuses. C.U. and the CCAC also collaborates with a jazz concert at the Durrwachter to help raise scholarship and retention funds. This event was started in 2024 as a source for the CCAC to bring world class talent to Lock Haven to help fulfill their educational and cultural missions.
Steve also served on the Veterans Park committee as the designer of the new Veterans Park which opened in 2024. A project that lasted nearly six years, his objective was to create a very unique footprint as a place of reflection, honor and local history. His design included art features which were commissioned to tell the story of Clinton County service. Most importantly, the space was designed to be welcoming for all.
As a fine artist, Steve has exhibited paintings and sculptures throughout Central PA.
In 2016, he was presented the "PA Wilds Artisan of the Year" which is awarded to an artist within the 12.5 county PA Wilds region. He has also served as an award judge for various art and photography exhibits throughout the state including being a recent co-jurer for the "Images Exhibit" that is part of the Central PA Festival of the Arts held in State College, Pa.